Student Mail Delivered to Electronic Lockers Amid Renovations

Celia Perks Senior Staff Writer

As part of the ongoing renovations in Wilder Hall, the student mailroom package distribution system now includes a set of electronic lockers from which students can retrieve and sign for packages without staff assistance. The system allows students to collect their packages at any time during Wilder Hall’s hours of operation. The lockers pop open automatically when a code is entered to allow students to collect their packages.

Earlier today, the College announced its decision to permanently eliminate OCMRs. As a result, some mail formerly distributed via OCMR will now be dispensed through the locker system, while paper checks can be claimed at the mailroom window.

According to a press release published by the Office of Communications, the system went live Jan. 17, 2023 during Winter Term but, as of now, it services only letters and small packages. Due to the current size restriction on the lockers, larger parcels must be picked up at the mailroom window.

Because this system will run six days a week and permit students to pick up their packages electronically, many students have been excited about the opening.

“While I believe there is nothing wrong with the old mailroom, I hope that the electronic lockers will allow me to pick up packages based on my busy schedule,” College first-year Shea Cheney said. College first-year Walker Johnson, however, is hesitant to embrace the new system.

“I was originally excited by this new installation that will make student life easier, but I am not sure how I will pick up my mail that is in the lockers,” Johnson said.

Aside from the mailroom, the ongoing Wilder Hall renovations will include construction of a green room, an additional stair tower, and new offices that are more accessible to students.

While the in-progress renovation aims to improve student life, it has limited the current accessibility of Wilder Hall, which serves as the campus’s student union. During the current phase of construction, renovations have closed the previous mailroom entrance, limited the new space to collect packages, and blocked a student exit in the basement that leads to Wilder Bowl, Mudd Center and King Building.

According to Associate Dean of Students Thom Julian, the renovations will transform Wilder Hall into the type of student union that the Oberlin College administration envisions.

“Wilder is such a historical building that has functioned as a student center, but I don’t think it’s meeting the current state of the arts that we would like it to bring,” Julian said.

Director of Capital Improvements and Deputy Chief Facilities Officer Joe Comar and Business Manager Kris Weber worked to oversee the Wilder Hall renovation process.

“The Facility Planning and Construction and Facilities Business office serve as the bridge between the teams doing the actual construction work and the campus community affected by the renovation work in Wilder Hall,” Comar and Weber wrote in an email to the Review. “Thus far, in addition to design and construction management, a large focus has been placed on implementing the mailroom modifications and relocation of offices in preparation for construction.”

Security Report

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

Campus Safety Officers and members of the Oberlin Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at a Goldsmith Village Housing Unit.

Officers and members of the Oberlin Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at a Union Street Housing Unit.

Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023

Staff at Philips gym reported items stolen from their office.

Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023

Officers responded to East Hall to check on a student who was not feeling well.

Monday, Jan. 30, 2023

A student reported their unlocked bicycle had been stolen from the bike rack on the east side of Wilder Hall.

Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023

Staff reported the theft of numerous items from their office in Philips gym.

Officers and Oberlin Fire Department members responded to a fire alarm at East Hall on the second floor.

Starting this week, the Review is launching a series where it collects and publishes brief overviews of significant world news events. For more information about any of these topics and to visit the sources used, readers can click the hyperlinks in the online edition of this piece published on oberlinreview.org.

Russia Claims Territories Across East Ukraine, President Zelenskyy Calls for International Intervention

According to an article published by Al Jazeera, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russian forces have begun their “big revenge.” Following months of relative stalemate, Russia recently claimed a series of victories across the Ukrainian East.

“Every day they either bring in more of their regular troops, or we see an increase in the number of Wagnerites,” Zelenskyy told Ukrainian reporters.

M23 Troops Claim Kitshanga in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

After a failed November agreement for M23 forces to withdraw from seized areas in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, rebels took control of Kitshanga after the Jan. 15 deadline to withdraw.

According to an article from Al Jazeera, Lawrence Kanyuka, political spokesperson for the group, accused government troops of killing civilians and claimed that the Tutsi-led group was “prevent[ing] a genocide.”

Civilians were seen fleeing from the area after M23 took control.

Israeli Forces Attempted Drone Strike Upon Isfahan, Iran

According to an article published by BBC News, American intelligence agents claim that Israel was responsible for a minor drone strike on a “workshop” in Isfahan, Iran. Israel has admitted to drone strikes against Iranian targets in the past, claiming they were an attempt to stop the flow of weapons to militants in Lebanon. This latest attack comes as Iran faces criticism for producing weapons used by Russia in drone strikes against