Alumni for Oberlin Values

Sign Our Call to Action!

We’re excited to present you with something we’ve been working on and ask you to join us.

This Call to Action is our attempt to bring together what we’ve learned over the past nearly five years and present specific steps the board of trustees should take to get Oberlin back on track.

Join the growing number of Oberlin community members calling for accountability, transparency, and democracy at Oberlin:

Read it here and add your name!

Please forward and share with your friends with a direct request asking them to sign on as well. 




Demanding Integrity and Accountability at Oberlin

As concerned alumni, we witness Oberlin College straying from its core values under its current leadership. Transparency, intellectual honesty, and social justice are being compromised.

  • Oberlin engaged in union-busting during a deadly pandemic, causing severe harm to workers’ economic and emotional well-being.
  • The College contracted with a discriminatory student health care provider, failing to provide comprehensive reproductive and gender-affirming health care services.
  • The elimination of the Finney Compact reduced faculty involvement in governance, leading to low morale and autocratic decision-making.
  • Oberlin failed to meet obligations with OSCA, leading to the closure of unique cooperative ventures.
  • The College lacks transparency in financial matters, leaving doubts about fiduciary responsibilities and decisions regarding austerity measures.
  • Handling of the Gibson’s Bakery matter resulted in significant financial losses and reputation damage.
  • These actions reflect a departure from cherished values, demanding accountability and a return to Oberlin’s historic character.

Join Alumni for Oberlin Values

Alumni play a crucial role in upholding Oberlin’s legacy. Together, we stand for integrity, transparency, and justice.

We introduce Alumni for Oberlin Values to address two critical needs:

  • The official Oberlin Alumni Association operates under College influence, lacking representational integrity.
  • Oberlin’s shift towards corporatization and austerity threatens its unique identity. Alumni must assert influence for greater accountability.

Oberlin once led in racial and gender equity. Today, it must reclaim its pioneering spirit amidst corporate influence.

We, as a diverse group of alumni, demand accountability and transparency to uphold Oberlin’s promise.

One alumni association won’t change the world alone. But together, we can steer Oberlin towards a brighter future. Explore our ideas and share yours!

Join Us!
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Steering Committee

Izzy Sanchez-Foster, 2023
Jesse Baer, 2010
Charles Dial, 1961
Becky Givan, 1997
Kelly Grotke, 1989
Tim Kaufman-Osborn, 1976
Susan Phillips, 1976
Kris Raab, 1989
Allen Shabino, 1978
Josh Spielberg, 1977
Les Leopold, 1969

Organizer

Sam Beesley, 2023