SOU signs agreement with UO
Noah Balloon, 21.03.2009 01:00
Over the past few months, Southern Oregon University's upper management has been in more or less secret talks with the University of Oregon in Eugene for a "merger" of sorts. The language of the agreement is overwhelmingly pro-UO and belittles Southern in ways potentially damaging to the greater Ashland community.
SOU signed a Memo of Understanding with the University of Oregon earlier this week to merge the two schools. Through this agreement, President Cullinan has agreed to essentially rent Southern out to U of O admitted students for them to complete their gen-eds at a lower tuition than that of Eugene's. From there, all the motivated students can transfer to O of U and get their more valued degree.
If you haven't heard this yet, it's because SOU has been keeping it a secret from us! It was only made public when the story was picked up by the Register Guard and the Mail Tribune, and neither article paints SOU in a good light. 
http://uonews.uoregon.edu/archive/news-release/2009/3/sou-and-uo-agree-dual-institution-program http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/news/cityregion/9392717-41/story.csp http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090317/NEWS/903170317
It's time to let SOU's administration know that they're not merging without talking to us, their already enrolled student and community constituency. Below is the e-mail that I sent to President Cullinan and other relevant upper-management types. Feel free to copy and paste chunks that appeal to you. Below that is a list of people that it couldn't hurt to CC.
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To Whom It May Concern:
This message is primarily addressed to President Mary Cullinan. I write to her and the rest of you as SOU’s Residence Hall Association Vice President, an on-campus employee at the Cascade Mailroom, and simply as a student of your fine institution. I have been closely following the intended merger between SOU and the University of Oregon in Eugene, and have become deeply upset over the Memo of Understanding signed this week right under the student body’s proverbial nose.
I feel that it is utterly inconsiderate to not allow the students a proper voice in this deal. While I am sure that this merger was done with the very best financial plan in mind, a number of students that I have spoken to are feeling an overwhelming sense of alienation and distrust over the carrying out of this plan. The average Southern student was left to learn of this decision through articles separately printed in the Register Guard and the Mail Tribune.
I chose SOU deliberately over the U of O and had every intention of graduating at this school under the usual four-year plan. If this venture is put into effect under the timetable described in the Register Guard, I will be entering my senior year at Southern when the first crop of UO-admitted students will be converging in Ashland for their general education requirements. I feel as though my best interests, as far as the value of my degree is concerned, have been thrown to the wayside; I will be among the first batch of graduates from Oregon Community College. Perhaps this language sounds harsh and grandiose, but this is certainly the general atmosphere in the residence halls amongst students who have been fortunate enough to hear about this.
Having also read that President Cullinan has been doing media appearances in Eugene, I feel that it would be an outrage if she were to not meet openly with her current student constituency to discuss our concerns. This is our university as much as it is her university. I would appreciate a direct reply from the President, and am prepared to increase pressure for such forums through my leadership position.
Sincerely,
Noah Jacobs
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To: 
PresidentsOffice@sou.edu
Definitely CC: kleinj@sou.edu, steinlep@sou.edu, EldridgJ@sou.edu
Potentially CC: our elected representatives
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Quickly, before I leave you, one thing that is concerning me which I didn't include in my e-mail to the president was summed up rather eloquently by a friend, colleague, and confidante earlier today (one who also happens to be a member of the Associated Students of Southern Oregon University, or Student Senate). "These kids need to buy in to being a Raider. They can't expect to come to Ashland with all their Ducks paraphernalia and not be a true part of this community."
It is necessary that SOU detail their strategies for this merger and how to keep student enrollment steady to graduation. Furthermore, SOU must be prepared for student and faculty involvement immediately. Frameworks need to be set up as soon as possible to spend the next year and a half preparing for this potentially drastic change to the climate of Ashland.
Please, join me in addressing the president any way you see fit.
In solidarity,
Noah Balloon
e-mail:: noahballoon@riseup.net
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