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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 13, 1969)
Grape decision late Acting University President Charles Johnson has said there will be no more grapes purchased or served in Uni versity dormitories. Ilis action, long sought by the Grape Boycott committee on campus, came far too late. When the issue of grapes in dorms first arose some months ago, Johnson promised to investigate the matter before reaching a decision. He promised at the time to maintain a fair attitude toward both sides, and see that no decision ran contrary to the desires of a large number of students. Even after it became apparent however, that a number of students did not want grapes served by the University, the decision to halt purchase was delayed. The Housing Administration offered a number of rea sons, the foremost being that as long as some students desired grapes, they should be served. For a time, grapes were offered on a voluntary basis. If a student did not wish to eat grapes, he was allowed another choice for dessert. The plan worked well until students found the discarded grapes in salads and other dishes for which there was no substitute. When Johnson finally halted purchases, the Housing Administration had already purchased more grapes thus far this year, than had been bought and served all last year. Faced with these facts. Johnson had no alternative but to cancel grape purchases, in order to fulfill his former promise. The decision was late, and in terms of limiting the volume of grapes purchased, futile. Nevertheless, it is an example of Johnson’s concern for the diverse opinions of the student body, and in that sense, is most appropriate. Congratulations P.S.U. Portland State College will officially become Portland State University. A resolution creating the change in name has passed botli houses of the state legislature, and should slide across Governor Tom McCall’s desk for signing on Friday. In addition to being Valentine’s Day, Friday marks the anniversaries of both the state of Oregon, and the found ing of PSC. To those who have been pushing for the new title, the signing could not have come at a better time. The new name will not transform the school overnight. Before long, however, the natural effects of the change will be felt. The new status will mean a great deal to PSU profes sors who have been pushing for funds to create a solid doctoral program at the school. University status brings to a school new sources of revenue, as well as added weight in the legislative circles which determine recipi ents of the taxpayers money. For the students, it sounds a bit more impressive back home to refer PSU. The word “college” has a “small time" connotation. With Portland State growing at such a rapid pace, small-time .just doesn’t apply. To the students, faculty and administration of Portland Slate, we extend a warm welcome to the university com munity. “We’re being hi-jacked! . . . lie's ordered me to land back in Washington, U.f. . . .!” j'liiiiiniiRiiiuiii RiwHuiiHHiinnHiiHiHiHHHnHUHHiHiiiHiiumiMHiiiuiimnininHniimiMiiBiiHnniiHHiniHHinniiiiniimiHiminiiiHHiiiiMniflDMUiBMiJ ixiiimiiiiiuiniii!uimiHimiiimnmi]iiini)TTi!m!!iniH!iimni!in!mnnnmflR7 Emerald Editor: I All Jotters to the editor must be typewritten and triple spaced. Letters must not exceed 300 words and must be signed in ink, giving the class and major of the writer. Those dealing with one subject and pertaining to the University or Eugene community will be given preference. The Emer ald reserves the right to edit letters for style, grammar, punctuation and potentially libelous content. Letters not meeting these criteria and those which are mimeographed or other wise obvious duplicates will be re turned. Came for Fitz Emerald Editor: Two plainclothesmen came for the bolshevik. Is Mr. Don Fitz here? No. When do you expect him? I don’t know. Do you know where we might lo cate him? Your guess is as good as mine. The first policeman chuckles a little, politely. Com plexion seems worn from years of liquor. “Well, I imagine he’s expecting us.” Might be. Second policeman looks away, uneasy. Is he going to explode in anger, or is he going to cry? They walk away, hands still in coat pockets. In other times we would ap prove, but now it’s high crime to chase away evil spirits, one’s own or anybody else’s. Jerry Paul Simpson (roommate) Junior, English * * * Questions Impressions Emerald Editor: Mrs. Watson’s impressions of the ROTC programs (Emerald, Feb. 6) certainly did not reveal that she had attained her or iginal objective of ‘’just want ing to know what it’s all about.” First of all, Mrs. Watson gener alizes her one term experience in one military science class representing only a single branch of the training offered at the University, to the entire ROTC structure. One questions the value of her impressions and the thor oughness of her knowledge of the military science and aero space programs as a whole. In the Emerald interview with Mrs. Watson, she cited two rea sons why ROTC is a potential danger. The first is that ROTC can be used as a military force on campus at any time and she mentioned the Kansas State epi sode as an example. By this statement Mrs. Watson displays a clear lack of knowledge of the facts. The group which participated in the patroiing of the Kansas State campus did so on an in dividually initiated basis and in no way under the auspices of the ROTC unit at KSU. Further more, Air Force and Army di rectives specifically state that policing and controlling cam pus demonstrations are problems for institutional authorities and that the staff or students will not confront demonstrating par ticipants. In fact, while partici pating in campus activities, ROTC students must do so on a student basis not not as rep resentatives of the cadet pro gram. Mrs. Watson’s second argu ment against ROTC was that “ROTC’s purpose and function are completely antithetical to a university.” She continues by saying ‘‘a university education should be liberal. It frees the mind, teaches students to ques tion." We question her definition of a liberal education. Isn't part of a liberal education based on choice of academic subject mat ter? ~ Mrs. Watson had the choice of