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(07/25/02 8:23pm)
The rule of bureaucracy is that, left to itself, it will perpetually grow in size and complexity. Politicians implicitly understand this concept and are painfully aware that bureaucracies must be controlled or circumvented to exact change. Why, then, do the IU trustees not understand this concept?\nIU's tuition policy serves as a perfect example of the prevailing bureaucratic mess. IU had to raise tuition 7.5 percent this year because of its inability to operate within its means. In fact, IU has had to raise tuition above the cost of inflation (2 to 3 percent in 1990s) most of this decade. Also consider that IU's budget for all campuses exceeds $2 billion! That is more than many small states' budgets. IU does not need more money; it needs to utilize what it has more effectively.\nUnfortunately, I do not think that this will come about for the foreseeable future. Why? OK, you pried it out of me. First, Gov. Frank O'Bannon chose to reappoint the same four trustees who have been so lately embattled. The only things these trustees have brought to this University are costly lawsuits and a persistent press. \nWhile the board of trustees is distracted with such games, the bureaucracy for which the trustees are responsible is left to its own devices. The system protects itself by blaming faculty for higher funding requests while paying budgeting administrators merit raises. IU's current attempt to pay professors more is commendable, but while the bureaucracy protects extraneous numbers of "professional" bureaucrats, there will never be enough money to attract and keep the best faculty.\nPerhaps the worst thing about IU's bureaucracy is its infinite source of new ideologs churned out from Higher Education programs. These are well-meaning people that are poorly trained to deal with fiscal matters. I doubt they ever heard the words "fiscal responsibility," "downsize," or "living within means." The concepts that business majors deal with in the real world, the cohorts of Higher Education seemingly ignore with an air of indifferent smugness.\nBut it would be unfair to blame without offering solutions, so take notes trustees, administrators and president. First, privatize where the private sector can improve service. Let companies provide food service to the dorms because they can lower price and increase quality.\nSecond, stop hiring Chiefs and firing Indians. It is always the environmental worker that gets laid off instead of the person that studies the waste the worker removes. Paradoxical?\n Third, stop paying administrators more than professors. No one will ever convince me that a bureaucrat deserves more money than a teacher.\nFourth, appoint more faculty to administrative positions. The late IU Chancellor Herman B Wells and former Bloomington Chancellor Kenneth Gros Louis were effective administrators because they understood what did and didn't work educationally.\nFifth, never raise tuition more than one point above inflation. This would yield approximately $2 million each year above inflation for program growth. Besides, there are many other sources of income than students' pocketbooks. \nFinally, let common sense be your guide. Don't build new buildings in a recession and don't stand in the rain without your coat.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
The devil himself couldn't have dreamt up this week's horror. Needless to say, this is hardly the end, but the beginning of something terrible. As I think about the people on the airplanes that were used to kill thousands, as I watch replays of the World Trade Center towers crashing, as I see the smoldering hole in our defense building, as I wonder what is to come, I can only think, "Why?" "Why do so many others hate us?"\nOf course, those responsible for this monstrosity are hardly representative of the ethnic or religious groups to which they belonged. We should not vent our anger toward any group, because individuals made this tragedy. Still some hate Americans and our country. "Why?"\nAre we so evil or inhuman? What is it? Do we not give money and food to countries and then forgive their debts? Have we not shed generations of blood to defeat slavery, the Nazis, communism and other forces that work to enslave? Have we not fought with ourselves to ensure equal rights and equal opportunity? Do we still not struggle to make equality still more equal? Are these the reasons that madmen blow up our buildings and kill our citizens?\nOr is it perhaps that we are rich and able to raise the standard of living for our people? Is it jealousy that kills thousands? Then why not simply come and live in America? If we are such an immoral, degenerate society, then why do millions ask to come and live here? Why do people die on little rafts trying to cross an ocean to get here? Why are we considering letting several million illegal immigrants receive immunity and stay if we are so contemptuous?