Primary Elections Uncertain Due to Drawn-Out Redistricting

Committee Misses Court Deadline, New Districts Remain Uncertain

Ella Moxley News Editor

The Ohio Redistricting Commission failed to meet a deadline last week to produce fair legislative maps as ordered by the Ohio Supreme Court. With the Ohio primary elections scheduled for May 3, uncertainty regarding congressional districts has created challenges for candidates and voters alike.

The Ohio Redistricting Commission was created as the result of a 2015 Ohio state constitutional amendment to address gerrymandering. The amendment was passed in a vote that garnered nearly 75 percent of popular support for the creation of the commission.

“I was very optimistic when the constitutional amendment was passed,” said Head of the Science Library and member of the League of Women Voters Alison Ricker. “People were so, so excited and thought, ‘This will do it! The bipartisan commission will be wonderful and will work together.’ And they just didn’t. ... We worked so hard to get signatures and get it on the ballot. And we were really talking about how it was going to improve politics in Ohio and we really believed it would.”

The road to producing fair congressional maps after the 2020 census has been anything but smooth. After the Ohio Redistricting Commission produced a set of maps in September, a number of lawsuits arguing that the maps did not meet constitutional requirements to fairly represent the residents of Ohio were filed in the Ohio Supreme Court.

“I think what we’re seeing here is the growing pains of some folks in politics who really don’t want to let go of partisan gerrymandering, and they’re trying to see if they can still get away with it,” said Associate Professor of Geology and Oberlin College Votes member Zeb Page. “And that’s frustrating because I think that there are some groups that are really trying to get away with as much as they can.”

After numerous back-and-forths between the court and the commission, the court ruled that the commission would need to produce constitutional maps by Feb. 17. Last week, the commission failed to meet this deadline, so the court gave the members until Wednesday to explain why they should not be held in contempt of the court. On Tuesday, all seven members of the commission will appear in court to defend their choice to miss the deadline.

“The court ordered them to submit a map and they blatantly disregarded the court’s order,” said Oberlin City Council Member Bryan Burgess. “And what does that mean? Will the Supreme Court order the members of the commission to be jailed? Fined? Who would impose those punishments? What happens when the executive and legislative branches refuse an order from the Supreme Court? We’re in uncharted territory. No one knows what’s gonna happen.”

It is unlikely that any one of the seven members of the commission, which includes Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, will be jailed, but the maximum penalty for a first offense of contempt of court is a $250 fine and up to 30 days in jail.

The extended back-and-forth between the Ohio Supreme Court and the Commision has created challenges for the upcoming May 3 primary. On Tuesday, Secretary of State Frank LaRose wrote to the Ohio Redistricting Commission to warn members that the May primary would not be able to go forward without a completed map. LaRose himself is a member of the Ohio Redistricting Commision.

The limbo state of the map makes it uncertain which district will include Oberlin. In previous elections, Oberlin was part of the Ohio 4th Congressional District, held by Jim Jordan; the 56th State Congressional District, held by Joe Miller; and Ohio Senate District 13, held by Nathan Manning.

Maps that were passed this fall and later struck down by the Ohio Supreme Court changed some of the boundaries for Oberlin’s U.S. and state districts. Oberlin was moved out of Democrat Joe Miller’s district; in response local city council member Bryan Burgess decided to run for Ohio House against Republican incumbent Dick Stein in the 53rd District.

“The second map that [the commission] submitted showed Oberlin being out of the traditional district that we’ve been in for decades,” Burgess said. “Oberlin has often been in the same district as other cities and central Lorain County and the new map that they drew pulled Oberlin out of that district and put it into Southern Lorain County and further west into Huron and Erie counties.”

As the maps have yet to be finalized due to current litigation, the boundaries for the district Burgess is running in are not yet finalized. Nonetheless, the filing deadline to run was Feb. 2, so Burgess filed in the 53rd District even though future maps could put Oberlin in a different district.

“Candidates across the state of Ohio filed to run in a district,” Burgess said. “Those districts are up in the air, they’re undefined. They may not even exist on the next map that gets approved. And so even though I’ve filed in the 53rd, Oberlin may not be in the 53rd District on the next approved map.”

