Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 30, 1981)
opinion_ Closing one college saves entire system A suggestion in the Oct. 20 Oregon Journal by staff writer Diane Carmen that retiring Chancellor of the state System of Higher Education Roy Lieuallen ought to do his successor — and the state system — a favor by closing one school, is not to be easily dismissed. The closing of one school is one of a dwindling options left to the state board to ensure for the continued financial solvency of the entire state system This is the time, while the Legislature is demanding another four percent cut, to shrink the state system to a size more realistic with the economic conditions of the state Lieuallen may suffer a wave of criticism for making such an unpopular move — but the future will prove it a necessary decision If Lieuallen decides to eliminate one school from Oregon's eight state colleges, it will strengthen the remain ing schools Critics doubtless will say Lieuallen is sacrific ing readily-available education, even though the concept of availability is not the major issue The concept of availability is coupled with a determination to promote regional access to higher education Many of the state colleges were converted from Normal Schools solely to accom modate a specific region The Oregon Journal opinion tacitly advocated the closing of one state school, although it didn't venture which. The Emerald agrees that one state school should be closed — if only for the good of the whole system In lieu of this admittedly drastic action, the State Board should eliminate entire programs from the system and sell off some land-holdings Those land-holdings run in the millions of dollars throughout the system All the state schools are teetering on the brink of financial exigency Portland State University, looking ahead, declared exigency last month Throughout the system highly qualified faculty and staff are being layed-off Many administrative positions that require dynamic leadership are being filled by less qualified — and lower paid — people If those positions are being filled at all This is certainly a case of all the schools suffering because the system is not fat, just too big for the economic realities There are stronger schools and weaker schools as a result of the budget being spread so thin. University Pres Pau Olum termed this as the creating of ‘‘mediocre’ institutions His judgement is correct. Anytime s strong institution is stripped to bolster a weak one the entire system suffers The duplication of curriculum programs a many schools hasn’t been resolved even thougt the state system has been under extreme scrutiny This duplication is again the result of the Norma schools being converted to colleges When this conversion took place there was general prolifer ation of programs throughout the system, regard less of existing programs at other institutions. Duplication exists, as an example, in teache education. The University, Eastern Oregon State Oregon State, and Southern Oregon State Colleg* all have elementary and secondary teache education programs This is twice the number o programs needed Schools such as SOSC and EOSC have little in their curriculum to validate them as essential to the system Neither school has little more to offer than their location Is locale reason enough to keep EOSC and SOSC as financial liabilities? Estimated enrollment figures for the current term indicate a loss at either of these schools Wouldn't it save the state system more money to close SOSC or EOSC? The problem is not keeping the state system functioning at its present size — the problem is to take the necessary measures to keep the system at a size equitable to the state budget Lieuallen has a number of options before his retirement He can do what is the most painful, but what is best for the state system as a whole Or he can continue to cut a little here and a little there, ' bleeding the entire system - Something has to give — one diseased limb f can kill the entire tree despite all the careful pruning of the other limbs etters 'WHAT ISBWTCIWK.SENO*?' Greek excess As Alan Wright stated in the Oct 22 Emerald, the Greek system has both advantages and drawbacks This statement cannot be intelligently denied Through various articles, letters, and classified ads redundantly printed in the Emerald, the Greeks have convinced many that they truly enjoy their system Great! However, all this has recently been taken to excess In particular Wright s description of Greek society as a "microcosm” of American society is exceedingly putrid in its connotations. The mainstream of our society is adverse to petty rules and rituals which impinge upon personal freedom of action This is not to say Americans are adverse to uniting into groups as a means of ad vancing common interests But there is a fundamental difference between the Sierra Club and the Elks The Greek system does not in any way represent American society in miniature Rather its structure and organization place it in a class of ideologically uniform, socially biased, and ritualistic organizations such as the Masons or Elks. So Greeks, enjoy your system and its benefits — but cut the bullshit! We have been insulted enough be lofty analogies, Pan-Hellenic Councils (Socrates would surely roll in his grave), and other such absurdities Your true identity will always shine forth from the intellectually stunted D, A classifieds your members submit — with out fail — to every edition of this paper John Grove Junior, economics/history Frat life Fraternity life must be a great learning experience I mean, really, wild beer brawls, beautiful women, brotherly love, and best of all — that good old school spirit I think it would be great to live with 45 guys Just think of all the friends you could make And the ladies, all you need to do is attend weekly or bi-weekly ■functions" and PRESTO — you get laid every night It’s no wonder the Greek system produces a gut reaction for many students Mr Hallquist states that “It’s easier to criticize than go through rush " Well, I've gone through rush and I’m also criticiz ing Rush week involves more bullshit phony politics than most rushies ever conceive Fraternity members claim that you must pick the house with guys who you could live with How on earth can a freshman make such a decision in haste? Well, if he’s got bucks, or if he’s an outstanding athlete, it's no problem at all. The members will manage to recruit the cream of the crop Once you pledge a house you probably will become part of the Greek system for the rest of your life Don’t get me wrong Not all frat boys are insecure, selfish, and big-headed It's just that they get wrapped up in a unique living style which seems to con trol their behavior and formulate their values Looking beyond these stereo types, there're plenty of "good guys" who live in frat houses I guess it's just not my trip1 Jim Lake Junior, telecommunications & film Support The postponement of FBI recruiting on campus due to failure to comply with affirmative action policies regarding homosexuals is applauded by the University Gay Peoples’ Alliance We also wish to express our sincere sense of support and gratitude to the law school for taking the stand it did The FBI conception that homosexuals are more vulnerable to compromise because of their sexuality is self-fulfilling Any homosexual who is "out" has no fear of blackmail, as blackmail is ineffec tive when the knowledge is common and not embarrassing If a homosexual did not have to fear loss of employment at being exposed, an outside party seeking to blackmail the individual with the threat of exposure would have far less pressure to apply. It is an illusion that homosex uals are any less emotionally stable or able to cope under pressure, and it is erroneous to assume they would func tion any less efficiently The law school's pursuit of fhe matter is admirable Dean Bell's inquiry and subsequent postponement of the recruitment until the FBI presents a suit able reply shows a dedication to the overall principles of affirmative action and deserves support and praise It is extremely important that American society move forward in combating dis crimination in the form of racial, sexual, or any other kind of discrimination The law school's actions do this Unless the FBI changes its blatantly discriminatory policy, it should not be allowed to recruit on campus at all The University owes this to its students, gay or straight Gay Peoples’ Alliance letters policy The Emerald will accept and at tempt to print all letters containing fair comment on issues, ideas and topics of interest to the University community The letters must be limited to 250 words, signed, and the identification of the writer must be verified when the letter is turned in to The Emerald offices, EMU 300 The Emerald reserves the right to edit any letter for length, style or content Publication is dependent upon space available__
