Does our University care about its students? This is the question I asked myself as I read, “Buses will take students north for the holidays” (ODE, Nov. 15). This University has never been supportive of student businesses. For example, last year the Lillis Business Complex took down advertisements for all student businesses. While I was upset at the lack of support the University provided for student ventures, I was shocked to learn that a DPS staff member paid by this University would actively seek to stamp out student entrepreneurial spirit.
It seems incredibly suspicious that Better Bus was in its first year of success and suddenly Ken Boegli “gets an idea” for a campus bus business. He contracted Amtrak to perform the exact same services as Better Bus: transporting students from Eugene to Portland for the holidays, with on-campus pickup. The only difference is that corporate Amtrak can use its vast resources to offer multiple buses with more departure times, a key difference that will most likely force one of two student-run businesses on campus to close its doors. That certainly will send a message to future student entrepreneurs at the U of O. It sounds something like, “Don’t even think about it!”
A question for the readers of the Emerald: If you were in Mr. Boegli’s shoes, which business would you choose to support and give a lucrative partnership to? Wouldn’t it be logical to support the student business that has been around longer and actually has a vested interest in the campus and the students? Contracting with a corporation that offers a unique service is one thing; it is entirely different and unethical for the University to willingly choose to support Big Business over local business.
This turn of events is reminiscent of the corporation Wal-Mart running out local competition with far more resources at its disposal and no way for locally owned businesses to compete. I don’t know what the University is trying to teach students, but it certainly isn’t to support your peers or have loyalty to your community. Mr. Boegli should do the right thing and cancel the partnership, or at the very least offer Better Bus the same deal he offered the corporate transportation company Amtrak.
Mr. Boegli and the University may be able to spit out lines about maximizing the added value for students, but until the University officially becomes a business, this kind of bottom line thinking should never replace the values it claims to instill. I hope the University does the right thing, but with their current track record, it doesn’t seem likely.
Jonah Fruchter
University alumnus/former owner of Better Bus
University shows lack of support by undercutting student businesses
Daily Emerald
November 20, 2007
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