The Ohio University Faculty Senate has voted to reject the recently proposed replacement of the general education system. As the new system would arguably have been even more complicated than the current, the decision is a sound one. While this unnecessary change has been properly avoided, one obstacle still remains: the Tier III requirement must be eliminated.
Faculty and students alike have criticized the requirement since its inception 25 years ago. Supply and demand are not in balance when it comes to Tier III course offerings, and the result can be devastating for many seniors. With only 22 sections offered, minor initiatives can achieve only so much. Reserving seats for seniors and discouraging Honors Tutorial College students from registering are a few strategies, and the university deserves kudos for pink-slipping at least some seniors into Tier IIIs. But the very necessity for such late-quarter scrambling is indication enough of the requirement's flaws. One possibly viable option is to replace it with a senior capstone course that some majors already require. Regardless, Tier III as it exists now should be terminated.
After four years of effort, seniors deserve to graduate when they plan to do so. That any are impeded in this by slim offerings for one requirement is difficult to grasp, especially for those waiting for courses that, while designed to be intellectually stimulating, oftentimes have little to do with a student's major. That the actual usefulness of the course itself is often questioned is but further proof that its demise should be ensured. The all-too-obvious decision needs to be made -to abolish a questionable requirement that is ultimately no more than a thorn in the sides of those who have earned a smooth graduation.
Ohioans, like all Americans, have a plethora of forums they can use to express their beliefs. Rallies, protests, T-shirts, letters to editors, word of mouth ... the list is extensive and limited only by the First Amendment. Gov. Bob Taft has signed into law a bill that authorizes the sale of license plates that read Choose Life. Some would say that he merely is facilitating another convenient medium of expression, but the issue is not so simple.
Part of the proceeds from the sales of these plates will go toward nonprofit groups that advise pregnant women planning on placing their children up for adoption. Also, the groups cannot be involved in any abortion-related activities. A trip to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles' Web site will allow one to view the selection of Ohio's special license plates. The selection is basically limited to collegiate and military designs, with a few other ones such as a lighthouse for Lake Erie. This begs the question as to why a political issue is being carried into such uncharted and formerly tranquil territory.
All but three of Ohio's 33 state senators have voted in favor of a measure to authorize plates with the message, One Nation Under God. While this is less controversial, the intent is apparent for all to see. Ohio's Republican-dominated government seemingly is dedicated to faith-based initiatives that have no place in the public sector. Like everyone else, the devout have all of the means of expression previously mentioned but would now be given a government-endorsed one. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ruling that anti-abortion plates in South Carolina were in violation of the First Amendment because abortion rights advocates were not given a similar forum.
In truth, neither side should have any forum that comes in the form of a government-issued, government-required document. The authorization of a pro-choice plate would be equally as compromising to the liberty of thought in Ohio. Expressions of both opinions are fully acceptable, but when executed via a specialized license plate, they necessitate a very problematic government sanction. Political issues should remain on bumper stickers and even on privately manufactured plate frames.
The merits of arguments for and against abortion or God in the Pledge of Allegiance are ultimately irrelevant in assessing this issue. License plates should not be forums for expressing political identity.
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