\nPerhaps the answer is simpler than anything we might hear from those responsible. Perhaps the answer is that freedom of thought and action is dangerous. Perhaps having a chance to improve your life is terrifying. But dangerous and terrifying to whom? Those that control their people through force and fear? Those whose own views are so intolerant of others that they would rather kill than reason?\nI admit that we are not perfect. Our country has made mistakes that have cost people their lives and homes. But we are also a country that has striven to make our wrongs right. We have apologized to those Japanese-Americans interned in U.S. concentration camps. We've paid reparations to Native Americans. These are tokens of course, but their sincere meaning was clear.\n We might have other things to apologize for, but not for being a people that says self determination is our right. Not for being a land where people can improve their own lives as they see fit. Not for being a country that diligently works to protect a bill of rights that secures the people's freedom and liberty. And certainly not for being one of the few places on this earth where hope and the best creative spirit of man may still flourish. In this country, we are all citizens -- a word that defines our very existence.\nWe weep for our fallen citizens, but we are still committed to our democracy. And those that hate us and commit such unspeakable horrors will know the full measure of our resolve.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
I've been around this campus a long time, and even participated in the IU Student Association elections commission, I can tell you that never has IUSA done a more capable job than this year's group of student leaders.\nIn the past, many people involved in IUSA failed in their commitments to represent students. They often launched campaigns on ideas so vast and vague that practicality fell by the wayside. \nMost of these ideas, such as lowering tuition, "fixing" parking and instituting a better and more cost-effective meal plan were noble goals. But let's face it, only a president and a board of trustees that care about these issues will ever effect those changes.\nAnother IUSA political sin was committed every time an executive short-changed students for personal political goals. When former IUSA president Dave Orensten said that the bus plan would not dramatically increase cost while providing students with exceptional service, students knew they were being taken to the cleaners yet again by fee-mongering bureaucrats. Orensten just wanted a second term. \nToo many former IUSA members cared too much for their rank and privilege than their practical accomplishments for the student body.\nFinally, I point out the many years of sitting student congresses that have rarely criticized a University administration so corrupt and fraudulent as to border on the criminal. \n Yes friends, I'm talking about fund mismanagement, illegal hiring and firing practices, suspect promotions, gross insubordination of Indiana statutes requiring free access to information, and so on. \nIsn't it amazing that such a "liberal" institution such as IU consistently abridges First Amendment freedoms? And where was our student congress? They were playing games of euchre while vaguely paying attention to the droning of incorrectly used parliamentary procedure.\nThey should have been clogging administrators e-mail boxes with messages. They should have been protesting outside Franklin Hall every time a new fee went into effect. Instead, they passed resolutions with little authority.\nBut this year's IUSA leadership is different. Why? It's so simple as to state the obvious. IUSA currently concerns itself with the practical: providing free, well-managed advertising to student groups, reviving ATMs on campus, holding public discussion sessions with key administrators, cutting its own budget such as the never used Faculty Course Evaluations office and by actually berating administrators. True, I'd like to see more old-fashioned sit-ins with that wonderfully sarcastic humor only students in college seem to master. But I suppose IUSA is off to a good start.\nSo, what to do next to keep IUSA rolling in the right direction? Keep up the attitude that one small practical change is worth a volume of "big" ideas. Continue to whisper to IU President Myles Brand that he should be replaced; maybe he'll lose hope and quit. \nRatchet up the rhetoric against bureaucratic malaise. Fight bad policy with conviction and the knowledge that your term is over in a year, what are they going to do to you? Remember that your thinly veiled respect for the administration is politically stupid and directly violates your duty to the student body. Be jerks when you need to be! It's not like they respect you. \nMost importantly, find successors that love IU as much as you do, and who will continue to build on your successes. Thanks, IUSA!
