Anisa Curry Vietze – The Oberlin Review

Gibson’s Verdict Appeal Filed

October 11, 2019

On Tuesday, Oberlin College announced it would appeal the June jury verdict that sided with Gibson’s Bakery and against the College and Vice President and Dean of Students Meredith Raimondo. The appeal comes after the College was denied a retrial at the county level last month. The College currently faces a $25 million judgment after a Lorain County jury found the College and Raimondo responsible for libel and intentional infliction of emotional distress following a student-led protest against the bakery in November 2016. To represent them at the appellate level, the College has hired a legal team that includes Washington, D.C. First Amendment attorneys Lee Levine and Seth Berlin, as well as Cleveland appellate a...

Despite Zoning Challenges, Lorain Street Food Truck Opens

October 4, 2019

After over a year of searching, Steel Magnolia — the only food truck currently located in Oberlin — has found a home on 408 E. Lorain St., near IGA. The truck serves a mix of soul food and traditional Caribbean cuisine and was opened by Oberlin native Shontae Jackson who runs it with her mom, Sarah Jackson, and 17-year-old daughter, Tanzania. Sarah says that seeing her daughter succeed has been incredibly fulfilling. “Ever since she was a little girl, it’s been her dream,” Sarah said...

City Council Candidates Engage With Voters

Rachel Serna-Brown and Anisa Curry Vietze

October 4, 2019

Eleven local candidates running for Oberlin City Council met with voters at The First Church in Oberlin for Tuesday’s Community Candidates Night. The event was organized by Oberlin’s chapter of the League of Women Voters with the goal of giving voters the opportunity to ask the candidates questions about local issues. In previous years, Community Candidates Night has showcased candidates for other offices in addition to City Council, such as Ohio State Senate, the county auditor’s office, and local judicial spots. College Science Librarian Alison Ricker — who is a member of Oberlin’s LWV and helped organize the event — explained why this year’s event only focused on council. “The only candidates who spoke were ...

Students Relax at Presidential Carnival

September 13, 2019

Students enjoyed an afternoon of local cuisine, a dunk tank, and a sudden hailstorm at the President’s Welcome Carnival this past Wednesday. Stretching from the Science Center atrium to the nearby quad, the event invited students of all class years to sample food from community vendors, including the Slow Train Cafe and Dave’s Cosmic Subs. Students tried their hand at ring toss and challenged peers to friendly races through an inflatable obstacle course. “The Taste of Oberlin was an inventi...

Searches Launch for Next College, Conservatory Deans

September 6, 2019

In a time of unprecedented institutional change following the recommendations of the Academic and Administrative Program Review, both the College and Conservatory have launched active searches for new deans. The AAPR, which concluded this past spring, was chaired by Acting Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences David Kamitsuka and vice-chaired by Acting Dean of the Conservatory William Quillen. Both Kamitsuka and Quillen are currently filling their positions on an interim basis. Kamitsuka ass...

Jury Rules For Gibson’s, Assigns $44 Million in Damages

June 14, 2019

Editor's note: Due to the scope of national media attention, the Review took the extraordinary step of covering the Gibson's verdict outside of normal publication dates. Because of limited staff capacity, the Review does not moderate comments during the summer, and letters to the editors in response to any article will be reviewed for publication in the fall. Please direct any questions to [email protected] The Lorain County jury overseeing the trial between Gibson’s Bakery and Ob...

Private Grades, Transcripts Accessible to ExCo Instructors

April 26, 2019

Some students were upset to hear that — through a technological error — anyone who teaches or has previously taught an ExCo was able to access the private transcript of every current Oberlin student. These transcripts include all of the grades students have received during their time at Oberlin, every class taken, and in some cases even past AP test scores. This exclusive access has left some with questions about privacy. “I feel like it’s fair to call it a breach in security,” Colleg...

First Church to Undergo Historic Renovations

April 19, 2019

Members of The First Church in Oberlin, United Church of Christ believe it’s time to renovate the historic building that was completed in 1844. The renovations, which include window replacements, more accessible entryways, repointing old bricks, and a new elevator, and will cost the church around $1.45 million. First Church has already raised around $300,000 in grants and $500,000 in donations, as well as $350,000 that the church already had on hand. This means they only need to raise $300,00...

Global Health, Business Concentrations Proposed

April 12, 2019

An area of recommendation from the Academic and Administration Program Review steering committee has sparked a conversation about two potential new academic concentrations — one in Business and one in Global Health. The AAPR believes that adding these concentrations would both attract potential students to Oberlin and increase retention among current students. The AAPR’s Summary of Work to Date document, made public to students March 29, claims that more than a third of prospective students...

Library Showcases Student Publications

April 12, 2019

The College Archives have introduced a new exhibit on the first floor of Mary Church Terrell Main Library in Mudd Center that showcases Oberlin student publications. The exhibit, which opened April 3 and will be up until April 15, displays campus publications dating back to 1858. There is also a permanent digital collection as a part of the exhibit that displays almost 200 different print titles. Archives Student Assistant and College senior Kira Zimmerman helped put together the online exhibit by as...

Kosher Passover Meals Come to DeCafé

April 5, 2019

With help from both Chabad at Oberlin and Campus Dining Services, DeCafé will now offer kosher food during the week of Passover. Keeping kosher can be more difficult during Passover because the holiday comes with additional dietary restrictions and laws. Additionally, many Jews who do not otherwise keep kosher find it more important to keep kosher during Passover. Every spring since Chabad opened its doors in 2010, the organization has provided food that meets Passover’s kosher guidelines to students d...

Residents Question Facilities Communication

March 15, 2019

Editor’s note: This article contains description of blood and physical injury. Concerns about campus housing — including a window shattering in Langston Hall and ceiling leaks and mold in Firelands Apartments — have left some students unhappy with the lack of communication and transparency provided by the Office of Residential Education about its facilities. On Sunday, Feb. 24, College junior Samantha Clanton was trying to close her dorm window in Langston Hall when the glass broke and he...