Thumbs up to campus demonstrations:
The University is known for its demonstrations. They range from ad hoc picket lines to more organized, symbolic remembrances. One such event, the “Flags of Mourning” project, received a lot of notice from students, faculty and community members alike. For the demonstration, flags were placed around campus in grids. The flags represented Iraqis and Americans who have died in the Iraq war. It served as a powerful reminder of the vagaries of war.
In order for the University to remain a politically active campus, it is important to keep the tradition of demonstrations alive. You may not always agree, but that is often the point of receiving a higher education – to have your views challenged. Thumbs up to campus demonstrations.
Thumbs down to Nate Gulley:
Nate Gulley has been a disappointment this year. He exemplified everything that is wrong with the ASUO: He was incoherently antagonistic toward his fellow senators, directed unsupported accusations of “racism” at everyone unsupportive of him or his ideas, was openly rude during public Senate meetings and orchestrated unproductive political theatrics. And lest we forget, there was a conflict of interest between his going on a USSA-funded trip to Washington, D.C. and his voting to fund the trip.
Nate Gulley will return next year, which means his tremendous level of sub-par leadership will assuredly continue.
Thumbs up to raising one’s voice:
Speaking out and admitting something personal about yourself, especially if there is some sort of stigma attached, is one of the most difficult thing someone can do.
Whether it is coming out to friends and family or admitting to incidents of abuse or stalking, exposing a part of one’s life story is often terrifying. But sometimes, by doing this, you can help others.
Thumbs up to Bethany Schuster, a UO student who told her story of being a victim of stalking; to Krystal Sundstrom-Herbert, who told her story of abuse; and to all the gay athletes who still feel marginalized. We all need to raise our voices about certain issues, otherwise people may forget they exist.
Thumbs up to ASUO Candidates:
This year’s ASUO election was surprising: Unlike years past, interest in serving UO students was high, evidenced by the huge number of candidates running for office. Compared to the previous year, when only 40 candidates ran, 55 students ran in this year’s election.
Thus, a big thumbs up to all the candidates who ran for office. By running, they added real diversity to the process – diversity in opinions and diversity in backgrounds. Too typically in the past, the election was dominated by ASUO insiders and representatives from either the College Democrats or the College Republicans. Although that did not really change this year – current ASUO executive Emily McLain was both a long-time ASUO insider and a member of the College Democrats – the fact that so many people ran meant that their views were added to the debate.
Thumbs up to Democrats taking over the House and the Senate:
The Republican leadership for the past seven years in the House and Senate has been abysmal. And although American voters re-elected George W. Bush during the last presidential election, they clearly were not willing to make that mistake again last November.
To many people, “Republican” has become synonymous with “failure.” So Thumbs up to the Democrats for retaking the majority in both the House and the Senate during last November’s election. This means that, finally, we have a divided government and real debate can take place about pressing issues. The Democrats deserve an opportunity to redo some of the mistakes committed by the former Republican leadership. We hope that they do.
Thumbs down to UO food services for washing potatoes in the dishwasher:
For those of you who were not on campus last summer, you missed out on the Emerald’s startling discovery: Carson Hall Kitchen was washing its potatoes in a dishwasher with the chemicals intended for plates and forks.
The company that created the soap in which the potatoes were washed, Ecolab, didn’t even keep records of the health effects the chemical would have on humans if eaten because the product was not intended for consumption.
Fortunately, Carson dining halted the practice as soon as the technique came to light. Nevertheless, the fact that the dining operation had even tried to cut such a corner is a dangerous insight into its food handling practices. The situation also illustrated a questionable practice: The University is exempt from food regulation by the county, and hires its own inspector.
To compound embarrassment for the University, the story appeared during the heart of IntroDUCKtion.
Thumbs down to $17,250 reports:
Transparency in government is just as important at the collegiate level as it is on the state and federal levels.
This year University President Dave Frohnmayer erred on the opaque side of his operation when he hired consultant and former Stanford Athletic Director Ted Leland to review the Athletic Department’s operations. Leland’s contract called for both a written and oral report to the president; however, Leland only gave Frohnmayer his presentation orally. After being pressured, Leland coughed up a poorly written and vague recount of his conversation with Frohnmayer. The situation reflected poorly on Frohnmayer’s long-standing reputation as a hero of government transparency he established while serving as Oregon’s attorney general.