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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 18, 1987)
Newspaper firing at PSU unwarrented Portland State University President Natale Sicuro ter minated the PSU student newspaper faculty advisor last week. The action was not only unwarranted but also an ap parent politically motivated move to gain editorial control of the newspaper. Sicuro announced the change in the faculty newsletter, but gave no formal reason for the dismissal of Jerry Penk. Vanguard advisor since 1982. Fired was Penk without a formal evaluation of his per formance. without the consultation of the students working for the newspaper and without a formal explanation. Supposedly, an informal review of Penk's performance was conducted; however, none of the newspaper's staff, members of the university's publication board, or Penk's colleagues had been consulted regarding his performance and effectiveness. One must question how an informal review was con ducted and what criteria were used to evaluate Penk's per formance fairly. Penk at the least deserves a full explanation from the president as to why he was terminated from his ad visory role. Superficially. Penk's termination seems arbitrary. If the PSU president's decision is examined more closely, however, it becomes apparent that the action may be politically motivated, reflecting a decision comparable to the Oregon State Hoard of Higher Education's quest in the retirement of University President Paul Olum in 198‘J. The Vanguard has done a number of stories that have ir ritated the administration. For example, the newspaper questioned the remodeling cost of Sicuro's state-owned home and how Sicuro dealt with problems of racism on cam pus. The paper also has attacked the university's proposed move to Division I football and criticized how the university handles media questions. A certain amount of tension has been developing bet ween the Vanguard and the administration as a result of these stories, anil Penk's termination appears to be the manifestation of the administration's frustrations with the paper. Sicuro’s letter of termination, for instance, was written "because of the loose and uninformed expressions on this campus." However, Vanguard editor Bennett Hall contends the newspaper has printed nothing but the facts. "We're reporting the news," Hall said. Because the advisor is appointed by the president and because the faculty advisor to the newspaper ultimately has control over what copy sees print, the new advisor will be able to censor articles that politically offend the administration. Furthermore, working in the wake of a fired advisor, the replacement might believe that he or she must act conser vatively to retain the position. Thus the new advisor will be pressured by the ad ministration to transform the Vanguard into a public rela tions medium for PSU. And. according to some students working on the Vanguard, this is precisely what Sicuro seeks to do. On Nov. 2. the PSU Faculty Senate unanimously passed a resolution supporting a free campus press — it is time the president resolves to free it. NOBODY <y u*i*y target Letters Scooter advice The Planning Department has developed a new motorcy cle motor scooter parking area on the parking lot at Hast 14th and Kincaid Street Unfor tunately. I don't feel that a great deal of thought was given to either the location or the design. The section is about 8-feet deep and runs the entire length of the present parking lot. It is bordered on the west by cars and on the east by a sidewalk. Parking slots have not been designated for placement of vehicles; consequently the riders, especially motor scooter riders, have a tendency to park their vehicles at any angle they please. This works to the detri ment of all of us in that it cuts down on the number of vehicles that can use the area In addition, pedestrians are at risk every time a motorcy cle scooter enters or leaves the area. I propose that a Motorcycle Advisory Board be appointed to work on the Planning Depart ment This Hoard would help to locate and design parking areas on campus for motorcycles and scooters Items such as ac Oregon Daily Emerald P.O Hot MM. I1 DgToc, Orvgoa *T48* The Oregon Daily Emerald la published Monday through Friday except during e»am week and vacations by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co . at the University of Oregon. Eugene. Oregon The Emerald operates independently ol the University with offices on the third floor of the Erb Memorial Union and is a member of the Associated Press The Emerald is pnvata property The unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable by law Qeneral Staff Advertising Director Susan Thelen Production Manager Michele Ross