Over the last few weeks, more and more members of the Ohio University community have been speaking up. Open dissent is becoming almost a daily occurrence. Even so, we find ourselves asking: Does the Ohio University environment truly encourage critical thinking? And what are the consequences of speaking out in a place where everyone knows everyone?
Doug
Two totally unrelated events have been running through my head for the past week: Mary Cheney's pregnancy and my attendance at the Baker University Center dedication ceremony. Put together, I think they say something about the nature of dissent on campus. It might sound nutty, but I'm actually going somewhere with this one.
On Wednesday, Jan. 24, Wolf Blitzer asked Dick Cheney about his opposition to equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents. He was asking because Cheney's daughter Mary is both openly lesbian and newly pregnant. His response (I think
frankly you're out of line with that question) effectively shut down debate on the issue. Blitzer was trying to point out hypocrisy on the part of the grumpy, diagonally-frowning vice president. Cheney refused to justify the double standard he uses when dealing with his daughter and will probably go on proclaiming that this particular lesbian will be a loving mother even though most of his political allies politely, ahem, disagree. The lesson here is that public debate suffers when people turn legitimate questions into you've crossed the line moments.
I brought up the Cheney interview because I felt an odd kinship with Blitzer after I attended the Baker dedication ceremony. As I was in line to receive my commemorative scissors, I received a look from an administrator that said, plainly, you don't belong here. Some might question my assumption that he was looking at me and that our column had anything to do with it. All I can say is, I could feel it in my bones. Just one stare from that man made me feel like I had somehow crossed the line.
Just one look made me feel like a troublemaker.
The whole experience forced me to reevaluate how I feel about dissent because I am not a troublemaker. Not really. There is a notion that we shouldn't be speaking ill of Ohio University with so many problems facing our campus. I believe we need dissent now more than ever, and I criticize Ohio University because I care deeply about it. I criticize the administration because I know they can do better. Please try not to forget that the next time our eyes meet.
Matt
I've had administrators look askance at me as well. Yet those aren't the incidents that have affected me. I've found it far more touching when professors compliment the column. Or when people that I don't know stop me and say that they are glad someone is saying what many people are thinking. Discontent is rampant all over this campus, and we are merely one of the forums.
Someone needs to give voice to the worries that many of us have. I've always thought there was something to the old saw ' if you aren't angry, then you aren't paying attention. Many people are well past the point of anger and just feel impotent. The administration makes decisions, and everyone else is expected to fall in line.
The current political atmosphere, both locally and nationally, is one in which leaders insulate themselves from alternative opinions. President McDavis is creating an atmosphere in which disagreeing is akin to treason. Mandates made by the administration will continue to be detached from students and faculty if our voices continue to be ignored. This makes those on the outside feel frustrated when they try to point out possible problems. A high level of frustration is evident on this campus.
Faculty and students alike feel that McDavis is making decisions without any interest in their opinions. I know that President McDavis will respond that he has been working to communicate with as many groups on campus, but it feels like all of the important decisions are made outside the sight of the university community.
We understand that some decisions need to be made quickly, but when people feel that their input is completely disregarded, they eventually give up. Someone needs to keep speaking up. Someone needs to be willing to question the decisions that are being made. Someone needs to be the voice for the university community at large. And someone needs to be there to be scowled at so that everyone else can go about their business.
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Doug Cloud