The chaos of the redistricting has also caused confusion for voters who are uncertain what the boundaries of their district are or what candidates they will be voting for this spring. Nonetheless, Page urges voters, especially students, to focus on things they can control while they wait, like getting registered to vote.

“I think it’s less important to focus on the details of what the ultimate congressional districts will be, but to remember that participating is important,” Page said. “And although there’s not that much we can do right now about what congressional district or legislative district that we will be in Oberlin, we can make sure that we’re ready to participate.”

Despite the uncertainty created for voters and candidates like Burgess, the month-long legal fight could result in more democratic maps that better represent the residents of Ohio.

“I think [having a fair map] is a reasonable hope,” Ricker said. “I think that we’re not gonna be left with the really gerrymandered map that the Republicans came up with. I mean, some parts of the state will seem pretty gerrymandered possibly, but there’s some really glaring problems, especially down around Cincinnati that were really obvious gerrymanders.”

The deadline to register to vote in the Ohio primary is April 4. Students interested in helping with voter registration can reach out to OC Votes at OCvotes@ oberlin.edu.

Students and community members vote at the Heisman Club Field House in 2020.

Photo by Mads Olsen

Allyn W. Gibson, 93, Passes

Anisa Curry Vietze Editor-in-Chief

The owner of Gibson’s Bakery, Allyn W.Gibson, died on Saturday, Feb. 12 at the age of 93. Allyn’s passing was announced on the bakery’s Facebook page the following day.

“With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to Allyn W. Gibson,” the Feb. 13 post read. “He passed yesterday during baker’s hours. … Mr. Gibson was one of the most kind and genuine individuals we have ever known. He will be greatly missed.”

Allyn was a long-standing pillar of the Oberlin community, graduating from Oberlin High School, before attending The Ohio State University. Allyn married Melba Mason in 1948, and they remained happily married for 51 years, until her passing.

In 2019, the Gibson family was awarded $44 million — later capped at $25 million under Ohio law — in the Gibson’s Bakery v. Oberlin College case against the College and former Vice President and Dean of Students Meredith Raimondo.

Allyn was preceded in death by his parents, Burt and Leota (Goodrich) Gibson; wife, Melba; and son and bakery co-owner David Gibson, who died in 2019. He is survived by sons Rick and Don, nine grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

Family and friends gathered to pay their respects to Allyn on Thursday, Feb. 17, at The First Church in Oberlin, and held a memorial service in his honor on Friday, Feb. 18, also at First Church.

The Oberlin review

Feb. 25, 2022 Volume 151, Number 12 (ISSN 297–256)

Published by the students of Oberlin College every Friday during the fall and spring semesters, except holidays and examination periods. Advertising rates: $18 per column inch. Second-class postage paid at Oberlin, Ohio. Entered as second-class matter at the Oberlin, Ohio post office April 2, 1911. POSTMASTER SEND CHANGES TO: Wilder Box 90, Oberlin, Ohio 44074-1081. Office of Publication: Burton Basement, Oberlin, Ohio 44074. Phone: (440) 775-8123

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Construction workers implement the first phase of the Sustainable Infrastructure Project in summer 2021. Photo by Mads Olsen

College Reflects on Phase One of Sustainable Infrastructure Project

Nikki Keating Senior Staff Writer

The first phase of the Sustainable Infrastructure Program drew to a close last semester, encouraging members of the project to reflect on the precedent it set for sustainability on college campuses. With the goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2025, the project will continue during the summer months for the next three years. Additionally, as the project continues, various internship opportunities for students will be provided through the Office of Environmental Sustainability.

The SIP is a large-scale program to implement a geothermal energy system which will require the removal and replanting of more than 100 trees across campus. The first phase of the project replaced the College’s deteriorating steampipe system and rehauled it with a more efficient heating system. In the future, geothermal heating and cooling system will make buildings over 30 percent more efficient through fiber networks, cooling systems, and improved electrical and mechanical systems. A clean energy system is guaranteed for future Oberlin students and will serve as an example to campuses across the nation.

“For the energy system work, we will continue to engage students and faculty for this great learning opportunity,” Chief Facilities Officer Kevin Brown wrote in an email to the Review. “We will also be extending this to the community with community upcoming engagement sessions and campus tours. We are also extending our knowledge-sharing to other institutions that would like to learn from Oberlin’s experience.”

