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Opinion Tuesday, November 22,1994 Page 4 Nebraskan Editorial Board University of Nebraska-Lincoln JeffZeleny.Editor, 472-1766 Kara Morrison.Opinion Page Editor Angie Brunkow..Managing Editor Jeffrey Robb. Associate News Editor Rainbow Rowell.Columnist/Associate News Editor Mike Lewis.....CoPy Desk Chief James Mehsling.Cartoonist ---■ n Equity, please Search underway for new CBA dean A national search will soon be underway for a new dean of the UNL College of Business Administration. Dean Gary Schwcndiman’s resignation announcement Monday means both good and bad news for the college. During Schwendiman's 17-year tenure as dean, the college has grown physically, financially and educationally. Schwcndiman can claim responsibility for many of these positive changes in CBA. But in the past year, the positive aspects of the college — including the new 45,000-squarc foot addition — have been overshadowed by the lack of diversity and the questionable equality between men and women in the college. Less than nine months ago, Schwcndiman was at the heart of controversy regarding CBA’s “chilly” climate toward women. Schwcndiman denied allegations that sexism was rampant in the college, detailed in a report done by a committee of the American Association of University Professors. He said the report was a “plot to disrupt the college.” Since last semester, the gender equity debate has quieted down. The memos and anonymous hate mail have stopped. But the lack of diversity in the College of Business Administration remains. The upcoming national search is a perfect opportunity for university administrators to prove they indeed are committed to gender equity and diversity. Training ground NU should teach work-world skills Friday, Nebraska business and university leaders met to see how working together could improve economic development in the state. NU President Dennis Smith called the meeting saying partner ships between businesses and higher education were important to the states' future. Yet, the two groups didn't agree completely on how this needed to be done. Business leaders said the state lacked skilled workers and that NU graduates needed better basic training for the work place. Smith said he was afraid the concept of higher education was being lost as demands for technical training increased “It's the skill of thinking'’ that higher education develops, Smith said in a Lincoln newspaper. "That’s not a technical skill.” - Both groups have a point. Anyone searching for a job knows it’s experience that counts. Surprisingly, UNL Chancellor Graham Spanier reportedly suggested at the meeting that more students begin studying at community colleges to gain the technical training businesses desire This does not seem to be the best solution. Technical institutions are vastly different from the university. Four years at one university should provide not only curriculum based education, but a rich cultural experience. The best solutions seems to be instituting well-developed internship programs that would give NU students both a quality broad education tempered by real world work experience. SufT editorials represent the official policy of the Fall 1994 Daily Nebraskan. Policy is set by the Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board. Editorials do not necessarily reflect the views of the university, its employees, the studentsortheNU Board of Regents. Editorial columns represent the opinion of the author. The regenu publish the Daily Nebraskan. They establish the UNL Publications Board to supervise the daily production of the paper. According to policy set by the regenu, responsibility for the editorial content of the newspaper lies solely in the hands of iu students. The Daily Nebraskan welcomes brief letters to the editor from all readers and interested others. Letters will be selected for publication on the basis of clarity, originality, timeliness and space available. The Daily Nebraskan reuins the right to edit or reject all material submitted. Readers also are welcome to submit material as guest opinions. The editor decides whether material should run as a guest opinion. Letters and guest opinions sent to the newspaper become the property of the Daily Nebraskan and cannot be returned. Anonymous submissions will not be published. Letters should included the author's name, year in school, major and group affiliation, if any. RequesU to withhold names will not be granted. Submit material to the Daily Nebraskan. 34 Nebraska Union. 1400 R St.. Lincoln. Neb. 68388-0448. Massey: NCLU wrong David Moshman and Marlayn Cragun of the Nebraska Civil Liberties Union (DN, Nov. 16, 1994) state, “UNL should attempt to accommodate the beliefs of its employees by not assigning them responsibilities that are likely to pit their religious or philosophical convictions against their obligation as UNL employees...” Their letter appeared civil enough, but when closely analyzed espouses illegal activity by endors ing discrimination on the basis of religion. They urge UNL administrators to make the decision of not assigning responsibilities. True non-discrimination would allow the faculty member to exempt him or herself from responsibilities they cannot carry out in good con science. LX) we really want administra tors to decide who is assigned positions of responsibility and influence based on what they see as “likely” to happen? Should not a person be given a chance before being prejudged as unworthy of receiving responsibility? In an attempt to make discrimi nation on the basis of religion palatable, the NCLU hides it under the guise of “attempting to accom modate beliefs.” The fact remains that under the NCLU policy, UNL administrators would make decisions about individual faculty responsibilities based on that faculty member’s religious and philosophical beliefs. Religious liberty is a constitu tionally guaranteed right; sexual orientation is not. Discrimination on the basis of religious beliefs is against federal and state law; discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is protected only by UNL policy — not law. Is there a reason that UNL administrators are being encour aged by the NCLU to illegally discriminate on the basis of religious beliefs by actively selecting them out of positions of influence? Has the NCLU adopted Shane Tucker’s weighting system (DN, Nov. 15,1994) where “sexual orientation could get a 10, gender and race could get a 9, non Christian religions could get a 6 and Christians could get a fat zero”? Before UNL administrators adopt the NCLU position, 1 would recommend that it be debated at the Academic Senate and all of the ramifications be explored. Ray Massey assistant professor agricultural economics Bret Gottshall/DN Second Amendment In response to Simon Liverani’s column (DN, Nov. 17, 1994), I would like to say a few things. I don’t know which county you come from, but the United States has a Bill of Rights, and in this Bill of Rights is something called the Second Amendment. Just as the First Amendment protects your right to distort facts, the Second Amendment guarantees my right to “keep and bear arms.” Some people, such as yourself, would like to conclude that this right belongs to a “militia” or police officers. However, let’s disregard your interpretation and see what our founding fathers thought of this right. James Madison said, “Arms in the hands of the citizens [may] be used at individual discretion ... in private self defense.” Also, George Mason said, “I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials.” And lastly, our first president, George Washington, was quoted as saying, “When firearms go, all goes.” i>incc you oeiieve tnat more guns will cause more violence, 1 would like to give you a fascinating statistic from the FBI Uniform Crime R . Since Florida’s conceale v law took effect in 1987, (this makes it easier for Florida citizens to carry concealed guns) Florida’s homicide rale has dropped 21 percent while the U.S. homicide rate has risen 12 percent. Also, states that have concealed carry laws like Florida’s have overall a 21 percent lower total violent crime rate, a 33 percent lower homicide rate, a 37 percent lower robbery rate and a 13 percent lower aggravated assault rate compared with states that severely restrict “concealed carry.” I’m happy to say that millions of Americans still believe in the underlying right of the Second Amencbnent. However, I'll admit, liberal media writers such as yourself have managed to criminalize the gun. As for me, the more a govern ment tries to restrict my gun rights, the less I trust that government. There are a few governments that have and still prove that gun control does in feet work —just as Hitler or Caste. JeffVo*el senior *. biology The Daily Nebraskan wants to hear from you. If you want to voice your opinion about an article that appears in the newspaper, let us know. Just write a j brief letter to the editor and sign it (don’t forget your ^y student ID number) and mail it to the Daily Nebras ^ kan, 34 Nebraska Union, 1400 R Street, Lincoln, NE 68588-0448, or stop by the office in the basement of the Nebraska Union and visit with us. We’re all cars.