(12/06/01 4:10am)
It's that time of year again -- the holiday season that is. With all the tree decorating, shopping, card sending, television specials, carol singing, parties overflowing with food and holiday good cheer, it is easy to forget those who don't have as much to be cheerful about.\nI don't blame anyone for enjoying all the wonderful things of the holiday season (I rather like all these things myself), but each of us has a responsibility to give some of our own joy and happiness to other people. That's right, I said, "responsibility." After all, isn't sharing what these holidays are all about?\nYou know, I've really respected President Bush these last few months for the way he has so calmly and steadfastly dealt with the War on Terrorism. But nothing affected me more than when the president called on each American to give a little more, to "dig deeper," this holiday season.\nWhy did this impress me? Because in this time of crisis, death, disease and uncertainty, in which all Americans have already sacrificed their time, money and blood, the president asked for more. More sacrifice is needed to destroy terrorism. \nAnd just as importantly, more is needed to feed, cloth and shelter those left behind in our society. And by giving more, America demonstrates to the world that we have compassion for our fellow human beings even when compassion and understanding have not been shown to us. It has always been our compassion strengthened through hard work that has made this country great.\nSo this holiday season, what will you do to help our less fortunate fellow-citizens? I understand that many people give money. Don't get me wrong; those who give money are wonderful and generous people. But don't we have a responsibility to do more?\nIt feels great to give a couple of dollars to those with bells and red buckets. But how much better would it feel to physically hand an unfortunate soul that money? Or to cook a family a holiday meal, or dole out gifts to children? I would bet that the gratitude of those you helped would double or triple your own sense of satisfaction. So, why not get out there and volunteer? There are certainly more than enough charities to choose from (and enough that need your kindness).\nOf course, you don't have to give up your whole holiday, winter break or, indeed, your life to volunteer for community service. Just a little help from everyone once a week or month would be enough to staff fully every charity. Or perhaps you could do a couple long-term projects a year? Either way, you would be showing your compassion not just around the holiday season, but when people really need you -- the struggle of everyday life.\nI haven't decided which exact charity I'll be working at this holiday season (and just so you know I'm not a hypocrite, I already do volunteer work year round). But wherever I work, I'm sure the rewards will be worth more than gold. All of our efforts will certainly be worth gold to those we help. I just hope that those of you who do volunteer continue to do so after the holiday season. The hungry, cold and homeless know no calendar, and neither should our own hearts' compassion.
(11/29/01 4:14am)
Here I go again. I know, it's not fair that I beat up IU's administrators. But when they make deplorable comments or conspire to stick it to students yet again, I feel it's the least I can do. \nToday, I'm referring to two recent Residential Programs and Services decisions as noted in the Nov. 19 edition of the IDS.\nThe first decision was to drop the miss-a-meal program, in which IU students could donate points off their cards for a specified charity. Now when I found out about the 60 percent of the donated money that RPS kept for "overhead costs," I was outraged and called and wrote several administrators and trustees, asking them to stop RPS' skimming (I believe it's technically called "fraud" and is supposedly punishable by law, who knew?). \nSo I was glad to hear the program was being dismissed. Just when I thought RPS had done something right, I saw Sandra Fowler's comment that:\n"Charities, I feel, take advantage of students because students don't know the true amount they are donating. They have the responsibility to advertise how much goes to charity, and that hasn't always been the case."\nSimply ludicrous. Does the director of RPS Dining Services really want the charities to tell students that RPS is defrauding students out of 60 percent of their money that they gave from their decent hearts to charity? Here's a clue RPS organizers, it is your responsibility to tell students where the money is going. It was RPS that took advantage of students by claiming to help charity and then quietly kept some of that money to "cover costs" for which no food or service was provided. If RPS has such high costs that it can only cover by taking money meant for charity, then RPS should cut costs! I know, it's an insane idea considering this University's penchant for large bureaucracy.\nThe other RPS decision was to drop the rate freeze for upperclassmen that continue to stay in the dorms after their freshman year. While I recognize current economic difficulties, RPS must have a sensible justification. RHA president for Collins Center, sophomore John Schlafer, said removing the rate freeze would help to reduce every student's rate, but then added that this revenue could also help RPS fund renovations. So which is it Mr. Schlafer and RPS, lower rates for everyone or renovations? The amount of money raised would not allow for both options. So, knowing RPS, expect them to spend that money.\nThus, RPS and their stooges, a small contingent of RHA members, have decided to stop defrauding charities and students (only because they got caught), but blame it on charities. As well, RPS will jack up living rates for upperclassmen, and the money will fall into a black hole of bureaucratic mismanagement.\nSo students, are you tired of RPS yet? Well then wait a while longer and they'll make even more egregious mistakes that will cost you money for no increase in service. Calling RPS and complaining really won't do you much good. They know that they can ride out a particular student's four or five year tenure at IU. So I can only suggest you notify trustees and politicians to dismantle RPS. Privatization looks pretty good. Marriott does a great job with the Union, don't you think?
