The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, December 07, 1981, Page page 4, Image 4
page 4 daily nebraskan monday, decern be r 7, 1981 o) 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 tv; u nebraskan Editorials do not necessarily express the opinions of the Daily Nebraskan 's publishers, the NU Board of Regents, the University of Nebraska and its employees or the student body. USPS 144-080 Editor: Tom Prentiss; Managing editor: Kathy Stokebrand; News editor: Steve Miller; Associate News editors: Dan Epp, Kim Hachiya, Alice Hrnicek; Night news editor: Martha Murdock; Assistant night news editor: Kate Kopischke; Entertainment editor: Pat Clark; Spot.s editor: Larry Sparks; Art director: Dave Luebke; Photography chief: Mark Billingsley. Copy editors: Linnea Fredrickson, Patti Gallagher, Bob Gliss mann. Bill Graf. Deb Horton. D. Eric Kircher. Betsy Miller. Janice Pigaga, Reid Warren. Tricia Waters. Business manager: Anne Shank-Volk; Production manager: Kitty Policky; Advertising manager: Art K. Small; Assistant adver tising manager: Jerry Scott. Publications Board chairperson: Margy McCleery, 472-2454. Professional adviser: Don Walton. 473-7301. The Daily Nebraskan is published by the UNL Publications Board Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semes ters, except during vacation. Address: Daily Nebraskan. 34 Nebraska Union. 14th and R streets. Lincoln. Neb.. 68588. Telephone: 472-2588. All material in the Daily Nebraskan is covered by copyright. Second class postage paid at Lincoln, Neb. 68510. ScTiSUbSCriplion: $20' semester subscription: $11. STER: Send address changes to Daily Nebraskan, 34 Nebraska Union. 14th and R streets. Lincoln, Neb.. 68588."