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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 26, 2000)
Knight’s money can’t buy decisions w e were disappointed to hear Nike CEO Phil Knight’s repu diation of the Uni versity’s decision to join the Worker Rights Consortium. We stand firmly behind the decision of University President Dave Frohnmayer to join the WRC. We believe it is the right decision made in the right way. The entire process of joining the WRC took more than a year, as Frohnmayer took counsel from a student vote, the faculty and the recommenda tions of a research-based commit tee. All members of the campus community were represented in this decision, even the alumni, as an alumnus sat on the committee who gave the unanimous recom mendation of support for the WRC. The decision to join the WRC was also the closest act of shared governance this campus has ever seen. There was much time, thought and research put into this deci sion, and we caution against tak ing the word of Knight in identi fying the fundamental flaws in the WRC as he certainly has a very vested interest in having to adhere to our code. Would one ask a chef for a fair and objective review of his own food? Of course not, so why is Knight so opposed to having someone not appointed by Nike reviewing his factories? The vested financial interests of Nike are certainly integral to his opposition to the University’s de cision to join the WRC. Knight also seems to be upset because he was not consulted in the decision-making process. Our Commentary Wylie Chen & Mitra Anoushiravani concerns focus on how this situa tion sets up a slippery slope for interactions with donors in the future. If the University starts to incorporate donors into their de cision-making process, where is the line drawn for who has donat ed enough to have a seat at the table? Does the threat of losing private dollars override the in tegrity and autonomy of our Uni versity community? We have been grateful for Knight’s contri butions, including a remodeled library and a new law school; however, if the conditions put upon Knight’s dollars include making him a part of the deci sion-making process at the Uni versity, Knight has unreasonable expectations for the University. Having corporate interests in fluencing University leaders through a backdoor process thwarts the inherent independ ence of any university. We are aware that Knight’s generosity will be missed at the University; however, no single donor should expect to make decisions for an independent institution of higher education. There is nothing phil anthropic about asserting a strong corporate influence at our univer sity, which is devoted to inde pendent inquiry and learning. We are proud to be members of a Uni versity that believes in shared governance and integrity. The University is lucky to be led by a president with strong ethics. The University cannot bear sole re sponsibility for the politics of re lationships with large donors. That burden must be shared with the legislature, whose budget de cisions force educators to become fundraisers. Maybe it’s about time that Oregon’s public universities are adequately supported by pub lic funds. Wylie Chen and Mitra Anoushiravani are the president and vice president, re spedively, of the ASUO. Their views do not necessarily represent those of the newspaper. Letters to the editor Frohnmayerdid the right thing As a professor at the University, I realize that we do need contribu tions from people such as Nike CEO Phil Knight to remain com petitive and to build on the excel lent educational programs we now have at the University. Still, I fully support University President Dave Frohnmayer's decision, made with the backing of faculty and student representatives, to join the Worker Rights Consor tium. I am disappointed by Knight’s statement that “The bonds of trust, which allowed me to give at a high level, have been shredded.” What kind of bonds of trust was he thinking of? Did he think he had an unspoken understanding that he would give money to the University, and the University would refrain from any criticism of him and Nike? If so, then he was trying to use his association with the University to help legitimize his company and his views on economic globalization. I trust that no such understanding ever existed. Michael Raymer professor, physics Students should attend International Night For the last two years I have had the great privilege to attend Inter national Night. Both times I have been astounded at the quality of the evening’s entertainment and the delicious food. The interna tional community on our campus is extremely diverse and abounds with talented, enthusiastic stu dents eager to share their rich tra ditions