Editorial
In true fairness
retain Paul Olum
The Stale Hoard of Higher Education's executive com
mittee has committed a grievous error in forcing University
President Paul Olum to retire in 1989. In the best interests of
everyone involved, the board should reconsider the
decision.
Not only are there a number of major projects currently
underway at the University that could fall apart if Olum
departs prematurely, but the executive committee’s action
failed to take into account the opinions of University faculty
and students as well as a multitude of other individuals and
organizations.
Furthermore, when the decision reached by the board's
executive committee was announced Oct. 28. no reason was
given as to why Olum was being ousted. Ami none has been
heard since.
('.ranted, presidents of the board's public four-year col
leges and universities serve under the guidance of the board.
It also is true that only executive committee approval is
needed to end a president’s employment.
Hut statements uttered recently by lioard President
James Petersen of Iji Grande and higher education
Chancellor William Davis don’t wash. Petersen told the
Register-Guard on Oct. 29 that the decision was the In-st way
for the board and the University to make a smooth transition
to a new administration.
And when Davis was cornered by a mob of angry
students and faculty members outside Susan Campbell Hall
on Thursday, he commented dryly, "1 support the board's
right to make a decision." Davis then added that the ex
ecutive committee had taken into account student's
interests.
Needless to say, the committee has taken into account
virtually no one’s interests.
Olnm has drawn support from city officials, state
legislators, labor unions, business leaders and alumni. At
Thursday's rally it was revealed by an alumni association
representative that chapters around the country have been
polled and that more than 100,000 alumni support Olum.
In light of the lack of masoning behind the state board's
decision, external political pressure may be the real reason
Olum is being forced out.
It is no secret Olum has publicly taken on and sparred
with the board, the Legislature and Gov. Neil Goldschmidt
in the past. Goldschmidt, for one, recently questioned
Olum's statement that although the quality of University
programs was high, faculty salaries were ridiculously low.
"You can't have it both ways,” Goldschmidt scolded.
The secretive nature of the executive committee in arriv
ing at the decision also raises questions about a hidden agen
da and whether Oregon’s public meetings law was violated.
During the six months the committee mulled over Olum’s
fate, no one else was consulted. And during the executive
committee's deliberations, no minutes of the meetings were
kept.
Suspicions and emotions are running high at the mo
ment as exhibited by Thursday’s rally and march. The board
should reconsider its executive committee's decision if it
has any sense for what is best for the University.
If the board as a whole decides that Olum should go, it
will be thumbing its nose at not only the University com
munity, but the entire state.
» FUNO^
(Raising*
G£TLOST' CONDUCTINC f\ SfAOOTH TRANSITION HERl‘\
Letters
Praise Olum
The University Chapter of the
American Association of
University Professors was
disturbed to learn that the Ex
ecutive Committee of the State
Hoard of Higher Education has
asked Paul Olum to step down
as University president
18 months from now.
The reasons given for this
decision an? mainly procedural,
stressing the orderly transition
to a new president and the tim
ing of such a transition to coin
cide with inception of the
1989-91 biennium.
These are not compelling
reasons to terminate a man who
has been and still is an outstan
ding president.
Under adverse economic con
ditions. Olum has presided over
the University when:
1) There has beun consistent
improvement in student
quality.
2) There has been enrollment
expansion when enrollments
were projected to fall.
3) There has been a
strengthening of the instruc
tional and research faculty.
