Editorial
Chiles construction
may set precedent
Construction of the Chiles Business Center, which has
already begun on the corner of 13th Avenue and Kincaid
Street, represents two University firsts. Construction of the
center will be completely funded through donated funds.
The center also is being built in a’‘design/build’' fashion,
which involves designing and building the structure
simultaneously.
There are three significant differences between the con
struction and planning guidelines for a state-funded
building and for a donation-funded building. When a
building is entirely funded through donations, the donor of
the funds designates the designer and contractor rather than
the University or the State Board of Higher Education, the
role of the Campus Planning Committee is limited, and the
design/build construction method becomes an alternative.
Each of these differences has serious implications
First, if the donor completely controls the selection of
the designer and the contractor, the contractor is responsible
to the donor instead of the University. This was pointed out
by ferry Finrow, a University architecture professor, in a
commentary printed in the Emerald Oct. 4. Also, the Cam
pus Planning Committee can, but does not necessarily, par
ticipate in this selection process. In the case of the Chiles
center, it had no input whatsoever.
The involvement of the Campus Planning Committee is
limited pertaining to other aspects of design and construc
tion. Donation-funded guidelines specify that the committee
will review the need, the budget and a basic description of
the plans, and review the site and design plans before con
struction begins. However, the specifications do not specify
how detailed the plans need to be when presented to the
committee.
And even more alarming, this may be the extent of the
committee’s involvement. The committee may review other
plans during the designing and construction of the building,
but only at the direct request of the Physical Plant. David
Rowe, the director of the Campus Planning Committee,
seemed confident the committee would be involved in fur
ther developing stages of the Chiles center, but the
guidelines do not guarantee it.
The preliminary plans are carefully scrutinized by
several responsible University administrators. Construction
of the building is being monitored by the University Foun
dation and by the Physical Plant, both of which can be ex
pected to have the best interests of the University in mind.
However, greater participation of the Campus Planning
Committee, a group specifically designed to maintain the
beauty and careful planning of the University, should be
guaranteed. Neglecting the committee's expertise could set
a dangerous precedent for future projects.
The method of construction also is cause for concern.
The design/build system is designed to save time. Rather
than work out every detail of the building's design, and then
initiate construction, the details are worked out as construc
tion takes place. For example, the building’s foundation
already has been approved and built. While this was taking
place, details were being worked out for the next part of the
building.
The method does save time. However, if a problem arises
late in construction, it will be too late to modify the
building’s design. The potential for serious problems is
much greater when this method, as opposed to others, is
used.
The nature of the process also severly reduces the
amount of influence on the part of the University. It is con
ceivable that the building could be half built when a source
of dispute is discovered.
That the University Foundation was able to finance the
construction of the building entirely through donated funds
is laudable. However, the construction guidelines for
donation-funded buildings need revision.
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'HklUXSD AN tttUAMSKlP, MURDERED AN ELDERLY JEW IN A YW6LCWAl*,*6lN«tt£D U.SHS&EU
«U01dNS, IMCRBSH)MCUMATE OP VIOLENCE RK1MER...MY,MV, VWATilSEDlD touDOID US?'
Commentaiy___
Fight rape by teaching women
self-defense and educating men
A recent survey of 7.000
students in 35 colleges by Mary
P. Koss (Ms.. Oct. 1985) found
that one quarter of women in
college today have been victims
of rape or attempted rape.
There is a tendency to see
solutions to rape as
synonymous with improving
safety and security. One group
at the U of O provides a walking
escort service, two other groups
are planning to. and the ASUO
is planning to purchase a van
for this purpose. The ad
ministration has taken steps to
improve lighting on campus
and to limit night classes to
safer buildings. But this survey
also showed that 90 percent of
the women knew their at
tackers. That means that if this
campus were safe enough that a
woman could walk alone
through the cemetery at night,
most rapes would still occur —
committed by men the women
thought they could trust.
I commend those who take
any action against rape.
However, instead of purchasing
a van to protect women from
strangers, I believe that the
ASUO should fund a program of
assertiveness training and self
defense classes, taught by
women, to empower women to
protect themselves from both
acquaintances and strangers.
And because a final solution to
the problem of rape will only
come with a transformation of
the consciousness of men, we
should begin campuswide
forums among men on sex and
gender roles, and on the rela
tionship between our attitudes
and behaviors and rape.
The most revealing statistic in
Koss' survey is that "one in
every 12 men admitted to hav
ing fulfilled the prevailing
definition of rape or attempted
rape, yet virtually none of those
men identified themselves as
rapists." The peer group is a
very strong socialization factor
for men. If a man can rape
without knowing It, he must
think his behavior is normal in
comparison to the men he
knows or men who condone or
boast about rape or rape-like
behavior.
A recent experience of one of
our members (Men Against
Rape), Hal, gives an illustration
of the pervasiveness of rape at
titudes among men. A woman
in a passing car yelled, "Hey,
what's up?" at a man walking
down the sire**! As Hal walked •
past him, the man turned and
said, “I should make her bend
over and give it to her.” It is
amazing that he said this to a. •
total stranger and that he ex
pected Hal to agree.
Men can have an Immediate
and direct impact in rape
prevention. Every time we
speak of rape in a casual way,
we reinforce the motivations of
the rapists in our peer groups. It
takes courage to buck the
weight of peer opinion, but
when we refuse to see rape jokes
as such, and silently accept rape
statements by others, we imply ;
our consent. We so often
associate courage with acts of
war, but it is true courage to
wage peace for the sake of
others. Out of respect, love and
compassion for the women with
whom we share this planet, and
in recognition of the freeing ’
potential for ourselves, let us
dismantle this rape society.
By Jack Straton
Jack Straton ia a member of Men
Against Rape, a campus group,
and la a University graduate stu
dent in physics.
Oregon Daily
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