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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 17, 2003)
Newsroom: (541) 346-5511 Suite 300, Erb Memorial Union P.O. Box 3159, Eugene, OR 97403 E-mail: editor@dailyemerald.com Online: www.dailyemerald.com Oregon Daily Emerald COMMENTARY Editor in Chief: Brad Schmidt Managing Editor: Jan Tobias Montry Editorial Editor: Travis Willse Monday, November 17, 2003 EDITORIAL Committee co-operation key in arena site selection University professors, administrators and student repre sentatives converged Wednesday for the monthly Universi ty Senate meeting. But something was amiss; in a rare criti cism of University administrators, senators passed a resolution condemning the process that sited the Universi ty's new sports arena. The bill asserted that: "Be It Resolved that, the University of Oregon Univer sity Senate Hereby expresses its strong opposition to the siting process for the arena and associated facilities that has taken place to date, and 1 lereby urges and expects the University administra tion to submit its proposal to the Campus Planning Committee for review, and to follow other established campus planning procedures for the siting of the arena and associated facilities." Biology Professor and former Senate President Nathan Tublitz echoed the resolution's concerns: "When one group decides that they can circumvent processes, it alienates the entire University community." While Tublitz's accusations are strongly worded, and while the resolution wields no actual policy-making pow er, the Senate's pithy message is nonetheless a most im portant one. The site selection process violated the University's Pol icy Statement 7.000, titled "Facility Improvements Fi nanced from Donations": After the relevant administra tor approves plans for donated funds, he or she must pass plans to the appropriate vice president, who will "forward (the plan) to the Campus Planning Committee for analy sis and recommendation in accordance with established procedures the statement of need, project description, and budget." The Emerald Editorial Board strongly approves of the se lection itself: the location is easily accessible, the siting costs should be less than a quarter of the cost of building the arena on land not currently owned by the University and the arena will bring along with it (in according with city code) badly needed expanded parking. Faculty members said they were not necessarily opposed to the site, either. And while administrators did consult the committee "on, I think, two occasions," University Vice President for Ad ministration Dan Williams said, the selection process large ly violated the University's longtime and critically impor tant tradition of shared governance. In the larger scheme of things, it's fortunate that the arena siting issue, rather than a more controversial one, prompted the discussion about shared governance. The University decision was a logistically sound one, and the Campus Planning Committee would likely agree with it, anyway. Better yet, the administration has already resolved to better integrate the Campus Planning Committee, and thus, by representation, an appreciable fraction of cam pus voices. "What the president is trying to do is include the Cam pus Planning Committee from this point forward," Williams said. And any plans for even tighter shared governance is good news for everyone in the campus community. EDITORIAL POLICY This editorial represents the opinion of the Emerald editorial board. Responses can be sent to letters ©dailyemerald.com. Letters to the editor and guest commentaries are encouraged. Letters are limited to 250 words and guest commentaries to 550 words. Authors are limited to one submission per calendar month. Submission must include phone number and address for verification. The Emerald reserves the right to edit for space, grammar and style. Quack/ |UVE AmMALSl Steve Baggs Illustrator Waterfowi on the wish list The holidays are fast approaching. As you search for the perfect gift, I offer this newly discovered tidbit for your amuse ment and edification: You can send ducks through the mail. That's right. The United States Postal Service accepts live ducks. Be they crested, canvasback or mallard, just slap a stamp on their butt and drop 'em in the slot. Just kidding. Had you going there did n't I? I'm sure those of you with any com mon sense realize that the stamp has to go up front with the — drumroll please — bill of lading. (Brief pause for groans to subside). So rather than dump a fortune at Val ley River Center getting them something from a list of suggested presents, redefine the phrase "flying south for the winter" and send the folks back home something really special this year — you know, kind of a "Ducks from the Duck" theme. Imagine the cries of delight and sur prise as they open the door to the post man and he hands them their very own feathered friend. Mind you, that feath ered friend will have just spent several hours cooped up in a pet carrier and, upon release from its confines, may har bor enough of a grudge to commit an indiscretion on the carpet. So, be thoughtful and send along a package of paper towels too — festively wrapped, of course. ■K.___ Jessica Cole-Hodgkinson Huh? What? Really. While not quite in keeping with the theme, your choices are not limited to waterfowl alone. Should a nice chicken or goose catch your eye, you may send those as well. I haven't checked on turkeys yet — but then, perhaps it would be in poor taste if you're plan ning on having a close relative roasting in the oven? For reasons I have yet to fathom, the folks at the post office are also willing to let you ship snakes. So, here's your chance to get that budding herpetologist in your life a brand new boa constrictor. And, what dad wouldn't want a reticu lated python? Don't forget mom. Wouldn't a colorful king snake draped over one shoulder really add that some thing special to the Christmas pictures this year? With all continuing concerns over an thrax being sent through the mail, 1 can't help but wonder if this shipping of live animals has something to do with the continuing discoveiy of white pow der in post offices throughout the na tion. I'd bet you a nickel (if I had one) that no one has thought to check these substances for the presence of dried duck droppings. Come to think of it, I'll bet the postal worker's union hasn't fully investigated the potential workers' compensation claims that could arise out of inhaling the airborne effluvia of the various animals winging their way to and fro. Am I the only one who sees the potential for a great lawsuit here? That's not even the only cause of ac tion. Despite their willingness to trans port fowl and reptiles, the people at the post office inform me that they are stead fastly unwilling to accept their canine and feline counterparts. Can you say "discrimination"? So, while you can't send anyone a new Labrador or a Siamese, there is a whole world of critters out there that are sure to make your gift the talk of any family gathering and guarantee your place in familial legend for generations to come. But do me a favor and keep all the credit for yourself. Really. I don't mind a bit. Contact the columnist at jessicacolehodgkinson@dailyemerald.com. Her opinions do not necessarily represent those of the Emerald. ONLINE POLL Each week, the Emerald publishes the results of the previous week’s poll and the coming week’s poll question. Visit http://www.dailyemerald.com to vote. Last question: Will the draft be reinstated? Results: 92 votes • No, it would never happen; it's too politically costly: 44.6 percent or 41 votes • Yes, it is consistent with President Bush’s agenda: 22.8 percent or 21 votes • No, the U.S. military is large enough to handle any future conflicts: 19.6 percent or 18 votes Yes, if the Iraqi conflict sharply escalated: 13.0 percent or 12 votes This week: What does the Civil War football game mean to you? Choices: A chance to party; A chance to show school spirit; A chance to watch some great football; A chance to remind Beaver fans of the Ducks’ obvious superiority; Football is meaningless to me, I’m here for an education.
