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.
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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
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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
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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.