Editorials

Campus Issues
Picket Your Battles

So it seems Assemblyman Fabian Nunez has initiated a new UC Berkeley tradition: Invited speakers don't actually talk at the convocation. Actor Danny Glover, originally slated to be this year's commencement speaker, has declined to speak due to the university's conflict with its custodians over wages. As far as school traditions go, this is a pretty lousy one, and we're hoping it'll die out soon.

Glover and Nunez boycotted the ceremonies because they refuse to cross the picket lines held on graduation day. Members of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union demonstrate on campus during this time in order to gain more attention to their campaign. The workers, who are fighting for higher, more competitive salaries, hope the publicity gives them more leverage in the ongoing labor negotiations.

The custodians, who are paid unfair wages, no doubt are entitled to their demonstrations, whatever day that may be. Protesting during graduation, a time when families and friends convene on campus to celebrate a student's achievements, is a very visible strategy. More people aware of the situation translates to more support.

However, the union should also consider that while their cause is real and indisputably worth fighting for, graduation is one of the most treasured moments in a college student's career. By essentially holding the commencement hostage, the workers are alienating an influential and powerful constituency.

And although this may be an effective way to get attention, it's not the most effective way to gain the sympathy of students and their families. Instead, it alienates families and students who have become peeved that, once again, they're lacking a speaker while their peers at other universities are listening to Bill Gates or Bill Clinton.

So to the workers, come graduation day, picket to your heart's content. But just remember that the victory of dissuading one guest speaker is not the outcome you're looking for.

ASUC Affairs
A Gesture Too Late

One must wonder if BP-Amoco PLC really expected all this commotion to happen. It probably presumed to be perceived as the white knight galloping in to rescue the damsel from toxic greenhouse gases. Instead, BP's name on campus has now been quite synonymous with the big bad company coming to ruin the university with its corporate values.

The newest addition in the not-so-welcoming-BP campaign is the recent bill passed by the ASUC. The bill asks that the deal “receive a thorough and ongoing external review” by experts before any agreement is made between the university and BP. The bill, which also calls for complete transparency, contains some valid points that the university would do well to consider. However its legitimacy is hurt by one major factor—its timing.

Why now? Officials revealed the BP contract at the beginning of the semester, yet the ASUC has waited an embarrassingly long time to respond. Although such a significant issue deserves careful deliberation, it has been three months since the announcement. This was one of the biggest issues to hit the campus in the past year, and the ASUC dawdled on generating any real response. The Office of Academic Affairs was the perfect venue through which the ASUC could have delivered a strong statement. Instead, a core of student groups like Stop BP-Berkeley led the charge against the contract. While such groups should be commended for their quick reaction and activism, the ASUC should recognize their sluggishness has hurt its role in campus representation.

The ASUC is not only supposed to represent the student population, but also to serve a leadership role, to demonstrate the authority and sway students allegedly possess. The delay demonstrates that the student government has been disengaged with campus issues, and in addition has rendered the bill as an attempt to jump on the bandwagon.

At at university like UC Berkeley, there will always be scenarios like the BP deal. Hopefully next year’s ASUC will drop this habit of untimeliness.

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