and cultures through food, music and dance. What a gift they give us. This year I was especially taken by the performance of the African students, who represent many dif ferent countries from the African continent. As Joyce Mmari, this year’s co-director of International week, put it, each African country is unique, with different histories and traditions. It’s important to re member that. But the overall theme of their love of family and music weaves its way throughout their cultures. I could feel that love during their performance. I will sincerely miss Interna tional Night after I graduate and move on to graduate school in a different state. I hope that more of the University community takes the opportunity to attend next year’s International Night. It’s a wonderful celebration that does much to increase one’s apprecia tion of the similarities we all share as well as the unique way we ex press our diversity. Paula DeBell Senior PPPM Anti-abortion display no picnic I support any woman’s right to choose how to prevent and termi nate pregnancies. If a woman needs to get an abortion, she'll get one anyway, putting her life in danger. It is not OK, though, for Justice For All to judge others, especially on the basis of religion. And who equates a picnic with anti-abor tion theology anyway? Does God approve? The Genocide Awareness Pro ject was brought to campus by people who were desperate, and now they want to bring it back yearly. I work in a child-care facil ity, and I know that several chil dren had to walk past the terrible pictures. Few knew it was going to be in the EMU Amphitheater. Instead of letting the others cover the pictures for those who did not want to see, they hiked the pic tures even further up! Way to go! (Sense the sarcasm.) Anna Peterson Students for Choice member sociology, women’s studies Ryan not the focus of the week I write this letter in response to umdailgenmld.eotn Groovy Weekly Reader Polls Vote online See results instantly. the short letter titled “Jesus vs. Ryan" (ODE, April 25). I would like to offer more insight on Ryan and the campus-wide event. The letter stated that Jesus was a revo lutionary, and Ryan is a business student and football player, enough said. I agree 100 percent. In fact, there is more to be said. This week of awareness is not about Ryan. The groups sponsor ing the event do not compare Ryan to Jesus, nor do they worship him or follow him. The people that agree with Ryan are saying, “Like Ryan, I am a person who be lieves in God, and Jesus as the son of God.” Most of these people be lieve that Jesus is the only way to know God personally and live eternal life in heaven. These are the fundamental beliefs of Chris tians all over the world. Ryan ac tually has nothing to do with this belief. Ryan is a representative of hundreds of students around campus that believe the statement above. It could have been Ryan, Mark, Christy, Jon, Sara or any number of students that follow Je sus Christ. This is a week of awareness, do you agree with Ryan? Now that is enough said. Jeff Martens senior, business DOE CLASSIFIEDS 346-4343 .009123 Sarah Dougher J 009120 mrWednesday,Wj f April 26 \ Dianne Dugaw a venue for queer scholarship on WW 'I'll tie back my hair, W men's clothing I'll put on' l|J Warrior Women in ’ Folksongs and History ^ 4:00 pm, Gerlinger Lounge This program made possible by the Oregon Council for Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities Will Roscoe What's all the LOCO-motion ?. Art, Sanity, and Gender 7:00 pm, Gerlinger Lounge This program made possible by the Dept, of Anthropology Elizabeth Reis Brown-bag Presentation You can teach a whole class on this? 12:00 pm. LGBTA, Suite 34, EMU Alpha Kappa Psi presents I salsai merengue Friday, April 28\ "7A* at \ C<( Agate Hall (corner ©f 18th S Agate) 8:30pm-iyiidnight Beginners' Lesson 7:30-8:30 $3 students $5 general PRICE DINNER Buy any combination dinner at regular price (#1-42) and receive another combination dinner of equal or lesser value at 1/2 price. 6©©d at D©n Juan Jalisc© offer exDires these 2650 River Read 30*15 W. Ilth d l©cati©ns: 68*1-5821 *85-8636 06/25/00 _ Advertise. Get Results. Oregon Daily Emerald 346-3712 presents ... OPALOOZA ★ The Murmurs ★ Aux Dobkin ★ Sarah Dougher ★ Madigan Shive ★ Deb Cleveland Band ★ The Culottes ★ Stephan ★ Tracy + the Plastics AGATE HALL, APRIL 29, 2000 Cates open at 1:00. Show 1:30 to midnight Tickets available at EMU ticket office; Mother Kali's Books, 720 E. 13th; Students Si5, General $20 For more information call 346-3360 or e-mail lgba@gladstone This event is wheelchair accessible. If any other accommodations are needed due to a disability, please contact the above number at least 48 hours prior to the event.
