OPINION

OPINION | THURSDAY'S THUMBS: UA trustees need to lead by example

It's Thursday and another chance to fire off a few up or down thumbs about some of news developments in our neck of the woods and elsewhere:

A failed cover-up

[THUMBS DOWN] The University of Arkansas board of trustees met recently on the UA campus in Fayetteville, where thousands of students, faculty and support staff are navigating yet another semester in which covid-19 is a continual concern. The board in August wisely required masks be worn for indoor public settings on campus when physical distancing cannot be assured. The policy applied to students, faculty, staff and guests. So it was strange to see the seven present trustees, on Day One of a two-day meeting, flouting the very rule they had adopted for the campus. When the conflict with policy was brought to his attention, Dr. Stephen Broughton, the board's chairman, first tried to explain it away. "I don't think there's any other reason other than the fact that we've been around each other and know we've all been vaccinated," he said. Fortunately, the next day, after a story of the omission appeared in this paper, Broughton said the board fully endorses and supports the indoor mask policy. "We recognize the fact that we are on the campus at this time, and we need to support the policy that's in place," he said. Perhaps some view this as a small thing, but the board should be accountable and should lead by example. When everyone else is expected to follow the board's policies, the board certainly ought to.

Something to Tok about

[THUMBS DOWN] It's been 14 years since the introduction of the iPhone changed how the world communicates. And for all the wonderful benefits of the smartphone era, something so revolutionary has to have its drawbacks. That is, more specifically, the way all of us make use of this powerful tool creates some drawbacks. The latest? Through the social media app TikTok, a new and destructive craze has started. In recent weeks, TikTok has hosted nearly 100,000 videos that featuring users who, through vandalism, have stolen items from their school -- soap dispensers, bathroom mirrors, fire alarms, exit signs, toilets, etc. The attraction? It has nothing to do with the items taken. It's more about the act itself and its celebration via videos shared to other users. These criminal behaviors are being reported across the country, including here in Arkansas. Disruption and unwanted expense is naturally the end result for school administrators and, where possible, prosecution for the offenders. It's astonishing how much energy can be spent turning the potential of social media into nothing more than destruction for entertainment purposes. Perhaps we're tilting at windmills here, but let's hope these TikTok contributors can find a way to use social media with respect and put an end to this destructive pasttime.

A sign of Hog success

[THUMBS UP] It's a sign that the teams on The Hill are notching success: University of Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek confirms proposals for the possible renovation of Bud Walton Arena, the "Basketball Palace of Mid-America," are moving forward. The arena has been home to the basketball Hogs since it opened in 1993. Eric Musselman's Hogs last year went all the way to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament. Keeping facilities up to snuff is important for fans, athletes and recruits. Our one hesitation? It's like when the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series or the Kansas City Chiefs win the Super Bowl -- it's not long before the prices for everything go up.

A not-so-capital idea

[THUMBS DOWN] Expect some shenanigans in the redrawing of the state's congressional districts every 10 years and you usually will not be disappointed. On Tuesday evening, state Sen. Bart Hester of Benton County's Cave Springs filed a bill with his idea: split the county that's home to the state capital into three of the state's four congressional district. If he has his way, Pulaski County will be divided into the 1st, 2nd and 4th congressional districts. It is the state's most populous county. Such a division probably has a name -- it's called gerrymandering, which is to draw the district lines for a particular advantage. Dividing up Pulaski County could certainly diminish the power of some Democratic strongholds, although it's hard to say they've produced much success for the Democrats in recent years. On its face, it doesn't look fair, but there's more to learn as lawmakers gather today in Little Rock for discussions on the new congressional districts.

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Give’em a thumb

Want to give some brief feedback on news? Someone who deserves a pat on the back? An idea that needs a dose of common sense? Recommend a “Thursday thumb” by calling Greg Harton at (479) 872-5026 or by email at [email protected].

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