<p>seems that a lot of ppl say that Oberlin is super liberal, I wanna know how? and in what ways is it considered to be that liberal? Are there certain ways that Oberlin functions differently than other less-liberal colleges? or is it the student population that makes it liberal?</p>
<p>I think it goes back to important events in the college’s history. First college to admit black students some 30 years before the Emancipation Proclamation; first co-educational school to admit women. The town being a stop on the Underground Railroad. Townsfolk rescuing an escaped slave from slave catchers and refusing to give him up. I think an attitude of tolerance and acceptance for all people has defined the culture for a long time. Professor Dave would have to comment here but I think Oberlin was one of the first colleges to have co-ed dorms. There is an aversion to sororities and fraternities at Oberlin. I think the Greek system is more popular in the more conservative south and other colleges that are more athletically-oriented. </p>
<p>What else makes it super liberal? An acceptance of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. This is a guess, but I’d wager money that Oberlin students preferred Obama over McCain probably 10-1, at least. My guess is students would favor having Dennis Kucinich on campus as a speaker 20-1 over Sarah Palin. I’m also willing to bet 95% of the cable TVs on this campus are NOT tuned to FOX News.</p>
<p>Put it this way, Oberlin ain’t Lehigh.</p>
<p>“I wanna know how?” </p>
<p>Most people there are liberal, or beyond, that’s how.</p>
<p>“and in what ways is it considered to be that liberal?”
Politically, intellectually, tolerance of a wide range of activities and ideas [so long as these are not antagonistic to what is considered liberal, or beyond]</p>
<p>“Are there certain ways that Oberlin functions differently than other less-liberal colleges?”
Yes, for one thing there are/were certain campus activities that are not present everyplace.</p>
<p>" or is it the student population that makes it liberal?"
I would say its more the entire campus community, including the alumni body.</p>
<p>Aspects of this can be variously attractive, or not.
D1 related some incidents involving conflicts over appropriate levels of political correctness to be shown in certain social situations. . And I recall she shied away from some history course due to concerns that classroom discussions seemed likely to get bogged down in the over-political. Based on her other experiences there.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you are of like mind you may never again be among so many potential fellow-thinkers. For better or worse. At the end of the day, most people prefer the company of people who share their values.</p>