About
The Oberlin Initiative in Electoral Politics (OIEP) is a program funded by Oberlin College alumni Richard and Dorothy Cole to encourage Oberlin graduates to run for and serve in public office. The various components of the non-partisan OIEP include:
Campus Wide
- Encouraging young people to vote and run for office through outreach activities
- Bringing speakers to campus to address topics related to campaigns and elections
- Offering workshops in the various skills needed to run for office
Cole Scholars
- Selecting Cole Scholars from students at Oberlin College with high academic performance and a demonstrated interest in electoral politics
- Training Cole Scholars in the academic literatures of campaigns and elections
- Supporting Cole Scholars financially and professionally in field placements for eight weeks during the summer
- Requiring that Cole Scholars use their field placement experiences to test theories from the academic literature
- Supporting Cole Scholars in continuing their skill building through activities on campus and by partial support for their attendance at relevant conferences
Alumni
- Supporting alumni who are considering running for public office with modest cash allotments to attend campaign training sessions
- Providing the means by which alumni can network and find like-minded activists in the world of campaigns and elections
Keynote Speakers
- Inviting major speakers who have served in the public realm with distinction
Faculty Support
- Supporting faculty in the development of courses and/or training in campaigns and elections