23 minute read
College’s Financial Struggles Exacerbated by Lack of Alumni Donations
Emma Benardete Contributing Opinions Editor
Over the course of this semester, I have been privy to a fair amount of discourse surrounding Oberlin’s financial situation. Specifically, I have heard students criticize the way the College is handling its finances, asking why it can’t tap more into the endowment, and protesting specific cost-cutting measures the administration takes in order to balance the budget. While this is a critical conversation to have as the College passes costs onto students and employees in the form of high fees and low pay, it is important to consider why the College is having financial trouble in the first place. It is possible that, as many students claim, mismanagement of the endowment is a contributing factor. However, a much clearer and potentially more important factor in the financial strain Oberlin is facing is a lack of donations from our alumni.
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From 2013 until 2019, Forbes released the Grateful Grad Index, a 100-point scale that considers the percentage of alumni that give to a school and the median alumni donation size. The magazine lists the top 200 private, nonprofit colleges by that measure. While the claim that the formula can really measure gratitude is debatable, it is a useful source of data on how alumni donation rates compare across colleges. According to the most recent iteration of the index, Oberlin ranks 43rd, with a seven-year median donation of $11,918 and a three-year alumni giving rate of 22 percent for a score of 90. While that may seem impressive, it puts us in 12th place out of our 16 peer institutions.
One thing this metric fails to take into account is the opportunity for different types of non-monetary success. Many Obies make significantly less money than graduates of our peer institutions, typically opting to go into academia or public service over higher-paying jobs in the private sector. While this is a point of pride for the College — our slogan is, after all, “Think one person can change the world? So do we” — it also makes it difficult to remain financially stable without having to make dramatic changes to the budget. The Grateful Grads Index of a given institution is positively correlated with the median salary of that school’s alumni at 34 years old (about 12 years after graduation). In fact, adjusting for income, Oberlin moves up to sixth place among our peers. Yet while low alumni salaries play a role in our lack of donations, having a slew of extremely wealthy alumni is not the goal of our institution. The people who make the biggest difference in the world aren’t the ones who make millions.
All this being said, Oberlin’s lowend alumni salary numbers don’t necessarily mean we are doomed to a lack of donations forever. There are plenty of factors not related to alumni wealth that the College can focus on. For alumni who do have means, the College can concentrate on standing out as a worthy recipient of donations. Where people donate their money is largely determined by which organizations they deem to be the worthiest of their gifts.
“Oberlin is just one of 1.2 million nonprofit organizations in the U.S.,” the office of Vice President for Advancement Mike Grzesiak wrote in an email to the Review. “Across nonprofits the rate of participation in philanthropy has declined over the past few years. Today’s donors are pulled in countless directions (disaster relief, political campaigns, pandemic, social movements, etc.) and their philanthropy can vary from cause to cause.”
If Oberlin is going to improve — or even sustain — our donation numbers, we will have to come up with better ways to highlight why donating is so important.
“The best way to improve financial support for Oberlin, and any institution, for that matter, is to communicate the importance and impact of a donor’s gift,” Grzesiak wrote. “At Oberlin, we work to demonstrate how philanthropy makes a difference in students’ lives, whether in the classroom, in a time of emergency or financial need, or on the stage, field, or court.”
The Oberlin website highlights that almost nine out of 10 unrestricted donor dollars go toward financial aid, which is a good first step, but it isn’t enough. Plenty of potential donors have withheld support because of what they see as inefficient use of funds, especially in the wake of the austerity measures taken during the pandemic. It becomes a vicious cycle: the institution doesn’t receive enough in donations to balance the budget, so it has to pare down spending and make difficult, and sometimes misguided, decisions about where to cut costs. Alumni hear about these changes and decide, rightly or not, that the College is taking poorly thought-out measures and being irresponsible with its finances. Because of this, they hold back a portion or all of their donation, putting even more financial strain on the institution, which then has to make more difficult decisions. Thus, the cycle continues. We can escape this rhythm, but it will require the administration to make more careful financial decisions. Alumni will also have to cut the administration a bit of slack and provide some of the funds to get the ball rolling in a better direction.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that we have to demonstrate how donations to Oberlin impact the world outside of Oberlin.
