by Kenneth Todd Ruiz
Editor in Chief
In a public relations blunder for the University of La Verne, the faculty assembly voted Monday to deny a motion that would have conferred an honorary doctorate to Congressman David Dreier, who delivers the graduate school commencement address later this month.
After a spirited debate the assembly did vote to award the doctorate to another commencement speaker, journalist Patt Morrison, but cited several objections over Dreier, including concerns about the timing.
“I think it was short-sighted of the faculty,” said Don Pollock, professor of communications. “Dreier is not only our representative, but arguably the most powerful member of the House of Representatives and the University had a chance to forge an alliance. Other faculty let their politics color their judgment.”
Dreier, a 12-term congressman, is up for re-election in November. Several faculty said they did not want the University making a partisan gesture.
“Sometimes you have to make hard choices,” said Hector Delgado, associate professor of sociology. “From conversations I’ve had, people voted against it because he’s in the middle of a campaign.”
“My major contention is that this is a political year and that it put the University in a very awkward position of seeming to endorse one candidate over another,” said William Cook, professor of English.
Several faculty members, however, voiced support for awarding Dreier the degree, arguing that concerns with the conservative Republican’s politics should be secondary.
University President Stephen Morgan described Dreier as an important ally for ULV. He credited the 51-year-old Republican for helping the University avoid a $6.9 million fine last February for illegal recruiting practices.
“David Dreier has been very responsive to the University of La Verne,” Morgan said. “Dreier and his staff were instrumental in resolving the issue with the Department of Education in a satisfactory manner.”
Before the vote was put to discussion at the faculty assembly, Jay Jones, director of the office of instructional technology, suggested they table the motion and not vote on the issue.
“Congressman Dreier is an important person and someone who could help us fulfill the mission of the University,” Jones said.
“Getting a positive vote was unlikely. To make a proposal like that was not well thought out.”
Delgado agreed that the assembly would have been wise to avoid voting on the matter.
He said the University should revise its guidelines for awarding honorary degrees to exclude actively campaigning politicians. He said faculty were conflicted on this matter and such a policy would give them a guideline to fall back on.
Of the four speakers for this year’s commencement ceremonies, only Dreier and Morrison were nominated for the honorary degree.
The nomination process started in the provost’s office but required faculty approval.
Provost Dick McDowell said they had thought it would be approved.
Several professors voiced strong opposition to wording in a biography for Dreier published by University Relations and included in the nomination for the doctorate. They said they could not support the motion because it would endorse the language of the biography, portions of which were identical in wording to Dreier’s Web site.
“It’s unfortunate the vote came the way it did,” said Al Clark, associate vice president of academic affairs. “Unfortunately the biography that was presented on Rep. Dreier did not focus on the service essentials of the honorary doctorate.”
According to University guidelines, honorary degrees recognize “the record of achievement of selected persons whose standing in society and record of service are meritorious and, at the same time, to bring honor to the University when a recipient accepts the honorary degree offered him/her.”
These guidelines also require that “candidates should be those whose lives and record of service are in keeping with the ideals of the University of La Verne.”
Some faculty said that Dreier did not meet this qualification.
The University faced a partisan predicament 21 years ago when it considered a bid to house the Richard Nixon Institute. After fervid debate the Board of Trustees rejected the offer.
Dreier was unavailable for comment regarding Monday’s decision.
“David Dreier is a consummate professional and has been in politics a long time,” Morgan said. “He is used to people who share and don’t share his opinions. I’m sure he will continue to have a positive working relationship with the University of La Verne.”
