Can Oberlin ever change its image as a failed school?

[Anonymous]

Oberlin College has become almost a caricature of hyper-progressive campus culture—so far removed from reality that it often seems more like a satire of itself than a serious academic institution. Oberlin has become a bubble of moral absolutism, where activism often overshadows academics and ideological purity is the only real currency. The student body is notorious for latching onto causes—sometimes absurdly minor ones—with theatrical outrage, turning every issue into a crisis of justice. There’s little tolerance for nuance or disagreement, and anyone who steps outside the rigid ideological lines is quickly ostracized.

The college’s now-infamous lawsuit with Gibson’s Bakery, where students and administrators smeared a local business over a straightforward shoplifting incident, was a perfect example: Oberlin doubled down, dragged the issue into the realm of social warfare, and ended up losing tens of millions in court. But instead of being a wake-up call, it only seemed to harden the school’s stance. There’s an almost performative quality to the campus outrage machine—constant protests, petitions, and purity tests, all unfolding in a bubble utterly disconnected from the concerns of the real world. Oberlin no longer represents higher learning—it represents what happens when a college prioritizes ideology over education, and grievance over growth.

[Anonymous]

Yes, call.

[Anonymous]

Even for those who don't care much about rankings, Oberlin's drop of 50 places in its U.S. News category may represent cause for concern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oberlin College has become almost a caricature of hyper-progressive campus culture—so far removed from reality that it often seems more like a satire of itself than a serious academic institution. Oberlin has become a bubble of moral absolutism, where activism often overshadows academics and ideological purity is the only real currency. The student body is notorious for latching onto causes—sometimes absurdly minor ones—with theatrical outrage, turning every issue into a crisis of justice. There’s little tolerance for nuance or disagreement, and anyone who steps outside the rigid ideological lines is quickly ostracized.

The college’s now-infamous lawsuit with Gibson’s Bakery, where students and administrators smeared a local business over a straightforward shoplifting incident, was a perfect example: Oberlin doubled down, dragged the issue into the realm of social warfare, and ended up losing tens of millions in court. But instead of being a wake-up call, it only seemed to harden the school’s stance. There’s an almost performative quality to the campus outrage machine—constant protests, petitions, and purity tests, all unfolding in a bubble utterly disconnected from the concerns of the real world. Oberlin no longer represents higher learning—it represents what happens when a college prioritizes ideology over education, and grievance over growth.

Largely agree. And note - I'm a lifelong Democrat, completely anti-MAGA. I will take an Oberlin person over MAGA any day of the week, but it is ironic how much the two groups actually have in common.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did not read your post and came on here only to say your title makes the post, and the whole silly thread, not worth reading…

Well said. What’s the point of the thread? Seems like OP just wants to stir things up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In Gary Shteyngart’s new book, he calls Oberlin the “college of fading repute.” He is an alumnus.

He doesn’t actually name the college in his book. Just Swathmore and Colgate.

It is obviously Oberlin.

[Anonymous]

It is not a choice school.
So many things not going for it.
Of my parent social circle, the most academically challenged child went to Oberlin. Couldn't get in anywhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is not a choice school.
So many things not going for it.
Of my parent social circle, the most academically challenged child went to Oberlin. Couldn't get in anywhere else.

Cool story bro.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oberlin College has become almost a caricature of hyper-progressive campus culture—so far removed from reality that it often seems more like a satire of itself than a serious academic institution. Oberlin has become a bubble of moral absolutism, where activism often overshadows academics and ideological purity is the only real currency. The student body is notorious for latching onto causes—sometimes absurdly minor ones—with theatrical outrage, turning every issue into a crisis of justice. There’s little tolerance for nuance or disagreement, and anyone who steps outside the rigid ideological lines is quickly ostracized.

The college’s now-infamous lawsuit with Gibson’s Bakery, where students and administrators smeared a local business over a straightforward shoplifting incident, was a perfect example: Oberlin doubled down, dragged the issue into the realm of social warfare, and ended up losing tens of millions in court. But instead of being a wake-up call, it only seemed to harden the school’s stance. There’s an almost performative quality to the campus outrage machine—constant protests, petitions, and purity tests, all unfolding in a bubble utterly disconnected from the concerns of the real world. Oberlin no longer represents higher learning—it represents what happens when a college prioritizes ideology over education, and grievance over growth.