Classified Manager Kelli Mason Assistant to the Nrbiisher Jean Ownbey Advertising Sales: T en Boring. Qary DeLossa. Tom Leech. Catherine LH|a. Rick Mart;. Laura McKinney. Joann Nelson. Julie Paul. Barbara Rogers. Scott Thorkildson. Joan Wildermuth News and Editorial 666-5511 Display Advertising and Business 686 3712 Classified Advertising 686-4343 Letter Perfect Graphics 688-5511 Production 6864361 Circulation 686-5511 Editor Managing Editor News Editor Editorial Page Editors Sports Editor Photo Editor Graphic Design Editor Special Issues Editor Entertainment Sports Night Editor Stanley Nelson Scott Maben Carolyn Lam person Angela Muniz Steven Hoentsch Aaron Knott Shu-Shmg Chen Lorraine Rath Kelly KorteHaas Segment Editor H C Hutto Andrew LaMar Associate Editors Community Stephen Maher Higher Education Administration Michael Drummond Student Government Activities Will Holberl Features Kelly Kortekaas Reporters: Betsy Clayton, Paula Green. Fraie de Guzman. Craig Hams, Gary Henley. Andrew LaMar, Jett Morgan, In grid Petersen. Cami Swanson. Kelvin Wee Photographers: Sherlyn Biorkgren. Christophs Chabaudie. Andy Cnpe. Clltt Etzei. John Qiustma. Bobbie Lo, Gregor Okorn. Andre Ranien. Ted Shepler, Michael Templeton. Dan Wheeler Production: Sandra Daller / 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. Angela Muniz. Ted Shepler. Linda Sperling. Lisa Svanevik. Ingrid White, Kelly Williams. Serena Williams. X Kang Xie cessibility. maneuverability and security are issues best address ed by such a board. Said board could be compos ed of three riders, the head of the Planning Department, a member of the ASUO and possibly a member of the ad ministration staff. If any riders are interested in forming an advisory board, please call me at 686-1804. We have to speak up and now is the time to do it Nancy A. CheHings Senior, anthropology State the facts The article in the ODE on Nov. 3 titled “Video presents AIDS precautions" was one of the better treatments of this very important issue that I have yet to find in the mass media. As was stated, “Eugene health care workers believe there is an ongoing need for AIDS educa tion for both medical personnel and the general public." While it is commendable that this information is being made available to medical personnel, the dissemination of informa tion to the general public has, in my view, been horrendous. In stead of the needed educational facts surrounding the disease, the media have presented the public primarily with emotional reactions (that have led to fear and homophobia) and the ad vice (albeit sound) to use con doms when engaging in sexual relations. Even on this point, however, our state’s two major newspapers have opted not to publish public advertisements aimed at preventing the spread of AIDS. Are they afraid of of fending their readers by dealing with explicit material? Or do they just not give a damn? AIDS is an explicit disease People are dying from it while newspaper editors quibble over details of morality, and the public continues to be underinformed. I would challenge the Emerald to allow space for a qualified person to put in print some of the more basic facts about the disease, like the distinction between "high risk” and "low-risk” body fluids. While this information is going to be included in the senvnars for medical personnel. 1 doubt that many students are clear on the issue. It seems to me that in life-and death questions it is worth run ning the risk of offending a few people. 1 hope that your editors will avoid the footsteps of the Oregonian and the Register Guard and do your part to pro vide this community with infor mation rather than fear. (oshua Hamill Student Conscious effort War is imminent if the U.S. continues its role in Central America and the Persian Gulf. l)o you want to die? Or would you prefer to kill someone else? The article on draft registra tion in Nov. 3 Kmrrald does not state how you can become a conscientious objector. Starting a file is quite simple. You simp ly document your beliefs and describe any action you have taken to affirm life or oppose killing. This could tie as easy as copying donation receipts to anti-war organizations and writing a couple paragraphs on an experience such as volunteering your time at a con valescent home. Don't wait to start a conscien tious objector file! If you can show that you have opposed war for a long time, your chances of being deferred is much better. It's best to talk with someone knowledgeable about the pro cess The Student Campaign for Disarmament (Suite 1. EMU) will gladly help anyone who seeks to become a conscientious objector. Kim Sargent Co-director, Student Campaign for Disarmament Allen Hancock Student Campaign for Disarmament Wednesday. November 18, 1987
