As a graduating double-degree student, I’ve had five years to observe the communications and interactions between Oberlin College and non-College residents of the City of Oberlin. In conversation with College and community members alike, there is a lack of confidence regarding which Oberlin College events and programs are accessible to community members, and which are not. When asking several ExCo students last fall, “Can community members take ExCo classes?”, the responses were positive but unsure: “I think so?” “Probably!” “I believe so, yes, though I haven’t seen anyone from the community in any of my [ExCo] classes.” Likewise, I’ve run into a community member whose only experience at Mary Church Terrell Main Library was encountering a locked door on a weekend, even though students were clearly inside. It is also the case that non-Oberlin-ID members have only limited access to the course catalogue: The instructor information, as well as date/time/location information, is not publicly listed. Should a community member wish to audit a course, the College auditing policies are scattered over several digital spaces and take time to track down.
Higher education is currently in an uncomfortable spotlight in national political conversation (not least because of the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education introduced by the Trump administration last October). While resistance against censure makes up the essential core of the issue, there is also opportunity outside the fray to hold a conversation about the value of higher education. Students, faculty, college town communities: What do you need from your colleges and universities? How can we, together, use this moment in history to strengthen higher education and turn the tide towards hope?
There are abundant possible answers to this question. I offer just one: My own undergraduate education has taught me the fundamental importance of accessible and transparent communication in community resilience. In that spirit, I wanted to create a resource that gives basic information about the events, facilities, programs, memberships, and academic opportunities Oberlin College and Conservatory offers to City of Oberlin residents, especially the publicly accessible hours for certain campus buildings, how to get involved in certain programs, and who to contact. The facilities, arts, and academics of Oberlin College and Conservatory belong to the town of Oberlin as well as the students, staff, and faculty.
A “Quick Guide” covers Campus News + Events, College Course Auditing, ExCo Course Auditing, Philips Gym and Shanks Wellness Center, Mary Church Terrell Main Library, Other Libraries, Oberlin Conservatory Events, Other Arts/Performances, and Other Public Spaces. See the QR code for further information about events, programs, and institutional history.
College-Community Quick Guide
This is a resource intended for non-college residents in the City of Oberlin. It is likewise a resource to inform college students about what is and is not open to the Oberlin public, and for college students to pass on to their community partners and friends.
