United Nations and the Future of WAIS

     Steve Torok, who spent his career with the United Nations, answers two questions: about Kofi Annanīs visit to Stanford and the future of WAIS. The two are connected, since WAIS is a little UN. Steve writes:
     Dear Ronald: on the future of WAIS, I just hope it remains as it is, a civilized discussion forum without censorship and wide ranging, it is unique, it can cover areas where "angels fear to thread", it should remain at Stanford since this tradition is what is unique to Stanford, came to me as a breath of fresh air when I came there first in 1966. I hope Kofi Annan's visit will put the UN on the horizon of Stanford students and faculty... I tried to have my daughter Juli involved in it but she says she is powerless. With my best regards and congratulations for a well run forum


     My comment: Thanks, Steve. Juli and I have the same problem. I have repeatedly made sensible suggestions, but they mature if ever only after a long struggle. When I came to Stanford in 1941 it was a benevolent dictatorship run by President Wilbur. The Academic Council met just to hear his decisions; no discussion. Some time later I made an apparently daring proposal: the creation of a senate. It finally came into being, but it soon became a machine controlled by the major departments. I never heard from my Senator; I did not even know who he was.
     To remedy this, I recently suggested that the senate create something like WAIS to discuss university affairs. The president of the senate replied that the steering committee would take this up. It did not, although I sent him a reminder.
     There were, then as now, serious personnel problems with the faculty. I suggested the creation of an ombudsman office. This Swedish word was unknown at the time, and colleagues laughed at it. Nevertheless, it came into being, and functioned well for a while. Now it seems to have been lost from sight. The problems have got worse.
     As for the UN, at least the Stanford Daily published my letter calling for Kofi Annanīs talk to be followed by discussions and even courses on the UN, but no response came from the administration.

Ronald Hilton - 5/9/00