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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 1987)
Editorial Ban on classified research not feasible The University Senate today will consider whether to ban classified research at the proposed Riverfront Research Park. Although the proposed park will be a beneficial adjunct to the University, it is nonetheless not part of the University — and must operate under different standards. It is not feasi ble to even have the park with a classified research ban. Although government classified research will be only a small portion of research at the park, whether companies can undertake this tyj e of research is crucial to their deci sions to locate in the park. The currently planned ban on weapons research will be enforceable with classified research going on; while details of classified research are unobtainable, the general thrust of the research is obtainable. Moreover, any University representative with government clearance could review the research. Concerns over Star Wars research at the park also are unfounded; much Star Wars research is not, per se, distinguishable from other basic research, including research funded by organizations such as the National Science Foundation. As much as we oppose Star Wars, the emphasis only can be on the type of research — not that Star Wars sponsors it. The motion to ban classified research tries to force na tional defense issues through the University onto the pro posed park. Neither place is an appropriate ground for settl ing national policy disputes. In any case, the motion undoubtedly will go on to the University Assembly for final resolution, where we hope it will be defeated. Stopping classified research at the park is tantamount to stopping the park itself. Changing no-pass to f' detrimental to students Effective fall term 1987. the University will begin to compute students’ grade-point averages as the primary reference for undergraduates of satisfactory progress toward graduation. The University Senate today will consider whether the University should grade all no-pass grades, or N’s, as F’s — rather than as currently planned, that tin; first 15 hours of N’s not be computed in a student's CiPA. Why. then, have pass/no-pass grades at all? Pass/no pass grading is supposed to be distinct from letter grading, since a pass/no-pass grade does not allow for GPA-boosting A’s. Under the motion’s provision, students would not only be penalized by losing credits for courses in which they receive N’s. but by damaging their CPA as well — significantly altering the meaning of an N to the detriment of students. Moreover, students who have been going to school for several years under the current system would suddenly find the meaning of any N’s on their transcripts changed drastically — even if they have only one or two. The motion changes the whole balance provided in the pass/no-pass system. Hopefully, the senate will have some empathy for students and vote the measure down. (0 FOREIGN POLICY LEASH LAW (aa Si: ! ! ! ! ' ^,Y ^ ^ I Commentary Top-quality faculty generate grants for research; boost Oregon's economy When you hire winners, you can count on a payoff as surely as when you buy a winning lot tery ticket. Recently. I saw an analysis that illustrates how hiring and keeping the best college and university faculty can pay off even l>etter than that. In a nationwide study of university chemistry depart ments, the 23-member Universi ty department ranked 11th in outside research dollars generated per faculty member. This may surprise you: the University chemistry depart ment won an average of $185,000 per faculty member in outside research support, more than prestigious schools such as Yale. UCLA. Northwestern, Purdue and UC-Berkelev. That and other money is be ing added to the Oregon economy because we hired outstanding faculty with ex cellent reputations. But Oregon, long at the top of the salary pack, is struggling Oregon Daily Emerald The OfBQon Daily Emerald is published Monday through Friday except during exam week and vacations by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co . at the University ol Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, 97403 The Emerald operates independently of the University with offices on the third floor of the Erb Memorial Union and is a member of the Associated Press The Emerald is private property The unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable by law General Staff Advertising Director Susan Thelen Production Manager Wayne Lottinville Classified Advertising Alyson Simmons Assistant to the Publisher Jean Ownbey Advertising Sales: Peter LaFieur / Sales Manager Teresa Acosta, Brent Collins, Beryl Israel, Janelle Heit mann, Laura Goldstein, Catherine Lilia, Rick Mart/, Joseph Menzel, Peter Miller. Joan Wildermuth News and Editorial 686-5511 Display Advertising and Business 686-3712 Classified Advertising 686-4343 Production 686-4381 Circulation 686-5511 Editor Managing Editor News Editor Spectrum Editor Spectrum Assistant Editor Editorial Page Editor Editorial Page Assistant Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Graphic Design Editor Night Editor Michelle Brence Lucinda Dillon Michael Rivers Curtis Condon Stephen Maher James Young Michael Drummond Cap! Lynn Michael Wilhelm Lorraine Rath Michael Rivers Associate Editors Community Jolayne Houtz Politics Shawn Wirtz Higher Education / Administration Chris Norred University Affairs Stan Nelson Student Government Sarah Kitchen Student Activities Tonnie Dakin General Assignment Dennis Fernandes Reporters: Sean Axmaker. Mary Courtis, Karen Creighton, Gary Henley. Carolyn Lamberson, John McBarron Photographers: Shertyn Bjorkgren, Shu-Shing Chen, Maria Corvallis. Derrel Hewitt, Bobbie Lo, James Marks, Dan Wheeler, Michael Wilhelm Production: Michele Ross I Ad Coordinator Kelly Alexandre. Elizabeth Asher, Ronwm Nicole Ashton, Virginia Baniaga, Sandra Bevans, Sara Briscoe, Shu Shing Chen, Janet Emery, Lisa Haggerty. Donna Leslie, Curtis Lott, Kelli Mason, Mike McGraw. Rob Miles. Angelina Muniz, Julie Paul, Ingrid White, X Kang Xie just to stay even. The need to hire and retain excellent faculty is the reason the Oregon State Board of Higher Education established faculty salaries as its number one general-fund priority in the 1987 Oregon Legislature. Nearly everyone understands that to attract the best people, we must be competitive. After years of neglect, Oregon is beginning to do that. By William Davis In 1985, the Oregon Legislature voted $400 million for higher-education salaries. This money was used not only for across-the-board raises, but also to recognize top professors and to pay more in highly com petitive disciplines such as business and the sciences. As a result, faculty salaries at Oregon’s three major public universities are expected to rise to 76th out of 108 comparable institutions. This is good news for Oregonians who want their public colleges and universities to deliver the best not only in education, research and public service, but also economic recovery. As recently as last year, facul ty salaries at Oregon’s research universities were a disgrace, ranking near the bottom among comparable schools. The State Board has asked for 6.5 percent faculty salary in creases to keep up with average raises at colleges and univer sities across the nation, plus 1.85 pi rcent to move Oregon forward. The State Board’s goal is to pay salaries comparable to those in states of similar size and resources such as Colorado, Kansas. Arizona, Nevada. Iowa and Wyoming. Reaching this goal will help our public, four-year colleges and universities do even more to stimulate the Oregon economy. Oregon State University figures probably 50 faculty members on the Corvallis cam pus bring in $100,000 or more annually in grants and contracts. For example, a biochemistry professor brought in an average of $377,000 a year over a five year period, while a geophysics professor averaged $375,000 an nually for five years. At the University, four recent ly hired science faculty together have attracted more than $4 million in grants. Unfortunately, we also have dozens of examples of good people who have left Oregon — and who have refused job offers from Oregon schools — for bet ter salaries elsewhere. At the University, for example, two assistant professors of marketing left to earn $5,000 and $0,500 more at the Univer sity of Tennessee and Universi ty of Alabama. At Oregon In stitute of Technology in Klamath Falls, a computer systems instructor left a $25,600 job to earn $45,000 (with a reduced teaching load) at the University of Iowa. Top-flight professors attract research dollars to their states, which economists tell us turn over several times more in every sector of the economy. Moreover, first rate professors deliver excellence in the classroom. No doubt about it: Attracting the best college and university teachers and researchers into our state colleges and univer sities is a sure bet for Oregon. William Davis is chancellor of the Oregon State System of Higher Education.
