Opinion
 

Letters to the Editor
 

Minority report

To the editor:

I have some observations with regard to the UH System strategic planning meeting Friday and Faculty Senate President Giles Auchmuty's declarations as reported in The Daily Cougar ("University leaders share ideas for future," News, Monday).

The article cites official statistics saying that about 24.8 percent of UH's ranked faculty are ethnic minorities. Really? How do officials arrive at this astronomical figure? Do they count anybody with a Spanish surname or an ethnic in-law?

Auchmuty cites a lack of qualified minorities to take faculty positions, in a very revealing statement with regard to unconscious racism. With regard to minorities, it's always the excuse that not enough "qualified" minorities are available. Does Auchmuty use this qualifier with gringos, as in, "We were not able to find qualified gringos for faculty positions?"

Julian Olivares, 
Spanish professor
 

Letters to the editor are welcome from all members of the UH community and should focus on issues, not personalities. Letters must be typed and must include the author's name, telephone number and affiliation with the University. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, language and space. Letters may be delivered in person to Room 151, Communication; e-mailed to dclettrs@mail.uh.edu ; or faxed to (713) 743-5384.Send comments to dccampus@mail.uh.edu