Education should come first
If the University persists and prevails in the Autzen-WISTEC parking controversy, then I’ve instructed the Alumni Association to take me off the list for future solicitations for cash and support.
I’ve got nothing against the University sports program, but when a so-called institution of higher education gets heavy-handed on behalf of football over a community science and education center — one that benefits possible future University students — well, that’s not right.
Mitch Hider
journalism
class of ’70
Sports valued over schooling
I was stunned to discover that the University of Oregon, with the help of Eugene’s City Council, has decided that football outweighs science education in the Willamette Valley.
As a former employee of both the University and WISTEC, I have a unique perspective. Both organizations were founded with education in mind. Somewhere along the line, the University chose, instead, to provide minor-league training to the NFL and the NBA. I suppose we’re fortunate that major league baseball pays for its minor leagues.
I left the University three years ago to become director of a planetarium in North Carolina. Here, people understand that a science museum is a major part of their children’s education. Is Eugene’s reputedly forward-thinking City Council incapable of seeing WISTEC’s value?
Take this quote from City Council member Gary Papé: In an article (“Autzen expansion approved, might force WISTEC to close,” ODE, Jan. 23), he said, “I think WISTEC would be miles ahead if they went out knocking on doors and doing the hard work we all do (to fundraise).” At least one City Council member has absolutely no idea how hard it is to keep a museum going.
It’s obvious that with the ongoing expansion of University athletics, the Leo Harris Parkway region will run out of space within the next 10 years. Why not move the stadium to a more appropriate and accessible location?
Eugene and the University have a reputation for being forward thinking. Don’t kill that reputation for the sake of a few more nosebleed seats.
James C. Craig
director, James H. Lynn Planetarium
Schiele Museum of Natural History
Gastonia, NC
