Seven Oregon University System presidents are trying to play God with higher education. The presidents sent a letter to the State Board of Higher Education asking for substantially more administrative power over their colleges.
Who do they think they are? Power is a mighty weapon — and even with the greatest of intentions, it can work against the cause.
Some of the presidents’ proposals to create more revenue and address budget situations do have merit. But they are clouding those persuasions with their need for power.
The Emerald editorial board reviewed the letter addressed to the Strategic Planning Committee, dated June 20, 2002, and we adamantly oppose the presidents being granted any more power.
What possible good for students could come from their longing to gain full management responsibility for all legal, financial and contract issues regarding higher education?The OUS presidents further their stream of bad ideas by saying they should have authority to buy, hold and sell real and personal property. What was so wrong with doing that under the oversight of the State Board?Students are already looking at the possibility of a 10 percent increase in tuition in January. The presidents hope to be given full authority to set tuition and fees, basing them on the current market status. Oregon’s market isn’t that good, anyway. Students could then be looking at more increases in the coming months. Ridiculous!
And in the event the presidents do gain full autonomy, where will students go to appeal decisions they don’t like or don’t agree with? It will no longer be an option to appeal to the State Board of Higher Education if the OUS leaders are cut free.
This proposal smells suspiciously like the OUS presidents are trying to become a private entity — which runs counter to the notion of a public higher education. They should be held publicly accountable, just like other governmental bodies.
Not only do the presidents want sole power to do these things, they also wish to protect personal information about donors from the public. What are they trying to hide, anyway? What happened to the public’s right to know?
We should reiterate the fact that some of their points do have merit — for example, they say they will educate all qualified resident undergraduates. But they cancel out that good idea by expressing their need to manage enrollment according to resources available to them. Again, some of the worst plans began with the best of intentions.
Here’s some advice for the OUS presidents: You may want to discuss this with the entire university body — which would include student, faculty and staff representatives. Only when you’ve heard the opinions of the entire university system will your proposal not only be good, but be a good plan for action.
Related Links:
Autonomy proposal raises concerns
Oregon universities seek more freedom, flexibility from OUS
OUS presidents’ bid for expanded power is corrupt idea full of good suggestions
Daily Emerald
October 3, 2002
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