Editorial
Plan would damage
educational quality
If the State Board of Higher Education continues with
plans to expand the "Centers of Excellence” program, the
caliber of education at Oregon’s institutions could be severe
ly damaged.
Alvin Batiste, the board's president, said the plan is an
attempt to identify areas of excellence at the state’s institu
tions, and then reward those areas with additional funding.
Institution presidents are expected to specify areas of ex
cellence at their respective institutions at the next board
meeting Dec. 20. The board will identify the final areas.
At first glance, it seems to be a good idea. One might con
clude the plan will help the state’s most promising fields
realize their full potential.
But upon closer inspection, an alarming picture un
folds. Publicly labeling some programs as "excellent"
necessarily publicly identifies others as "second class."
Departments branded “second class" could become self
fulfilling prophecies. A "second class" label would damage
the morale of students and faculty in the department, and
the department would have difficulty attracting new
students. The same would hold true for a particular field
recognized as "excellent” at one institution and not
another.
Also, the total number of "Centers of Excellence” and
the number at each institution must be limited. But if each
institution is able to emphasize only a certain number of pro
grams, how many institutions will push programs that do
not turn out many graduates, such as foreign languages,
philosophy and history?
Also, Batiste said duplicate programs will not be
simultaneously recognized as "Centers of Excellence." He
said the board would encourage "complementary” pro
grams. but it is not clear whether the board will define com
plementary in narrow or broad terms. In the broadest of
definitions, no two programs are exactly alike. In the nar
rowest, more than one program in the same field is
CAItCOOIVC.
If a particular field receives recognition and superior
funding at only one institution, students interested in the
field may feel compelled to attend that institution. But not
every student has the flexibility to alter their geographic
location. It would be unfortunate if the board recognized on
ly one quality program in each field. And along these lines,
students interested in double majors or minors may also feel
they are not able to obtain quality instruction in both fields
at one institution.
Another frightening repercussion is that a “Center of
Excellence” could be established outside of the institution
that genuinely offers the superior program.
Batiste asserted funds would not be taken from
unrecognized programs to finance the recognized programs;
that funds would be requested in addition to the base
budget. But it is not clear whether or not the state
Legislature is willing to substantially increase the funds
allocated to higher education.
In addition, programs, particularly those at the Univer
sity of Oregon, are already tragically underfunded. Simply
maintaining a base budget will fail to rectify the embarras
sing inadequacy of funds.
Another objection involves control. Funds and em
phasis clearly are not distributed equally now. But under the
current system, the institutions decide how to allocate
funds, not the State Board of Higher Education. Under the
new system, the board would identify the centers, and the
board would determine how to allocate funds.
Those intimately involved with the programs, par
ticularly at the University of Oregon where administrators
and faculty have proven they can build and maintain a first
rate institution, should decide which programs should be
emphasized. The institution’s administrators can make in
formed decisions without publicly labeling some programs
superior to others.
Further, decisions of this magnitude and importance
should be decided carefully and should be based on exten
sive research. Thus we come to another flaw. Institution
presidents had less than 30 day’s warning that they would
be expected to make cases for their institution's departments
at the Dec. 20 board meeting. And at the meeting, each
president will be limited to a 15-minute presentation.
How can University of Oregon President Paul Olum be
expected to choose between the University’s programs when
nearly all of them are among the nation’s best, especially in
less than one month? How can he appropriately present a
case in 15 minutes?
To put it plainly, we are horrified. We strongly urge the
State Board of Higher Education to drop the idea — and bury
it.
Letters
I vesne^er in doubt
of tie verdict..:'
-Gen.FabianC.Ver
Good work
As a youngster, a respected
scholar (my uncle Joe) once told
me, "If it doesn’t fit in my
Chevy pickup, it doesn't fit in
my life. ..”
Taking those words, old Joe's
passion for Cheez Whiz and
George Kennedy movies into ac
count. I read Chuck Thomp
son’s article on why he hates
the Oregon State Beavers.
In the aftermath. I realized it
met all Chevy-size requirements
and I’m sure my uncle would
have loved it.
I know good taste runs in our
family, but seriously folks, the
article had to be one of the most
creative and entertaining pieces
to grace the Emerald sports
pages in my four years of
readership.
Speaking from experience,
sports writing should be more
than a gray haze of names,
numbers and dull quotes. Mr
Thompson has, with his OSIJ
article and his previous epic on
Eugene ratball, provided sports
stories of this nature.
As for this Ixiri Hamilton
character, a none too just
punishment would be having
her write 500 times: I believe In
my I wart that Hart Convey is a
fine actor. (No. no. just
kidding.)
But 1 do find Ms. Hamilton's
criticism of Mr Thompson's ar
ticle a bit like my Unde Joe's
passion for Cheez Whiz:
unfortunate.
Ms. Hamilton claims that the
article could only "generate a
negative and unhealthy attitude
toward competition" and
"provoke such disgraceful
stereotypes."
Unlikely, unless read by six
year-olds, John Hinckley Jr. or
humorless "ex"-OSU fans
So. a toast to Mr. Thompson.
Keep up the good work. Hunter
S. would be proud.
B. Kdward Thompson
(no relation I know ol)
Journalism
r
Reject project
As for the so-called "Super
conducting Super Collider $»>
billion project" on the front
page of the Register-Guard Sun
day, I say. "hah!" to the in
ference it may "shed light on
the secrets of matter and the
nature of the universe " The on
ly matter or nature the pro
ponents. most of them, are in
terested in is the matter and
nature of profits.
What pollutants will be its
products and byproducts? What
new tax will pay for it? What
now tool of war will be born
from it? What percentage of us,
the people, would vote for it?
Instead, bring track the health of
Earth to good balance.
Tommy Walen Laughing Deer
Eugene
1
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