When I see the number of U.S. governors who are against Syrian refugees entering their states, I wonder if their Thanksgiving turkeys will be a little harder to swallow this year given the holiday’s history.
– The U.S. federal government passed a bill last Thursday, Nov. 19, that says if Syrian refugees want to enter America, they’ll have to go through an extensive process unlike what any other refugee population has had to do in America’s history. This legislation was rushed through the House as a result of the terrorist attacks in Paris a couple weeks ago, and because of the disunion among U.S. governors about the subject, 31 governors, 30 of which are Republican, have said they will not welcome Syrian refugees into their states out of fear that some may be or have relations with terrorists.
So, the U.S. isn’t closing its borders to refugees from Syria, but the government is making the whole vetting process a lot more vigorous and drawn out for them. Imagine filling out your FAFSA applications in January, and then waiting until May for word from the university. Now, drag that out to an 18-to-24-month process. But instead, you’re not waiting to receive your financial aid award package. For most refugees, they will be waiting on information about where and how they will live for the rest of their lives.
– Many UO students who support Syrian refugees resettling in the U.S. plan to show their solidarity in a rally on Monday, Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. outside of Lillis. The event is being organized by two student groups, Global Zero and UO Beyond War, who share interests in overlapping causes. And there I was two months ago, complaining about the lack of a student activism culture on our campus. It’s great to see how in just the last couple weeks, our UO community has stood up for important issues that needed to be heard.
– About being heard, UO President Michael Schill told a full room at Global Scholars Hall last Friday, Nov 20, that he is listening. “Lessons from Mizzou: A Campus Conversation” was a way for the president to respond to last week’s rally that showed solidarity for the University of Missouri and its ongoing issues with racism in the last few years. This week’s conversation was headed with a talk by Schill in which he addressed the obstacles that minority students and staff face on campus. He went on to say he is hopeful to meet the demands proposed by the UO community for racial equity, including the 12-item list drafted by the Black Student Task Force.
– We demand equal rights across race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality on our campus, and we demand Chipotle! EMU Renovation Manager Daniel Geiger says that Chipotle is expected to open on Jan. 24, 2016. Also in the Fishbowl area, Subway and Joe’s Burgers will be available. Geiger believes these two eateries could possibly open before the end of fall term in December. The overall construction of the EMU is not too far off schedule and has been under budget for the most part, which the renovation team has been very happy about. Because of the financial budge-room, Geiger was pleased that they could add to the revamp in extra ways, both with aesthetics and the sustainability of the building.
– For the students and staff who will be here next year and beyond that, get excited. Along with new places to eat, the EMU Expansion and Renovation project will bring a new Student Wing for people to take advantage of during their off-time from classes. The offices for ASUO and other student organizations and programs will finally be in one place again. And despite the discouraged car-culture on campus, the new EMU layout allows for 250 parking spots right in the heart of campus. Part of this parking will have meters for anyone to use, and the rest will be used as event parking.
For anyone who’s just itching to see what’s been done so far, the EMU renovation crew gives tours every Tuesday at 4 p.m. These hardhat tours are open to anyone a part of the UO community — groups on campus can even schedule separate times for private tours. Sign up happens at the EMU Administration Office. If you want to keep your toes out of harm’s way, make sure you wear close shoes during the tour.
Weekly Pond(er)
Negina Pirzad
November 22, 2015
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