The Cultural Forum is an experiential, student-based learning environment that I inherited and have continued to foster for the past seventeen years. The students teach me what they need to learn and I guide and assist their learning process. My attempts for a similar collaborative relationship with EMU Director Dusty Miller and EMU Director of Student Activities Gregg Lobisser have been without success.
I believe their inability to communicate their goals and their inflexibility in understanding the philosophy and operation of the Cultural Forum led to their decision to terminate my contract. It would do well to more fully examine the motives behind Dusty and Gregg’s decision and whether this decision best serves the University community.
It has been my honor and privilege to work with some of the brightest, most creative, resourceful and gifted students that have come through the University of Oregon. I have dedicated my energy, enthusiasm, talent and the greatest part of my life for almost two decades to student development and leadership in the Cultural Forum and the University. The decision to terminate my contract is a misuse and abuse of power, authority and position and is fundamentally wrong.
There have been numerous opportunities over the last two years to work through differences and for Dusty and Gregg to consult with me and rely on my expertise and insight in making decisions that affect my program. I believe their refusal is an inability to embrace cooperation and collaboration and the desire to exercise control at any cost. And the cost is great. Their approach to managing breeds fear of engaging in meaningful dialogue and resolution because to do so results in accusations of misconduct, censure and termination. The choice to manage authoritatively, patronizingly and paternally erodes trust and diminishes true participation in community. Unfortunately, theirs is a prevailing approach to student leaders and other program people in the EMU.
Refusing to engage the knowledge and resources of the student activities and program staff is disrespectful, unnecessarily inefficient, a waste of human resources and creates division. Attempts to control students, student programs and their resources disempowers everyone and teaches nothing.
The University administration has an opportunity now to take a bold step and commit to inclusion — inclusion of the visions of students, staff, faculty and administrators in deciding a positive future for the University and creating an environment where differences are honored and celebrated. It is possible. The Cultural Forum students and staff have been creating and generating a shared vision for more than twenty years.