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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (April 5, 2000)
Letters 2________ Opinion WedNEsdAy, ApRiL 5, 2000 All signed letters to the editor should be 500 words or less and will be considered for publication if submitted by 1 p.m. the Friday prior to publication. Letters to the Editor are subject to editing. We reserve the right to not publish any letter. Render yourself responsible for your rights "Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of aca demic freedom," (according to the student handbook). Throughout the year many unfortunate incidents in a long string of controversies have brought into question the right to teach and the right to learn; this the pleasure or displeasure (de pending on what side your on), of taking one of Darris’ classes, I do find the entire situation unaccept able. We are supposed to be free to learn, to gain knowledge, but even now as you read this you may discover our rights are few and far be tween. For SalenaDe La Cruz everyone Opinion Editor who has ever thought of term is no different. Dean Darris has leaving the country to pursue dif left to defend his doctorate. ferent avenues of learning, I caution Darris’ right to learn has ques you, explore a little deeper; know if tioned his right to teach. He went to the college or university you are at school at Berne University in the tending is a recognized institution. West Indies, in the Caribbean, for Not long ago women weren’t al his Ph.D. Though I’ve never had lowed to go to school. We are in Make a statement, be heard... different times, but much the same situation. Why are there stipulations on our freedoms? We need to be responsible for how, what and where we learn, that’s why. That is where the Darris situation comes into play. He believed he had earned his doctor ate at an accredited institution; he was told it was acceptable. He should not be held responsible for the accredita tion of his doctorate when he was led to believe it was up to standard. To Dean Darris and students ev erywhere: band together; fight for your rights~your right to learn, to teach, but most importantly to be free. Let your voice be heard—con tact your local state department, start a petition, get some reaction out of your actions. Questions or comments contact me, cccprint(a),clackamas. cc. or. us or call extension 2309. Letters to the Editor... Instructor helps to develop ’free thinkers’ To whom it may concern, I am writing on the behalf of Professor Dean Darris, Ph. D. of the Political Science Department at Clackamas Community College. I have had the privilege of attend ing lectures of Professor Darris for my sec ond term. I am writing in support of the education I have received from Professor Darris. I have had the experience of differ ent universities in the field of political sci ence, and without a doubt—most enjoyed the education and discussion in Professor Darris’ classroom. He is vastly knowledge able in his field, always provoking new and independent thought by the students attend ing. An overcrowded classroom always impresses me, for it is the mark of a truly respected professor. Professor Darris’ class room is bursting at the seams with students. I feel that he is the reason CCC has so many students wanting to understand the political arena and be better citizens who contribute to their communities. He provided in-depth understanding into all areas of government, economics, philosophy and international relations. He is a catalyst to better aware ness about democracy and the society that we’ll all play a large role within. Professor Darris promotes what Thomas Jefferson, a founding father, recognizes as every citizen’s most valuable role: awareness and faith in self-government. Without instruction by inspiring educators such as Professor Darris to develop “free thinkers” and the sharing of diverse perspectives and ideals, we as a young society and future government will never know how to come to the fair-shar ing decisions that include all of the popula tion, “we the people.” Please take into strenuous consideration that many students attend CCC and take Political Science be cause of the education provided by Profes sor Darris. Stacey Steinwandel Student Education system destroyed with loss of teacher What is wrong with today’s educa tional system? How about too many teachers who no longer care about the subject they are teaching? What hap pens when an individual comes along who has the rare qualities of compas sion for students and passion for sub jects they teach? What if this same individual also has the ability to ig nite the flame of the desire for knowl edge in students? According to what I’ve seen in my time at this particu lar learning institution, they try to eliminate this individual; fight every move this individual makes on behalf of the student body. For those of you who do not know of whom I am speaking, this letter is about Dean Darris. I am a student who has been to several institutions of “higher learning.” Dean Darris is the only instructor I have found whose knowl edge and passion for his subjects have created in me and others a burning desire to know more and better our selves as citizens of this great nation. Dean Darris is a great asset to this school, a sparkling diamond in a sea of mediocrity. To lose him would be an immeasurable loss to this school and a great disservice to the student body. Students, unite and speak out against this injustice. Kristina Wilson Business Transfer Speak Out! cccprint@clackamas.cc.or.us. — The ClAckAMAs P rint ------------ Where are the loyalties where instructors are concerned? I am frustrated at the string of events occurring at Clackamas re cently. We attend a college, com munity or not, it is still a college. When I arrived here I was under the impression that the conduct by stu dents and faculty would be in accor dance with those of an institution of higher learning. Recently, they have not been. Dr. Epstein and Dr. Darris have both been harassed by everyone at this college. First, Dr. Epstein was accused of saying some