Time for college to improve relationship with community

It would be great for Oberlin College to improve its relationship with the community and the first steps in that process would be to stop the propaganda machine and take responsibility for their actions of which there were many.

The college has been painting a picture that their involvement was to ensure freedom of speech and safety and that the actions of the students were independent from the college.

While those talking points may sell to some people in Oberlin, they will be a hard sell to other people, especially those in surrounding communities that can tell the difference between a shoplifter with a fake ID and a victim.

Regarding the propaganda items, there was no credible threat to the speech of 150+ angry students at the protest. Additionally, it is laughable to think that the dean of student affairs would be better at protection than the Oberlin Police department.

Furthermore, it seems like the college has the definitions of dependent and independent reversed. Many non-profits would love to have a sponsor that provided food, provided apparel, provided photocopy services, provided a limousine, had several employees attend the events, talked on a megaphone, passed out literature, and provided public relations.

Selling the claim that the protest was independent of the college will probably be about as difficult as convincing Ohioans that the Buckeyes are independent of the O.S.U.

The college’s best move would be to stop listening to their lawyers, take responsibility, set a good example for the students, and improve the administration.

Rick Lalonde Amherst