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.
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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
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