I usually attempt to keep up with the news updates from the University of Oregon. Even though I am long graduated and working as a public educator in southern Nevada, I find it interesting to see how the University community behaves on a daily basis, at least during the school year.
As both an undergraduate and a graduate student – I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science/English and my Master’s Degree in Education Leadership – I frequented the EMU often, enjoying not only the company of friends during meetings and events, but the food that was served in the dining section as I took breaks between writing papers and preparing lesson plans in the computer lab downstairs. I even enjoyed the plethora of dishes offered by Holy Cow, and were I to return to the University – as my wife and I plan to mid-summer this year – I will probably enjoy at least one meal there.
This, however, does nothing to address the shoddy reasoning of Thomas Veeman (“Holy Cow Café contributes more than its bottom line,” ODE May 8) in his defense of retaining Holy Cow in the EMU. Really, sir, what are you studying, utilizing such faulty logic? Not even utilitarian reasoning would hold your line of thinking under the pressure of skepticism. Are you really suggesting that we implement a non-foundational pleasure versus pain matrix to this question? How precisely would you propose to measure this? How would you determine, precisely, when meat-eaters and hunters were more offended by the presence of Holy Cow than vegetarians and vegans who abhor the idea of animal flesh? Yes, I understand that this is not how you “work,” but then perhaps it should be. It interests me that you are able to appeal to emotion when it suits your interests, but unable to conceptualize the possibility that others might actually disagree with you.
If Holy Cow really caters to a large enough audience – and it certainly seems to, given the outpouring of support that it has received, from myself included – then the economics of the situation would clearly dictate that it ought to be kept as a service provider in the EMU. If, however, it becomes clear that it is not meeting its rent and monetary obligations or service expectations, other service providers need to be considered. That may never actually happen. We may see Holy Cow serve the University in fine fashion at it has for many generations to come. The instant we fail to hold it accountable, however, is the instant that it very likely will cease to provide the service and excellence it has become renowned for.
Scott D. Austin is a university alumnus and an English instructor in Las Vegas, Nev.
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