FERD WULKAN
NOT
FERD WILKIN
Carolyn Arnold
5/3/07
[Correction made. Thanks, Carolyn. ed.]
An addendum, for the sake of correction:
I just rechecked and there are actually two other visiting speakers who
chose
not to supply text of their speeches: Onawumi Jean Moss in 2006, who also
spoke
extemperaneously, and Amy Goodman of Democracy, Now! in 2004 (who was,
I
believe, at that time in the midst of book preparation).
Elaine
5/3/07
Sophia, I am responding as the individual who posts commencement
speeches to the college web site, with just a few facts to clarify how those
are posted and why Mr. Moore's speech is not present.
As a public information officer I request a written copy of each commencement
speech (if possible in advance, so that reporters covering the event can
have
access to a written copy to follow along and transcribe comments and changes
into, to assist them in doing the best job possible of recording comments).
As
soon as possible after the speech is delivered (we try to do it immediately),
that text goes onto the college web site so the speech is available to
the
media and to anyone connected with the college who would like to read it
if
they couldn't attend or re-read words they heard delivered and were struck
by.
I have requested that the commencement planners obtain a copy of every
visiting
speaker's speech since my arrival at the college in January 1999, viewing
the
posting of those for the public as a good way to make that information
quickly
available. However, in 1999, although requesting a copy of his speech,
we were
unable to obtain text from Mr. Moore because he chose not to provide it,
explaining to those planning commencement that he would speak extemperaneously
and have no written text.
I am unaware of any posted commencement speeches on the college web site
prior
to 2000, when both the invited speaker and the student speaker provided
us with
their text to make available to the media and the community, as has been
the
case each year since. In particular, I am not aware of the speech from
1998
being posted on our web site, although your article states that it is and
I
certainly recognize that it may be available on some other section of the
site.
Elaine Thomas
5/3/07
Interesting.
I have been a manager in a union and a non-union shop. I have also been a worker-bee in a union and a non-union shop. My basic philosophy is that if management uses their brains, there is no need for a union. Unions are bad because it leads to an adversarialy relationship BUT often they are necessary because management sometimes does not use their brains. A good manager, in any environment, gives the worker-bees the tools they need to do the job. This might mean a screwdriver or a computer or a decent wage.
Before Ben and Jerry sold out, they limited the highest paid employee to a salary ten times that of the lowest paid employee. The top people had an unlimited salary as long as they took those on the bottom with them. They sold out and that limit is gone. What makes the smart people at the top more valuable than a decent worker who can change a lock or clean a floor? OK, maybe a little more valuable, but there has to be a realistic limit.
What is interesting also is the apparent censorship of Mr. Moore.
I hope there is no need for a union and I hope management can do what it takes to keep the worker-bees reasonably happy. I also hope for coconut frosting on my birthday cake, maybe that one will come true.
Good piece of writing.
JA
4/29/07
Read the story, "A Perfect Union."