Faculty to discuss economic woes
Faculty panelists will discuss the government’s role in the current global economic crisis today.
The discussion, “Government and the Economy: Does Government Have a Role?” is cosponsored by the University Professionals of Illinois and the Faculty Senate. The group will lead an intellectual discussion.
The discussion is about the current economic crisis and whether the government has played a role in the current global situation or not.
The panelists include philosophy professor Jason Waller; Jeanne Dau, director of the business solutions center; economic professor Teshome Abebe; history professor Ed Wehrle; political science professor Kevin Anderson; and Michael Gillespie, an associate professor of sociology.
Abebe said the Faculty Senate and the University Professionals of Illinois approached faculty members from different colleges on campus to hold an intellectual forum because of the current debate about the global economy.
“I hope we broaden their view of what is going on in the economy,” Dau said. “With your awareness maybe you can help be an agent of change.”
Abebe said students have shown an increase in discussion about economic issues, as well as more anxiety and awareness about the economic situation.
“All these shocks affect us here in the United States if not directly, indirectly,” Abebe said. “For example, some of the retirement and pension funds to which faculty members contribute hold positions in some of these global assets.”
Dau said she had a different perspective to offer on the panel because of her diverse work history and her opinions where based on actual practice versus theory.
“I felt that because I had a job in the past where I did work with the government economic development programs, I have a unique viewpoint,” Dau said.
Dau said she felt that the government and capitalism should be kept separate and more incentives should be given to smaller businesses. Dau said she was familiar with the obstacles that small business face, having started four businesses in three different states in three years.
Dau said she hopes more students gain awareness of the current global situation.
“It’s your world and your problems that need to be solved,” Dau said. “There are all these things in the news that are going to affect you locally.”
“Government and the Economy: Does Government Have a Role?” is today from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Lumpkin Auditorium.
Kathryn Richter can be reached at 581-2812
