Letters to the editor Dialogue encouraged I am one. of the “ignorant,” “sassy college students” who have been protesting in support of the Worker Rights Consortium. I’ve also been called “naive,” “an noying” and “uneducated.” Well, you can now add frightened. Disturbing, yet expected, was the proud apathy and adolescent cynicism of many University stu dents, the half-true statements sent out from University adminis tration about common goals and shared governance and the gener al belittlement of causes such as those of workers’ rights and democracy. But nothing could have pre pared me for the public response so far regarding Nike CEO Phil Knight’s arrogant and bold deci sion. Instead of denouncing the personal audacity of Knight and the greater indicator of how much control private citizens have in our institutions of public educa tion, the concern is that of appeas ing Knight, finding some sort of conciliation. We should be outraged! This is wrong! In past donations, genuine philanthropic motivations were cited for such things as direct con tributions to University President Dave Frohnmayer’s salary. Is there any remaining doubt that these “gifts” come with expectations? Please support the decision made by an entire University com munity after more than a year of careful deliberation. We must stand firm, in the face of this inso lent gesture, before a dangerous precedent is set. Stop pointing fin gers at protesters; we are not the enemy. I encourage you to attempt dialogue with me and others so that we can educate each other. I can be reached at the Human Rights Alliance (346-4356, also phlwoods@gladstone.uoregon. edul. Chad Sullivan music, history Knight's temper appalling I have been a student at the University for almost eight years now, and I was appalled at Nike CEO Phil Knight’s temper tantrum in response to the Uni versity’s joining the Worker Rights Consortium. One of the is sues that the students protesting a few weeks ago raised was the un democratic nature of decision making in the University because ultimately the University presi dent has the final word on all pol icy decisions with the University Assembly and University Senate performing a mere advisory func tion. Well, it appears that Knight feels that not even University President Dave Frohnmayer has the power to make decisions un less they are first approved by Knight. It is preposterous and megalomaniacal on Knight’s part to apparently assume that just be cause he has donated money to the University in the past that he automatically has some sort of veto power over policy decisions made by the University. It’s time for Knight to grow up and act his age. As for the Univer sity, perhaps now it will reqpg nize that it is dangerous and counterproductive for a public university to rely on private donors to keep it afloat. The dem ocratically elected state legisla ture is responsible for funding ed ucation, and it is time they assume that role and adequately fund the Oregon University Sys tem. To Knight I say, “Good rid dance; we never trusted you any way!” Johnny Schwerk class of 1999 Mourning Knight’s money “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men?” The University is in mourning. Amongst the street fair revelers, there hangs a sullen undertone. Witness the toll that campus democracy has wrought upon us: Look at the cost , of our Worker Rights Consortium membership! And yet, who has died? Whom do we mourn? Not Nike CEO Phil Knight — he lives on. I wish him a comfortable life, just as I desire for myself and as do the workers in his factories. We share these goals as human beings. No, we do not mourn Knight, who was and continues to be an honorable man. We mourn our billionaire philanthropist... nay, his donations... the almighty dol lar, my fellow students. Knight’s million dollar donations were our Caesar, but we did not kill him; he made one final, tormented speech and walked away. University President Dave Frohnmayer goes to Nike’s court now, deeply regretting that this is a “painful issue” for Knight. Painful indeed — but Knight isn’t really the one suffering: The work ers, in short, the those not living in our beloved Rome. “Wherein hath Caesar thus de served your loves? To every Ro man citizen he gives, to every sev eral men, 75 drachmas. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks and new-planted orchards ... Here was a Caesar! When comes such another?” With help from Vyilliam Shake SDeare... Todd Blevins chemistry, German Let's not place blame It is easy for us to chuckle at those students who protested Uni versity President Dave Frohnmay er’s reluctance to act in favor of the Worker Rights Consortium. I my self had to wonder how many of them scrutinized Hanes and Gor tex (to whom they owe thanks for their underwear and camping gear) for potential sweatshop la bor and ask myself if their former hippie/current yuppie parents are footing the bill for these (and oth er) essential items for the protest. At the same time, there are lim its to my cynicism. I was sad dened by how quickly some stu dents blamed the student protesters for the holding back of funds by Nike CEO Phil Knight. One of the most cherished myths of capitalism is that those who profit from it will give back to the community; if this is true, we need not initiate collective action to make sure social justice is served. We only need have faith in the generosity of those with the means to give. In many cases, the myth translates into reality; I am thankful to Knight every time I study in the peaceful fourth floor atrium of the library. But I also wonder how many hours of underage, underpaid la bor went into each ornate tile be neath my feet. We may live in a cynical age — but that doesn’t call for misplaced blame, or the complete commodi fication of academia. Let’s keep this in mind before we automati cally blame conscientious stu dents or refuse to compel men and women in power to affect social change with the resources they have. Shyla Osborn comparative