Letters 4/11
Former director clarifies points on potential minor
TO THE EDITOR:
I apologize for responding so belatedly to the articles and letters that began appearing two weeks ago concerning the Program in Sexuality Studies. I am on leave now, but as the former Acting Director of the Program and the recipient of the much-misquoted letter from former Provost Robert Shelton outlining the financial arrangements he and the Sexuality Studies Board agreed on last spring, I should clarify a number of points.
When the provost’s Committee on LGBTQ Life and Study split into the LGBTQ Board (which serves the entire campus), and the Academic Program in Sexuality Studies, Provost Shelton and I determined that the $11,500 budget that had previously gone to the committee should be allocated to the new board, while the director of the program would receive two course releases per year in order to allow him or her the time to launch a fundraising campaign so that the program might eventually become financially self-sufficient. Thus the $11,500 budget was never intended for the program, and was never in dispute.
Administrators did tell us, however, that they were not going to follow through on the previous provost’s commitment of course release time for a director for the academic program, which meant that no faculty member was, realistically, able to undertake the major job of trying to run the program, and as a result it has effectively been suspended.
If, as it appears, a decision has been made to honor the earlier commitment at least in part by providing one course release to a director in the future, I am delighted to hear it. Provost Gray-Little and Dean Levine’s letter to the DTH to this effect was the first indication the board has had of the change in policy.
Erin G. Carlston
Associate Professor
English
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Letter was wrong about collective bargaining issue
TO THE EDITOR:
Nathan Barber is, as usual, wrong, this time about collective bargaining and public school teachers. He says that they should not be paid a dime more than they are worth, but the fact is they already are paid much more than a dime less. The evidence: In the private market, teachers are often paid more. Lobbying the legislature is not enough, so added pressure is needed from organized unions.
Nathan is right about one thing: teachers do leave for greener pastures, but teachers are leaving and retiring (and schools growing) at a faster rate than they can be replaced. North Carolina is short thousands of teachers, positions that are not attractive to many college graduates looking for the best possible salary for their education. Only when teaching positions pay well, and thereby attract professionals who otherwise go into private schools or private industry, do students get an education worth their tax dollars.
Dustin Ingalls
Senior
Political Science
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Liberal actions against Coca-Cola are hypocritical
TO THE EDITOR:
Liberals’ responses to the accusations against Coca-Cola involving its Colombia labor practices highlights the horrendous hypocrisy that defines the liberals of this nation. These people claim to fight for the rights of the accused, innocent before guilty and all, but in reality liberals apply this principle only when it suits them.
Outcries against Coca-Cola, including the cancellation of business contracts, condemn the firm before it has been given a fair trial. Yet, liberals don’t hesitate to protect the rights of the murderer or illegal immigrant at all costs, namely America’s well-being.
Moreover, pro-labor liberals scream for collective bargaining and criticize Coca-Cola for allegedly “trying to stomp out workers’ abilities to organize.” In reality a labor union is nothing more than collusion within the labor markets in an attempt to force wages to rise above the fair level. But these same people demand corporations compete fairly in the marketplace, no collusion welcome here.
Liberals say they stand for freedom, liberty and the people. What they don’t specify is who those people are. Liberals apply their principles with a despicable degree of discrimination. They refuse to grant the rich and powerful equal rights with the small guy.
So next time you hear a liberal say he hates discrimination or people taking advantage of others, hand them a mirror and tell them they’re looking at the problem.
C.P. Helms
Sophomore
Business Administration
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America should question its own policies abroad
TO THE EDITOR:
In response to the article “Murder in Colombia: the real thing?” as a Colombian, I really appreciate the efforts of the author in highlighting the decades-long internal violent conflict that has torn the country. However, insinuating that the University is partially responsible for union deaths due to its financial ties to Coca-Cola is preposterous.
Multinational corporations use anti-union tactics all over the third world, maximizing their profits through the exploitation of local workers. The United States does far worse things that contribute to the bleeding in Colombia. It pours millions and millions of taxpayer dollars to the government, which are largely spent on ineffective “counterdrug and counterterrorism” operations that only perpetuate homicides, kidnappings, violence and insecurity.
Instead of fighting Coca-Cola for their alleged involvement in union murders, Americans should examine the foreign policy of their country and hold their leaders accountable for contributing to the violent conflict while neglecting to implement policies targeting the reduction of drug consumption and addiction at home.
Estefania San Juan
Senior
Political Science