Issue date: 8/25/08 Section: Opinion

At a time when SUU welcomes a new group of aspiring scholars and the university faces an apparently unprecedented $3 million lawsuit from a former student for discriminatory practices, it's important we remember the human element of our university.

The buildings of our campus are the physical manifestation of our university, but the life and soul of the institution will always be the students, faculty and staff and administrators.

Caring for the human side of SUU requires the common courtesy and understanding all too uncommon in today's bureaucratic and litigious society.

Without passing judgment on the current lawsuit brought by David Brown, a Vietnam veteran who attended SUU in 2005 and 2006, it is clear that some university administrators failed to afford Brown basic understanding and sensitivity.

Although Brown may or may not have informed the people officially required to assist him, those he did inform failed to take any action or ensure that action would be taken, resulting in the current expensive and counter-productive litigation.

Whether or not SUU was "intentional, malicious, willful, wanton and in gross and reckless disregard" of Brown's disability, as alleged in the lawsuit, will be decided by a court, but the kind of carelessness that allowed his needs to go unnoticed can cause problems for anybody.

As members of minorities and majorities, those with official disabilities and those without, students and teachers, administrators and janitors; we all run the risk of being discriminated against and, conversely, we all bear responsibility for giving everyone the respect they deserve.

In the wake of the original investigation by the U.S. Department of Education, SUU has revised several policies.

Although the policy changes were needed, no procedural modifications can take the place of the modifications in attitudes and understanding necessary to continue making SUU a place of greater inclusion and diversity.

The University Journal welcomes both new and returning members of the SUU community and affirms its commitment to furthering the cause of learning and the expression of new, different and diverse ideas.

Using our time here in southern Utah to develop ourselves personally will help our university develop institutionally.

Learning is key to the process of opening our minds and a university is built for learning.

With the sensitivity and understanding that higher education should bring, we can work together to bring more concern for the people this institution exists to serve.

The opinions expressed above are the collective perspective of the University Journal Editorial Board. The editorial board meets every Monday at 2 p.m. and Thursday at 3 p.m. in room 176C of the Sharwan Smith Center.

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