“With regard to inspiring alumni giving (and participation), we best serve the students and faculty of Oberlin when we are able to tell of their achievements, successes, and impact on the world and relate that to how philanthropy helps make those achievements and successes possible,” Grzesiak wrote.
If we can find ways to tell meaningful stories of alumni who have used what they learned at Oberlin to become Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, professors, journalists, politicians, and diplomats, and we can articulate what Oberlin programs shaped them and helped them achieve what they did, we can inspire alumni to donate so that the College can contribute to the next generation of changemakers.
“Uncensored” Unofficial Oberlin Facebook Group Incites Bullying, Censorship
Melissa Landa, OC ’86 Marta Braiterman Tanenbaum, OC ’72 Frieda Fuchs
On Sept. 21, 2018, The Oberlin Review published a piece called “Alumni Claim Censorship on Facebook.” The article discussed the formation of an alternative Facebook group, the Uncensored Unofficial Oberlin Alumni Discussion Group, created by Oberlin alumnus Robert Hayes, and others, after several alumni had been censored and banned from the Alumni Association’s digital community group. Hayes was quoted as saying, “It is my hope that the unofficial group we are building, where governance is transparent and open discussions are encouraged, will become a place for … necessary conversations.” Unfortunately, as we have discovered, the unofficial group has become a site for online bullying, defamation, and censorship.
After joining the Oberlin Committee for Justice for Mahallati’s Victims, the three of us — all Jewish — began posting articles about Professor of Religion and Nancy Schrom Dye Chair in Middle East and North African Studies Mohammad Jafar Mahallati. We posted Amnesty International’s report that identifies him as covering up crimes against humanity. We posted accounts from the family members of those killed in the 1988 prison massacres, and we brought attention to the protest against Mahallati’s crimes that was approaching on Nov. 2. We were met with great hostility, including an accusation that we were agents of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee only concerned about Mahallati’s anti-Israel statements and using the families’ human rights campaign for our own purposes and an accusation that we were lying about the families’ involvement in the protest. On another occasion, a hostile alumnus referenced “allegations and unsupported statements of Melissa Simone Landa and the groups/individuals she invokes” and then proceeded to state that he could find no support for those allegations.
Two weeks later, on Nov. 2, Landa spoke as an alumni representative at the protest against Mahallati, which was organized by the Oberlin Committee for Justice for Mahallati’s Victims. Hours later, Rica Mendes, the administrator of the Facebook group, muted Landa, rendering her unable to post or comment in the group.
Referring to the group rule about transparency, Frieda Fuchs asked Mendes for an explanation for Landa’s removal and was soon joined by several others, prompting several members of the group to make insulting comments about their demands. In one instance, alumna Lily Manshel commented, “Lmao, why are there 5 different posts complaining about one annoying person being muted,” to which Mendes replied, “nailed it.”
Several days later, Mendes finally responded to Fuchs and others by presenting a litany of accusations against Landa and a notice that Landa was now permanently banned from the group. The accusations were presented without evidence and dated back several years, curiously emerging now, as Landa had become a spokesperson for the Iranian families.
Fuchs was later notified by Mendes that she was banned as well, with the ruling that she had “harassed” the moderators with her repeated demands.
Tanenbaum, who had been censored as well and was limited to one comment per hour, pointed out that Mendes has a personal history with Landa and was not able to objectively moderate. In response, an individual with the screen name Luty Hayes launched into a tirade against Tanenbaum and “every single member of Melissa’s coterie,” writing, “None of you have contributed anything of notable value. Nothing. … Not all of you have lied or misrepresented or broken rules; some of you are just torpedoes for the people who do.” Shortly after Tanenbaum’s comment was posted, Mendes muted her entirely.
The Uncensored Unofficial Oberlin Alumni Discussion Group has silenced the voices of the three Oberlin Committee members working for Mahallati’s dismissal, in effect aligning themselves with the efforts of the Oberlin administration to protect him. The group has also shown that its claims of unbiased moderation, transparency, and open discussion are empty ones. Moderation is arbitrary and vindictive, rules are optional, and hostility abounds.
