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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 13, 1975)
Letters Void Boyd* To erase any doubts of "BUREAUCRATS," before getting into the reasons for this letter, I am neither a "Minority person," "REPRESENTED " by Academic Opportunities Program (A.O.P.) or any other label except maybe student. I have just returned from the Symposium put together by Ed Audelo and the minorities on this campus. As a frustrated consumer of the product this University claims to provide, I attended the Symposium to listen to the other side of what's occurred as a result of the "BOYD PLAfsI." Whereas I was enlightened by what the speakers had to say, I still came away disappointed. The Symposium panel was composed of the acknowledged leaders of the minorities on this campus, and not one expressed or suggested an answer to their "Dilemma." One person gave an example of how we must be "one hand" and not "five fingers," but not one offered that as the solution. Most everyone who spoke had some adversity to advise os of, and the questions were many, the answers few. The "Discussion" became so intense, I the observer found no opportunity to speak. So many seemed to have heavy loads to get off their chest, I chose to use this letter to speak. What I would like to suggest to this group and all students who come to this "University," we must Unite. We as students are this "University," not Boyd, not Dean Whoever, or Professor Whatever, WE THE STUDENTS!!!!! For too long we as students have allowed ourselves to be manipulated at will by a "Bureaucratic" Administration as to what we want and need. I would be willing to bet any student on campus that they have had classes in which they didn't learn subject matter of value. By this I don't mean you didn't pass the course, but what you were FORCED to retain long enough to pass a final. We as students have the power to change just by the fact that without us this place wouldn't exist. If we as students don't pay tuition this place would fold. Think about that the next time you are told by some bureaucrat that you are required to take "belly-dancing" to be a good professional whatever, or you don't graduate. In the words of Ed Hall in his book The Silent Language',' the fact that so many of our children dislike school or finish their schooling uneducated suggests that we still have much to learn about learning as a process." Minority leaders I can go to any table in the student union and hear some bitching and complaining, what you as leaders need to do is organize a plan of action and then institute your intervention into the problem as you see it. I am with you in your desire to "VOID BOYD." Patrick T. Cain Senior CSPA Lack of public comment I am writing this letter in response to your recent article concerning the downtown Urban Renewal project. Persons who have been living in Eugene long enough to remember what it was like before ERA may have felt a bit of an ache at what it has become. The spirit of the article was in teresting to me because it viewed the mall area and the development around it as a given aspect of Eugene's environment rather than a threat as many of us have seen it over the years. It occurs to me that very many people who are on the campus now do not know what the area was like before "renewal." Those of us who have fought the development of the mall area feel defeated and resigned to it, perhaps saying to ourselves that it isn't so bad after all, even our limited victory of saving the Smeed Hotel gives us some comfort in knowing that we have had some effect on it all. The comments in the article concerning the lack of recent criticism of the renewal effort seem to point less to a general sense of satisfaction with what has been ac complished (or not, depending on your point of view) than to a general sense of despair. Active and articulate critical S'srtAt s'/rz^l. ©1975 / must have taken the Springfield exit by mistake...Hurry Ferdinand, bring the beads/ comment, the kind which leads to action, cannot exist for long in an environment of closed decision making and bulldozer mentality whose intention it is to kill all critical comment. This is why there is no community dialogue; what good would it do anyhow. For my part I hope that students and others who one day live in a pleasant community in some other place and time will be reminded of the dangers of development of that community without clearly defined procedures for effective citizen review. The ERA is a good case study of a lack of community participation in planning in a way that decision making could really be an effective means for evolving and changing goals and objectives for the community as a whole. I think it is especially significant that the town has finally developed neighborhood associations which intend to really involve citizens in planning decision making and project proposal process. Perhaps there was learning gaind from the ERA ex perience after all. I would urge those who have not had the opportunity