The University Assembly, composed of more than 2,000 officers of instruction, officers of administration and librarians, will meet at 3 p.m. on Friday to debate and vote on a resolution opposing the war in Iraq.
University President Dave Frohnmayer called this meeting because a petition circulated by Concerned Faculty for Peace and Justice was signed by more than 540 members of the University Voting Faculty. The large number of signatories qualified to call for the meeting (more than 33 percent of the Voting Faculty) endows this Assembly with authority to enact legislation, distinguishing it from the Assembly that met on Jan. 31, 2003, which was limited to discussion.
In order that that any actions taken at the meeting represent the views of the University’s most democratic legislative body, it is important that all members of the Assembly attend.
This historic and unprecedented meeting of the Assembly is open to all members of the University community and the public. Concerned Faculty expects an attendance in keeping with the extreme importance of the war issue to the University, to the people of Eugene and to the nation.
The resolution, which was supported by petitioners’ signatures, is almost identical to the one adopted by the Faculty Senate of Oregon State University on Jan. 10. If events overtake some aspects of the resolution, it may be appropriately amended at the Assembly meeting.
Concerned Faculty for Peace and Justice recognize that the mission of the University of Oregon is likely to be dangerously compromised by the war — war is the enemy of the constitutional freedoms of speech, assembly and association, without which the University’s truth-seeking mission cannot be fulfilled.
Moreover, the increase in military spending resulting from the war will reduce the resources available to our civil society, with further devastating effects on the ability of the University and other educational institutions to function.
These truths have been recognized not only by Oregon State University but also by the University of Montana, University of Wisconsin and numerous city councils and professional organizations throughout America. The signatures collected by Concerned Faculty for Peace and Justice give the University of Oregon an opportunity to add its voice to the ever-growing chorus.
Let the University speak and be heard!