harsh things and everyone was appalled at his statements, but shortly after when The Print ran a story to tell what had occurred, people were again outraged that they had not said it right. This college came out of that incident looking like no matter what was said, if it was in the least bit controversial or rocked the pro verbial boat it was bad. Since when are conflicting opinions a bad thing in a so-called institution of higher learning. This week the harassment of Dr. Darris also came to a head with an other teacher at this college who is liked and respected by many of the students deciding it was best for him to leave something he loves doing. If this has you in an uproar, stop and ask yourself, FIRST- where were you when Dr. Epstein was being shown the door and SECOND- where is this college's loyalties when the best they can do is say they sup port their teachers after they con tinually allow harassment (cordial condolences at best)? The sad thing about this whole incident is that the students who got to have them as instructors are not losing, we ben efited from them already, the real have, this is one part in a string of ongoing incidents. First Dr. Epstein was harassed enough that he could not go on. Now Dr. Darris is being by means of harassment made to take a year long sabbatical. I as a student am tired of the administration taking on and forcing out the instructors that care about my. education. I know of other instructors that are part time that are great instructors that are continually misused until they find somewhere else to teach. I would like to know why the administration is doing this. It seems that if someone speaks his or her mind and it is not of the status quo that person is by some means removed. This also is not limited to instructors. Jennifer Rankin was thrown out. The administration circumvented the system to summarily remove her from the position of president of the ASG. I am reminded of the lecture that Dr. Darris gave today. He talked about the early colonists and their will to live under a form of government that was not oppressive and represented them as free and equal citizens. We must break off the yokes of our oppression. We must take our education seriously. Because if we do not, people like the administrators of this college will make all of your decisions for you. Matthew Coleman Political Science major 'Why would a teacher...take a leave from his teaching position?' To all those involved with and responsible for Clackamas Community College, have we not been told about the importance of learning history? Have we not been told that if we don’t learn from history that history is bound to repeat itself? Does Socrates ring a bell? If so, then Dr. Dean Darris’ PH. D should also ring a bell. What is going on at Clackamas Commun ity College? Why would a teacher who is respected so highly by students of Clackamas Community College need to take leave from his teaching position to defend his position with the administration of our college? Does the administ ration have any idea what they have done? I personally, as a student of Business Manager: John Thorbum (x2447) Managing Editor: Karl Katzke (x2578) Cartoonist: Megan Oldenstadt Joel Gunderson Chris Lundgren Design Editor: Timothy A. Beil Staff: Feature Editor: Mike Pollock Erin Bernard Steve Nielsen Tam Oliver Toni McMichael Jason Lingel Maggie Jirasek Matt Shempert Shelbi Wescott A & E Editor: Angie Daschel Copy Editor: Sandy Lupo Associate News Editor: Diana Scrivner C C C P R i N T @ C I A C k A M A S . C C . O R . U S Matt Steketee Undecided major People who speak beyond status quo are removed from positions Today I received a very disheartening piece of information. Dr. Dean Darris informed my class that he would no longer be teaching our class, and he would be taking a leave for a period of one year. At first I was overcome with shock. For those of you that do not know Dr. Dean Darris, he taught political science and philosophy. Taught in my previous sentence was an understatement Dr. Darris has helped me and other students to realize our potential. He has also taught me the importance of an education and using that education to think critically about the world around me. As I think about this institution I am frustrated. Not only is this college and myself losing one of the greatest professors it has and will Editor-in-Chief: 19600 S.M o I a IL a A ve . O reqon ClTÿ, O. reçon 97045 (505) 657-6958 ext 2509 loss is to this school who got lucky getting such an inspiring instructor and now will be less of an institu tion without him. For what it's worth, and even though I am not going to be thought highly of after this letter, I will not be harassing you or snooping in your files. I will, however, get my education and then educate others on what has happened here, through rallies and other forms of public re lations so that the students here and in this community will not let an other teacher be harassed into help ing dumb down CCC any further. Those are the non-violent, diplo matic, intelligent ways that Dean Darris taught as the backbone of be ing a citizen. Thank you Dr. Darris. Sports Editor: Secretary: Mandy Good Opinion Editor: JoAnne Gale Advisor: Salena De La Cruz Linda Vogt (x2310) this college, a tax payer, a parent and a responsible citizen will do everything it takes to see it that the truth be known to all. For all those who are feeling the loss of Dr. Darris as severely as I am, you are not alone. Julie Smith Political Science/Criminal Justice ma jor The Clackamas Print aims to report the news in an honest, unbiased, professional manner. The opinions expressed in The Clackamas Print do not necessarily reflect those of the student body, college administration, its fac ulty, or The Clackamas Print advertisers. Products and services advertised in The Clackamas Print are not neccesarily endorsed by anyone associated with The Clackamas Print. The advertising rate is $4.75 per col umn inch. The Clackamas Print is a weekly publication and is distributed every Wednes day except during Finals week. The Clackamas Print Copyright 2000.
