Student requests more information on private university investments

Dear Editor:

I have been reading with much regret the articles on Kent State’s trend in expanding its private investments. David Creamer states he “hopes” the university will see a growth in its budget, but what if it doesn’t? How many of us know people who lost half or more of their retirement after stock market crashes? What happens when the university loses half, or a quarter, of its budget? Who stays and who goes?

As far as this being a trend, of course it is. As states continue to decrease funding for education and increasingly push public money into private hands, the question is not whether it’s a trend but what is the goal? Why suddenly the push to eliminate successful public programs, such as Social Security and public education, and move public money to wealthy unaccountable investors? When the stock market does crash again, will the super rich, who have benefited from our investing, bail out the universities and the elderly? Or will they simply take their money and run? It seems we take all the risk and the super rich can only benefit.

In case you are unaware of history, if there is a crisis, it will be the taxpayer bailing people out. In other words, working people will bail out the super rich (witness savings and loan scandal, etc.).

Completely missing from this discussion, at least from the Stater coverage, is what sort of investing will the university do? Will they be exploring the socially responsible investments? Or will we be investing our tuition dollars and public moneys in companies like Exxon (oil spills), Shell Oil (implicated in death squads), Coca-Cola (being sued for environmental and human rights abuses), First Energy (blackout, nuclear plants) and the like?

When does the social responsibility committee meet and who can join?

This is a dangerous and irresponsible scheme the university is embarking upon. Long live Kent State; may we never see Kent Inc.

Nathan Solinsky

Senior conflict management major

Oppression, mockery of Native Americans is ignorant, outrageous

Dear Editor:

As I prowl around my apartment, editing and re-editing this letter so that it is fit for publication, I am struck with the realization that I never knew how much I disliked white people until I moved here. Moving from a dry, dusty reservation in New Mexico to a small town in Ohio has been an eye opener as to how ignorant America really is. (Yes, New Mexico is a part of the United States, so don’t ask the New York Times. They couldn’t tell you.)

Limiting freedom of expression is necessary when people get hurt. I know there are many African Americans who would back me up on this one. If this is a barrier to “racial harmony,” well, then what the hell are we prosecuting the KKK for? Racial harmony is a utopian ideal, but that is not to say that we should stop trying to achieve that ideal. To do that, it is necessary to listen to the offendee’s point of view.

For years, we Native Americans have been subtly oppressed. (I say subtly because when OutKast performs at the Grammys in mock Native dress, you hear a 15-second news flash. When they win multiple Grammys, it’s the hottest thing on all media outlets.) Our children have been wrongfully taken, our monuments destroyed to make room for new “developments.” (Since when did the word “development” contain a negative connotation, I wonder?) As if that isn’t bad enough, my people and I must continue to live with the daily mockery of our heritage by overzealous, culturally retarded sports fans. Since when did I become your mascot?

Seeing Chief Wahoo virtually everywhere on campus is a rude reminder that I am regarded as less than a second-class citizen in Northeast Ohio. I understand that the team has been around for years, but my people were here long before, so why am I the one who is made to feel uncomfortable? This is rightfully my land, regardless of government mishandling of Indian trusts and treaties. The blood of my ancestors soaks the very ground we walk on, and it is disheartening to see their memory become nothing more than outrageous lies. That is why I am here, to show people Native Americans do exist and live in this world, too. I may not impart any “noble savage” wisdom or perform a rain dance, but that is my culture and not yours. I just ask that you be respectful. I sit right next to you in class.

Descendant from a long line of chiefs (hi, grandpa!)

Jennifer Sinyella

French translation major