page 4
daily nebraskan
monday, decern be r 7, 1981
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Professor's resignation exposes academic failings
Complaining about problems at UNL is a
common hobby for many people involved in try
ing to better this institution. Concerned faculty,
students and members of the administration are
constant in their vigil to keep UNL's academic
successes growing.
Many of the people who are concerned are
frustrated in their inability to achieve any kind of
tangible success in upgrading UNL as a whole, or
any part of it. That frustration has resulted in one
respected faculty member going public with his
complaints concerning UNL.
Gustav Friedrich, chairman of the UNL Depart
ment of Speech Communication, is resigning his
position at the end of this semester to take a simi
lar job with better pay at the University of Okla
homa. In a letter received by the Daily Nebraskan,
Friedrich complained about the "countless frus
trating barriers thrust in the way of the universi
ty's achieving academic respect." Today's editor
ial page contains his letter, reprinted in its entire
ty, to help readers understand Fried rich's com
plaints.
Friedrich's complaints are legitimate. What is
so damning about it is that despite all the talk of
how dedicated UNL's faculty is, their low salaries
obviously have an effect on their morale. Money
alone cannot solve all their morale problems, but
some of his other complaints are just as damaging.
Calling Nebraska a state which "values athletics
at the expense of academic achievement," is an
oft-repeated gripe. But he follows it up by saying
that the support the university receives from the
governor and the Legislature is so minimal that
the faculty is "severely demoralized by an almost
total lack of support."
Although Friedrich is leaving UNL for greener
pastures, his criticisms should not be dismissed
lightly. We should be thankful that Friedrich
thought enough of the university, despite its
flaws, to voice his opinions in hopes of helping
the university improve.
Friedrich's letter is bound to ruffle a few
feathers. When a respected member of the faculty
Chairman resigns with relief, regret
It is with a tinge of regret and - unfortunately a
great sigh of relief that I render my resignation as
professor and department chair and leave the Univer
sity of Nebraska. I recall vividly my excitement at re
ceiving the invitation to return to my home state from
Purdue University. I recall, too, my naive ambition of
doing the job well enough to make a difference; to join
the dedicated and talented others who strive to make
this university an institution respected by more than
just those (relatively few and relatively local) myopic
individuals who cannot see beyond Big Red chalk lines.
But most of att, I recall too vividly the countless
trustrating barriers thrust in the way of the university's
achieving academic respect: faculty salaries which rank
among the lowest of any comparable institution, stu
dent fees which rank among the highest, a board of re
gents whose method of selection restricts their con
cerns to matters other than education, a state which
values atliletics at the expense of academic achieve
ment, a governor and state legislature who willingly
sacrifice the welfare of Nebraska to self-interest, and a
university president who accomplishes his prediction
that "continued and pervasive erosion of quality is
probably inevitable" by reducing the faculty 2 percent
in the face of significantly increased responsibilities.
Who can seriously wonder w hy the faculty (correct
ly characterized by President Roskens as "excellent,
loyal and hardworking a first rate faculty whose
members care deeply about education and the people
of this state") has been severely demoralized by an al
most total lack of support.
I will miss Lincoln, my native Nebraska, and my
many fine colleagues and friends who remain here. I
will not, however, miss the embarrassment of being
affiliated with an institution condemned to medio
crity a second rate Big Red.
Gustav W. Friedrich, Chairman
Department of Speech Communication
A trip in time makes 1981 fine
Picking through the events of 1981, it seems there is
very little destined to be remembered 10 years down the
line.
If you don't think this is true, think back to the much
more volatile year of 1971. How well do you remember
Nixon's milk-pricing scandal, Daniel Ellsberg and Attica?
How about "Marcus Welby"? Mini-skirts? ... the Balti
more Colts?
(smj mccabe
Ten years ago, Washington police randomly arrested
12,000 anti-war demonstrators in the nation's capital.
This year the most threatening protesters to buzz Washing
ton have been the elderly, bristling about the cuts in
Social Security. It should be noted that 10 years ago
much of this fiery geriatric crowd wanted to see the un
ruly demonstrators undermining the Nixon presidency
shot, put behind bars or at least have their hair cut. To
day, draft registration is back and long hair is archaic.
