For those of you new to the case, Gibson’s Bakery was a 5th generation family business in Oberlin, Ohio, near the Oberlin College campus. It served baked goods to the public and also to the student dining service, as well as operating a general convenience store. As with many other small businesses, student shoplifting was epidemic, as we covered, Student journalist: Shoplifting at Gibson’s Bakery was part of Oberlin College’s “Culture of Theft”
A store clerk, a member of the Gibson family, caught an Oberlin black student shoplifting, a scuffle ensued that was joined by two other Oberlin black students. When the police arrived, they arrested the students who eventually pleaded guilty. But before that, the college officials and students accused the bakery of racial profiling, called a boycott, suspended Gibson’s business with the college, and organized protests outside the bakery.
-WiscoDave
Commenters elsewhere have observed that Oberlin has a 900+million endowment, and so while this will sting it will not be a heavy burden. That is not so obvious as it may seem. Reportedly, most of the endowment is restricted; that is, it can't be used to pay a judgement and is limited to a specific donor's intentions. Redirecting those funds is fraught; in the past, donors have successfully recouped maldirected donations. Thus, Oberlin must pay out of unrestricted funds, which are more like 2-3 times the judgement. Further, Oberlin's D&O insurance has declined to pay. Oberlin will probably litigate, but lose. The bill is Oberlin's alone.
ReplyDeleteThe original judgement, and now its affirmation, thus constitute a very significant blow for Oberlin and its leadership. It may well be a deadly hit, as enrollments are down for years now and publicity from this will doubtless push them down further as students consider whether to bet that Oberlin will be viable in four years (eg, able to grant them a degree). Enrollment presumes that if one completes the program, the college will exist to grant a degree. That may not be true for Oberlin. This death spiral of enrollment collapse has claimed numerous other small colleges over the past decade or two. It can be very sudden.
Further, these is the reputational damage. Oberlin was elite, its degree highly desired. Families sacrificed for the chance. The original trial obviously impacted Oberlin's attractiveness, not least to employers. The latest decision will resurrect all of those concerns. Even if Oberlin is oversubscribed by a factor of 3 or more, how many of those will be first rank applicants? Top talent wants to be surrounded by other top talent, not second-raters. Oberlin may avoid the enrollment collapse by taking more lower tier applicants. Same problem, slower decline. Oberlin becomes less attractive and descends into mediocrity or worse.
Alumni will doubtless be implored to donate. Graduates from the past 20 years or so probably will. Older alumni, however, are a more dependable source with much deeper pockets, but come from an era when Oberlin's current values were not so well regarded. This prolonged auto-de-fe may -should- be a cause for more affluent donors to step back as it has uncovered a deep well of despicable behavior. Estate endowments are likely down- though Oberlin has no obligation to disclose that.
Prediction: Oberlin delenda est. The corpse may twitch a while, but the die is cast.
Couldn't happen to a more deserving recipient.
Very well stated. Thanks.
DeleteWent to Oberlin College for the Northern Ohio Charismatic Conference back in the late 70,s . Conference was greatly anointed but that college was a liberal cesspool even back then . Dykes , fags , and commies .
ReplyDeleteExcellent news. I hope it breaks the bank for the university. The boneheads had a chance to make it right for the bakery, but decided to double down and back the thieves.
ReplyDeleteThis is Oberlin College President: https://www.oberlin.edu/carmen-twillie-ambar
ReplyDeleteThey will undoubtedly appeal until hell freezes over. At least it’s a proper verdict for the time being. Sadly, the two plaintiffs are no longer with us, the legal system accomplishing what it does so well . . . moves sloooooooowly.
Looks like Moochelle Obama's kid sister.
DeleteI'm betting the heirs of the original plaintiffs never see a dime, unfortunately. As the first poster above so ably pointed out, Oberlin will continue to litigate this case and as enrollments decline will eventually declare bankruptcy, leaving the plaintiffs with crumbs, while the people that fomented this injustice suffer little to no ill effects.
ReplyDeleteNemo
It is one thing to win a judgement. It is an entirely different thing to collect it. The school will refuse to pay and the school management retire with a golden parachute. And thus another law suite and more years wasted. I am sure the lawyers are being paid in a timely manner though. Laws do not apply to democrats. They will always find a democrat judge to confirm that.
ReplyDeleteIIRC, the college already fronted a bond for the damages pending appeals. So, the plaintiffs should see satisfaction as long as the appeals continue to fail.
ReplyDeleteOberlin, pbut, had to post bond for the damages before the appeal.
ReplyDeletefuck em
I stop a walmart not far from there once in a while. Rudest people I have seen in my entire life are the college kids roaming walmart. Entitled little shits does not even begin to cover it.
Screw the school, screw the students and screw the administraters.
Finally! Sadly, the two main plaintiffs have passed away. May they rest in peace knowing their heirs are one step closer to vindication!
ReplyDelete