College fourth-year Milo Hume had the opportunity to meet SIP construction workers when he filmed an informational documentary on SIP over the summer semester.

“I really enjoyed being able to work and connect with the construction workers who were laying the actual pipes,” Hume said. “Getting to know them was a privilege as they often go anonymous.”

The next phase of the SIP, which will occur over summer 2022, will focus on the construction of geothermal wells below North Fields.

COVID-19 Update

Ella Moxley News Editor

Oberlin College Updates Ohio Updates

Between Feb. 11 and 23, the College administered 2,840 PCR tests and 47 rapid tests. During this time, there were six positive PCR tests, eight positive rapid tests, and two positive self-reported tests.

The College’s Feb. 18 deadline for students, faculty, and staff to submit booster documentation passed last week. Students who have yet to upload proof of their booster shot can reupload their vaccine card to the Student Health Portal, and faculty and staff can upload theirs via a form on Oberview.

ObieSafe reported on Feb. 16 that campus positivity rates were at 0.36 percent. Because of the low rate, the College revised original plans to keep all classes remote during the first week. Students were able to attend inperson classes this week, but all meals are currently graband-go.

As of Dec. 18, 98.8 percent of students, 97.1 percent of faculty, and 90.7 percent of staff are fully vaccinated. Ohio’s COVID-19 situation continues to improve in recent months. Between Feb. 11 and Feb. 24, the state recorded 16,490 new cases and 680 hospitalizations. Currently, there are 160.7 cases per 100,000 Ohio residents, which is a significantly lower proportion than a month ago, when Ohio had 2,154.8 per 100,000 residents on Jan. 20.

Over the last six weeks, COVID-19 rates in the state have fallen from record highs caused by the Omicron variant.

While statewide cases are declining, Ohioans are lagging behind in getting booster shots — roughly half of vaccinated Ohioans have had a booster shot. The CDC recommend that all adults receive a booster to complete their vaccination series.

Currently, 61.8 percent of Ohioans have received their first dose of a vaccine and 57.1 percent of residents have completed two doses.

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

6:42 p.m. A student reported their vehicle was stuck in the grass and mud between Burton Hall and Langston Hall. Campus Safety officers contacted a tow truck to remove the vehicle.

Friday, Feb. 18, 2022

7:16 p.m. A student requested transport from Langston Hall to Mercy Allen Hospital to have an injury checked. Officers completed the transport.

Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022

3:38 p.m. Officers and Oberlin Fire Department members responded to a fire alarm at a Union Street Housing Unit. Contact between steam from running water and a hot frying pan caused the alarm. Officers reset the alarm with no further issue.

Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022

4:38 p.m. Officers were requested to assist an ill student at South Hall. Officers requested an ambulance, which transported the student to the Mercy Allen Hospital emergency room.

Monday, Feb. 21, 2022

8:50 a.m. A student requested an officer’s assistance after falling outside of a South Main Street business and injuring their ankle. An officer responded and transported the student to Mercy Allen Hospital for treatment. 10:33 a.m. Groundskeeping staff reported vandalism to several areas in Tappan Square. Staff found spraypainted tags located on the bandstand, trees, two light posts, a trash can, and the sidewalk. Groundskeeping staff made requests for paint removal.

Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022

2:30 p.m. Staff at the Science Center reported that the handicap button and interior components were missing from the south entrance of the George R. and Ruth Schoeni Bent Corridor. A work order was filed for repair. 6:19 p.m. Officers, a maintenance technician, and the Oberlin Fire Department members responded to a report of smoke coming from the second-floor women’s restroom in Carnegie Building. A burnt odor was detected and the building was evacuated. A burned-out light ballast was located and an electrician removed the burnt components. An alarm reset was completed with no further problems.

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022

9:31 a.m. Officers and Oberlin Fire Department members responded to a fire alarm on the fourth floor of Peters Hall. Burning incense caused the alarm. The individual responsible for the burning incense was advised to follow Oberlin College policies. The alarm was reset. 1:33 p.m. Officers were requested to assist with a life safety inspection on the third floor of Dascomb Hall. Located in plain view was a prescription bottle containing a green leafy substance consistent with marijuana, a glass water pipe with residue consistent with marijuana, a baggie, and a grinder, both containing the green leafy substance. The items were confiscated and turned over to the Oberlin Police Department.