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1/20/2015 The Argonaut – Needless drama surrounds FFF http://www.uiargonaut.com/2014/04/29/needless-drama-surrounds-fff/ 1/4 Submitted by Editorial Board on 04.29.2014 – 2:49 pm Home » Opinion , Our View Needless drama surrounds FFF The University of Idaho released a list of proposed academic changes Wednesday, which included eliminating five undergraduate programs and consolidating all music programs into one degree. The announcement signaled the near-end of a university-wide program prioritization process mandated by the Idaho State Board of Education, titled Focus For the Future by Interim Provost Katherine Aiken. A re-evaluation of UI programs is a healthy process that many universities go through to make sure they are operating efficiently. To comply with SBOE’s mandate, UI must find places to save money, which will likely result in the elimination and consolidation of some programs. In classic University of Idaho communication style, this announcement blindsided faculty and staff on campus, after they were assured by Aiken last October that the Focus For the Future evaluation would likely not result in the elimination of academic programs. Instead of making this an open campus-wide dialogue regarding changes our university could and should make, the administration continues to make processes such as this one and package them in ways that cause panic and disruption. Did the university learn anything from the “Classification and Compensation” fiasco in the fall? Or does it enjoy such episodes? It seems like unnecessary drama that could be easily avoided by simple clear communication. In fairness to the university, Aiken has said she is unclear about the state board’s expectations for the process. That alone could be causing the gap in information. Whatever the reason, overall communication about this entire process has been vague and unclear, with many people confused about where this program prioritization is heading. Whenever large-scale procedures like this take place, UI administration ends up focusing their efforts on allaying fears of the campus community, instead of having open discussion and communication from the get-go. Was the idea to avoid anger in the fall and delay it until spring?The memo released stated there would be a two-week period for feedback for all concerned parties. The input will then be considered by the Provost Council and other groups prior to making recommendations to President Chuck Staben. The memo scheduled meetings for specific departments and colleges at UI. Aiken stated at last week’s Faculty Senate meeting her desire to receive input on these proposed changes and take them into consideration in the final proposal she will submit to Staben. However, the intent of these meetings was not clearly stated on the memo and some of the meetings were scheduled on the same day the memo was released or the day immediately following. It is unrealistic to expect departments to coordinate and attend a meeting the same day or one day after it is announced, let alone gather enough information to comment on the proposals. Home News Sports Opinion Rawr Radio Blogs Advertising Contact Student Media Legislature Search... News Sports Opinion Rawr Multimedia

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Page 1: Ryan Tarinelli Editorial Submissions

1/20/2015 The Argonaut – Needless drama surrounds FFF

http://www.uiargonaut.com/2014/04/29/needless-drama-surrounds-fff/ 1/4

Submitted by Editorial Board on 04.29.2014 – 2:49 pm

Home » Opinion, Our View

Needless drama surrounds FFFThe University of Idaho released a list of proposed academic changes Wednesday, which

included eliminating five undergraduate programs and consolidating all music programs into one degree. The announcement signaled the near-end ofa university-wide program prioritization process mandated by the Idaho State Board of Education, titled Focus For the Future by Interim ProvostKatherine Aiken.

A re-evaluation of UI programs is a healthy process that many universities go through to make sure they are operating efficiently. To comply withSBOE’s mandate, UI must find places to save money, which will likely result in the elimination and consolidation of some programs.

In classic University of Idaho communication style, this announcement blindsided faculty and staff on campus, after they were assured by Aiken lastOctober that the Focus For the Future evaluation would likely not result in the elimination of academic programs.

Instead of making this an open campus-wide dialogue regarding changes our university could and should make, the administration continues to makeprocesses such as this one and package them in ways that cause panic and disruption.

Did the university learn anything from the “Classification and Compensation” fiasco in the fall? Or does it enjoy such episodes? It seems likeunnecessary drama that could be easily avoided by simple clear communication.

In fairness to the university, Aiken has said she is unclear about the state board’s expectations for the process. That alone could be causing the gap ininformation.

Whatever the reason, overall communication about this entire process has been vague and unclear, with many people confused about where thisprogram prioritization is heading. Whenever large-scale procedures like this take place, UI administration ends up focusing their efforts on allayingfears of the campus community, instead of having open discussion and communication from the get-go.

Was the idea to avoid anger in the fall and delay it until spring?The memo released stated there would be a two-week period for feedback for allconcerned parties. The input will then be considered by the Provost Council and other groups prior to making recommendations to President ChuckStaben.

The memo scheduled meetings for specific departments and colleges at UI. Aiken stated at last week’s Faculty Senate meeting her desire to receiveinput on these proposed changes and take them into consideration in the final proposal she will submit to Staben.

However, the intent of these meetings was not clearly stated on the memo and some of the meetings were scheduled on the same day the memo wasreleased or the day immediately following. It is unrealistic to expect departments to coordinate and attend a meeting the same day or one day after it isannounced, let alone gather enough information to comment on the proposals.

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1/20/2015 The Argonaut – Needless drama surrounds FFF

http://www.uiargonaut.com/2014/04/29/needless-drama-surrounds-fff/ 2/4

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If UI administrators expect a well informed, organized process, they need to stop taking the university by surprise. Bottom line, this is not the

communication faculty and staff at UI deserve.

