University has more to offer than wages
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By Alfred Gross
Of the Emerald
In spite of the University's well known funding dif
ficulties, professors continue to enjoy working here and
often turn down outside offers in favor of staying.
“The main reason it's worthwhile to remain at the
University is because I believe in the integrity of the
central administration/' says Celeste Ulrich, dean of the
human development and performance department.
"Most of us don't believe the state of Oregon will allow
the University to disintegrate."
Prof. Robyn Dawes, head of the psychology depart
ment, agrees.
"I think the University has been run on a very
ethical basis," Dawes says. "There's a sensitivity to real
needs as opposed to political pressures." One reason
Dawes came here was a larger than average salary, and
though there have been opportunities to leave, he
chooses to stay here because he likes the people.
"I came for the money," says Prof. C. Bennett
Pascal, of the classics department. "My real attachment
is to the community of Eugene. I find that in Eugene
there is not the great gap between town and gown there
is in some isolated college towns."
"It's a good community to raise a family," says Prof.
Glenn May, history. "There's a modicum of cultural life
that all academics would appreciate." The offers May
has turned down came from cities that he didn't believe
were right tor a family.
"In my own department and institute there are
some ideal colleagues — they're outstanding both
scientifically and personally," says Prof. Aaron Novick,
who started the Institute of Molecular Biology 25 years
ago and will be retiring at the end of this year. "The in
sidious thing is the replacement problem. Without ade
quate funding we won't be able to bring in young peo
ple as older people leave," Novick says.
"I wouldn't want to work any place else," says Prof.
"I love the country, and I love it every
weekend out in the mountains. I came
here at a financial sacrifice> and I've
turned down many offers at more
prestigious institutions."
— Economics Prof. Raymond Mikesell
Raymond Mikesell, economics. "I wish we had more
money, of course, but I'm amazed, considering the
salaries we pay, how good a department we have."
The natural environment is another reason that he
and many others enjoy working at the University. "I
love the country, and I love it every weekend out in the
mountains. I came here at a financial sacrifice, and I've
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tions," Mikesell says.
"I like the trees and mountains and skiing and be
ing close to the ocean/' says Prof. Christopher James,
finance. He likes being in a town in which "the Univer
sity is an important influence, but not a dominant one."
"The positive thing is the support that the ad
ministration has been giving our department," says
computer science Prof. Stephen Fickas, who came here
because he wanted a non-California lifestyle. "The state
has gotten on a high-tech kick, so they're starting to
support us. My morale is high and I think the rest of the
department is."
Though funding and salaries are "rock bottom,"
says Prof. Glen Love, English, he finds the Eugene area
"a great place to live and bring up kids and go fishing
and running." A lot is owed to Pres. Olum for his leader
ship, Love says.
"I like the West Coast," says Pres. Paul Olum,
originally an "Easterner." "The reason I chose to come
here is partly my liking for the West Coast, partly that
Oregon is such a nice place."
The faculty's turnover rate "has been very low,"
Olum says. "We've lost some people, but I don't know
that we've lost any more than would be normal."
Most people who are here really like it, however, he
says. "They're counting on the budget situation turning
around. My great worry is that, if that doesn't happen,
there could be a time when people would give up."
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The first in a series of public in
formation articles paid for by the
U of O American Chemical
Society Student Affiliates . . .
CHEMICALS
FROM MOTHER
NATURE
Some of chemistry’s most ex
citing discoveries are not coming
from the lab, but from strange
places such as jungles and
deserts.
Instead of making new
chemicals, chemists are rummag
ing through the old ones in
Mother Nature’s elaborate
storeroom and finding aids for
physician and farmer alike.
Farmers benefit from new
pesticides and herbicides that are
more effective yet safer for them
and the environment. The physi
cian gets drugs to treat high blood
pressure, cancer, and hardening
of the arteries, just to name a few.
In fact, over 45% of the prescrip
tions written in the United States
contain drugs that originated in
plants and animals.
The search for these com
pounds is not easy, but the
rewards are worth the extra
effort.
Chemistry or
Biochemistry Major?
If you are interested in becom
ing involved with the ACS Stu
dent Affiliates, attend our
organizational meeting: Thurs
day, May 17th. Room 331 Sci II,
7:00 p.m.