Well, Shame on Us

Pres. Shelton and Provost Hay published a guest opinion in the Daily Star today in defense of their cuts across campus. Could this be a pre-emptive response to the protest planned for today? Shelton and Hay outline their priorities for the transformation process:

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• First, which units have the greatest capacity to generate new external revenue into the university above and beyond tuition dollars?
• Second, which units have the greatest outreach and impact on the citizens of our state? Our mission to serve the entire state and support its citizens is of the utmost importance during the financial crisis.
• And third, which units will most likely have a positive economic impact on the state, with an emphasis on job creation and growth?

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It's pretty insulting that there is no mention of students in the entire list; no mention of teaching at all, as a matter of fact! The word EDUCATION does not even appear in the list. It reads more like a business growth plan than a mission statement for improving a university.

While that is unfortunate, even more upsetting is the dig Shelton and Hay take at "the dark corners of anonymous blogs". Well, shame on us.

If you've followed Sallygradstudent since the beginning (about a year ago), you know the reason the blog was founded. You know why we're anonymous. But just in case you forgot, here's a reminder.

From one of our first posts: "Due to the recent changes being made to the University of Arizona budget and the threatening language used by those in administration, we feel that it is time to stand up for ourselves. At the same time, the administration has admonished us, send intimidating e-mails and discouraged us from having our voices heard; this is why we must stay anonymous."

In response to graduate student efforts to distribute information about the transformation process, the administration reacted with intimidation.

Now ask yourself why we're anonymous.

For an overview of the transformation process and some words on today's rally, check out Becky Pallack's article in the Daily Star.

You can also read the UA Defender's response to Shelton and Hay's column for more of a faculty perspective.

Renee Schafer Horton's thorough reporting on the faculty poll is also very thorough and full of the details you've been looking for.

See you at 12:15 on the Mall.