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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 14, 1983)
letters In an attempt to give a varie ty of opinions on the ASUO primary election, the editorial page is dedicated to letters. Voting ends today for the 1983-84 student body presi dent and many other offices. Dedication I am writing this letter because I have been touched by the dedication to this University of an individual. I have been moved by his desire to see the quality of student life improve. The person is a candidate for the ASUO presidency; his name is David Gibson. Gibson has served diligently and unselfishly under enor mous fiscal pressures. He has stood firm in his convictions and not lost sight of his goals. Gibson thrives on the pressure and meets his job with energy and enthusiasm every day. I truly believe that Gibson’s motivation for seeking the presidency is to improve the quality of student life here at the University. The means by which he has chosen to do this are unique and exciting. Gibson is committed to reaching out to the students, involving them in his ad ministration's ideas, needs, and goals. He has pledged to get out from behind his desk and meet with any group who is interested in student government. Gibson is com mitted to informing students ana to being informed by students on issues pertinent to them. I firmly believe that a vote for David Gibson is a vote for an active presidency. It is a vote for an informed con tingency, and it is a vote for a strong, dedicated student government. Pat Hanlin vice-president, Mortar Board Strong skills As a strong supporter of Mary Hotchkiss for ASUO ex ecutive, I was pleased to see your endorsement of her candidacy. Since I have had a chance to see her strong management skills that the Emerald editors have not yet witnessed, accor ding to yesterday’s endorse ment, I'o like to share my views. I have seen Mary in action in public service for three years. As another former director of Amazon Childcare Center, I fully appreciate the tremen dous work load she efficiently managed in addition to her responsibilities as a working student mother. Mary has an eye for detail which is essential for good r management and is conscien tious in following through on all projects. Se has the ability to oversee a situation and organize a workload. She has the ability to motivate people towards a common goal. She is a tireless worker. Another important ability Hotchkiss has to offer is her ability to work well with peo ple, and minimize friction and strife. This is a refreshing quality in light of the person nel squabbles and numerous resignations of this year’s administration. For all of the reasons the Emerald stated and for her management and organiza tional skills, Mary Hotchkiss is the obvious and excellent choice for ASUO president. Jennif0r Soyke senior, biology Accused Last year and again this year Students for a Progressive Agenda have run a grass-roots issue oriented campaign focusing on the many ways that student government can be improved. Last year we were accused of about a dozen election violations. All charges were eventually thrown out by the Constitution Committee as substantively absurd and obviously untrue. This happened too late. The implication of wrongdoing was sufficient to throw a very close election; we lost the ex ecutive by 146 votes. At the time we felt that responding to such petty harassment would only lower us to the level of those who spent their spare time scribbl ing complaint forms. We realize now that we made an error. Accusations, no matter how ridiculous, if allowed to stand unchallenged only embolden our accusers while we are made to appear unethical, in competent or just plain mean. That we are later vindicated is irrelevant to our soiled public image during the elections. This year, one hour after I fil ed to run as ASUO Vice Presi dent with Mary Hotchkiss, the SPA presidential candiate, I was fired from my job as ASUO Comptroller. I have ap pealed this dismissal and ex pect it to end up in the same trash bin as last year’s flurry of false accusations. Yet, until this happens I, and by associa tion, Students for a Pro gressive Agenda, must live under the pall of an accusation of incompetence. Like last year, we stand ac cused and presumably guilty until the question becomes a moot point. In the 1960s Joseph McCarthy perfected the foul art of unsubstantiated accusation in order to ruin his political opponents: It would be irresponsible to allow our student government to that level. Kevin Kouns senior, sociology, and women’s studies For Mary Good job on the Emerald editorial. I too support Mary Hotchkiss for president. My way of putting it is less kind. Elect her to break the stranglehold of the Interfrater nity Council. A leader is need ed, not a follower. Brain Lewis political science Exchange The Student University Af fairs Board is not doing its job. What exactly does SUAB do? SUAB represents students in the faculty and University Senates, as well as a host of committees and bodies on and off campus. SUAB, then, is a represen tative body of the students. Students at the University need the representation of SUAB. But how can SUAB reflect the concerns of the students if there is not a reciprocal exhange of com munication? As pointed out by the Emerald’s series on stu dent government (April 5), less than 30 percent of students are aware of what SUAB does. And an even fewer number, I would guess, know who their SUAB representative is. Do you? SUAB cannot do its job without proper communica tion between the students and the board. I would organize programs for the members of individual majors (such as business and economics) in which students could learn more about ther major, listen to speakers, etc. Moreover, this would give SUAB members an excellent oppor tunity to discover what their constituents really feel. SUAB members holding office hours in their respective department offices is not enough. SUAB must begin to represent; SUAB must, in other words, begin to do its job Jttfory Brown butinoss Insensitive