OSPIRG bravely fights “sediment of apathy” [Updated, 03/11]
Well, OSPIRG has officially been cut from the ASUO budget, but don’t think those goons are giving up. Since they couldn’t sway the student government (even though they were given four opportunities to do so), OSPIRG is taking its message to “the people.”
You may notice (in fact, you will be forced to notice) the dweebs on campus trying to get you to sign a petition for something called the “student voice campaign.” OSPIRG, masquerading as the “coalition for student voice,” is trying to collect enough signatures to put a ballot measure up for vote. The measure reads:
Should the ASUO fund student-directed programs that address issues that affect both students and all Oregonians, using methods such as: research; press conferences; letter writing drives; demonstrations; public forums; advocating to the City Council, Legislature, Congress, and corporations; and hiring professional staff to work to amplify and empower student voice both on and off-campus in places like Salem and Washington DC?
I just wish for once in its insipid history OSPIRG could be honest with students. It’s pathetic that they have to couch their campaign in smarmy platitudes about “student voice” – worse that they can’t even bear to mention OSPIRG itself. If you get confronted by one of these clipboard-wielding mouth-breathers, write down your feelings on their signature sheet. That’s what I do.
Also, Eugene’s crappiest metal band, The Athiarchists, played a concert in support of OSPIRG. That should tell you enough.
There’s a delightfully nonsensical letter from wordsmith Jesse Hough after the jump.
As I mentioned, Jesse Hough sent this letter out to the programs listserv. The especially stupid parts are in bold:
Dear Programs,
Our voice as a student movement has been weakened. The ASUO Executive and other bodies of the ASUO have taken many actions that limit our ability to have voice on large issues that affect students and beyond. The Executive have [sic] said, “We think that the ASUO should be more concerned with getting football tickets to students than making the world a better place.” What a sad day that our student government values football tickets over making the world a better place beyond campus or that they have to be pitted against each other at all. Given the UO’s motto “Minds Move Mountains” we find this sediment of apathy as disrespectful to the mission of the UO and individual’s hard work in programs to make the UO and the world a better place.
The Coalition for Student Voice seeks to put together a steering committee of people from diverse backgrounds who believe students should have a voice beyond campus. Therefore, I ask YOU to please come to the LONGHOUSE (Behind the Law School) @ 6PM TUESDAY NIGHT to learn about this growing movement for more student voice and power. PLEASE BRING YOUR INPUT AND VOICE.
This meeting will serve as an opportunity for people to come together and talk about what our message should be and how to proceed into the spring.
There will be cookies too!
To make a stand against this disempowering message from the ASUO, we are working to put an initiative on the ballot that asks the students what they think about having student voice beyond our campus. In times with issues that are going to greatly affect our future like racial and sexual equality, foreign wars, global climate change and economic meltdown, student [sic] deserve a voice beyond campus borders.
ASUO Executive Sam Dotters-Katz responded in an email, part of which reads:
It is insulting that OSPIRG Staff continue to act surprised when questions regarding the organizations transparency are raised, when they engage in such deceitful politics.
If Mr. Reagan wants to put up a ballot measure judging student body opinion on funding OSPIRG, why doesn’t the language clearly say that? I would in no way be opposed to such a ballot measure, in fact, it would be very appropriate and helpful to more effectively gauge student support, or lack thereof.I strongly urge you to attend the meeting at 6 pm. tonight in the Longhouse. The possible consequences of this are tremendous, and what OSPIRG is doing is unfair, unethical, and frankly just pathetic.
[UPDATE]
The Emerald is reporting that the ballot measure has been withdrawn, citing surprise over the controversy.