We three were active members of this “uncensored” group — members who followed the rules and relied on group participation to voice our concerns about the deteriorating values of Oberlin College. In the past, we had written about the antisemitism of Professor Joy Karega and the administration’s refusal to take action against it and the discrimination against Jewish students who support Israel. This time, we were posting articles about the war crimes, antisemitism, and anti-Baha’i proclamations of Professor Mahallati.
The official Oberlin alumni Facebook group had already banned our posts and articles for being “critical of the College.” Now this alternative, “unofficial” alumni group with 2,500 members permitted the “moderators” to silence comments by banning the three of us. If people think alumni should weigh in on Jewish life on campus, how does this extreme degree of conformity allow any free speech among alumni regarding Israel, the rights of Zionist Jewish students, or faculty bias? Why was it so threatening to the official and unofficial alumni pages to post alumni-authored articles about campus antisemitism?
It’s time for the “uncensored” discussion group to reevaluate its mission and its administration and welcome us back. If it does not, its members need to decide whether to remain associated with a group that treats some of its members with such animosity and disdain. They also need to weigh the value of an Oberlin group that does not welcome discussion of an Oberlin faculty member who has been identified by Amnesty International as covering up crimes against humanity and found, by The Oberlin Review, to have “irrefutable” evidence against him. The group’s members who have watched our mistreatment in silence need to consider the words of Booker T. Washington: “A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right, and evil doesn’t become good, just because it’s accepted by a majority.”
Holly Yelton, Staff Cartoonist
Dear Moderates: Young Progressives Are Not The Scapegoats You’re Looking For
Emily Vaughan
As a whole, the Democratic Party is in quite the precarious position at the moment. The Supreme Court is controlled by conservatives, we are hanging onto the Senate by a thread, and our majority in the House of Representatives is nowhere near strong enough to resist a possible red wave in 2022. All the while, moderates like President Joe Biden are chipping away at the promises of progressive policy that got them elected, like forgiving student debt. They have failed to follow through on this promise, instead choosing to wring their hands and say that there isn’t room in the budget, then turn around and increase military spending during peacetime. Federal student loan payments have been suspended since March 2020, and the economy has not collapsed as a result. Despite this, payments will be restarting in February 2022, with no forgiveness anywhere in sight. Still, moderates clutch their metaphorical pearls to their necks when progressives run against them in primary elections, claiming that it opens their seats up to challenges from Republican candidates.
The biggest factor contributing to wins for progressives is not that moderates are failing to keep up with demands for progressive policy, but instead that they are failing to bring to fruition the promises of progressive policy that they make during their campaigns. In terms of strategy, this is an excellent one — for losing votes and support. How can they expect to win reelection when they show contempt for the policies that got them elected once they reach office?
It is only natural that progressives like myself are going to criticize moderates like Biden. If I don’t have faith that a candidate will vote for and introduce legislation that I support, why shouldn’t I campaign against them in primary elections? Why should I compromise my political and ethical beliefs? Primary elections are an opportunity to support the candidate within your party who most closely aligns with your individual beliefs. I will be supporting progressive candidates in the upcoming primary elections. While I’m not a huge fan of the moderate candidates running, I will vote for them in November if they become the party’s nominees. I do this out of an understanding of the consequences of abstaining from voting or voting third party. This is a common mindset amongst progressives, and I observed it while on campus during the 2020 election.
I don’t think that enough progessive voters will refrain from voting for moderate candidates to seriously diminish the chances of a Democrat winning the 2022 Ohio Senate race. That said, if I as a progressive am expected to compromise my beliefs for the greater good of the party, then I expect moderates to do the same when progressive candidates receive nominations, and vote for them even if they are “too progressive.”
Additionally, I find the idea grossly offensive that I, a young person who has been following electoral politics since the age of thirteen, am “in the ‘honeymoon phase’ of [my] political action,” as last week’s Review piece “Moderate Candidates Are Worth Our Time” called it. It’s worth noting that I am nowhere near the most politically active or experienced person on campus. Voting means having a say in the future of hundreds of millions of people, as well as myself. This is not a responsibility that I take lightly. In the past six years of following politics and two years of voting, I have both learned and unlearned many beliefs and ideas.
