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Debate over Benson should have focused on his vision for CU

This Web only Speakout has not been edited.

Dan Omasta

Published February 27, 2008 at midnight

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With Raul Castro becoming the new leader of Cuba; with Senator Obama catching up to Senator Clinton in the polls in Ohio and Texas; and with the expected “powder days” for the ski resorts this weekend, the CU Regents’ decision to elect Bruce Benson as President of the University has become lost in the noise. However, his decisions as a leader will impact the education system for years to come.

The choice to elect Benson as the president was no doubt a controversial one – a vote that ended in a split down party lines. In the heated debate, opponents challenged his education credentials, his polarizing politics, and his absence of support for the science behind global warming. Proponents of his candidacy responded tactfully, citing his successful fundraising skills as a reason for electability. However, where was the idealistic argument?

The University of Colorado has a plentiful number of opportunities, both scholastic and other, to lead the nation and become one of the top schools in the country. We have the resources to create a sustainability program to be implemented at a national and even global level; we have the faculty and staff to provide students the best education in the country; and we have most of the leaders necessary to do so. I would first like to commend Chancellor Bud Peterson and other Administration officials for their forward-thinking and guidance in the fields of sustainability, diversity, and education – their efforts are necessary to the success of our University.

At the same time, I would like to ask the Regents and Presidential Search Committee: why Bruce Benson? The University of Colorado has placed itself in a position to lead the country in areas of climate research, sustainability development, and faculty accomplishments. At the same time, the system is opportunely poised to solve some of the major concerns of the state, local, and campus communities such as a lack of diversity, a compressed higher education funding system, and negative press related to student death rates, alcohol consumption, and faculty plagiarism. So why, when the University is ready to move forward and stake a claim in the national spotlight, do we elect a candidate who barely meets the qualifications of president?

What few seem to realize, is that the presidential debate should have focused less on criticisms about the candidate’s lack of credentials and more on his or her vision of the future of the University. As a student at the University of Colorado, I regret the decision of the Regents and the Presidential Search Committee to elect Bruce Benson not because he was a former oil man, not because he was such a politically polarizing figure, and not even because he lacked a substantial degree – I opposed Bruce Benson because he is not the right leader for CU. We had an opportunity to elect a head of authority that would propel this University into the top ring of academia and promote more diversity among the campuses, but instead, we chose a man who had to defend his controversial history in place of setting progressive goals for the education community.

I mean absolutely no disrespect to Bruce Benson or his supporters; my attitude is that he is not the right leader for this University. His fundraising skills are exceptional and I am sure that he will help immensely to secure private funding for CU and its projects. However, it is hard to believe that a committee dedicated to finding the best leader for the University had to settle for a controversial fundraiser when it could have elected someone who could both raise revenue and promote a productive and progressive vision for CU and its students.

With that being said, Mr. Bruce Benson, I would like to offer my congratulations on your election as the 22nd President of the University of Colorado. At the same time, my support – and the support of the community – rests on a few requirements: First, we would like you to formalize a visionary goal of where you see the University in five and ten years, including diversity, funding, tenure, and sustainability; second, we would like your devout promise that you will not in any way alter the green efforts on campus, student autonomy, or the educational curriculum; and third, we would like to work with you on all levels to promote the continued success of our University. Mr. Benson, you have encountered much resistance on all three campuses from students, faculty, and staff – but at the same time, we support your idea of working together to solve some the most important issues this school has faced in a long time.

So here is your opportunity, Mr. Benson, to show the nation that the critics were wrong. Exercise exceptional leadership and drive this University to the zenith if it’s potential. Remove the bureaucratic chains on higher education funding and raise Colorado’s national rank from 48th to the top twenty in a bipartisan way. And equally as important, work closely with the Administration, faculty, staff, and student body to promote a diverse and green future for the University of Colorado.

Dan Omasta is a student at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Comments

  • February 28, 2008

    3:16 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    binaryman3 writes:

    Perhaps if the faculty and students would do the fundraising for CU then they could elect whoever they wanted for president?