[Vision2020] U of I Program Cuts

[Donovan Arnold]

Mo,
 
I was fighting this fight when I was at UI. It is a no winner. Besides stating its commitment to diversity in the Mission Statement, UI has no commitment to diversity. 
 
The UI's commitment is to more money, more students, bigger programs, and greater outreach. 
 
It doesn't care about the diversity or quality at all. I think students thinking of attending UI should know that UI caters to mostly upper-class white, heterosexual, Christian, conservative thinking males that know how to brown nose and don't need a job to live while attending classes. Anyone with any other expectations should not come to UI, they will not get the needs they seek, they are better off going to another college or university. 
 
I would rather have the key diversity positions at UI vacant, showing people that UI doesn't care about diversity, then to have two teeth-less ceremonial positions filled giving the illusion that some kind of commitment to diversity exists at UI. Just like they pretend they have an officer at UI that complies with the American Disability Act. It is just for show.
 
If they want to cut expenses at UI; First, try not expanding to the point where you need every dollar you get in the first place. Put extra monies into capital projects, not permanent jobs that have to be cut. Second, cut the salaries of people making $50,000 to $100,000 by 5-10%. Third, get a grip on the matriculation budget. Finally, slash and eliminate athletic programs. 
 
Best Regards,
 
Donovan
 


--- On Fri, 1/9/09, Mo Hendrickson <hend5953 at vandals.uidaho.edu> wrote:

From: Mo Hendrickson <hend5953 at vandals.uidaho.edu>
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] U of I Program Cuts
To: lfalen at turbonet.com, vision2020 at moscow.com
Date: Friday, January 9, 2009, 1:28 PM




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Roger- 
 
A couple of comments and questions regarding you program cuts.

First, you write, "To help save some programs and jobs. everyone should take a 5 to 10% pay cut. Less money is better than no money."  I am glad to hear that you are in a financial postion to take that kind of cut.  There are many of us working for the University that could not manage that cut.  I currently work in an IH position and have not had any pay increase in the three years in that position.  So sure ask the administration to take reductions, but the folks down on the bottom of the pay chain can't handle that kind of reduction. 
 
I also question your statement, "I don't think the University needs that many people in development or diversity at this point."  I am guessing that your view on diverity is based on an older model of diversity, that it is about skin color and gender.  In my point of view, diversity is more than tracking how many people of color we have on campus, it is more than the number of women we have in the classrooms, diversity includes all of us, it is religion, it is gender, it is white men over 40, it is women in their 20's, understanding diversity is key in creating an environment in which students, staff, and faculty thrive.  We should be investing in diversity not cutting it.  That doesn't mean throwing money at it and giving it lip service, but really assessing the incredible resources we have on campus and finding ways to use them to bring in more students, to attract the best and brightest scholars.  I don't want UI to become a homogenized unit,
 with everyone looking, thinking and acting the same, there is no life in that.   
 
I would also argue that this university if understaffed in terms of diversity programming not over staffed.  We are currently have two key diversity positions on campus that are vacant and those vacancy are being felt.  So please tell me why you think we need less people in diversity.  
 
-Mo Hendrickson
A proud advocate for diversity
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