University of Southern California - El Rodeo Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

Page 23 text:

' give, get or get off . ' U5C is a private institution. It has a character all of its own. It is not a state school. It is a private school and it has been built traditionally that way. And I ' d like to tell you what we feel are the criteria for members of our board of trustees: An individual— a man or a woman who has distinguished himself in his own profession or business and one who has wealth or access to wealth ... . Tom Nicols has three commandments for trustees — give, get or get off — I ' m not trying to imply that that is the total role of a trustee but it is kind of important. There are other criteria— a distinguished professional, a scientist, an artist— any person sufficiently known in his field to reflect expertise and credit on the University of Southern California. We are trying to improve our selection process all the time, but that ' s the basis for it. — Trustee Justin Dart 19

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h ' Neutrality is a myth At the risk of becoming too abstract, it would seem to me that in a philosophical sense someone should look seriously at the entire aura of neutrality that has been the history of USC. There is no one person on this campus, student, faculty, or administrator, left or right, who does not recognize that neutrality is a myth, and that USC ' s financial base has always been political conservatism. It is no fluke. It is more appropriately a conscious effort in defense of this city ' s financial elite. That elite which assumed exclusive control over the growth and development of this University. And so, all comment one makes regarding the University is honestly made only when prefaced by an understanding of our conservative nature. It is true, for example, that the Trustees condone what they call constructive dissent as long as it does not level broadside attacks at the foundations of America, since the Trustees are the foundation of America. But what of the issues that do draw into question American principles? What of speculation about a Third World of all oppressed peoples? What of the technological imperative and its demand for a planned economy? Are we to believe that thoughts such as these and others are not valid grounds for discourse and analysis in the University because they are inherently alien to the capitalist, nationalist, elitist orientation of America? Are we to believe that the perimeters of the American university do not encompass those theories not harbored by Americanism? Can the intellectual world afford to allow the intimidation of ideology— any ideology? — ASSC President Sam T. Hurst V