There is nothing wrong with what Governor Christie has done; he has put forward a proposal that requires and attracts strong community input (see this link among others: Proposal to Merge Rutgers-Camden and Rowan - Voicing Your Opinion). Again, it is a proposal, not a decree issued by arrogant executive fiat.
No American politician worth his or her salt would venture where lawyers dare not thread. Let me observe that democracy is a very expensive process on many levels, one being the requirement to factor citizens' feelings into major decision-making processes. No American politician that I know of is powerful or foolish enough to wake up and change the name of an institution just like that. It would be extremely unusual.
One of my professional assignments is managing the naming and renaming process for new and exisiting school facilities (we have about 200 facilities). There is a Board policy on naming and renaming of school facilities that was itself adopted after a lengthy community involvement and engagement process. Then there is the school superintendent's regulation that prescribes exactly HOW the policy is to be complied with. Both documents detail extensive processes for community engagement and input. The ultimate authority lies with the governing Board of the school system, a group of politicians voted in by the people during the gubernatorial and presidential elections. We are also supported all through the process by a team of lawyers. Any deviation, percieved or real always lands us in a complaints process.
It is clear to me that President Goodluck Jonathan has bad legal and political advisers. For me, I may share and applaud the ultimate desire of the president but I am appalled by the ignorance and arrogance displayed this week. That was totally unneccessary. Even if he had all the powers in the world (he does not), he should have consulted key people and communities. This is just not done.
- Ikhide
Stalk my blog at www.xokigbo.com
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From: Olabode Ibironke <ibironke@msu.edu>
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, June 1, 2012 9:47 AM
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Harvard originally called New College but renamed after John Harvard
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, June 1, 2012 9:47 AM
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Harvard originally called New College but renamed after John Harvard
I was responding to your precise question about Harvard. Rutgers is as old as Harvard and your presupposition about the improbability of similar set of circumstances in the US is not completely true. Our expectations of a democracy can be larger than actual reality, the point may not be legality since these decisions seem to have been made by those in whom such powers have been vested constitutionally, the point which I would agree with you on is whether such specter of arbitrary and unilateral decision-making threaten democratic principles. if it is perceived as such, people in a democracy can protest with their votes and other means. The main disincentive against such autocratic, unpopular actions is the retaliation at the polls. And I hope that is always the case.
On 6/1/12 9:04 AM, Jaye Gaskia wrote:
-- On 6/1/12 9:04 AM, Jaye Gaskia wrote:
--Bode,And so because this governor has done something more consequential, illegalities should be condoned and permitted? And because governments misbehave and break laws, citizens should lose their rights to protest and insist on legality?The point being made is that what is wrong is wrong no matter who does it, and no matter the reason for doing it.Regards,Jaye GaskiaFrom: Olabode Ibironke <ibironke@msu.edu>
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, June 1, 2012 12:03 PM
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Harvard originally called New College but renamed after John Harvard
Jaye,--
The Governor of New Jersey just did something more consequential than what you described " Four months ago, a closed and secretive process resulted in the shocking announcement that Rutgers-Camden was to be merged into Rowan University. When this plan was revealed to consist largely of magical thinking, many overwhelmingly rejected it. " Need I inform you that the merger is in full speed despite opposition. Merger is a lot more consequential for an institution than renaming!
Bode
On 5/31/12 1:05 PM, Jaye Gaskia wrote:--So Harvard college was renamed after three years of its establishment? What were the processes followed? Was it renamed by fiat by one person? Besides, the question of legality with respect to the act establishing UNILAG, i want to believe that this point of renaming HARVARD after only three years, buttresses the issues raised about tradition, brand name etc........I am convinced that were the Governor of Massachesets to wake up today to unilaterally rename the Harvard, even after Geaorge Washington, there would be an uproar!From: elombah daniel <elsdaniel@yahoo.com>
To: Egbuwaraisigroup <naijaintellects@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 8:06 PM
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Harvard originally called New College but renamed after John Harvard
--Do you know that Harvard, a university in the United States, was New College but renamed after John Harvard?"Harvard was founded in 1636 by vote of the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, making it the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Initially called "New College" or "the college at New Towne", the institution was renamed Harvard College on March 13, 1639. It was named after John Harvard, a young English clergyman from Southwark, London, an alumnus of the University of Cambridge (after which Cambridge, Massachusetts is named), who bequeathed the College his library of four hundred books and £779 pounds sterling, which was half of his estate.[20] The charter creating the corporation of Harvard College came in 1650" - Wikipedia--
Daniel ElombahVLS Solicitors, LondonPhone: +44-7958588018+44-2088087999Every Nigerian that has something important to say, says it on www.elombah.comPLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION!!!!!
Urge President Goodluck Jonathan to Prosecute all those indicted by the Fuel Subsidy Probe
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