One of the things that I have learned in the past few years is that we as Democrats must abandon the idea that just because a place has copious Trump signs or is otherwise conservative, it is a battle that has already been lost. We must also abandon the belief that because a place is generally conservative, moderates will see more success than progressives. The former is harmful, divisive rhetoric that leaves people feeling looked over and down upon.
For example, many Democrats in Pennsylvania overlook rural, traditionally conservative areas and spend little time campaigning in them, despite the fact that they do have supporters in these areas. They then struggle to bring out voters in those areas. Putting in face time is known to be a good way to gain voters. Showing up demonstrates to these people that they matter, and progressive candidates know how to do that. Showing up everywhere has been central to progressive Senate candidate John Fetterman’s campaign. He has made it a mission of his to visit every one of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties not only once, but many times throughout his campaign. To the latter point, he has had people come out to support him in every single county, and is by far the most successful Democrat in the race.
Progressive candidates can absolutely be successful in less reliably blue areas. They just need to play their cards right, especially as moderates appear to be failing to do so.
LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
College Should Not Alter Maya Lin’s Sustainable Landscape Project
The Review’s article (“College Alters Maya Lin’s Vision for Post-Fossil Fuel Landscape,” The Oberlin Review, Nov. 12, 2021) indicates that the College and Conservatory say that alterations will be minor. But how, after accepting the design, can we renege on our agreement? And how can we, in good conscience and in good taste, say that we know better how this piece of land should be presented to the College and to the City of Oberlin than an artist of Ms. Lin’s stature?
I can’t see how altering the plans of a famed architectural artist and creator like this could possibly be to our institution’s advantage. As an alumnus of the College who is concerned with Oberlin’s sustainability efforts, I was dismayed to read of this decision. To me, it represents shortsightedness, if not total tone-deafness.
I have to wonder if other, unnamed forces were brought to bear here. But even if they were not, it strikes me as a failure of the College and Conservatory to take into account what would be the likely reaction of many who hear about it. I urge the administration to reconsider.
– Paul Safyan, OC ’68
Arredondo Interview Harmful, Offensive
The interview published two weeks ago, (“Off the Cuff with David Arredondo, Oberlin Admissions Director to Lorain County Republican Chairman,” The Oberlin Review, Dec. 3, 2021), with Lorain County Republican Party Chairman David Arredondo represents a dangerous step to the right for the Review. It was bizarre to read statements by Arredondo like “[At Oberlin] I got exposed to political correctness, people who claim to be victims,” and “here at Oberlin, as Republicans, we were in the closet.” Not to mention, “It was also shameful to lose Vietnam … letting Third World countries push us around.” I could not believe that the interviewer did not follow up on these offensive comments and that the Review chose to publish the interview in the first place.
The interviewee displayed a deep bigotry towards marginalized communities in the U.S. and other countries as well as a complete lack of understanding of history. The Review allowed these views to be presented without any criticism or even clarification that the views were offensive.
Over the summer, Lorain County was the first stop in Donald Trump’s post-presidential rally tour. Many students and community members expressed fear over having far-right extremists so close by and reported getting harassed by Trump supporters while walking around town. The subject of the interview was a Republican National Convention delegate for Donald Trump in 2020. At no point was he questioned on his support for Trump or whether he was involved in bringing Trump to Lorain County.
The Review should apologize for allowing such views to be expressed so uncritically and should work to promote voices usually ignored by our white supremacist society. The Review should give a platform to these voices, not perspectives espousing bigotry.
Around 1,558 students will be completing their Winter Term projects on campus this year Winter Term — more students than ever before. Due to adjustments made to the 2021–22 academic year, Winter Term is now being held from Jan. 25 through Feb. 17. According to the Office of Winter Term, this year will feature a full roster of on-campus events where students can meet up for daily social, academic, and co-curricular activities. Event details will be posted on the Winter Term website in the coming weeks.
10 Things to Do If You’re Staying in Oberlin
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Article and Graphics by Anna Harberger, This Week Editor
If you are trying to figure out how to spend the extra time in Oberlin, look no further! For the holidays, the Review is gifting our readers a quick list of activities, outings, and events to liven up the winter break.
