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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 30, 1987)
Editorial Board's reason casts shadow of mediocrity The Oregon State Hoard of Higher Education's reason for retiring University President Paul Olum in June 1989 shows not only immaturity as a decision-making body but also an inability to tolerate opposition to its policies and political agenda. The state hoard released its secret "reason" for retiring Olum only after the Eugene Register-Guard forced disclosure via the state Public Records law. And not includ ed in either the board's letter to Olum or its secret list was the board's "bill of particulars" referred to in its telephone conference call two weeks ago. In the board’s assessment of Olum. it claims Olum "an tagonizes" the people of Oregon who provide the University with its resources and the state board itself. This reason, which lacks substantiation and specifics, is profoundly inappropriate. Antagonism between the two administrative organiza tions is mutually beneficial because it fosters the effective resolution of issues that directly affect the University. Olum merely has stood up to the board for University rights. The state board apparently cannot handle having its policies questioned, a trait that reflects the hoard’s im maturity as a decision-making body. By putting forth the antagonism argument as the reason for its decision, the state board patently has made clear it in tends to replace Olum with a president who will not ques tion its policies — thereby stamping its seal of approval for mediocrity in higher education. Resolution puts ball in Goldschmidt's court The University Senate's resolution assertion a vote of no confidence in the State Board of Higher Education and its chancellor illustrates the need for an Independent review of the board's decision-making process. The resolution calls on Gov. Neil Goldschmidt to take appropriate action in response to the board's highly ques tionable process through which it has decided to retire University President Paul Olurn in June 1989 Goldschmidt should establish an impartial committee to review state board procedure for the retirement of university presidents. The state board has acted with disregard toward the economic and academic future of the University and toward student and faculty sentiment. The state board repeatedly has changed its argument for retiring Olum. which shows not only fragmentation but incoherence as well. The board also has failed to substantiate its arguments and has declin ed to engage in public debate with the University communi ty over the issue. The board's lack of accountability and relative autonomy raises serious questions concerning whom it is meant to serve. As demonstrated during previous weeks, the State Board of Higher Education obviously is not accoun table to those it directly serves: the students and faculty of Oregon's public universities. Goldshmidt should intervene to correct the flawed pro cess involved with the state board's decision — if not for the benefit of the current conflict then for the bonefit of future deliberations. TWSiSAMWiCA. 1 NtyoNtcFyoioofcp ®t^flPD«P9tTr WTSoMW# iii »R! Commentary Democracy must be restored to board They actually did it. Despite an enormous out pouring of support for Universi ty President Paul Olum. members of the State Board of Higher Education voted 9-2 to force him to retire three years earlier than either he or the University faculty, students, alumni and community leaders had requested The board's ouster of President Olum cer tainly will harm the University, and it also hurts to see a good friend have to leave for no good reason. Commentary by Kandy MacDonald What is going on here? Did the Itoard even listen to us at all? No The board's decision makes it clear that there is a serious lack of accountability in the very governing body that most af fects conditions at this institu tion. Hoard members refused to Oregon Daily Emerald P.O. Box )IW, Eugene, «n|Mi *740.1 The Oregon Daily Emerald i* published Monday Ihrough Friday except during exam week and vacations by the Oregon Dally 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 pnvate properly the unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable by law General Stall Advertising Director Susan Thelen Production Manager Michele Ross Classified Manager Kelli Mason Assistant to the Publisher Jean Ownbey Advertising Sales: Rick Mart/ Sales Manager Ten Boring. Gary DeLossa. Tom Leech. Catherine Lilia, Rick Mart/. 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X Kang Xie give any adequate reason for their decison, and they also refused to consider in good faith the heartfelt, well-considered input of hundreds of concerned individuals Worst of all. this is just the latest in a series of arrogant ac tions by the board that appear to be designed to centralize its power and flaunt its authority over the State System of Higher Kduc at ion This travesty of a decision follows on the heels of others just like it: The board's reduc tion of faculty and student par ticipation in search committees for future university presidents, which strongly was objected to by the University Senate; the tiuard's insistence on the adop tion of a state-wide centralized computer system that experts have said will be a disaster; the latest effort by State System Vice Chancellor Hill Lem man to curtail the activities of OSPIRG and thus the Oregon Student Lobby; and the list goes on! So what are we going to do? lust shrug our shoulders and let them get away with it? No It is time that we restored democratic input into the State System of Higher Education. Now is the time for reform of the board Control of this university must be returned to those whose lives are invested in it; the University faculty, administra tion and students. We need to start an inter Letters Policy The Kmerald will attempt to print all letter* containing com* ments on topics of interest to the University community Com* ments must be factually accurate and refrain from personal attacks on the character of others tetters to the editor must be limited to no mom than 2SO words, legible, signed and the identification of the writer must be verified when the letter is submitted institutional dialogue among the state centers of higher education about the reforms needed in the structure and methods of the board These talks should begin soon, and would benefit from the concern ed input of faculty, students and alumni around the state. We are not the only institu tion that is threatened, and our situation has engendered sym pathy and concern among many of our Oregon colleagues. The talks would culminate in a pro posed board reform package that would be placed on an initiative ballot measure in the November 1988 election, or submitted as a bill in the 1989 Legislature. This reform process is already beginning. Students, alumni, faculty and community leaders have been expressing their displeasure with the renegade board in a variety of ways. Pro tests. letters to the governor, votes of no confidence in the board, and the consideration of possible lawsuits are some of the shots that have bean fired in the escalating conflict. However, long-term solutions are needed. Nothing less than permanent reform of the board will suffice. The inter institutional dialogue process will give our reform package the legitimacy of bread input, and it will be strengthened through the inclusion of many different points of view. With a proposal forged in this manner, we will be able to gain the support of the people of Oregon and change the board so that it is more accountable to those whom it is supposed to serve. So what are we waiting for? Let's get started! Kandy MacDonald is a junior studying political science. He was the 1986-87 ASUO Student Senate chairman.