—RT

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1/20/2015 The Argonaut – Staben’s feminist side

http://www.uiargonaut.com/2014/10/30/stabens-feminist-side/ 1/4

Submitted by Editorial Board on 10.30.2014 – 10:11 pm

Home » Opinion, Our View

Staben’s feminist side

Staben’s support for women’s rights sets good standard for UI

In a red state like Idaho, University of Idaho President Chuck Staben’s recent public endorsement of feminism is both refreshing and welcomed.

Donning a black T-shirt with pink lettering that read, “This is what a feminist looks like,” Staben spoke at a Women’s Studies class before attending astaff event.

As a state leader, it is a political and social statement, one that should be noticed by many on campus and throughout the state.

Public support like Staben displayed is unusual for university presidents and is just the message both UI and the state need to move forward inreducing the gender gap and promoting equality among the sexes.

Staben was given the shirt after he addressed issues of sexual assault in his weekly Friday Letter Sept. 12.

“This is a topic of particular importance to me,” Staben wrote. “Last year, I was challenged and inspired by educator Jackson Katz’ TED Talk, whichframes violence against women, children and other men as a men’s issue — something all men must address, but particularly those in leadershippositions. Katz specifically called out university presidents as people who can set priorities at their institutions and educate the young people theyinfluence.”

Staben’s outward expression and support for feminism is rare in people of his professional standing — particularly males. To do so is to riskalienating a portion of the population that is vocally opposed to the feminist movement. But Staben did it without a second thought.

The average female worker in Idaho makes 75.2 cents to every dollar earned by their male counterparts, according to a 2013 study by the NationalWomen’s Law Center.

Women also make up a mere 26.7 percent of the Idaho Legislature.

UI has its own problems with closing its gender gap. Women are underrepresented in STEM fields, there is a wage gap among employees and thereare few female officials in the upper ranks of UI administration.

Although Staben’s outward support is welcomed, his real support will be shown through his actions. Using the power of his office, it will be up tohim to step up when the opportunity to close the gender gap presents itself.

Hopefully, his support will be a sign to others on campus to move forward on this issue and remove much of the stigma that has come to be

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associated with the word.

Many were surprised by Staben’s outward support of feminism, but it’s clear he doesn’t view it as anything out of the ordinary — a sign his position

on the issue is authentic, rather than a public relations move or an effort to please. The real Chuck Staben is a feminist and the University of Idaho

president. In an era where feminists are categorized as bitter man-haters, it’s refreshing to see a prominent white male express his support for the

movement.

“‘Of course I’m a feminist,’ and that sums up my own attitude about it,” Staben said. “Of course you should respect women and women’s rights —

it’s just a given, and it seems to me that more people should be saying, ‘Of course I’m a feminist, aren’t you?’”

—RT

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Tags: feminism, UI President Chuck Staben

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1/20/2015 The Argonaut – Can’t get it done — Lack of attendance at all-faculty meeting postpones important student code of conduct revision

http://www.uiargonaut.com/2013/12/12/cant-get-it-done-lack-of-attendance-at-all-faculty-meeting-postpones-important-student-code-of-conduct-revision/ 1/4

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Submitted by Editorial Board on 12.12.2013 – 10:00 pm

Home » Opinion, Our View

Can’t get it done — Lack of attendance at all-faculty meeting postpones important studentcode of conduct revision

At the December all-faculty meeting, a quorum of 101 was needed to approve anamendment to the student code of conduct that would expand the code to include off-campus activities.

Despite widespread faculty support and approval from UI students, not enough faculty were present to approve the changes.

Expanding the student code of conduct is a necessary step in ensuring the safety of students and is a key process in updating the code.

The fact that only 80 faculty members out of the 808 eligible to vote on expanding the student code cared enough to show up to approve the changesis shameful.

Considering faculty on satellite campuses could be teleconferenced into the meeting, the senate should have had no problems reaching the requirednumber of faculty members needed to pass the measure. Not to mention the change has been widely publicized, and faculty senate and studentleaders have been working on expanding the code for almost a year.

However, faculty cannot take all of the blame for this debacle. UI administrators with interest in the student code of conduct could have gone togreater lengths to inform faculty of the impending vote. Especially considering the winter all-faculty meeting traditionally doesn’t have a quorum andconsistently has lower attendance.

The effects of not passing this measure are not severe, but will cause an already difficult and laborious process to be extended.

One of the next opportunities to approve the amendment will be at the next all-faculty meeting at the end of next semester.

The other opportunity to approve the amendment involves Interim President Don Burnett, who can issue an emergency decision to implement theexpansion of the present student code to off-campus activities for 180 days until the April meeting.

Burnett should take the opportunity to approve the changes and give UI administrators the power they need to intervene when necessary and keepstudents safe.

—RT

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Page 10: Ryan Tarinelli Editorial Submissions

1/20/2015 The Argonaut – Can’t get it done — Lack of attendance at all-faculty meeting postpones important student code of conduct revision

http://www.uiargonaut.com/2013/12/12/cant-get-it-done-lack-of-attendance-at-all-faculty-meeting-postpones-important-student-code-of-conduct-revision/ 2/4

Tags: administrators, all-faculty meeting, code of conduct, Don Burnett

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Twice the independence—Kibbie Dome clash a battle of the conference-lessThe doctor is in — Moscow doctor becomes Palouse’s only board-certified obesity physicianInadequate increaseVandals outshoot AggiesNo kick Far(quhar) enough for Idaho senior

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