EDITORIAL Struggle for diversity not won by retreating No problem has ever been solved by running away from it. yet that is exactly what some of University minority students are proposing to do if the administration fails to respond to their needs. Students of Color Building Bridges Issued a list of demands Monday, in which the group called for increased efforts from the University in its attempts to foster a mul ticultural environment on campus. The strongest of the group's complaints is the low num lier of minority faculty at the University The group wants the administration to make available a list of new minor ity faculty and to improve techniques for identifying and hiring minorities. Of course, the administration immediately turns to 1990's Measure 5 as an excuse for slow progress in recruit ment. The students respond by alleging the administra tion's reliance on Measure 5 as an excuse is only a smoke screen for lack of commitment. But the tax-limiting moa sure is a reamy. » The budget cuts thaloave already taken place, and the budget cuts to come, make it extremely unlikely the Uni versity will go on a hiring spree any time soon. The group also wants to separate Ethnic Studies from the Folklore department. Again, a legitimate request (who wouldn't be offended to have their culture identified with folklore?), but, again, change is unlikely without a real istic funding plan to accompany the demand. A person doesn't have to look far to realize the University is elim inating. not creating, departments. This is not an excuse pulled out of thin air. One attainable goal the group has listed is the hiring of bilingual admissions counselors and advisers. Univer sity students are expected to learn a second language; there’s no reason the administration and its employees should not bo required to meet the same multicultural expectations as the students. Sensitivity seminars for students, faculty and staff are another of the group's demands. This goal could be attained by fixing the multicutltural curriculum, not by requiring "re-education’' seminars. Sensitivity cannot bo taught but is acquired as a result of exposure to other cul tures and environments. If these and other demands are not met by as oarly as March 12. the group has threatened to begin a campaign of disinformation, telling local high-school students and their parents about the “oppressive nature" of the Uni versity. Perhaps the University isn't a bastion of multi culturalism. but no campus in Oregon is as accepting of diversity as the University. The group has also threatened to leave the University as a last resort. Rathor than staying to fight for change, its members would rather give up. pack their bags and move on to more diverse pastures. This may be an option for those who can afford out-of-state tuition, but it is acad emic suicide for those who must remain in Oregon. They'll have no place else to go. If these students are interested in building, rather than burning, bridges, they will stay and carry on the struggle. Change will come — running away will only make it take longer. Oregon Doily Emerald T he Oregon Obly E meraid 1 published daily Monday through F iiday duong the »cNx> *«»' end Tue»day end Thursday throng me summer by (he Oregon Daily Emerald Pubrishma Co me ai me Urwe*s*y ol Oregon E ugene. Oregon The Emerald operale* independently o* me Un«vers»t> enth oTfrcea 0 Soria 300 ot the £rt> Memorial Drug" and '» a member ol me Associated PreM The Emerald > private property The unlawful removal wuieoi paper* a proaeculabie Editor Pat Maiacn Mew* Editor date Berg Freelance Editor Mope Neal ton Editorial Editor Mart>n F«he> Editorial Editor Rrvert Jantten Graphics Editor Jett Pasiay Sports Editor Dave Chartmnneau Enlartainmant Editor Freys Mom Supplements Edllor CaBey Anderson Night Edllor: Martin Fi*ha< Assoc lata Editor*: Tammy Batey. Student Govprnmtnt Activiiiey, Oaraiyn T