to know Eugene which existed before ERA to make themselves aware by viewing the photographic collection at the Lane County Historical Museum at the Fairgrounds. It is likely that it will be a sobering experience and a lesson not soon forgotten in spite of what those who are apologists for ERA think the lack of public comment means. Jerry Finrow Associate Professor, Architecture AFSCME supported As Civil Service employees at the University of Oregon, we support AFSCME in the coming election for the following reasons: OSEA has not stressed issues or reasons why they are a more forceful bargaining unit. OSEA risked our job security in calling for an illegal strike vote during last spring's negotiations. In the past, employees have taken grievances to OSEA; they were met with sympathy, but no action. Average wages of Lane County workers (affiliated with AFSCME) are 14 per cent higher at a starting pay level, and 16 per cent higher at upper levels than State Employes (affiliated with OSEA). AFSCME offers these employees a complete in surance and dental plan for the family, paid in total by the employer. AFSCME em phasizes local control through a Shop Steward System and available local staff. OSEA has no campus representative in Eugene on a continuous basis. AFSCME has already shown a concern for the in terests of employes (ex. Work conditions, reclassification, temporary work positions, holding jobs open and unfilled, a good seniority system, etc.) through a survey. Many workers on campus consider their jobs temporary, and are apathetic towards representation. Women, in particular, are largely involved in the campus workforce. We need a union that will balance the power of management to meet our needs. We do not need a union operated by the management. We urge you to vote for AFSCME on October 15. Dee Anderson Janice Armstrong Sue Haines Tamsin Hana Rita Rathkey Not the 2nd Coming I am not so naive as to expect to find a "golly, gee whiz, squeaky clean, Beaver Cleaver" morality functioning in the hearts and minds of a generation buffeted too long by the decadence of our self-indulgent society. However, I am saddened to watch the phoenix of cynicism and moral incredulity rising out of the ashes of a culture of young people who at one time sought truth before all else. I have tears for the lack of moral absolutes on this campus. If 20th Century realities were only half as dark as the picture painted by the daily news I would still rush to say that mankind is too long overdue for a spiritual renaissance. The populace of this campus alarms me with its lack of spiritual concern. A silver thread of the "Second Coming," and the name of Jesus, is seen to run subtly through the news reports of the current U.F.O. mysteries. Can the reprobate mind of 20th Century morality discern a lie from a truth? I suggest a spiritual renaissance for our campus. I suggest individual exploration for the real truth concerning Jesus Christ. I look for a working of the Holy Spirit of God that will shake us to our foundations. Reliably sound sources report the true "Second Coming" won't call for a two week metamorphosis in Colorado, but will be over in the "blink of an eye." Wake up children, your house is on fire; if you hurry you will escape with your souls. Greg Foltz Independent study Graduate student Get involved* in SCC SENIORS, how many of you, in your past three yars at this university, have never found the opportunity to become involved in student government or ASUO related programs? This can be your year to “get involved" in ASUO. The Senior Class Council is looking for new members. We'll bet that many of you didn't even know that the Senior Class Council existed. It does, it will, and it's having an organizational meeting on Monday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. in the EMU (room to be posted). The Senior Class Council is involved in^ projects and activities designed to benefit seniors, the University, and the community. Already planned are organization of the Career Fair and the Food Drive for the Poor. However, the direction we take is con tingent upon the goals of those people who will comprise the council membership. There's a lot we can do in a year. We offer a chance to channel your spare time into efforts which benefit the University community, a chance to meet some new and diverse personalities, a chance to get a view of student govern ment from the INSIDE. If these op portunities interest you, please drop by on Monday. Carol Cobb, Senior Class President-343-5293 Cathy Bissell, Senior Class Vice President-x5285 Jamie Burns, Senior Class Secretary-344-8798 Our cartoonist Today's issue of the Emerald marks the first appearance of a new cartoon feature by University student Steve Sandstrom. Sandstrom, a 20-year-old transfer student from Clackamas Community College, previously contributed cartoons to that school's newspaper, the Couaar Print. A junior in graphic design, Sandstrom has worked in photography, calligraphy and art. He has also done technical illustrations.
