editorial
No room for secrecy
in student government
On at least five occasions during the current academic
school year, Emerald reporters have been forced out of stu
dent government meetings. The reporters were at the
meetings as part of routine news assignments to cover events
relating to the student community. The Student University
Affairs Board, the ASUO Executive and the Interfraternity
Council have all prohibited Emerald reporters from covering
certain portions of their meetings during the year.
Although such activity on the part of student organiza
tions is rare, the Emerald feels it can no longer remain silent
about the issue. Reading the Emerald is one of the only ways
students at the University can learn about what is happening
within student government organizations. There should be
nothing secret about student government activities or deci
sion making.
Denying reporters access to meetings sets a bad prece
dent on the part of student organizations whose decisions
and activities affect the student body. Students have a right
to know how organizations representing them operate and
make decisions. Many students rely on the Emerald as a way
to keep themselves informed on student issues.
Preventing Emerald reporters from gaining access to
student government meetings is, in virtually all cases, a
violation of state law. This was stated in 1983 by Peter
Swan, assistant to the president for legal affairs. When the
question of news coverage of student government was raised
at that time, Swan investigated the issue and responded by
saying, “ My own conclusion is that meetings of the Student
University Affairs Board or any other committee, advisory
group, or body which acts in a deliberate way, as part of stu
dent government, would be under the law.” Swan was refer
ing to ORS 192.610 which outlines the rights of anyone, in
cluding the media, to attend public meetings.
What the issue boils down to is that the best form of
government is an open government. This applies to student
government as well. When student organizations begin to
deny Emerald reporters the opportunity to cover their
meetings, then it is the student body as a whole that suffers
the most.
Beer garden and folk
festival make a bad mix
Once again the EMU Cultural Forum put together an ex
cellent weekend of music in the form of the 15th Annual
Willamette Valley Folk Festival. But unlike years past, the
Cultural Forum tarnished its image this year by mixing the
usual Friday afternoon student beer garden with the folk
festival. Whether it was intentional or just a case of careless
misplanning, mixing the beer garden with the folk festival
left many people angry.
To begin with, the folk festival was advertised as being
free to the public. But on Friday afternoon, when Eugene
residents showed-up for the first day of music, they were
told they had to pay $1.50 to get in and also had to show I.D.
to prove they were at least 21 years old. Local residents com
plained that advertisements for the event never mentioned
the beer garden or entry fees. As a result, some people accus
ed the Cultural Forum of false advertising.
The Cultural Forum staff worked hard to put together
the folk festival and they deserve a lot of credit for doing an
over-all good job. But the beer garden and the folk festival
should have never been mixed. Furthermore, when the
Cultural Forum advertises free admission to an event, they
should make sure it stays that way.
'tyUREttE ASKEDRom
'weakwhereverYousavweare,sir. Geckoe replied
'mt/SWDROM,' I BEUEVE WE ARE INSOME
KlNP OF CHURCH, BECAUSE MERE IS A BOX
OF CAMPLES. U6HT0NE, 6E0RSE.' -
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letters
Local danger
After the disastrous fire at the
Bradford city soccer stadium, a
quick check of Hayward Field
revealed the following:
The east grandstands, built in
the early part of the century, are
entirely wooden with steel sup
ports. There appears to be only
one fire sprinkler in the entire
structure, over the weigh-in
room. The newer west grand
stands are mostly wood, but
they have sprinklers every 10 or
20 feet on their underside.
Fortunately, there is a fire sta
tion a block south on Agate
Street. But the Bradford stands,
built shortly after the turn of the
century, were entirely engulfed
in flames within four minutes;
it w'as more than a single fire
engine could handle.
Tom Gronke
Junior, Physics
Power crazed
After spending a year as the
EMU Board’s budget chair, 1 am
angry over the past action of
this year’s Incidental Fee Com
mittee. Last week when the
EMU budget came before the
IFC, no consideration was given
to the work done by the EMU
committee. Instead of offering
some professional courtesy, the
IFC made statements that the
EMU board “rubber stamp
budgets” have been prepared
“in an unprofessional man
ner.” The EMU program direc
tors were harassed and insulted.
I was personally appalled when
Lori Lieberman felt it necessary
to scold Sandy Vaughn (Club
i
Oregon doily _ -
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Sports Program Director) about
how to prepare a budget and
read 1FC resolutions.
The EMU Budget Committee
consists of two IFC members
both whom had no objections to
any part of the budget (except
Club Sports) during the full
board meeting in April. Instead,
the program directors were
greeted by a hostile IFC. When
the IFC was told that they had
no control over EMU salary in
creases, they ignored that the
state decides the level of in
creases with or without the
IFC's approval. To illustrate her
power, Lieberman stated, "Go
ahead, push me and I'll show
you how much power I have.” 1
find this action inappropriate
for anybody, including the IFC.
Just to receive funding from the
IFC is difficult enough.
Countless meetings and paper
work are required for each pro
gram. The time has come to quit
making people jump circus
hoops to receive funding.
Greg Miller
EMIJ Board Budget Chair
Thanks Leah
Thanks for Leah Juniper’s
quote: “There’s nothing
beautiful about airbrushed
anorexics with pumped up
mams in a victim's pose” (ODE,
May 14).
Women are victims. Every 12
seconds a woman in America is
being victimized by physical
violence. These staggering
statistics do not begin to con
sider other types of victimiza
tion. Women portrayed in
Playboy and other pornographic
publications are victims of
society. By posing in suggestive
nudity, women have exposed
that which should be sacred to
them. Pornography displays
bodies with no discretion to
whom will visually and mental
ly rape the socially brainwashed
woman. This woman believes
that the greatest compliment to
her would be to be made a
bunny.
Women who cannot believe
that pornographic materials can
lead to sexually violent vic
timization against women
should consider their pride and
potential as a person. Very pro
bably, by “making a spread” in
Playboy, a woman could be
closing doors to career oppor
tunities down the road.
If an employer or potential
employer knew of her ap
pearance in a pornographic
publication, what professional
respect would he or she have for
this woman? As an employee,
she could become a victim of
sexual harassment. For the
more “traditional" woman, it
could (heaven forbid) ruin her
chance to become “Miss
America,” or disallow a mar
riage between she and that
famous, affluent boyfriend of
her dreams!
Come on women, get a grip.
Do not allow this victimization
to go on. Save that which
should be respected, at least by
you. Listen to those that support
you as a person, with abilities to
fulfill your own potential.
Kate Conroy
Business
Thanks
I would like to thank
everyone who helped make
LYLE’s 2nd ANNUAL FORMAL
a success.
The credit goes to everyone
involved: the venture
capitalists, the volunteers,
those who supplied hors
d 'oeuvres, the faculty club and
of course the festive guests.
Because of your efforts and
enthusiasm it was the party that
showed Eugene how to party.
Lyle Sweeney
Business Management
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, typed,
signed and the identification of the writer must be verified
when the letter is turned in. The Emerald reserves the right to
edit any letter for length or style. Letters to the editor should
be turned into the Emerald office, Suite 300, EMU.