We'd like to thank you

We, the part-time staff of Philips Gym, would like to express our extreme gratitude to the concerned students, faculty, staff and community members that supported us in our recent struggle with administration. It is reassuring to know that when people are treated with disrespect and unfairness that others will step up to help right the injustice. A special thanks to the organizations of The Labor Party, Labor Militant, Student Labor Action Coalition, and International Socialist Organization.

-Susan Thomas-Young, Rachel Ghoston, Bryan Thomas, Matt Valentine, Caleb Miller, Josh Hicks, Takiela Walker, MyEsha Perkins, Jason Whitehead, Jolie Thomas

Why is the safety of one person not as important as another?

In response to the editorial in the Oberlin News-Tribune 3/3/99; Whoever wrote the editorial evidently does not understand the City vs. the Rooming House owner issue. It is always frustrating to me to hear from people who do not know all the facts but attempt to show their knowledge, or is it their lack of knowledge? How wonderful it would be if we could stop all accidents and tragedies in our lives. I am sorry but all common sense tells us it will never happen .

The City of Oberlin alleges that many of the rooming house owners we not in compliance with the codes. They may be correct in the fact that many are not, but the City elects to discriminately go after a handful of owners that have complied with the codes and have had licenses for years.

In my case I have been operating rooming houses in Oberlin for twelve years. My houses have been totally renovated including new wiring, new furnaces appliances, drywall, plumbing, roofing, carpeting, siding and much more. I did all of this under the supervision of the City, including floor plans for the Planning commission, visits from the Fire department to properly place smoke detectors, visits from city inspectors for placement of fire escape ladders and properly sized windows for escape purposes,

I respected the Cities knowledge and expertise in this issue and followed and obeyed their direction, codes and rules. Approximately a year and a half ago the city decided (or should I say City Manager and Fire Chief), their former colleagues were not responsible or capable of properly enforcing these codes. Some of these people still work for the city. I do not feel the City can retroactively change their minds regarding these issues. Nor does the State Board of Building Appeals. The City would like the public to believe they are going after everyone who lives in a home that is not safe. How far from the truth could that be! For reasons unknown they are closing their eyes to some specific cases that may be related to some particular institutions or particular people of importance. I do not see the City making a big issue of smoke detectors or fire escape stairwells for the Non Rooming House owners. Why is the safety of one person not as important as the other? Did the City forget about the legal "Equal Protection Clause"? How can they discriminate against one kind of person, owner, child, or student? If the City is sincerely concerned about the health and welfare of the citizen's of Oberlin then they better enforce these codes and laws on everyone and not be so discriminatory.

Referring back to the editorial regarding the statement about whether the City has the right to inspect my properties, The City has inspected my properties for twelve years and for twelve years they have issued me licenses. Obviously I am not opposed to the City inspecting my properties. I am opposed to being pushed around unequal laws being enforced, rules changing by the month or by the person who you speak to, all the inconsistencies the Rooming House owners have put up with for a year and a half and the general arrogance of the City regarding this explosive issue.

Lastly - hopefully the Planning Commission will give anyone out there that argues without complete knowledge of the issue or anyone who tries to unequally or unfairly enforce codes or laws on people a swift kick in the butt. And please, if you personally do not have smoke detectors in your home, please install them.

-Van Kirkendall Oberlin resident

English Department has much more to do in the way of diversity and we need to do it together

Your story of March 6 about "Concerns aired at Trustee Forum" raised issues about the lack of minority faculty in the college as a whole, and specifically in the English Department. As Acting Chair of the department, I'd like to echo Sam Taylor's call for diversifying the faculty and the curriculum and to note that the department has been working to make sure this happens.

Students this year have studied with Prof. Shilpa Dave' in a seminar on "Asian-American Literature." Next year's curriculum includes another course by Prof. Dave', as well as another course in "Asian-American Literature" to be taught by Prof. Wendy Motooka, hired last year in a continuing position in the department. This year, a number of courses taught by Prof. Xiomara Santamarina have offered students the opportunity to study African-American literature. Next year, we are delighted to welcome Prof. Gillian Johns, currently finishing her dissertation at Temple University, in a continuing position with a specialty in African-American literature.

These steps arise from a long-standing priority of the department to ensure that minority voices and literatures are an integral part of our curriculum and pedagogy. Our thanks to those who corroborated our concerns with the board of trustees: we have more to do, and we need to do it together.

-Nicholas Jones Acting Chair, Department of English

We must have leadership from our class officers

I'm writing to clarify why I am running for Alumni Class President. I believe Oberlin is poised to capitalize on its historic commitment to both social responsibility and radical individualism after years of sitting on its proverbial laurels. After policy foibles such as the attempted censorship of Tribe 8, the outlawing of pink hair on the playing field, and the "who's been fired this week?" follies, there are those who question our commitment to the Oberlin ethos that drew us here. And though some fear we are losing our heritage (see the OOO article at www.oberlin.edu/~ooo about the Bike Derby, RIP), I believe we have an administration and student body that cares about Oberlin's destiny, about the world, and about the diversity and freedom necessary for the nurturing of Oberlin's unique character.

Yet without those capable of channeling these cares into action, change will not come. As alumni, we will have not only a stake in Oberlin's future but also power to influence it. One thing I've learned at Oberlin is that alumni opinion carries a lot of weight in Oberlin politics. We need leadership in our class officers - people who can both lobby and listen. I would be grateful for the opportunity to serve my class in this capacity. Seniors, please consider me when you cast your vote for Alumni Class President.

-Joshua Kaye College senior