Around 3:30 p.m. today, Vice President for Student Life Angela Lauer Chong and Associated Students of the University of Oregon President Mariam Hassan sent an email to students informing them of their decision to cancel the Spring ASUO Street Faire — just one day before the event was set to start.
According to the email, the decision to cancel the Street Faire came with “safety in mind” after “recent disruptions related to the ongoing strike that have included reported vandalism, obstruction and safety concerns regarding the Street Faire specifically.”
The email also stated that ASUO and the university have attempted to explore other alternatives, but ultimately made the decision to cancel the event. The email also clarified that vendors would be refunded in full.
“We fully support every student on our campus, including those participating in the strike, and we respect their right to be heard. However, the safety concerns surrounding recent disruptions make it impossible to move forward with the event at this time,” the email said.
UOSW bargaining team member Izzie Marshall said UOSW believes they are being unfairly blamed for the cancellation of the event and that if their demands are met, there would be no reason for the event to be cancelled.
“The university’s decision to cancel the Street Faire is disappointing — and blaming student workers for it is disingenuous. Our strike is a legal effort to win basic protections against harassment and discrimination,” Marshall said.
Marshall also expressed UOSW’s support for the Street Faire vendors.
“The University could end the strike at any time by agreeing to a fair contract. Instead, they’re choosing to scapegoat workers rather than take responsibility for prolonging this dispute. We have no interest in hurting small businesses — many of us look forward to the Street Faire every year and are part of the community that supports these vendors,” Marshall said.
In a statement to the Emerald, Hassan and ASUO Chief of Staff Ravi Cullop said the decision to cancel the Street Faire was “difficult” but the well-being of students and participants comes first.
“In collaboration with the Divisions of Student Life and Safety and Risk Services, ASUO has made the difficult decision to cancel this Spring’s Street Faire due to safety concerns. While we know how much this event means to the campus community and vendors who depend on it for their income, ensuring the well-being of all students and participants must come first,” Hassan and Cullop said.
Julian Melton, a UO senior who has rented a booth at the Street Faire for the past years, said he depends on the Street Faire for roughly 90% percent of his income.
“This money pays my rent, keeps food on the table, and has allowed me to pursue an education at the (UO),” Melton said. “Without this revenue I will need to scramble to find an avenue to sell my inventory so I can pay my bills.”
Melton also said the cancellation was unexpected, as vendors were not notified about the possibility of the cancellation until May 1 — six days before the event was set to take place.
“On May 4th, we were told we would be notified about a final decision on operating the Street Faire by Monday evening. The next email didn’t come until 7 AM on May 6th, letting us know that the event was cancelled and we would be receiving a refund of our vendor fees,” Melton said.
Although Melton said he is grateful for the work ASUO does, he is frustrated with the situation.
“I think a severe lack of consideration for the vendors was made with this delayed and late communication, especially for those that travel from out of state for this event,” Melton said. “With further notice more vendors would have been able to cancel hotel reservations, vehicle rentals, notified employees that were supposed to work at the event, and prevented the purchase of additional inventory that was expected to be sold at the Street Faire.”
In a social media post, ASUO President-elect Prissila Moreno who ran under the UO Student Power slate, a slate that advocated for an ASUO-campus unions relationship, said the student workers are not to blame for the cancellation.
“We are deeply disappointed and saddened by the cancellation of the Spring Street Faire,” Moreno wrote in an Instagram post. “While the official UO and ASUO statement cites safety concerns and the ongoing strike as reasons for cancellation, we want to be clear: this outcome is not the fault of student workers exercising their legal right to strike.”
Moreno also expressed concern over the presence of police in riot gear at UOSW’s study-in at Johnson Hall on May 5.
“That action stands in stark contrast to the university’s stated support for student expression and undermines trust,” Moreno said.
This version has been updated to include more perspectives on the cancellation.
Liz LaVenture • May 7, 2025 at 3:24 pm
The decision to cancel & the reason given are absurd! The street fair was held last year and it was adjacent to the Pro Palestine Encampment. No one was assaulted. No one was deported. (What a difference a year- and political climate makes)
H Matthews • May 7, 2025 at 2:02 pm
UOSW’s statements have becoming increasingly like that of a mafioso. “It’d be a real shame if something bad were to happen. You know what you gotta do.” All their actions are doing is alienating their allies and showing a level of unprofessionalism that will taint their image for years to come.
J Oaks • May 7, 2025 at 1:00 am
The real safety concerns at the university are asbestos, over crowded classrooms and dorm rooms and non-students vandalizing, stealing and entering secure areas.