(11/08/01 4:07am)
Have you ever gotten frustrated waiting at the doctor's office forever? What about others who never show up on time? Your inept boss? Rude airport security people? Professors who are too good for office hours? If so, I have a person for you -- Bill O'Reilly, anchor of the popular show, "The O'Reilly Factor" (weeknights on the Fox news channel).\nWhy is O'Reilly great for handling these situations? Three words -- "No Spin Zone." For those who regularly watch "The Factor," O'Reilly's cut-to-the-chase, no-bull attitude with his guests is refreshing. O'Reilly asks simple questions and expects simple answers. If the guest stutters, has to take time to think of a politically correct answer, or is long winded, game over. O'Reilly prods in and destroys their sorry excuse of an answer. While this is entertaining, O'Reilly's two best-selling books seem to intend the "no-spin attitude" for use as a life philosophy.\nWhat does "no-spin attitude" mean? Don't wait unreasonable periods for people supposedly serving you. Doctors, lawyers, educators, etc. all charge you a large sum to see them; hold them to the highest standards. They certainly hold themselves in high regard.\nExpect professionalism from co-workers and bosses, expect respect from everyone. From holding doors, to simply saying "please" and "thank you," courtesy as respect is undervalued in our hectic world. Perhaps it would be less anarchic if people were more polite.\nCall people out for their exceedingly rude behavior. Maybe these people had bad parents, maybe they think they're too good for courtesy, I don't care. Be polite to them, but firm. Stupid behavior is, well…stupid.\nHammer away at people who are consistently late, unprepared, or who never follow through on their promises. If done consistently, these actions are inexcusable. They demonstrate a lack of respect for others and a penchant for laziness. There are simply too many lazy people in the world. So if need be, prod them a little. I suggest a low-intensity cattle-prod.\nGive second chances most of the time, give third chances rarely; there are no fourth chances. Of course, mistakes and accidents happen, so don't jump the gun, but there is no reason to suffer repeated idiocies.\nTell people that bully-pulpit you to death with political correctness that it is a sorry substitute for self-thinking and common sense. They have the right to say anything they want. They don't have the right to make you say and act their little self-righteous jig. This point cannot be understated -- political correctness is a cancer on society because it relies on spinning reality to pit people against each other. It solves nothing; it destroys much.\n Some of these are my own "no-spin" derivatives from O'Reilly's original concept. Some are direct ideas from O'Reilly's books. But taken together, they make my own personal "No Spin Zone."\n While this philosophy is great at reducing soliciting calls, the best thing about it is that it requires the "no-spin person" to abide by his own code. To expect respect, one must give respect. To harangue colleagues about their laziness, one must be productive himself. The "no-spin person" is responsible for his own actions first and foremost. This is why "no-spin" beats pc-ness everyday of the week. "No-spin" is a philosophy of self-responsibility. So make your own "No Spin Zone" before the spin makes you dizzy.
