I’ll be honest: The University’s contract with KUGN-AM is not something I’m particularly concerned about. Although the legality of breaking this contract is still being investigated, it’s also up for renewal in June. The contract that really interests me is the one the University has — or at least claims to have — with its students and community. This contract is called the “Affirmation of Community Standards,” and it’s been signed by every faculty member, staff member and GTF, including University President Dave Frohnmayer himself. Because of the overtly bigoted and inflammatory remarks made on KUGN talk shows, the University’s contract with the station would appear to expressly violate the Affirmation on Community Standards.
Frohnmayer has said that the University can’t make contracts for political reasons, a cop-out answer that amounts to nothing more than being too scared to take a stand. But if a stance against bigotry and discrimination is political, then how can the Affirmation of Community Standards even exist? It is an inherently political document, and one that Frohnmayer has emphatically supported, so the “we can’t be political” argument is clearly a tactic to avoid the real issues, and a pretty transparent one at that.
So, what are the real issues? I’m going to go out on a limb here and say this has something to do with money. KUGN pays the University a million dollars a year. I pay them a measly $4,000. Oh, and my money doesn’t go directly to the Athletic Department, either. KUGN’s does. If you want to see where the real values of an organization lie, follow the money.
The University professes to have “standards of non-discrimination” and “standards” against bigotry, but the failure of the administration to stand up for its students begs to differ. I guess the University values its contract with KUGN — and the money it brings in — more than its alleged commitment to diversity or its students. It’s clear which contract is more profitable, but which is more important?
Oh, and about censorship. Give me a freakin’ break. Every time hate speech comes up, the bigots in question cry “First Amendment.” That’s ridiculous. In no way would the University be attempting to censor the views or opinions of KUGN’s talk show hosts. We have neither the power to do so, nor would it serve the interests of anyone involved. Michael Savage and Michael Medved can say whatever they want. We just need to disassociate ourselves from viewpoints that clearly do not represent us or our University-endorsed community standards.
Finally — and let me be really clear on this one — the University’s job is to represent its students and their interests. Not football. Not basketball. Students. And it’s doing an exceptionally poor job of this. Because the administration isn’t listening to us, because it’s ignoring our concerns, and because it’s essentially being paid off so a corporate-owned radio station in another city can spew hate in our name, which is very quickly ceasing to be ours.
We are supposed to be “the voice of the Ducks,” but our voice is being systematically silenced.