As we come back from the much-needed respite from the arduous task of fall term that is winter break (Some of us anyway; I have decided to “extend” my break a little further), it is easy to have put the past in its place.
And why not, with the holidays and all the (un)pleasantness that brings, trips to local or exotic lands and a seemingly endless supply of calories in solid and liquid form? This break was then further punctuated by an exciting West Coast shootout between Oregon and Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, with Oregon coming out on top (finally).
Who remembers or even cares about all that hoopla over the University president getting the ax? After all, that is water under the bridge, right? We have a new interim President in Robert Berdahl@@http://president.uoregon.edu/biography@@ who seems to, if you’ll indulge my need to mock University ads, be “all things to all people.”
So now we, as a community, find ourselves at a crossroads. One leads the University toward a more self-reliant and autonomous institution and the other is the status quo.
One is clearly more preferable than the other, but I recognize the want — nay the need — to flock toward the tested and familiar. As beings, we, without fail, are afraid of the unknown and the uncertain. Risk-taking from an evolutionary standpoint is usually frowned upon, but make no mistake, fortune favors the bold, and in this economic and political climate, boldness and change is imperative.
The lack of support we are getting from the state must be made up somehow. I fail to see how a blanket approach to solving financial and educational issues that are unique to each University is beneficial to any of them.
We mustn’t forget of the increased tuition hikes and there seems to be no signs of them letting up. Did we have a say in these rate increases? Wouldn’t we like to have sway over decisions that directly affect us?
Wasn’t it actually refreshing to vote on a measure (for those that did) that would mean more money came out of our pockets? We were allowed to voice our concerns and opinions in a matter that would’ve changed the University even further.
There is something fundamentally wrong with the Oregon University System and the State Board of Higher Education when the student body must be “allowed” to have a say in their future.
Change seems more probable rather than possible. But there is still one looming question that strikes at the heart of this entire issue: Are we agents of change?
To revisit my crossroads analogy, there is, inexplicably, yet another that is presented to us that is, paradoxically, more important than the first: The two paths, while appearing to have the same goal, may in fact be just as antithetical as the current options we have now.
If change is to come from the top down, then what have we as students really gained? If folks like Rep. Peter DeFazio and University presidents are championing change, are we not just exchanging one administration for another? Another institution that can and will enforce its will upon students who every once and a while will be allowed to vote on certain items, but only after numerous pleas and protests have occurred?
Or do we take an active role and become the champions of our own cause? Do we reach out to the University, the OUS and DeFazio and express our desire to be autonomous, meanwhile letting them know we deserve to have a say in matters that impact us so directly and prominently?
Some of us have already resigned to taking a passive or even apathetic attitude. That is one way of expressing your viewpoint and the ironic beauty of how this coming issue will play out. We have the power to walk down the road that we find most pleasing and acceptable.
In the end, it will all come down to us students and our decision. Let’s just hope that when the time comes, we make the correct one.
