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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 16, 1987)
Editorial Board's arguments need substantiation State Board of Higher Education members have failed to justify reasons for the early retirement of University Presi dent Paul Olum; both the public and Olum deserve a right to know why his extension request has been denied. During its Friday meeting, the state board completely avoided debating with those who support Olum. and failed to rebut the arguments for retaining his services until 1992. In fact, the state board virtually has offered no sound academic or economic reason for its decision to retire Olum prematurely in June 1989. However, board member Janet Nelson of Coos Bay charged that during Olum’s administration the University has devalued undergraduate programs at the expense of em phasizing graduate programs. With this remark, the state board finally found an expe dient criticism of Olum. Nelson’s remark is becoming, in ef fect. the reason for the early dismissal of Olum. Furthermore. State Board President James Peterson reiterated Nelson’s claim during a post-meeting interview with an F^merald editor. Petorson inappropriately places the responsibility for this alleged discrepancy of undergraduate quality on Olum However, even if the charge is true, Olum is not to fault. Rather, it's the inability of the University to afford enough professors to teach all undergraduate level classes — a situa tion that has led to an overreliance on GTFs, according to a recent University accreditation review. Moreover, the inability of the University to pay pro fessors a salary commensurate with their responsibilities has led Olum to campaign for higher faculty salaries — a request Gov. Neil Goldschmidt, who appoints state board members. opposes. Therefore, the real responsibility for this alleged devaluation of undergraduate programs at the expense of emphasizing graduate pregrams rests on the shoulders of those opposed to appropriating more money to raise the salaries of University professors. The claim, however, that there is a qualitative discrepancy between undergraduate and graduate level pro grams has yet to be substantiated by the board with evidence. And even if it were true, it would not outweigh the academic benefits of retaining Oium. If Olum is forced out prematurely by the board, the quality of the entire University will decline. But Nelson's charge also raises questions about the criteria the state board is using to evaluate Olum's perfor mance ami effectiveness. Peterson, for example, stated in an interview that the board’s decision was "a matter of judgment." What kind of judgment? A judgment based on the economic and academic facts supported by empirical evidence or a judgment based on the politically motivated concerns of the state board? The state board has not demonstrated a clear argument to support its decision, which lends credence to the theory that the decision is politically motivated. This theory, which is supported by the board’s failure to articulate a clear reason for its decision, holds that the state board wants to consolidate its control over the University's internal affairs The only way the Iwtard can influence the in ternal affairs of the University is through an externally ap pointed president who will adhere to the board's demands. Furthermore, the board seems to have made a pre emptive decision to retire Olum Indore hearing many of the arguments in favor of retaining him until 1992. This is evidenced by the the apparent indifference by board members to arguments supporting Olum. and by the board’s timid decision to hold a telephone conference call Wednes day to make its final decision regarding Olum’s retirement. However, kudos does go to ASUO President and state board member Kasey Brooks who commendably voted against the telephone vote. If the state board acted with regard to objective economic and academic concerns, rather than subjective political ones, the Olum proceedings could end in a win win situation by letting Olum continue as University presi dent until 1992. Letters Policy The Kmerald will attempt to print all letter* containing comment* on topic* of inter*'*! to the University community Comment* mint be factually acc urate and refrain from personal attacks on the charac ter of others letter* to the editor must be limited to no more than JSO words legible, sign ed and the identification of the writer must t* verified when the letter is submitted riiceotyUNe you Do* >h Letters Fact of life On Thursday. Oct. 29. the Guardians of American Morali ty were scheduled to appear at Max's Tavern Advertisements for the hand's performance were in the form of obscene flyers. The flyers depicted a photo of a nudo. unidentified woman, and the caption underneath made reference to her genitals. In addition, several of the Guardians' songs make reference to violence against women — a song by the name of "Polaroid Spread Shots.” and another song with the phrase, "go home and boat the wife and kids." Hue to public outcry, the per formance at Max’s Tavern was canceled Taylor's Tavern quickly rescheduled the Guar dians to play at its establish ment. The Women's Resource and Referral Center, Men Against Rape. Rape Crisis Net work and other groups formed a protest outside of Taylor’s. The following day. Taylor's -- in apparent response to this protest — rescheduled the Guar dians for another performance. We feel that Taylor's support of the Guardians of American Morality's victimization of women is contemptible and merits a boycott and continued protest. Obviously, the Guardians are only a minute part of the pro blem. Everyday we see real and imagined violence against women in the media (the movie "blue Velvet” was shown at the University on Friday, Oct. 30) and on the streets (Eugene's four topless bars). It has become a fact of life. Women’s Resource and Refer ral Center abhors all por nography that we find violent or degrading to women. We believe it important to protest the existence of this type of por nography. and protest the fact that a huge amount of money is made by objectifying, degrading and dehumanizing women, children, and men. We consider violence against women to be a violation of our personhood, mental or physical integrity and freedom of move ment, and it includes all the ways our society objectifies and oppresses women. Rush Abrams Bonnie Plant Women’s Resource and Referral tenter Amazed 1 was truly amazed at the arti cle about the mission people (ODE. Oct. 2ti). Maybe I’m naive, but my heart felt the loneliness and pain of that 53-year-old woman having to sleep outside when I saw her leaning against her bedroll. As an animal lover and believer that animals help to comfort the lonely, I hope the mission will reconsider its ban on animals and give people like her a place of refuge from the cold. I’m glad you've run such a powerful essay and pictures. |anet Edingburg Business Oregon Daily Emerald P.O But 315*. t ugruc. Orr«un *7403 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 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 Production Manager Classified Manager Asaistant to the Publisher Susan Thelen Michele Rots Kelli Mason Jean Ownbey A (twilling Still: Tin Boring, Gary DeLosai. Tom Inch. Cathirine Lll|« Rick Mirtz. Laura McKinney. Joann Nelson, Julie Paul. Barbara Rogers. 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