When it’s just way too cold and you need to stay in, gather some folks in person or over
Zoom and throw a game night! If you find yourself in a living room with some friends, try starting a DIY game of Pictionary or charades. If you prefer gathering remotely, check out free, online versions of classic board games like Monopoly, Cards Against Humanity, or Scrabble that you can play with friends from the comfort of your own beds. Pair game night with frothy mugs of hot chocolate, a glass or two of eggnog, and plenty of snacks.
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If it happens to be on the warmer side — as warm as Ohio can get in January — plan a
picnic and bring it to Tappan Square or the Arboretum! Gather groceries from IGA — or Meijer if you’re feeling adventurous and have access to a car — and assemble a spread of your favorite fruits, cheese, crackers, and dips. I highly recommend cracking open a pomegranate and grabbing some goat cheese for a delicious and festive charcuterie experience. 3.
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Got music on your mind? Put your playlists to the test and sign up for an interim show with
WOBC-FM. If listening to music is more your thing, upcoming concerts to check out in Oberlin this winter will regularly be posted on oberlin.edu/ events. Prioritize self-care! Use the extra time to switch up your morning or evening routines. Whether it’s trying out yoga or meditation, or simply making yourself a cup of tea in the morning: see what works for you. If you’re looking for some selfcare outside the house, treat yourself to a pastry at Blue Rooster Bakehouse, or queue your go-to comfort album and take a walk around town.
Get together with some friends and
plan a night out in Cleveland. From dive bars and independent movie theaters to art museums and architectural landmarks, there are plenty of fun and budget-friendly things to do around the city. Don’t have a car? Check out the Oberlin EV CarShare program to rent a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt. Located behind the Police Department in the Oberlin City Hall parking lot, this program is available to any Oberlin resident or College student with a valid driver’s license. Here are my reccomendations:
–Happy Dog: 5801 Detroit Avenue –Cleveland Museum of Art: 11150 East Boulevard –Algebra Tea House: 2136 Murray Hill Road –Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque: 11610 Euclid Avenue
From Director of Winter Term and Global Learning Deanna Bergdorf:
Around 1,558 students will be completing their Winter Term projects on campus this year — more students than ever before. Due to adjustments made to the 2021–22 academic year, Winter Term is now being held from Jan. 25 through Feb. 17. According to the Office of Winter Term, this year will feature a full roster of on-campus events where students can meet up for daily social, academic, and co-curricular activities. Event details will be posted on the Winter
If you’re looking to get off campus or want to check out stores you might find at the mall, Crocker Park is a shopping center in
Westlake. About 30 minutes away from campus. There, you’ll find a Trader Joe’s, Apple Store, and plenty of other retailers and restaurants.
Photo by Michael Hastings
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For something fun off campus during the daytime, try out ice skating, roller skating,
mini golf, or rock climbing at these locations, all within 10–15 miles of campus:
–Country Skateland: 45841 OH-303, Oberlin –North Park Ice Arena: 901 Duffey Street, Elyria –Alien Vacation Mini Golf Attraction at Castle Noel: 260 South Court Street, Medina –On the Rocks Climbing Gym: 8701 Leavitt Road, Elyria
Looking to serve the community?
Volunteer at Oberlin Community Services to help out with their sustainability initiatives, food distribution, and other services. Organizations like Oasis Animal Shelter and the Boys and Girls Club also take volunteers through applications on their respective websites.
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Check out campus spaces for picking up new skills, hobbies, and other
creative endeavors. Try your hand at clay-throwing at the Pottery Co-op, located behind Mudd Center, or make something new and unexpected at the Student Makerspace in Wilder 329. Need materials? Take advantage of the 10% discount at Ginko’s Gallery, available for all students enrolled in an art class.
10. Take a hike! If you need to get away for a few days, stock up on CLIF bars, nut butter, and canned food for a camping trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. For more information on renting equipment, supplies, and other types of gear, visit the Oberlin Outings Club office in Wilder 404 or send their officers an email at ococ@oberlin.edu. For more low-key hiking, head to the Southern and Northern Loop Trails at Carlisle Metro Park. Moderate-level hikers may enjoy exploring the Kipton Reservation Trail in the Oberlin area.
