We all love a villain. Those that we love to hate create a sense of solidarity, but they can also allow for unproductive tantrums. This might be why students and CW staff in particular have portrayed a woman truly committed to the University and the student body as a self-righteous coddler, a shrew looking for attention.
The truth is one need look no further for a symbol of service to The University of Alabama than Judy Bonner. Having served the University for over thirty years, President Bonner has been a catalyst for progress and faculty/student advocacy within an institution too often more concerned with enrollment numbers and endowment than student success.
The president’s critics fail to remember that while they chastised the Witt administration for only contacting students to assure us that the “University doesn’t condone racial epithets,” Bonner was actively committing herself to the voice of faculty and students.
President Bonner has consistently proven that she puts the University first. With the exit of Witt, she served as interim-president, knowing full well that it would eliminate her chances to be elected permanently due to rules against interims receiving the job. Bonner received word that the search committee of students, faculty and deans requested her selection, but she fulfilled her duties to the University when we needed her most.
Make no mistake, when Dr. Bailey stepped down, the Board of Trustees was forced to select the long-time provost because of her reputation among students and faculty, not necessarily the administration. This devotion to others, not the desire to proselytize, has translated to her presidency.
To assume that the president orchestrated the secret drug raids on campus to purport a Victorian code of morality is unfounded and preposterous. No one in the administration, not even “Madam President,” knew of the raids until their completion. That Bonner immediately contacted students about West Alabama Narcotics Squad’s covert (and admittedly over-the-top) actions speaks of her candidness and intent to subdue fear. Someone needed to take responsibility, and she did just that.
It’s a shame that those caught committing crimes were subject to the tyranny of the law, but smearing administrators does little to help the cause.
Nevertheless, some have claimed that President Bonner is even more conservative than her predecessor. Have we already forgotten the obstinacy of prior administrations?
Logic would suggest that taking a stand against hazing as a step forward, not a parallel to the sacking of a beloved hero. (The pledgeship decision was made at the provost level, not by the former president.) It would maintain that all students, even athletes, deserve a trial before public condemnation. And it would promote peace and stability as opposed to fear mongering. (Keep in mind that the muggers were arrested the day following the first attack.)
In reality, President Bonner is the most progressive administrator we’ve probably ever seen; that scares people. For some, this means the Greek system will be challenged, and our problems of violence and lawlessness will not be tolerated. For others, we will no longer have a faceless administration to complain about.
Yet beyond these problems, it seems that President Bonner’s most disruptive quality is her gender. We’ve never had a female head administrator. Even today, seeing a woman as steadfast and committed comes across like an unwarranted “power trip.”
The president is not trying to mother or coddle you. Bonner doesn’t care whether you think drugs are bad or you dance on the Quad; she frankly has better things to do with her time. But when issues come up that question the integrity of the University, someone has to speak out.
I’m proud to have a president that commends student accomplishments, whether or not I get tired of the constant emails and wandering melodies on the quad. I’m even prouder to finally have a university official that puts herself out there to lead in front of Witt’s traditionally closed doors.
It’s time we celebrate the achievements of President Bonner for her service to the University and her commitment to students that surpasses any president in recent memory. We’ve been missing such sincerity for far too long at the Capstone.
Ross Green is a junior majoring in history and economics.
Leading in today’s Crimson White:
[Opinion] Catholics, everyone deserve a better after Pope Benedict XVI
[Opinion] Apology not necessary for printing strong language in CW
[Opinion] Tasteless jokes at child star’s expense not funny
