I am sad at what I read and hear in this community concerning issues at the university. We have resources to resolve the differences that are growing. Why do we not seem to use them?
1) The use of the race card is a distancing factor.
2) The quarrel over power in the institution is a distancing factor.
3) The accuracy of the arguments is working as a distancing factor.
4) The tools used by different parties to state their positions is a distancing factor.
5) The strategies to combat the opposition is a distancing factor.
6) The careless use of arguments both currently and from the past is a distancing factor; other elements could be listed.
Where are the voices of reason? Where are the parties of mediation?
Where are the sincere voices of the history and tradition of this university?
Solidifying sides and imitating the differences of the world in which we live will not help solve what is confronting us. It is time for an intermediate party to reframe the public statements, the statement of positions and the nature of the debate. Concern should move from personality to issue. We should instead revisit whatever issues that separate us. A calm and rational approach is necessary and possible. People who are a vital part of Ohio University know how to approach this situation. We teach these fundamentals in the university. Now is the time for this community to put that teaching to practice.-Ray E. Wagner is an associate professor emeritus and writes from Athens.
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