(10/26/01 4:19am)
I know in my last few columns I have taken shots at the University administration for being inept, corrupt and possibly fraudulent criminals. I do not apologize for those remarks because I believe many of the upper level administrators fit the description like the word "Machiavellian" fit Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton. \nBut there is another side to IU that is also kind, helpful and devoted to students.\nPerhaps no other office on campus tries as hard as the Honors College to provide quality faculty, small classes and valuable life experiences. If a faculty member receives several unfavorable student reviews, the HC will usually drop that professor. Classes require authorization to keep down numbers. And students have the opportunity to live together, volunteer in community organizations, conduct individualized research, eat at professors' homes and meet extraordinary guest speakers.\nBut it isn't just the classes and activities that make the HC student friendly. Incredibly, it's because the HC treats students like people instead of numbers. Honors programs are sometimes criticized for being elitist, but that doesn't describe the wonderful people in the houses on North Jordan. They understand that effort and hard work are not enough; their attitude that students are more important than regulations and statistics make the HC a special corner of campus.\nAnother special place exists in the basement of Franklin Hall. With file cabinets full of records and receipts, the employees of the Student Organizational Accounts Office are the people responsible for managing student group accounts. Any former student treasurer can tell you that the three women that run the office are life savers. Not only do they know more tax law than most lawyers, they often offer candy to those trotting down to their office. They are truly special people who always have a nice comment for a treasurer bewildered by accounting procedure. Without these ladies, I doubt any business in town would accept IU student account cards.\nOf course, I could go on. There are the environmental and service staffs who work hard hours cleaning up our messes. The people in the Bursar's Office and Student Financial Aid always go out of their way to help students. And of course, secretaries and assistants campus wide are the grease of the bureaucratic cog-machine.\nI hope you are getting my point. Without these people, IU would be an academic back-water. While the elitist bureaucrats at the top travel around the country for conferences or take days off to golf, the average IU employee is at work trying to make life just a little better for students.\nSo what should you do? Try being nice and saying thank you to these workers. Try not to make messes on campus. Treat them as your equals. While many of these people do not hold college degrees, they are people too. Indeed, their life experience far exceeds most of our own.\nBut we also need to do more. We need to demand higher pay and benefits for the average worker. We need to demand that IU stop hiring chief-executive-vice-chancellors-to-the-vice-president-for-internal-affairs-to-the-Bloomington-campus. Give that money to the everyday workers of IU. This demand has to be done by students, because students are the prime beneficiaries of their efforts. So get started. E-mail or call the trustees, IU President Myles Brand and your local legislator.
(09/28/01 3:43am)
During our national tragedy, I have noticed many people throughout this country and the world express their sympathy and sorrow. It made me feel decent and good to be an American and a citizen of a world aligned against individual and state terrorists -- the scourge of civilization. \nBut nothing has shocked me more than to hear people, mostly American citizens, say that we have brought this upon ourselves through our religious immorality or through conducting our foreign policy.\nAs an columnist, I expect letters from people who disagree with my viewpoints. I rarely respond in my column. But I have seen too many letters from readers in the IDS and other papers to delay my response any longer.\nIf you feel that the United States has brought this terrorist attack on itself, you are wrong. If you feel that U.S. foreign policy is evil or exploitative, you are wrong. If you feel that the United States deserved this, you are wrong and cruel, among other things. If you feel that the United States is as aggressive and controlling a nation as propaganda has claimed, you are wrong and naive.\nNow that I have made some of you mad, listen up, you're going to be infuriated. Those leftist ideologues (not Democrats) and radical religious fanatics (not Republicans) who hold these views are ignorant of history, both factually and contextually. They have succumbed to conspiracy theories and irrational models of world politics. They claim many things but offer little proof. They proudly scorn the rest of us for believing in the inherent goodness of our democratic government and applaud when our nation or leaders do make mistakes. They proclaim wisdom by stamping long titles to their commentary.\nWhat these people conveniently overlook is substantial. They forget that the United States has given vast sums of money and food to most of the developing world. They forget that never, never has the United States launched a military strike that was not in defense of its citizens, allies or essential interests. Isn't it odd that those who criticize us so roundly are rarely able to criticize themselves? Most importantly, these people fail to realize that the criticism they so freely make here would send them to jail or death in much of the world. These people should try reasoning with terrorists not to do such things again; I hope they come back alive.\nI am tired, people. I'm tired of hypocrites who use the freedom of democracy to chastise democracy. I'm tired of people who preach tolerance but don't practice tolerance. I'm exhausted from hearing supposedly educated people calling our leaders "dumb" and "stupid" when they themselves lack the courage to lead. \nBut most of all, I'm sad because many extremists in this country just don't realize what it means to live here. And I'm not alone. People from Gov. Jesse Ventura of Minnesota to comedian Jay Leno have spoken against such people to defend America and her way of life.\nThose pessimists who so adamantly protest and speak ill of America and democracy should bury their heads in shame; I, for one, am tired of listening to their self-righteous chatter. \nThis has nothing to do with freedom of speech, and everything to do with respecting freedom and those that provide it.