entering the military science class just as everyone else at the University has. Doing away with ROTC would limit academ ic freedom not only for the 515 students enrolled but for any one else who wanted to “find out what it’s all about.” Furthermore. Aerospace Stu dies and military science class es do not teach "that force and violence are solutions to inter national problems.” They teach that when force is necessary there are certain methods of applying coercion that are more effective than oth ers. Much of the class time is spent on management, history, sociology and human relations and not on military force as Mrs. Watson would have found out if she had continued past the first term. It appears that Mrs. Watson and many others are attempting to draw valid deductions from “impressions” and preconceiv ed notions instead of from facts and knowledge. David Magee Charles Stocks Seniors, Political Science More equal Emerald Editor: For people who would deny rights to those with whom they disagree, I suggest the follow ing motto: “All people are created equal, but some people are more equal than others.” Lefford F. Lowden Graduate Student, Chemistry Save the pit Emerald Editor: We have another grave sit uation on our hands. It’s amazing how much aes thetic enjoyment can be de stroyed in the name of a pana cean “progress” that goes raging around, devouring everything good in life. Every morning from our win dow we can see a stately land mark of the Eugene skyline, sil houetted bravely against the surrounding hills—a structure that speaks of the hopes and dreams of an earlier generation. We pause for a reassuring mo ment at the beginning of each day to look upon it: the Eugene Sand & Gravel Co. Once a center of bustling ac tivity, it stands quiet now. And now the University wants to sweep it away for a con crete and steel parking com plex—very functional, but hard ly beautiful. In fact, what could be uglier? So, the parking lot is com ing. But while the great build ing stands, it’s still possible to stroll through its cool and shad ed ways on those sultry after noons, with your girl or just by yourself, and think about life and shifting fortune. Bob Jackson Romance Langs., Junior Rod Pitcher Geology, Junior * Wayne on Fitz Emerald Editor: Re. Don Fitz’ article on page six of the Feb. 5 Emerald — John Wayne said it best: Where I come from, a fella that'd say somethin’ like that would ride side-saddle. Barrett Tillman Sophomore, Journalism ROTC should remain Emerald Editor: Re: The recent discussions over the place of ROTC on cam pus. I feel that, although some changes in ROTC programs may be in order, these programs should remain among the op portunities available to Univer sity students. I found, for exam ple, ROTC (at another univer sity) to be a very enlightening experience. At the time of my introduc tion to ROTC (way back in times of relative peace), I was considering a stint in the army as something other than totally undesirable. After two years in ROTC, during which I had many interesting chats with tough sergeants, marched around in the rain, shot a hole in the ceiling of the rifle range, threw my rifle over my shoulders dur ing “left shoulder arms,” and set the record for the most de merits in one quarter, I knew for sure that there was abso lutely no place for me among the ranks of the defenders of world freedom. ROTC is a good place to check out the water before you jump into the tub. Larry Ford Graduate True grape story Emerald Editor: You are young people who have a real responsibility. You say the voting age should be lowered to the age of 18, there fore you should show mature thinking and judgment. You should investigate the real cause of the dispute in the California table grape indus try. Send an impartial commit tee to Delano to talk to all parties involved, not just those on the picket line. Talk to the merchants, the vineyard own ers and the workers themselves. The dispute is not between the workers and the owners. It is between the workers and the union organizers. The table grape pickers refuse to join the farm worker's union because it would lower their hourly wage, cut the number of hours they are allowed to work and even tually would lead to fewer grape pickers. They are the high est paid of all farm workers. They earn from $4,000 to $10, 000 annually. How much do you earn and how much in taxes do you pay? This is not a snide question—think about it. The boycott of California ta ble grapes is not only morally wrong, it is illegal. The boy cott has been caused by a very small group of radicals and your acting “liberal” president. Hundreds of University stu dents (you may be among them) come from farm families. Will the crops on your parents’ farms be next to be boycotted because Oregon farm workers are not unionized? Yes. I am a “capitalist” farm owner. My wife and I operate a farm that 45 years ago support ed a large family. I am also a worker. I have to work part time off the farm in order to earn enough money to pay the taxes which go to support the schools which give you young people of Oregon and other states an opportunity to become better educated and, we all hope, an opportunity for a bet ter life. I have been a union member. I believe in unions where the worker has the right to vote on all issues with a secret bal lot and is allowed to vote for his officers direct—“one man one vote.” I believe in the right for every man to work without some goon harassing him or his boss. Please tell the students of the University the truth about the California table grape dis pute. George Trumbo Kellogg Rt„ Box 22, Oakland, Ore. Oregon daily EMERALD Opinions expressed on the editorial page are those of the Emerald and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the ASUO or the University. However, the Emerald does present on this page columnists and letter writers whose opinions reflect those of our diverse readership and not those of the Emerald itself. RON EACHUS, Editor RICH JERNSTEDT Business Manager Associate Editors Cindy Boydstun Rick Fitch Stan Horton Chris Houglum Gil Johnson Doug Onyon Steven Smith Jaqi Thompson DOUG CRICHTON Advertising Manager ELLEN EMRY National Advertising Manager 1 niversity of Oregon, Eugene. Thursday, February 13, 1969
