[ Golden Gater Online - December 11, 1997 ]
Michele Thompson
Staff writer
CETI advocates are trying to circle their wagons to safeguard their controversial public/private partnership plan from mounting protests and objections.
An e-mail last week sent to the various CETI representatives on each California State University campus from the chancellor's office requesting names of faculty or staff that support the plan. The deal is a joint partnership between CSU and corporations to provide new technologies. Since it was publicly announced in early October, reaction has been unfavorable and skeptical.
The e-mail was controversial because its author, Patricia Cuocco, who oversees information technology for the chancellor, offered to "ghost-write" letters for faculty and staff if they were willing to transfer it to their own letterhead, sign it and send it off to various publications.
"She's not a PR queen," said David Ernst, the executive director of integrated technology strategy for the chancellor's office. "She was just trying to help."
"What my office was trying to do is assist people," explained Cuocco. "Of course it is always preferable to have faculty and students speak in their own voice."
"It wasn't really ghost-writing, my office would send out a draft for approval," added Cuocco.
"When people attack CETI, we need to respond as quickly as possible. We need to have a letters to editors go out."
Some may not agree with the tactics. "Pro-CETI forces, usually, out of the chancellor's office, are trying to wage and unfair media campaign," said Jeff Baldwin, an information technology staff member at San Jose State University.
Ethics aside, Cuocco did not get one single name from any of the campuses. "The majority of the people are still waiting to see what we come up with before they make any decisions," she said.
"But, I know that there are people out there that support CETI," said Cuocco. "The people that oppose CETI are just more vocal."
"People have right to express themselves," said Cuocco. "I truly believe if people take the time to think about what we are doing and why, they would support it."
Trying to inform people and answer some of the questions surrounding CETI is one of the reasons faculty and CETI supporters are sponsoring open forums and meetings across the state.
"I don't think we are losing support. Right now, a lot of people haven't spoken yet, they haven't decided," said Don Scoble, vice president of business affairs, who is the CETI representative at SF State and a member of the negotiating team.
The California state legislature will hold an informative hearing on Jan. 6 regarding CETI.
[ Golden Gater - December 11, 1997 ]