literature Olsen impressive candidate I am very impressed with cam paign efforts of Eugene City Coun cil candidate Tracy Olsen for Ward 3. He is a true professional who will truly represent every person and all viewpoints in his ward. I am impressed at how responsible he is, how courteous he is and how much he truly cares about Ward 3. He has been very present and very active in his ward. Examples are his efforts*in working with Counselor Bobby Lee and local business owners to find funding for the LTD police sub-station and working directly with senior citizens in the ward. He is constantly branching out and talking to residents in the ward — and actually listening to their re sponses! Olsen cares about Ward 3! He is a true competitor and gentle man that extends his hand to his fellow running mates after a debate — that is running a positive grass roots campaign — and listens to the people of Ward 3. Ward 3 needs Olsen. Ward 3 is Olsen. Robb Passon sales and marketing manager Computer Systems West, Inc. Olsen: the right choice I have been a Eugene native most of my life. While out of state and overseas, I worked for years as a professional for governments. I have also been an active volunteer and a fund raiser for programs for children, families, the elderly, uni versities and the homeless. I have known Tracy Olsen for the 10 years that I have been back in Eugene. During that time, I have witnessed council, committee and commis sion sessions in my hometown. It is clear to me that Olsen is the right choice for the city council seat rep resenting Ward 3. He knows our city and the University and is the clear choice to represent all of us. Olsen combines the energy, in telligence, vision and team player characteristics that we must have on our council to make our city work into the future. We have many tough issues to face. We need council members who will listen to their constituent, develop constructive ideas and plans for the city and work with the rest of the council team to achieve our goals. It is vital that we pull togeth er to make our downtown and University district a place where all of us feel safe — a place where we want to go on a regular basis to enjoy our town and great campus. Olsen can help make this happen. Olsen is the right choice! Ron Darling Eugene resident Ecopledge beneficial I am glad to see that OSPIRG is promoting global warming aware ness through Ecopledge.com. I en courage OSPIRG and other Univer sity students to join the Kyoto Now! campaign of colleges in the northwest, begun in spring of 1999. University students should push forU.S. Senate adoption of the Ky oto Protocol to reduce global emis sions of greenhouse gases. Stu dents at Oregon State University, Reed College, Portland State Uni versity, Lewis and Clark, Evergreen and University of Washington have been forming strategy, lobby ing and educating the public along with non-profits Green House Net work, Oregon Green Energy and Climate Solutions this past year. The northwest is in a great posi tion to become a model for alterna tive energy. University students should join this effort! To find out more, join the e-mail listserv Ky oto Now! News by sending a mes sage: subscribe kyotonow-news, or e-mail info@kyotonow.org. Beth L. Newberry 4C0L0RS list manager Good riddance to Knight Fact: Nike CEO Phil Knight is a rich man. [Whether he’s great or not], you can make up your own mind. Although the majority of the stu dent body probably doesn’t care whether its University attire is made under “sweat-free” condi tions so much as what flavor of Frappachino to have, there was a near-unanimous vote by the Uni versity Senate in favor of joining the Worker Rights Consortium. In dependent of anyone’s thoughts on the ridiculous nature of politics on campus or in the White House, a democratic consensus was reached. It was this vote that di vorced the University from our misbegotten corporate bedfellow Knight. Good riddance! This Uni versity doesn’t need Autzen Stadi um expanded — it needs to be able to pay its people decent living wages. If Knight is willing to only fork out money that he’s guaranteed to see come back to him or that will put his name on more buildings, then may every school in the world join the WRC! People are more im portant than business, despite what you will be told by anyone and everyone with money for the rest of your life. And we’re not mar ried to you, Knight. Lucas Thurston linguistics, romance languages University made right choice I noticed that the article on Nap ster (ODE, April 25) included state ments by music industry employ ees and University staff, but lacked any commentary by University students who use or support Nap ster. Of course, this in no way re flects upon the author of that excel lent article — users who will go on record about Napster use are in deed very difficult to find because of legal concerns. However, I think the issues raised by the Napster controversy are important enough that someone should convey the side of Napster supporters and users. On behalf of University students who use MP3s and Napster, I would like to thank the University for its wise decision not to ban Napster. Several universities across the country have chosen to ban Napster, citing mainly two rea sons. One is that MP3s, along with many other Internet applications, may present technical bandwidth issues, especially for smaller, less “wired” universities. The second reason that universities have banned Napster stems from the in tense pressure the recording indus try has put on them to implement a ban. Some universities, after refus ing to implement a ban, have been slapped with lawsuits — a situa tion that is analogous to universi ties being sued because they give dorm residents a telephone, since a telephone could be used to make threatening calls. I’m proud that the University has not infringed upon students’ rights to free speech merely to protect a corpo ration’s right to revenue. 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