To The Editor:

Few who answer the MP's call for papers/comments about the Office of Higher Education and the Board of regents will have had my experience. In June 1995 I filed a lawsuit against the Montana System of Higher Education regarding both malfeasance in the hiring practices at MSU-Northern that terminated my employment and the improper (and possibly unconstitutional) practices used against me during the ensuing hearing/appeal process.

My case is one of the most unusual to be filed against the system, for it deals not with the standard issue of wrongful discharge, but with the corrupt (and apparently acceptable to the Regents) methods employed to prevent fairness in hiring and in the established grievance procedures.

I'm writing here not to air my various complaints. I'll be happy to share my experiences, my hundreds of hours of research and my findings with anyone. Write to me at RR1, Box 611, Big Sandy MT 59520.

Given Governor Racicot's popularity and his position against the current regent system, the Office of Higher Education as we know it stands a good chance of being defeated in the polls. Unfortunately the Racicot plan for replacement may not be so satisfactory either.

A committee equally representing all units of university system (faculty, staff, students) must be formed immediately to meet with the governor and his representatives for educational planning. Such a committee's input is vital to the future governance of the system. Among the issues to be addressed:

How will academic freedom be protected from the agendas of politicians and special interest groups?

How will hiring and other disputes be addressed and resolved with fairness to all sides?

What direction will our state university system take in the future: into the Baker/Regent vision of a "virtual university" or is there a better way?

Holding a debate in this journal will be interesting and valuable, but unless the faculty, staff and students take their findings/fears/recommendations to the public, the debate will have little meaning and even less impact. Unfortunately, we learn from examining past behavior, that however disenchanted the academic community may have been with the Office of Higher Education and the Regents, damned little was ever done to educate the general public about the problems and issues.

The entire Montana academic community has this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in the direction taken by our university system. Unfortunately, even if the Regents are eliminated they won't be replaced for several years. During that time the mafia at 2500 Broadway can do a lot of damage.

It's time for us to abandon ivory tower elitism and bring the discussion, the options, the possibilities for change to both the public and the office of the governor. To do any less is to court continuing disaster.

Doug Giebel
Big Sandy