The face of our campus is in a serious transitional period. Buildings are being built and remodeled at an incredible rate, the Department of Public Safety wants to become a sworn force, and our administration has been pushing a New Partnership proposal that would forever change the means in which we receive funding and how we govern the University.
On top of all of this, we have the issue of Riverfront development, differences between the ASUO and the Oregon Student Public Interest Research Group, Lane Transit District contractual issues — and the list goes on.
There are so many big campus changing issues right now that students would be hard-pressed to stay up on all of the news.
With all of our daily responsibilities, and our upcoming finals, many of us couldn’t care less about all these issues because, well, they aren’t as important to our daily lives as passing our classes and staying in good academic standings.
But now, more so than ever, is a time that demands the undivided attention of our student population.
Though these issues may not affect our daily lives right now, their future implications could change not only campus policies, but the city of Eugene as a whole.
Many of the entities presenting these major changes have been vague and evasive to both publications and the student opinion.
These agencies are, directly and indirectly, making it harder for our student body to understand exactly what is going on and how they should feel.
Ironically, in an educational environment, the powers that be fail to adequately educate us on the propositions at hand.
A lack of transparency has been the recurring theme of this school year, and we cannot exaggerate the disadvantage it puts our student body in.
Without promoting the appropriate public awareness of our students, many of these proposals and problems can slide into effect without any real student input.
We pay thousands of dollars to be here, so we have a right to a transparent administration, DPS and community.
Students: It is vital for us to do whatever we can to stay informed on the issues at hand and to take a stand whenever possible in issues of importance to students and the University.
Though our daily responsibilities often overshadow public issues, an informed student body is the only way to ensure the University acts in our best interests.
Our awareness could be increased with simple acts, such as reading local papers, attending public meetings or just discussing these matters with your peers.
Whatever you can do to get an understanding of the upcoming changes, do it.
It’s our job to demand transparency, and it’s our job to stay informed — if we don’t, we might watch our school take a fast turn for the worse.
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Editorial: Students should stay informed
Daily Emerald
March 13, 2011
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