-1) He has brought major
Oregon Daily
Emerald
The Oregon Daily Emerald is published Monday
through Friday except during exam weefc 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 property The unlawful removal
or use of papers is prosecutable by law
General SUM
Advertising Director
Production Manager
Classified Manager
Assistant to the Publisher
Susan Thelen
Michele Ross
Kelli Mason
Jean Ownbey
Advertising Sale*: Ten Boring. Gary DeLossa. Tom Leech
Catherine lll|a, Rick Marti. Laura McKinney. Heather
Mull. Joann Nelson Julie Paul. Barbara Rogers. Scott
Thorkildaon. Joan Wlldermuth
N*ws and Editorial
Diaplay Advartialng and Buamaaa
Claaalttad Advartialng
I. attar Par tact Oraphlca
Production
Circulation
686 S511
686 3712
686 4343
686 SS11
686 4381
686SS11
Stanley Nelson
Scott Msben
Eden God bey
Angela Muniz/Steven Hoenisch
Aaron Knox
Shu Shing Chen
Lorraine Rath
Kelly Kortekaas
Entertainment Sports Segment Editor MC Hutto
Night Editor Carolyn lamberson
Editor
Managing Editor
News Editor
Editorial Page Editors
Sports Editor
Photo Editor
Graphic Design Editor
Special Issues Editor
Associate Editors
Community
Higher Education Administration
Student Government Activities
General Assignment Entertainment
Stephen Maher
Michael Drummond
Carolyn Lamberson
Will Holbert
Reporters: Craig Harris Gary Henley. Andrew LaMar. Jett
Morgan. Ingrid Petersen. Caml Swanson. Kelvin Wee
Photographers: Sherlyn Bjorkgren, Christophs
Chabaudie Andy Cripe. Clitt Elzel. John Giustina. Bobbie
Lo. Gregor Okorn Andre Ranleri, Ted Shepler. Michael
Templeton. Dan Wheeler
Production: Sandra Oaller f Ad Coordinator
Kelly Alexandre. Ronwin Nicole Ashton, Virginia Baniaga.
Laura Carhart. Eva Cohen. Stephanie Drynan. Dolores Fer
rero. Shannon Gaither. Lisa Haggerty. Stephanie Holland.
Deirdre Kelly, Eliot Knight. Chris Knox. Jung Lee. Bobbie
Lo. James Mason. Angie Muniz, Ted Shepler. Linda Sperl
ing. Lisa Svanevik. Ingrid White. Kelly Williams. Serena
Williams. X Kang Xie
federal funding for the expan
sion of science facilities on
campus.
5) He was chosen by his
presidential colleagues to
preside over the Pacific-10
Conference.
t>) He has vigorously defend
ed free speech on campus.
7) He is u firm advocate of his
institution's interests.
H) He has skillfully negotiated
with antagonistic groups to
develop a plan for a research
park in Eugene, and his
presence may lx? a key element
in its success.
9) He has been instrumental
in the development of plans for
an upcoming capital campaign
and his involvement is vital for
its success.
10) He is mentally and
physically in superb condition.
Perhaps the state hoard was
not fully aware of these ac
complishments and many
more — when it reached its
decision. Had it consulted
University faculty, we are sure
that it would have extended
President Olum's tenure in
order to complete such pending
projects as an effective provost
search, a successful capital
campaign, and the launching of
the Riverside Research Park.
Barry N. Siegel
President, University AAUP
Home-rule
This letter seconds the theme
of the President of the Chamber
of Commerce. The University
will not be a better institution of
higher education through ef
forts to centralize control of it in
the state board or its staff
The disagreement is not bas
ed on Paul Olum’s-personality
nor his age. in my opinion, hut
instead upon his defense of the
freedom of each university to
grow in wisdom and stature and
ability to foster knowledge
needed for future economfi
development and intellectual
achievements.
President Oium has become a
target of the enthusiasts for cen
tralized control in a politically
appointed board and its staff.
With L.B. Day’s death and my
absence from the legislature it
must appear to the advocates of
centralized political control of
the institutions of higher educa
tion that Olum is isolated and
can be put out of their way by
putting him out to pasture.
We need you to stand up for a
strong and vital University and
for a strong measure of '‘home
rule” powers in its governance.
Future generations of Oregon
students, workers and scholars
will benefit if you do.
Edward N. Fadeley
Former Slate Senator
Superb leader
The unanimous vote of the
University Assembly in support
of Dr. Olum. published in the
Oregon Daily Emerald on Nov.
5. deeply underscores a posi
tion taken by the University
Alumni Association in an Oct
30 letter to the State Hoard of
Higher Education.
In that letter, we expressed
the "strongest possible opposi
tion" to the state board's ap
parent decision, stating that we
were "confident we shared
those feelings with the students
and faculty of the University."
We also expressed a belief that
the board had "greatly
underestimated the importance
of Dr Olum to the University —
and the commitment of the
University community to him."
Our state board consists of
people dedicated to public ser
vice and higher education in
this state. In this case, however,
we are convinced they are mak
ing a serious mistake. The
University Alumni Association
joins the faculty and students of
the University in asking that our
superb president be retained
until the 1992 retirement date
he hail set for himself.
)ohn Gragg
President. University of Oregon
Alumni Association