In 1971, 18-year-olds had just received the right to
vote, the United States was cautiously reopening relations
with China and All In The Family was shocking. Today,
18-year-olds still aren't sure what to do with the vote,
we're sending military technology to China and Archie
Bunker is an afternoon rerun for housewives.
Thus, the past becomes a hazy vision we'd just as soon
ignore, a vast limbo for such vague memories as Ed
Muskie, "peace with honor," Jimmy Carter and disco.
Sensing the futility of rehashing the past, I decided to
turn my attention to the future. If things could get so
twisted in the last 10 years, what could we be in for by
1991?
I decided to seek out a mystic whose predictions in the
past had been uncanny. Old Ed lives in a bog by the Platte
River where he spins tales to anyone careless enough to
get within earshot. Ed was a noted Ivy League political
science professor. Becoming disenchanted with politics
during the Harding administration he took up a hermit's
life, fishing and gazing into his crystal ball.
"Ah, the working press," said Ed, ushering me into his
mist-shrouded shack. "I've been expecting you. You ic
confused about the past and want to know of the future."
I couldn't conceal my amazement at his psychic abilit
ies. Fd just let out a deep-throated crackle and took a
drink of his special brew, the kind that gives him visions
of the future.
"Here's what we have in store," he said as he fell into a
trance.
"Sometime in 1982, Israel will recognize the PLO ,"
said Old Ed, his predictions beginning to fill the candlelit
room. "Also in that year, God won't make little green
apples and it won't rain in Indianapolis in the summer
time. "Trained Libyan assassins will give up their attempt on
Reagan's life and open their own Wendy's franchise.
Twyla Tharp will defect to Russia . . . the space shuttle
will become an exclusive health spa.
"I see Kenny Rogers elected president in 1984 . . .
there will be a nuclear war between two Third World
nations over a disputed soccer match . . . Japan will annex
California."
By now Old Ed was on a roll. There was no stopping
him.
"The nation's capital will be moved to Lynchburg.
Three dimensional television will increase Dolly Parton's
popularity . . Idi Amin will get his own talk show . . .
crime-ravaged Miami residents will flee by the thousands
in makeshift yachts to Haiti . . .Grand Rapids, Mich., will
sink and disappear. Nobody will notice. The Chicago Cubs
win the pennant . . . Ted Nugent will be appointed ambas
sador to Liechtenstein . . . mud wrestling becomes an
Olympic sport . . . Nixon stages comeback ... a cure for
cancer is found, then accidentally lost . . . Jerry Falwell
arrested in drunken spree . . . alien life forms land on
earth and raise the unemployment rate . . ."
"Stop!" I said. "Ed, you sound like a major loon. This
can't be the future you speak of."
"You wanted to hear it, whippersnapper," said the old
man, amusedly peering at me from across the table.
"Look at the past and tell me anything is unbelievable."
I left Old Ed's a more somber man. I decided not to
worry about the future, for it would be here in due time.
As for the past, well, what's done is done. That leaves
only the present; a little undramatic maybe, but a whole
lot easier to believe.
comes forward with such complaints, they war
rant attention.
We hope that Friedrich's letter encourages the
university to look at itself a little closer and seek
ways to improve its deficiencies. Concerned stu
dents should take the time to contact their legis
lators and see what they have to say about this
issue.
We also hope that Gov. Charles Thone and all
the members of the Legislature read Friedrich's
letter very carefully.
For the most part, it has been Thone and his
anti-education cronies in the Legislature that have
helped keep the shackles on UNL's academic pro
gress. It's worth wondering how many other faculty
members have the same complaints but are hesi
tant to come forward because of pressure to keep
quiet. It is up to the people in a position to know,
namely faculty members, to come forward and air
their grievances.
The problems of UNL can't be solved if no
body knows about them.
7
Editor's note: Jane Wenstrand, a sophomore in architec
ture, submitted this art as her reaction to a news story
headlined: "Study: Using elderly to absorb fallout could
ease holocaust impact." Art and letters to the editor are
welcomed.
o rn II
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