I am appalled by David Gib son's naive and insensitive at titude towrads ASUO organiza tions. Last week, during a debate with ASUO presidential candiate Mary Hotchkiss. Gib son was asked if he would cut minority programs at the re quest of the student majority. Gibson’s response was ob viously hesitant. Clearly, he has no sincere intention of ful ly supporting minority pro grams. He seems prepared to cut anything that moves. I would like to bring this to the attention of such pro grams as MEChA, NASU, Asian American Student Union, FSO, JSU, and the Chinese Student Union. With this in mind, I call upon the minority community to support Mary Hotchkiss for ASUO president. She has openly voiced her support and concern for both ethnic pro grams and women’s groups. A vote for Gibson would only put his fiscal lawnmover into gear and jeopardize the cultural diversity of this univeristy. Steve Pacheco sociology, and International studies Election play OK, I wasn’t going to say anything until after the elec tions, but Kevin Kouns, you and your SPA friends can only stretch the truth so far. Last term my desk was posi tioned right next to yours in the ASUO office; your office hours posted in front of me. How many times did you say you were sick? I’m not exag gerating when I say you were missing for days at a time with no notification to the office, sick or otherwise. Using your firing as an elections ploy is in poor taste, and I hope the cam pus population will see through it. As far as Terri Dismuke’s comments in the April 12 Emerald go, how can one “... not be aware of how regularly Kouns kept his office hours..." as you state, and yet be so positive about his reliability? The two statements seem a contradiction in terms. And now, Teri, to the real reason for your letter — “I do know that he (Kouns) has been a great help and support to our program and women's issues in yenaral..." - a little lobby ing by the director of Women's Referral and Resource. One more thing to Sherri Schultz who says, “students’ concerns aren’t being defend ed at even a minimal level by the current ASUO president and company..." get your nose into it, Sherri, before you even begin to pop off. You may have some limited experience somewnere, but not with the current ASUO administration, except for what Kouns tells you in your meetings at the Comptroller's desk. And finally, my reasons for writing: I’m not going to be in volved with the ASUO next year, Kevin, so you don't have to file another Elections Viola tion form, and I'm not par ticularly oriented with the SPA or the Greeks (although I belong to a fraternity). The real reason I’m writing has to do with people expounding on issues they know little or nothing about. I think a lot of people are tired of it; it might be something the Greeks and the SPA should keep in mind. Jim Richards director, University Events for ASUO Impartial The Jewish Student Union would like to endorse the can didacy of Mary Shrauger for the Incidental Fee Committee. Shrauger’s record shows her commitment to equal interest and representation of all students. She has always shown a major concern for maintaining the University’s cultural diversity by support ing the various groups that program cultural events. In our past experiences working with Mary Shrauger, she has consistently maintain ed an honest, open, and positive attitude. We believe that if Mary is elected she will continue to be informed and impartial in her efforts to sup port responsible allocation of student dollars. A. Emmeli Adler director, Jewish Student Union Experienced I originally approached the ASUO presidential elections with an open mind. I talked with the candidates on both sides and have heard them debate twice. My experience in student government and the ASUO system has led me to support David Gibson. Both candidates advocate a “change" from the current system, stressing more stu dent input. The diffference is thai Gibson backs up his plans with specfic ideas, facts and figures. Gibson s experience with the current administra tion should be seen as an asset, not a fault. He has seen what has been effective and what can be improved upon. Gibson has the experience and enthusiasm necessary to be an effective representative of the students at the University. Lisa Nuss sophomore.political science Oregon daily emerald The Oregon Daily E mar aid 14 published Monday through F riday rrxcapt during exam waaM and vacations by *he Dragon OaWy E mar aid Publishing Co at lha Univarslly o* Orao'*n Eugana, OR 97403 Tha Emaraid oparatas independently of tha Univarsity with offlcas on tha third floor of tha Crt> Mamonat Union and is a mam bar of tha Associated Praas haws and Editorial CM Mil Display Advertising and •u#*nas» cm in; Classified Advertising CM4M) Production CM 4141 MCWII Editor Managing Editor New* Editor Aaaiatant n«*i Editor Editorial Pag# Editor Photo Editor Sport* Editor A»*ociata Soon* Editor Entertainment Editor Might Editor Aaaoetata Editor* Migher Education Department* and School* Studant Ooaarnmani Feature* Politic* Studant Servicet/Communil y Qanarai Statt Advertising Managar Claaaiftad Advertising Production Managar Conlroitar Marry Eatave John Mealy Marian Green Cod Farnaid Joan Nyland BoP Baker Mike Rtpimger Paul Danrer Jonathan Siagie Con Farnaid Sandy Johnttona Frank Shaw Richard Burr Sean Mayer* Michele Matas*a Aieia lak Darlene Gore Sotiy Oi>ar Victoria Koch Jean Ownhe, letters policy The Emerald will attempt to print all letters containing fair comment on topics of interest to the University community Letters to the editor 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 office The Emerald reserves the right to edit any letter for length, style or content Your turn is an Emerald opinion feature submitted by members of the University community "Your turns" must be limited to 500 words and typed This editorial column will not be edited by the staff, but selection will be based on appro priateness Letters to the editor and "Your turns" should be turned into the Emerald office. 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