Oregonians execute their Civil War mentality between the Ducks and Beavers year-round – even when fans are waiting for the football and basketball seasons to begin. Remarks about the opposing school aren’t limited to sports and are often trivialities that further root the friendly competition into state culture.
When a friend who attends Oregon State visited, we somehow got into a debate over who had the best events. He told me about Mom’s and Dad’s Weekend, two separate events at Oregon State in which parents spend time with their children while the school hosts entertainment events. This year Mom’s Weekend brought comedian Jim Gaffigan to Corvallis and last year brought Bill Cosby.
My scattered brain searched for a defense that would take this Beaver down, but nothing came to mind.
“Last week, I got to see pictures of aborted fetuses and genocide victims,” I told him, referring to the Genocide Awareness Project’s two-day visit to the University that was brought to campus by the College Republicans.
OK, I lost.
Deduct a point on the scoreboard for the Ducks.
Maybe spending a whole weekend with a parent doesn’t sound attractive, but Bill Cosby beats those awful pictures.
The pictures reminded students that college campuses are a hot spot for diverging viewpoints. Students are often encouraged to discuss and debate their viewpoints outside the classroom. A former teacher once told me that the only way to learn is through listening to opposing viewpoints and testing them against your own.
But students can’t walk to class without being bothered by political signature collectors, campaigners, sellers, marketers and groups trying to spread their message – all of which are becoming irritating and tiresome. Most of all, those mentioned do not always show respect toward students.
The EMU’s Amphitheater Sound Policy and Reservation Addendum states that users are “expected to respect the institution’s mission.”
Last time I checked, no where in the University’s mission statement did it read: “We strive to flick boogers on people who do not sign up for promotional contests. We also hold a commitment for multiple booger flickings for students who do not sign political petitions.”
At least the organizers of the Genocide Awareness Project did some things right: They didn’t flick boogers and didn’t talk on a loudspeaker. The organizers also waited to be approached.
However, there was no escaping the photos that displayed aborted fetuses.
Last week, the EMU Amphitheater also saw the TechKnowOverload tour that promoted computer, communication, gaming and music technology for companies such as Microsoft.
The creators of the EMU Amphitheater probably had something else in mind than these intrusive events.
The spot in front of the EMU was originally a grassy hill and was eventually changed to a free-speech platform “where students and others can listen to speakers and meet for activities,” according to a 1999 University press release.
The EMU Amphitheater at 13th Avenue and University Street, built to commemorate student involvement and the ASUO’s 100-year anniversary, opened in the spring of 1998 with a mission of creating opportunities for free speech, according to the press release.
In an online photo tour of campus, the University Web site depicts the amphitheater as “the center of activities on campus” and a “good place to study and socialize.”
Hmmmm … nothing about aborted fetuses or computers, though. That would really get those high school seniors to the University.
University architect Chris Ramey, who designed the amphitheater, stated in the press release: “Much of the learning at the University occurs outside the classroom setting. That’s what makes universities unique. The EMU Amphitheater space is a meeting place for chance encounters as well as planned events.”
According to the EMU Web site, Scheduling and Event Services charges users of the amphitheater, along with other outdoor locations, $75 an hour or $900 a day to pay for event supervisors, which are required at outdoor campus events.
Some events this year, such as the ASUO presidential campaign debates held on campus locations such as the amphitheater, were positive experiences because the issues discussed related directly to students – matching the original intent of University outdoor spaces.
The University’s outdoor spaces should be used for events that promote dialogue and discussion among students in a respectful manner. Outdoor spaces should also be considered for more cultural and entertainment events.
In accordance with the University’s statement that “freedom of thought and expression is the bedrock principle on which university activity is based,” the EMU Board of Directors should encourage free speech. However, limits should be set on private companies coming to campus. After all, aren’t we here to learn?
University outdoor spaces should not be used for advertising space. Let’s be treated like students, not sheep with buying and voting power. We should leave the advertising space for television, posters, newspapers, the Internet and billboards.
Most important, off-campus organizers should be respectful to students and remember why we are at the University – and not that place in Corvallis. Because nobody likes losing to a Beaver.