Letter to Editor by Amy Shelton
The Board of Trustees of the University of Kentucky vote to name and construct “Wildcat Coal Lodge†will further condemn the university and the state to the backward image our state has suffered for years.
This decision does not serve to advance the mission or the stature of the university — it does quite to the contrary and will cause UK to suffer in competition to other universities who are responding in spirit and substance to the threat of climate change.
While other universities are scrambling to develop new technologies that will mitigate climate change, UK chose to rubber stamp an industry and an image that will serve as another stumbling block for Kentucky in the future.
This decision sends a clear message that UK supports the coal industry without qualms and does not value the academic research, perspectives and innovation that offer a different perspective or alternative.
At the very least, the university should remain a place where ideas are exchanged freely. Or ideally, our largest state university should be the heart of innovation that stimulates our economy, our culture and protects our heritage and environment by offering new solutions to the challenges of our time.
Given the short-sighted agenda of the UK Board of Trustees, I am left with little hope that UK will be responsible for generating new ideas and policies that take the Commonwealth or our nation into a new economic and environmental era.
We’ll leave that to other states and universities while we continue to lag behind in Kentucky, wondering why we can’t shake those stereotypes of backwardness.
As an alumnus of the university, I will choose not to support my alma mater until the Board of Trustees can make decisions that project the values of academic discourse and independence.
The coal industry clearly has more money to give than I do, but I hope that my fellow graduates will stand with me.
Amy Shelton
UK Alumnus 2001
Well said! I graduate in December this year, and I’ll be damned if UK gets a single cent from me in the future if they keep making decisions like this and blocking the voices of the people who matter most: the students.
Well Amy and Lindsay, your money is your own and so is your support, so if you don’t want to give it, then don’t! However, I doubt the university gives a “damn†about your money afterwards, since you have already paid your tuition. Yet, should you ever want to donate, write a 7 million dollar check and then input some word that makes you happy. We pay for an education, not the right to name buildings, so why do you think they should listen to your opinions! You don’t want to support UK? That’s fine, there will be SEVERAL THOUSAND people ready to take your place!
As an alumnus of the university, I will choose not to support my alma mater until the Board of Trustees can make decisions that project the values of academic discourse and independence.
The coal industry clearly has more money to give than I do, but I hope that my fellow graduates will stand with me.
Amy Shelton
UK Alumnus 2001
DEAR AMY: There are numerous BIG INDUSTRY that contribute monies to UK: First Off The Entertainment Industry (UKAA), Drug Companies, Tobacco Companies, Chemical Companies, Utilitiy Companies, Insurance Companies, Communication Companies and now Coal Companies. Heck go figure.? Are you going to protest the intrests of the other BIG INDUSTRY? With your attitude you will never become a trustee or booster. What Institution have you chosen for your Master and PhD???