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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 5, 1981)
Campus chapter forms Nobel-winning group aids foreign prisoners By MIKE RUST Of the Emerald Amnesty International — the Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights or ganization — once again is working within the University community on behalf of prisoners of conscience around the world. With more than 200,000 members in more than 125 countries, Al works for the release of political prisoners around the world and for the abolition of torture and the death penalty. It has been estimated that during the past 20 years, Al publicity and letter writing campaigns have contributed to the release of more than 18,000 pri soners of conscience and the improved treatment of many others. Al represents political prisoners regardless of their nationality, political or religious beliefs — provided they have not used or advocated violence. Al op poses torture, the death penalty and imprisonment without trial in all cases. A campus chapter recently has been formed at the University that offers an outlet for students, faculty and other local residents who wish to take part in Al-sponsored activities. This term, the local chapter is focusing its efforts on two countries — Guatemala and East Germany — because the two countries are on different sides of the political spectrum and practice "different styles of oppression,” says Al member Stephen Fuller. In Guatemala “the human rights issue is political murder," Fuller says. Each year, thousands of people in the Central American nation who are suspected of disloyalty to the military government are seized and murdered. A recent Al report documents the chain of command by which these murders are directed from the office of the president, Gen. Lucas Garcia. In East Germany, however, the method of political repression is “completely open," with the government freely ad mitting the detention of thousands of political prisoners. While repression in Guatemala is conducted through anon ymous killings, the East German legal system is constructed to provide for the imprisonment of dissidents after short trials closed to the public. "Somewhere between these two poles lie almost all instances of oppression," Fuller says. The campus group is focusing its ef forts on letter writing and human rights education, Fuller says. Meetings are held every other Monday, usually in the EMU. Letters are written on behalf of prisoners at each meeting, and speakers and films are often presented also. The letter writing is usually in response to Urgent Action Appeals sent out by Al when the organization learns of in dividual cases that require immediate intervention. Members of the Urgent Action Network are asked to send tele grams and letters to the government in question. Urgent Action cases mainly concern torture, prisoners who require immediate health attention and imminent executions. 4 Top prof departures hurt math program In what math department head Theodore Palmer terms the “golden age of mathema tics,’’ the University’s math department is “suffering.’’ The department’s only teacher of probability theory is leaving the University to teach statistics at George Washington University. Prof. Robert Smythe will be the second of the department’s top professors to leave since December, Palmer says. Math Prof. Colin Sutherlin left the University in December for personal reasons. “Our best people are feeling they must consider other things,” Palmer says. Budget problems that plague much of higher education are the primary culprit. Over the last two years, the department has had a 27-percent increase in student enrollment, but staff positions have increased by just one. According to Palmer, salary was not the main reason Smythe and Sutherland left, but it was a consideration. “Any decision to change un iversities signifies many prob lems,” Palmer says. The department currently is rated 20th in the nation, but that rating is in danger of slipping, he says. “It takes decades to build a top-flight university. It’s now being whittled away.” Palmer says the department searched for a probability theory teacher for five years before finding Smythe, partly because most universities are offering 50-percent higher salaries to mathematics profes sors. Palmer says he hopes to fill the vacancy with a visiting professor next year. According to Palmer, the best professors are in demand, and they naturally are siphoned off first. Eaton cuts ACLU funds Efforts to revive a University branch of the American Civil Liberties Union hit a rough spot Monday when ASUO Pres. Dave Eaton vetoed the $375 the In cidental Fee Committee allocat ed to the group last Thursday. Eaton said he vetoed the ap propriation because the ACLU didn’t submit a properly itemized budget and doesn’t have an incidental fee “track record.” Also, the ASUO doesn’t support funding to es tablish new groups and the campus ACLU may be duplicat ing services offered by the Lane County ACLU Chapter. The campus ACLU already has scheduled two symposiums — one on racial harassment and one on abortion — later this month, ACLU organizer Steve Schneider says. Five IFC votes will be needed to override the veto. IFC chairer Jon Neiderbach says he doubts the current committee will con sider the veto before its term of office expires on May 25. Wandering from one hair salon to another? It’s time you and your hair settle down to a reliable hair stylist. Call Albert at 683-2921 and make an appointment for a free consultation. Together we’ll create a hair style to satisfy your needs. DiOnvsius HAIR DIMENSIONS 2709 Willamette St. Orannn Dailv Emerald This year, we'll help you give your Mom a little bit of heaven. The Book Department nas a great deal for you and your Mom this Mother's Day. Select $10 worth of general books from The Book Department, and we ll gift wrap and mail them to one destination within the continental U S FREE OF CHARGE. Look for our displays of special gift books, perfect for Mom Last week for FREE MAILING. uo BOOKSTORE 13th & Kincaid Mo.n-Fri 8:15-5:30 Sat 10:00-2:00 Upstairs in The Book Department Only at the UO Bookstore. Textbooks 686-3520 • General Books 686-3510 • Supplies 686-4331
