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As a Melkoniantsi, I would like to question the “common sense”
approach of the writer Mr. Dorian, who insists that “Melkonian should
be sold”. All the “reasons” presented in the article,
for such an act, seem to display “more emotion” by Mr. Dorian
himself, since he fails to present any factual reason for promoting his
opinion as to why “Melkonian should be sold”. Under what and
whose authority is this demands made?
The article opens up by a poem the author remembers from his younger years,
to re-enforce his opinion that the Melkonian Institute has lived its glory,
it is now time to sell it and move on, hardly a substantial fact in support
of a reason to dispose of the “Institute”.
Mr. Dorian’s attack on the “low” educational standard
and “prestige” of Melkonian in comparison with other educational
Institutions in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Armenia seems to
be his own opinion and evaluation, he has not backed up his claims with
any factual and statistical evidence.
As for the alleged financial unsustainability of the Melkonian Institute,
before we get emotional and throw the baby with the bath water, I would
urge an independent audit and assessment of the financial status and management
of the School. This could be spearheaded by the Melkonian Alumni.
Reading the article I was left with the feeling that, any effort to want
to preserve Melkonian was being emotional and selling it would presumably
be rational. If the reasons given in the article are rational, I would
opt for the emotional.
I would urge all the Melkoniantsis in support of sustaining our Institute,
everywhere, to connect with their Alumni Organizations immediately, and
let them know of their desire to stand behind their School. Make a feasibility
study to see if Melkoniantsis can run the school for Melkoniantsis.
Over the decades AGBU has done a wonderful job with our educational institutions,
we are grateful for the selfless efforts of the Organization in this regard.
At the present, with pressing needs in Armenia, Melkonian may be presenting
a special case on the AGBU resources. If the burden can be lightened by
a friendly “transfer” to a Melkonian Alumni Board for the
“in budget” administration of the Institute, we may have preserved
one of our foremost intellectual treasures.
Mr. Dorian and his co-thinkers seem convinced that the Melkonian Institute
has been in chronic deficit for many years. If this is true, why the Board
of Directors and Trustees haven’t remedied the situation with due
diligence? Why should anyone believe that the millions realized from the
sale of the Melkonian properties now, will “be better used”
on other projects, as Mr. Dorian asserts. Why blame the Institute and
label it an unsustainable project, when perhaps viable adjustments in
its financial administration in the past, might have prevented the present
situation?
In this age of rapid communication, I have had the opportunity to talk
with many of my Melkoniantsi and non-Melkoniantsi friends around the world,
following the press discussions of our Institute's fate. My attention
was strongly drawn to the feelings of support and good-will towards the
AGBU, equally clear and strong was the message, that we took very seriously
any rumors, threatening the existence of our Institute. For Melkoniantsis
therefore the issue is not against any “body” or Organization,
it is for the welfare of our Institute.
While few would disagree with Mr. Dorian that “Armenia would write
our history”, it would be foolish to think that we should entertain
the sale of our diasporan experience, wisdom and treasures for “many
millions of dollars” in order to presumably better use the funds
either in Armenia or somewhere else. Is this a rational proposition?
Mr. Dorian has failed in presenting his “non-emotional” reasons
convincing enough for the disposal of the Melkonian Institute properties.
He has failed in presenting to us the core issue behind the demands for
closing the “Institute”. In the process, he and others with
similar “vision”, have done great harm to the reputation,
welfare and the future of one of our greatest diasporan institutions and
by association, to our nation. What parent would send their son and/or
daughter to a school whose fate seems to be under question and at the
whim of article writers in the print media?
The author’s leading questions, towards the end of his article,
to his own bias and dare I say emotional answer to them all, do nothing
in educating the public –assuming that, educating the readers with
facts, is the purpose of such articles- for an informed and unbiased point
of view, in this regard.
The questions brought into the discussion cloud the real issue of the
matter, which appears to be the financial management of the Institute.
If this is the case, let us all focus on the issue at hand and resolve
it in a positive and constructive manner rather than write articles on
why Melkonian should be sold. The departure point for seeking any solution
to the apparent problem, should never include the closing down and the
sale of the Melkonian properties.
The last paragraph of the article is revealing. The writer has “excellent
reason to believe that the Board of Directors of AGBU will use the proceeds
of the sale of MEI with imagination, foresight and passionate devotion
etc..”. Does that mean that Mr. Dorian is privy to information that
has been kept covert? Is this a slip of the pen, or is it an intentional
leak? Has the sale of the Institute already been decided by the Board
and are such media articles a means of preparing the public opinion for
the “inevitable” event? Why not use a little bit of the imagination,
foresight and passionate devotion that Mr. Dorian is alluding to, in preserving
what we have now, rather than starting a new venture with unknown pitfalls?
ARMAND
AYALTIN
October, 2003.
334,
E.22nd Street,
N.
Vancouver, B.C. Canada
V7L
3C7 Phone: 604- 984 2611. E-mail: nu_velt@telus.net |