It looks like Oberlin Aid to Strays (OAS) was left out in the cold by the Student Finance Committee (SFC).
The dispute originated last semester, when OAS submitted a budget asking for $11,599 from the SFC, and received $384. OAS filed a budget appeal with the committee to try and bridge the chasm that exists between the two.
OAS was founded to provide Oberlin's stray animals with a home and basic needs, but as a result of SFC's budget decisions, it has run into severe financial difficulties.
Last year, OAS ran on a tight budget of $3,645 - about one-third of their proposed budget. The organization has always managed to survive on money from the College, fund-raisers, grants, donations and simply paying the difference out of its members' pockets.
The members of SFC argued that the town of Oberlin should take responsibility for the strays into its own hands. "Student activity fees should be used for student groups. For example, to bring speakers to campus," said SFC chair college junior Danielle Hirsch. "But OAS, although it is a noble cause, is more of a charity organization. By giving them the small amount, our hope was they could use it to pressure the city to pay for the strays. It's a principle issue with the town, and unfortunately, OAS is caught in the middle of it."
Before OAS was founded in 1991, the town usually delegated the responsibility for found dogs and cats to the police department. The animals were kept for three days in a rather dingy shelter and, if no one came to pick them up, they were put to sleep. A simple and effective solution, but not particularly heartwarming.
Shari Kalina, at that time a college sophomore, took the initiative and, after several requests, the city allowed her to take over the shelter and the responsibility that came with it. She immediately ended the "putting-to-sleep" policy. Right now, OAS is officially allowed to keep the animals for three years before euthanizing them, but in practice all animals stay as long as necessary.
Currently, there are 22 dogs in the shelter and nine cats in foster care. Two summers ago, a new shelter was built on land provided by the town with money from various grants and donations. The town agreed to provide the shelter with free electricity and water. However, town officials are opposed to funding the program. "They just hang up the phone," said conservatory senior Susannah Telsey.
Town officials reason that most stray animals are left behind by students graduating or leaving Oberlin College for the summer. Students also often forget about neutering or spaying their animals, which results in larger numbers of strays.
But if the town is unwilling to pay, the College has similar sentiments. However, the costs are quite extensive: all animals need food, warmth and medical attention, all of which increase the cost of heating and provisions.
The appeal was filed last Wednesday. "If the appeal is rejected, we'll have to file an application for emergency funds and go to the president," said Telsey, co-president of OAS, in charge of the stray cats program. Telsey recently paid $500 of her own money for various expenses.
College junior Vania Stankiewicz was concerned with the expensive costs OAS has been facing. "We just can't cover a difference that high from our pockets," she said.
Here Kitty, Kitty: Oberlin Aid for Strays' animal shelter is in danger of being closed due to funding problems. The Student Finance Committee significantly cut their budget, arguing it is not the College's responsibility to fund the shelter. (photo by Cindy Myers)
Copyright © 1998, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 127, Number 6, October 9, 1998
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