Students demand Oberlin College action on race relations, diversity

OBERLIN — A list of demands "calling attention to and condemning white supremacy and anti-Black racism in the United States" has been released by the Oberlin College Student Senate. The demands were posted to social media this weekend, against the backdrop of the Black Lives Matter movement and with marches against police brutality happening all over the world. The student government wants to know about Oberlin College security's relationship with the Oberlin Police Department, and what jurisdiction police officers have on campus. "We work hand-in-hand with college safety and security," Oberlin police Lt. Mike McCloskey said. "Generally things that happen on campus that are minor in nature are handled internally by campus security." Sexual assaults and other serious crimes are investigated by police. However, McCloskey said that as a private institution, Oberlin College has the right to decline police assistance. That's what typically happens, for example, when drugs or paraphernalia are found on campus. They are turned over to police for destruction, but there is no investigation. Other demands by the Student Senate call for all first-year students to take a "power, privilege and oppression" training within a month of arriving on campus, for more works by black composers to be featured in large ensemble projects and more black faculty members to be hired. The senate also voiced support for a racial justice initiative announced this month by Oberlin College President Carmen Twillie Ambar. She envisions courses, events and internships "focused on the very issues that the death of George Floyd evokes." Floyd was a 46-year-old black man killed by white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who now faces murder and manslaughter charges. Student senators said Ambar's announcement showed "courageous leadership" and they are excited to support her plan. "Oberlin has a long history of showing progressive leadership as it relates to race, and how we respond in this moment builds upon that legacy," the group wrote along with the demands. The Student Senate has planned a racial justice listening session for Monday, June 22, via Zoom for black students and faculty members to talk with student senators. Non-black senators will be required to remain silent during the event. The purpose of the session, according to the senate's post, is to give black students and faculty a chance to express concerns of white supremacy, police violence and the complacency of peers on campus. Those concerns will be addressed a racial justice task force, which will meet every two weeks starting Monday, June 29. It is intended to eventually become a Student Senate committee in the fall. The body also fully endorsed a list of 21 "demands, not suggestions" made this weekend by Abusua, the black student union at Oberlin College, along with the Africana community. They were published over the weekend in The Oberlin Review student newspaper, expressing "anger and dissatisfaction" with the college administration. Highlights include: Job security for United Auto Workers employees who hold jobs on campus, and who received layoff notices last winter COVID-19 tests that are easily accessible to all students with quick results A zero-tolerance policy on racial insensitivity and mandatory training on cultural diversity for college workers, and the hiring of a diversity officer to hold employees accountable Reinstatement of free, full psychological evaluations available for all students Monthly meetings with key college personnel to give input on how decisions affect black students A requirement for students to take an Africana studies class Further funding for Africana studies and the Afrikan Heritage House, the annual Black History Month celebration, commencement weekend activities for black families and the Africana welcoming event during orientation Three student assistants for the Afrikan Heritage House to help organize community events Options to donate to the Afrikan Heritage House and Africana studies department in all fundraising events $5,000 for Afrikan Heritage House renovations, and an increase in custodial services there Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.