Chatgpt

[Anonymous]

Okay, so don't send your kid there. It's a fine school for the right kind of student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are Oberlin alum who are embarrassed to have graduated from the college. It has slipped a ton in rankings too.

As there are Penn alums who are embarrassed and alums of the schools that capitulated to Trump who are embarrassed. Not an Oberlin person but miss me with the premise that Oberlin is a failed school. You want MAGA lite Dennison is right there for you.

I’ve never heard of Dennison. There is a Denison. Its faculty was anything but conservative when I was there.

[Anonymous]

Interesting thread. Thank you OP for starting this thread with a well thought-out post.

Oberlin College is not a failed school, although it is widely viewed as an ultra-liberal school with an extremist culture in which intellectual growth & maturation is limited by an intolerance for dissenting points of view. Oberlin College is the ultimate MAGA-type indoctrination camp for immature liberal believers. Maturation is not developed from comfort; it is earned by surviving through struggles, turmoil and discomfort.

Nevertheless, Oberlin College is an option that should be preserved among American educational institutions. Personally, I am a moderate on most issues and I learn from opposing points of view. While I do not enjoy the extremist domination of either of our two main political parties, extremist activists are an important part of any evolving environment.

Attending school in an ideologically conformist environment, which in this case is an ultra-liberal culture, delays one's maturation until entering the real world after college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oberlin College has become almost a caricature of hyper-progressive campus culture—so far removed from reality that it often seems more like a satire of itself than a serious academic institution. Oberlin has become a bubble of moral absolutism, where activism often overshadows academics and ideological purity is the only real currency. The student body is notorious for latching onto causes—sometimes absurdly minor ones—with theatrical outrage, turning every issue into a crisis of justice. There’s little tolerance for nuance or disagreement, and anyone who steps outside the rigid ideological lines is quickly ostracized.

The college’s now-infamous lawsuit with Gibson’s Bakery, where students and administrators smeared a local business over a straightforward shoplifting incident, was a perfect example: Oberlin doubled down, dragged the issue into the realm of social warfare, and ended up losing tens of millions in court. But instead of being a wake-up call, it only seemed to harden the school’s stance. There’s an almost performative quality to the campus outrage machine—constant protests, petitions, and purity tests, all unfolding in a bubble utterly disconnected from the concerns of the real world. Oberlin no longer represents higher learning—it represents what happens when a college prioritizes ideology over education, and grievance over growth.

Chatgpt

Obv

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting thread. Thank you OP for starting this thread with a well thought-out post.

Oberlin College is not a failed school, although it is widely viewed as an ultra-liberal school with an extremist culture in which intellectual growth & maturation is limited by an intolerance for dissenting points of view. Oberlin College is the ultimate MAGA-type indoctrination camp for immature liberal believers. Maturation is not developed from comfort; it is earned by surviving through struggles, turmoil and discomfort.

Nevertheless, Oberlin College is an option that should be preserved among American educational institutions. Personally, I am a moderate on most issues and I learn from opposing points of view. While I do not enjoy the extremist domination of either of our two main political parties, extremist activists are an important part of any evolving environment.

Attending school in an ideologically conformist environment, which in this case is an ultra-liberal culture, delays one's maturation until entering the real world after college.

So much Chat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting thread. Thank you OP for starting this thread with a well thought-out post.

Oberlin College is not a failed school, although it is widely viewed as an ultra-liberal school with an extremist culture in which intellectual growth & maturation is limited by an intolerance for dissenting points of view. Oberlin College is the ultimate MAGA-type indoctrination camp for immature liberal believers. Maturation is not developed from comfort; it is earned by surviving through struggles, turmoil and discomfort.

Nevertheless, Oberlin College is an option that should be preserved among American educational institutions. Personally, I am a moderate on most issues and I learn from opposing points of view. While I do not enjoy the extremist domination of either of our two main political parties, extremist activists are an important part of any evolving environment.

Attending school in an ideologically conformist environment, which in this case is an ultra-liberal culture, delays one's maturation until entering the real world after college.

So much Chat.

Incorrect, but you do highlight the issue well by your childish, closed-minded response. Are you a member of the Oberlin College family ?