Rising from the backlash of faculty activism, student angst and a Budget Task Force report, President Alexander Gonzalez stands tall, still the undisputed head honcho of campus policy. But as the commander-in-chief implied in his discussion with the Hornet’s Ashley Evans, the impending success of the collective bargaining agreement between the California State University and the California Faculty Association has not terminated the tension between Sacramento State administration and faculty. In fact, the president seems on the defensive, threatened.

Gonzalez said, “The atmosphere of going through contract negotiations, the budget deficit and the lack of understanding of the budget…contributed to the anger that is out there. Anger that is, in my opinion, misplaced.”

Nice to know that our president is calling scapegoat! for all to hear, and that critique of him has conveniently found a home within this semester’s timespan.

“Everybody is being painted by the same brush…people have said that (the administration’s) priorities are misplaced, which is part of a negotiation strategy, and that’s fine. I’ve kept very quiet on the whole thing because I didn’t want to get involved in any exchanges that would influence anyone in a negative manner.” Yes, one brush. That’s why every student received e-mails from the Office of the President regarding the faculty strike.

So much for that single brush. Unless there’s some kind of postmodern technique I wasn’t taught in Art 20A, beginning drawing. Hmmm, that might be why I don’t know of it.

He continues: “Some members have made it their goal to discredit me and to gain control of some of the processes here on campus.” Well, only the most narcoleptic of students could have slept through the attempts from some of the more vocal faculty to acquire student support. “No diggity.” But, you know, there are reasons for that, and I don’t think people are angry because it’s a “negotiation strategy.”

Time to vent some reality. For those students who’ve heard this song since you’ve been on campus (not just this semester), sing along with me!

When it comes to faculty “discrediting” our president, stirring up some of that “misplaced anger.” There are $2 million of untimely allocations that might be a significant contributor. I plead to all readers: read the Budget Task Force Report. And then ask, “Which is the party responsible for predicting enrollment?”

Another sore spot might be the President’s son, “Alexander Gonzalez Jr.” and his $70,000 plus salary as Director of Development, a position he acquired with a four-year degree. But we must all check ourselves ‘fore we wreck ourselves: Gonzalez had no part in that decision. I can’t help but imagine that his presence at the top, cast a long shadow over the entire hiring committee.

Then there is the ever infamous, “This is not a consensus or a democracy,” our president’s response to an Associated Student Inc. inquiry concerning the development of the Recreation, Wellness and Events Center, a project that had failed to receive funding until students voted in support of the center via campus referendum. That is, we democratically bailed him out.

“This is not a consensus or a democracy.” Yep. Definitely in line with that faculty “negotiation strategy.” That’s Gonzalez being up front about his plans, informing the populace with an even tone, and allowing the space for intelligent, thoughtful critique. And only a year ago, long before any whispers of “faculty demonstration” had reached the ears of the average student.

You know, it gets me thinking. Maybe I, like our faculty, have an ulterior motive for critiquing Gonzalez. Perhaps I criticize him because I have “negotiation strategies” within myself that force me into a position of conflict. I am a graduating senior in English without job prospects, (was that redundant?) unless I’m willing to spend a year of service teaching in the Far East. Perhaps, I’m “projecting” my uncertainty into anger toward our fearless leader as a “coping strategy” to deal with the insecurity of my uncertain future.

Or, perhaps, I speak because I remember a friend of mine who didn’t walk during his graduation because it rained outside, and some of the robes with the funny hats on the podium couldn’t be bothered with weather. Perhaps I remember his anger then, then recall my brother’s graciousness that no suits ex-nayed his outdoor ceremony due to a downpour. Gonzalez had a family obligation to attend to during my brother’s ceremony, and believe me, I am grateful for that.

Otherwise, not only may he not have walked, but I would have had to hear my 10th “Destination 2010 for the win!!!” speech.

See? Maybe I hold too much angst. Maybe I, like the faculty, have too much at stake to give our president an honest evaluation.

So let me encourage the readers of this paper to write a letter to editor so that their voices may not fall under the broad banner of “misplaced anger.” Maybe then our president can add “my job performance” to the “factors” that brought about this “anger.” Maybe then, when he claims that we aren’t part of a democratic process, he can learn to follow that up with, “The buck stops here.”

Frank Loret de Mola can be reached at [email protected]