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Letters to the Editor

No need for insensitivity

To the editor,

Rarely do I respond to Wildcat articles, letters or commentaries with which I disagree. I'm not likely to react to stories that reflect negatively on me or my presidency. I must object, however, to the gross insensitivity of the "Masters in Mopping" commentary by Nick Zeckets, which strikes at the personal dignity of every classified staff employee of this university, who work so hard at keeping this university going and deserve our respect as valued members of our community.

I do understand the decision of the editors to oppose what might be interpreted as a right to sabbaticals for classified staff members; even faculty do not have automatic sabbatical entitlements. This position could however have been adopted without ridicule and abuse. I do believe an apology to our classified staff would be much appreciated by all.

Peter Likins

UA President

Forum misunderstood

To the editor,

On behalf of the Women's Studies Department and as one of the developers of the Sabbaticals for Staff Forum, I would like to address Nick Zecket's article. Nick might have attended the forum, but he clearly didn't learn anything. If he had, he would have understood the value of a forum. In the dictionary "forum" means "a public meeting or lecture involving audience discussion, the definition of "staff" states "the officers chiefly responsible for the internal operations of an institution or business.", and for the word "sabbatical" implies "a break or change from a normal routine (as of employment.)"

There is no mention anywhere in my dictionary about faculty only having this privilege. In fact, other universities and corporations have instituted sabbatical programs for staff realizing that professional development is important for keeping a creative and satisfied workforce.

I think Nick needs to review our web page, http://w3.arizona.edu/~ws/newweb/sabbaticals.html for more accurate information to our approach on this endeavor. In the meantime, hats off to all staff on tri-universities campuses. We know we are the best and deserve the same.

Pat Hnilo

Program Coordinator, Women's Studies and

Recipient of the UA Staff Award for Excellence

Column poorly timed

To the editor,

Just a quick note to say I am appalled by your timing on the opinion piece "Masters in Mopping". You are entitled to your opinion, but to run that story during Staff Appreciation Week and Secretaries Day was the epitome of insensitivity. I tryed to email Nick at the address listed on the on-line version of the Wildcat. It seems the address is no longer valid. I'm hoping that means he was so buried in email you had to shut down his account. I will give you the benefit of the doubt your true feelings for staff because...after all the Wildcat is a student run newspaper. Learn from this! Timing is everything.

Brian K Grove

Media Specialist, Senior

Marshall foundation overrated

To the editor,

In response to coverage of ongoing construction in the University area included in the recent insert from the Dean of Students Office: Call me old-fashioned, but I for one don't view the squeezing out of small locally owned businesses by multi-story commercial buildings housing national chains as any great blessing. I recall articles in past issues of the Wildcat reporting the laments of businesses facing an uncooperative and high-rent charging Marshall Foundation. In the same vein, is Parking and Transportation doing the majority of parking permit holders (i.e. Zone 1 permit holders) any big favor (especially those who frequent the west side of the campus) by building a huge pay garage on Tyndall Avenue on the site of what was previously a large Zone 1 lot? This would only make sense if this garage was made a Zone 1 non-pay garage to help meet the shortage of Zone 1 spots that already exists. Will the construction of multi-story buildings all around the perimeter of the UA improve the environment of the UA area and better fill the real needs of the UA students and staff,or only help transform the area into one indistinguishable from those characterless corporate enclaves surrounding universities in larger cities while giving national chains better access to UA students' cash.

Steve Wind

Anthropology graduate student

Article disrespectful

To the editor,

As the President of the Staff Advisory Council, representing approximately 6,000 classified staff, I was taken aback by the timing of the April 26 editorial entitled "Master's in mopping". While I don't want to add credibility to Nick Zeckets' narrow view of staff, I support his decision to share an opinion.

Out of a clear lack of respect for all staff, the editors decided to publish this editorial on a day where staff efforts are normally appreciated more than ever by the rest of the campus - Administrative Professionals Day.

The Wildcat is noted as a "student" newspaper; not supportive of staff issues and this astigma is clearly evidenced by the constant lack of input about staff issues from staff. How unfortunate in this day and age where everyone, except the Arizona Wildcat, are trying to "re-build" our campus community by supporting each other. Obviously, more than one person participated in the decision to write and run this editorial. Further, I do not appreciate your cartoon exhibiting a shameless disrespect for our Facilities Management staff who work very hard, day after day, cleaning up after the rest of this campus.

Believe me, the staff on this campus know how to appreciate each other and take

offense at your attempt to make janitors look like big, dirty slugs with no clue.

Most of us believe that every job on our campus has dignity and should be appreciated by everyone, you should too!

In closing, I have to comment on Nick's outright prejudice toward staff, as if they were a class of untouchables who are her to perform the dirty work at the University and be kept in their place. It would be my hope that Nick would not be allowed to slip into a defense of "I was only trying to oppose the idea of Staff Sabbaticals, not degrade our staff". He clearly had a vision and shared it openly, much to my dismay. His editorial was insulting, and

totally missed the subject at the same time. He apparently needs more education before he can become an effective Administrative Professional.

Jack Roberts, Administrative Associate

Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture

President, Staff Advisory Council

Missionaries misunderstood

To the editor,

I hesitate even writing this because it may stimulate a discussion in the newspaper about religious doctrine in general - which is not my intent to do. I only want to say how disappointed I am in your cartoonist Cody Angell's recent strip. It's bad enough that this strip specifically and most of your other strips in general are seldom humorous, but when they portray the beliefs and practices of others in a blatantly inaccurate and negative way, it shows the ignorance of the artist, and belittles a segment of society that doesn't deserve such a depiction.

Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) do not jump out from bushes and corner people, nor do they ever tell anyone they're going to hell, nor is their objective to convince everyone to become like them. As a life-long member of the LDS Church, and a former missionary myself, I have more than a little knowledge of this subject. It saddens me that we still have people in society and certain cartoonists that feel like they have to portray falsehoods, and put good people down in order to get a laugh (or at least try, unsuccessfully, to get a laugh - in this case).

Jeffrey J. West

Financial Services Office

Column demeaning

To the editor,

There is no excuse for writing about valued employees at this University in such a condescending and demeaning way. If all staff stayed home for one day-or even three hours-the University would come to a total standstill.Your views, fortunately, don't reflect the values of the University, from the President on down. I find it disturbing that a student could feel superior to those who are the backbone of the University.

Myra Dinnerstein

Chair, Commission on the Status of Women

No merit to column

To the editor,

Apparently Mr. Zecket is unaware of the tremendous contributions that staff at every level make to make this a great university, a lot of staff at lower-paygrade positions are the "working poor"-professional and personal development is key to their advancement, educational benefits for staff are not as flexible as they seem, and many staff do use vacation time to complete courses while caring for family.

His liberty in writing style is granted, but his "tongue-n-cheek" direction at Classified Staff as well as workers abroad is insensitive and without merit.

It would benefit Mr. Zecket, as a productive member of the UA community to enlighten himself on Staff inequities and therefore clear up misperceptions he obviously holds.

There are many UA Staff, Students and Faculty working together to expel views demeaning to human beings. It would be great if he could work with individuals, especially those at lower paygrades and use the "power of the pen" to highlight Staff inequities instead of slandering hard working UA employees who take pride in their work.

IF an Integrity Code does not exist for the Staff at the Wildcat-one should be put in place.

It is refreshing to know that the Wildcat is an academic job and offers valid seminars and conferences-Mr. Editor, please consider sending Mr. Zecket to an appropriate one-soon.

Angie R. Toledo

Administrative Assistant

President

Business & Professional Women - UA