<p>Here are some comments from a middle-aged Oberlin graduate who lives in the suburbs, has two teenage kids, and had nothing to do with the selection of the new President.</p>
<p>The timing of the announcement wasn't "strategic." Rather, it was made according to a timetable that was set up as soon as the current President announced her departure. </p>
<p>As some posters have noted, there will always be Obies (students and faculty) who will not be satisfied unless and until they are consulted about a decision and their individual wishes have been given the highest priority. There also will always be Obies who reject the whole idea that a President is needed. These crowds will tend to be louder than their numbers warrant. While they should certainly be heard, there is no mandate that they control a decision. </p>
<p>Mr. Krislov has excellent credentials: academic, practical, and personal. He has a lot of experience that ties very closely into the interests of the students and faculty. Given the number and variety of constituencies at Oberlin, it would be impossible to find a candidate who could be 'acceptable' on paper to everyone. The proof will be in the pudding, and Mr. Krislov will succeed or fail on his own merits. Remember that some of the most successful advocates for classical music and new music are not themselves musicians. </p>
<p>As for the "art v. academics" issue, Obies are sometimes too quick to look for conspiracies and hidden agendas. (Perhaps it's all that "close reading of the text." Or perhaps it's just human nature expressed in concentration.) When I was a student there, people spent far too much time reading tea leaves about motives and bickering about categories. There were a lot of folks who spouted dogma about ideals but then were quick to label people and give them the mental toss into the dustbin. There was all too much condescension toward lower and different socio-economic classes. </p>
<p>Fortunately, the vast majority of the Oberlin community had enough perspective to look beyond academic gossip and intramural disputes. Most people were able to focus on the bigger picture, and to acknowledge differences without demonizing. In a recent visit, it seemed that this was still true. If anything, there was more true dialogue and less ranting and raving than before. </p>
<p>Oberlin is a serious place which requires a serious commitment from its students, in the College and the Conservatory. Some people will spend much of their four (or sometimes five) years chatting, gossiping, and complaining. Maybe this can be beneficial for one person or another. On the whole, however, few people find it easy to justify sitting in the snack bar, drinking coffee and shooting the breeze, while Mom and Dad pay high tuition bills. Most Obies roll up their sleeves and dig into the hard work that is available everywhere: science, literature, performance, history, composition, and on and on. The school doesn't deserve to be portrayed (as it often is among high schoolers) as just a 'cool place to hang out.' On the other hand, it is a cool place and one can certainly hang out when time permits. </p>
<p>In the end, Oberlin needs a President who is respectful of diverse viewpoints, assumes that every individual has an innate dignity, and has the capacity to lead others to do the same. These qualities aren't acquired by enrolling in a particular graduate program or engaging in certain kinds of work. Just as Obies expect (and sometimes demand) to be treated with respect, so must they respect others. Let's see if the current faculty and students are up to the challenge.</p>
<p>Thanks for listening, and have a nice day!</p>