Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Voices of Protest from CCSN have a familiar ring

Mike O'Callaghan is executive editor of the Las Vegas Sun and publisher of the Henderson Home News, where this column first appeared.

I would be surprised if at least a small group of Community College of Southern Nevada professors didn't object to gubernatorial candidate Kenny Guinn addressing the school's commencement exercises. Objecting to any hint of political infringement into their world of academia comes with the territory. This doesn't mean that their objections have to be based on firm ground nor do they have to be taken seriously enough to seek another speaker.

In the real world there are no greater users of political muscle than the teachers in our schools and colleges. They are bright and articulate individuals and as a group they make some politicians tremble when speaking. Because of the political activity of teachers and professors, great educational strides have been made in state legislatures and Congress . A politically silent faculty could easily be ignored by legislators cutting up the budget dollars paid by you and me.

If you don't believe professors have plenty of political and social clout then you don't read newspapers or watch television talk shows. Modern day reporters wanting to stress a point go to a local or nationally prominent educator to get their views. How often have you heard a debate summarized with the opinion of a professor? You can recognize the game when a television news anchor tells you that Assemblyman Joe Clutch said this, but UNLV professor John Q. Expert challenged his remarks.

Don't underestimate the value of the people teaching and doing research. During my time as governor, I used the knowledge and skills of professors from both UNR and UNLV. Professor Tom White of UNLV took a leave of absence to serve as a valuable state department director for more than a year. Every governor in recent history has used the knowledge and strengths of the academic world on boards, commissions and as advisors.

Recently some CCSN professors complained that having a political candidate as a commencement speaker is somehow violating the purity of the campus. One was quoted as saying that "colleges and universities are supposed to be objective places." Allow me to comment that classroom and campus exchanges more often are good learning experiences because there is an exchange of very definite different opinions and views.

Then there was the objection that colleges and universities aren't supposed to be used by politicians for political or personal gain. I wonder just how many votes that Guinn will gain because of a commencement address at CCSN. If the amount he gains makes the difference between winning or losing, then he's in serious trouble early in the campaign. He's addressing people who are trained to think for themselves. They aren't robots nor are they children.

Freedom of speech is a most valuable asset on any campus. This is why it's healthy for professors to express their opinions about the choice of commencement speakers. What bothers me is that I've yet to have one of them allow reporters to use their names when objecting. Complainers remaining anonymous does bother me because they should feel free and courageous enough to put their names on their complaints. That's what higher education should reflect at all times and professors must be the lights who shine through the darkness of ignorance. Their voices of reason and willingness to disagree should set the tone on any campus.

Now for the subject of disagreement. Should Dr. Kenny Guinn be allowed to address the CCSN 1998 commencement? Yes, not only should he be allowed to address the graduation, he is a most appropriate choice for the task. Few, if any people, in or out of the political arena, have the educational and career credentials that Guinn possesses. He not only worked successfully to earn his doctorate, he dedicated many years of his life as an educator and political advocate for our public schools and UNLV.

The professors at CCSN hadn't better tell the speaker that politics and education don't mix. I remember the long weeks, days and hours he spent wringing money out of the Legislature for Clark County schools. He dealt with the money committees honestly and was a believable voice when presenting his budget. He showed the same dedication to higher education when, for a dollar, he straightened out a messy UNLV while the regents searched for a president.

You can safely bet your horse and dog that Guinn won't be talking about partisan politics when addressing the graduates. He is too wise and sophisticated to make that mistake. Because of his successes as an educator and businessman, he has plenty of other important messages for new college graduates.

When all is said and done and the successful candidates in the primary election for governor have been selected, they should all be invited to the campus to debate political issues during the general election campaign. Debates between candidates for major political offices should be considered valuable contributions to the educational process in any higher education setting. The professors should also join in on the questioning of candidates. This is when our U.S. system of party politics should shine and the final selection process should take place.

In the meantime, some professors have made their feelings known about the selection of Guinn as a speaker. This is healthy and would be even more refreshing if they had put their names on the complaints. No professor should worry about politics staining the college because it comes with being an American. Also, good politics has helped CCSN become the strong institution it is today.

Few professions have the political muscle carried by teachers and professors. As a product of public and private institutions, I'm happy that they are willing to use their muscle so my grandchildren will also receive the benefit of their teaching skills and dedication.

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