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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 11, 1987)
ASUO should return insurance program In 1985 the ASUO executive took control of the student insurance from the University. Since then, the program has been plagued by disorganization and mismanagement, peaking in the UO Students For Equity Insurance’s demand for the resignations of ASUO President Steve Nelson and ASUO Legal Services attorney, Karsten Rasmussen. Due to the problems that have developed, it would be best for all those involved to give control of the program back to the University. Allowing students to run the student insurance program seems appropriate. However, the problems that have crop ped up since the ASUO took over the program show that it is too broad for student government to control. Before 1985, the ASUO oversaw student insurance in conjunction with Metzker and Associates, a company con tracted by the University to handle claims. But problems developed from the commission the company collected. The company collected a 15 percent commission on insurance policies from the University, which was higher than rates charged to other schools and double the industry standard. The ASUO let the contract with Metzker and Associates lapse at the end of the ’84*’85 school year and transferred control of the program to the students. The ASUO then developed the Health Insurance Committee to take over the program and hired the Lone Star Life Insurance Co. to underwrite it. Meanwhile, the students took over the responsibilities of both Metzker and Associates and the University. During the time Lone Star Insurance Co. was hired, the ASUO showed mismanagement and negligence in oversee ing the company. The contract with Lone Star had a 1.5 per cent interest payment on claims not paid within 14 days upon the students’ request. However, the brochure given to students interested in the program did not mention that the student must specifically ask for the interest. Nelson does not know why the clause was left out of the brochure, which reflects mismanagement and a breakdown in the insurance committee system. The ASIJO dropped the Lone Star company last summer and hired the Keystone Insurance Co. But Keystone recently announced it is having financial problems. Because of an in surance guarantee, the University is still covered, and students don’t have to worry about unpaid claims. But it seems clear that the Insurance Committee should research the underwriting company they choose more thoroughly. Under student control, many organizational and mismanagement problems have developed in the Univer sity’s insurance program. This is not fair to the students buy ing the insurance who need stable and reliable coverage. Metzker and Associates and the confusion with com mission rates was the only major problem that developed while the University ran the insurance program. Similar problems could arise again if the University was given con trol, but guidelines and precautionary measures also could be established. The University simply has a better understanding of how to run the insurance program. Based on its record, the University could effectively handle problems that would arise if it took control of the program, avoiding the kind of problems facing the Insurance Committee today. The idea of student insurance for the students, by the students is a noble concept. But running such a program is beyond the scope of student government. Letters Mad bomber The Emerald editorial “Spare jail sentence for Silas T. Bissell,” Jan. 28 shows how morally bankrupt the University of Oregon's liberal faction has become. You used such terms as “gentleman,’’ “soft-spoken.” and “low-keyed” to describe a domestic terrorist who got off on bombing buildings with the murderous Weather Underground. The theme of your editorial seems to be that. “It's been a long time since the (attempted) bombings, go easy on him.” Well. Adolf Hitler had a deep appreciation of art and music. He was really a nice guy. . . why do people always bring up that Nazi stuff? Nazism is a thing of the past, right? After all, it's berm over 43 years. Bissell was “well-liked” by his neighbors. Charles Manson was well-liked by his followers. Perhaps I could attempt to blow up a building. 1 could elude the authorities for a while, and if they caught me, I’d let my neighbors tell them what a great guy 1 was and hope the Emerald writes how much Oregon Daily Emerald The Oregon Daily Emerald is published Monday through Friday except during exam week and vacations by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co., at the University of 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 properly The unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable by law General Staff Advertising Director Susan Thelen Production Manager Wayne Michael Lottinville Classified Advertising Alyson Simmons Assistant to the Publisher Jean Ownbey Advertising Sales: Peter LaFleur I Sales Manager Teresa Acosta, Brent Collins, Beryl Israel. Janelle Heit mann, Laura Goldstein. Catherine Lilja, Rick Martz, Joseph Menzel, Peter Miller, Joan Wildermuth News and Editorial 686-5511 Display Advertising and Business 686-3712 Graphic Services 686-5511 Classified Advertising 686-4343 Production 686 4381 Circulation 686-5511 Editor Managing Editor News Editor Spectrum Editor Editorial Page Editors Sports Editor Photo Editor Assistant Photo Editor Graphic Editor Night Editor Associate Editors Community Politics Higher Education / Administration University Affairs Student Government Student Activities General Assignment Michelle Brence Lucinda Dillon Michael Rivers Stephen Maher Michael Drummond Angie Muniz Capi Lynn Michael Wilhelm John Giustina Lorraine Rath Jolayne Houtz Jolayne Houtz Shawn Wirtz Chris Norred Stan Nelson Carolyn Lamberson Sarah Kitchen Dennis Fernandes Reporters: Sean Axmaker, Mary Courtis. Karen Creighton, Gary Henley, Carolyn Lamberson, Scott Maben, Janet Paulson, B J Thomsen Photographers: Sherlyn Biorkgren, Shu-Shing Chen, Maria Corvallis. Derrel Hewitt. Bobbie Lo, Dan Wheeler Production: Michele Ross / 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 of a ‘’gentleman” I’ve been since the bombing. The communist/liberal fac tions at our University will always condone the terrorist ac tivities aimed at our great na tion. If Bissell had attempted to bomb the Gay and Lesbian Alliance offices instead of a ROTC building, the Emerald would’ve asked for his head. Dan Goulet Political science Truffle trot I’d like to take a moment to thank Betsy Clayton and the Emerald for an excellent article on the 6th annual Valentine’s Day Truffle Trot, held Feb. 8 at Alton Baker Park. We very much appreciate the positive at tention that we have received. Missing in the article, however, was recognition of the efforts of Pam Ring from the Association of Retarded Citizens, and especially those of Cindy Hutton, Truffle Trot Race Director. Both put in may hours of uncompensated time, and without their efforts, there would be no Truffle Trot. Bob Bury Euphoria Chocolate Co. President Word play I enjoy following the fortunes of the Oregon Duck basketball teams, both men and women. This has been an exciting season. I usually enjoy reading about the games in the Emerald, but was dismayed when I read Friday’s issue (Feb. 6). that the men lost to Arizona. The news of the loss was disappointing enough, but what made me cringe was Capi Lynn’s report, “Don Monson noted after the game his team played good at times, but poor at other times.” Did Monson really say that? Or is that what Lynn thought he said? Either wav, this tvoe of report is much too frequent on the sports pages. Let me suggest that Lynn prepare a large sign that reads: “GOOD ATHLETES PLAY WELL. POOR ATHLETES PLAY vPOORLY. GREAT TEAMS PERFORM BRILLIANTLY. BAD TEAMS DO BADLY.” Put this sign up in the sports writers’ area. Make another and send it to the athletic depart ment for coaches and players. Maybe, just maybe, student athletes and student writers will graduate knowing the dif ference between an adjective and an adverb. David H. Wagner Associate biology professor ODE lawsuit Paul Sturtz’ suit against the Oregon Daily Emerald could br ing to the fore details of Students for a Progressive Agenda politics which would show how undemocratic the SPA actually is. Succinctly put, the ODE board was SPA-rigged, which led to extraordinary measures to counteract SPA influence. Sturtz’ suit is fine in the abstract. However, until the ex istence of machine politics is admitted and publically debated, there is really nothing to discuss concerning the ODE which bears any relationship to reality. Andrew Beckwith Graduate, physics Correction Yesterday’s editorial mistakenly identified IFC member Ron Munion as Rob M union. The Emerald regrets the error.
