Checking the campus clocks, you may have noticed a change not only in the time, but also in the clocks themselves following the switch to daylight savings time. The newest clocks actually say “daylight savings time” on them. You might ask why the need for new clocks; why not just reset the time?
Prior to last fall, most clocks on campus were connected to a master clock system, based in the Knight Library. The decades-old system was failing and could no longer provide reliable time. The cost of replacing the old system was estimated at $300,000. Thus, the idea for an inexpensive, easily maintained alternative was born. Two sets of clocks were purchased, one for each time period. The cost to purchase the 700 clocks, dismantle the old system and install the new clocks was $33,000.
The clocks are battery operated and therefore not affected by any electrical outage. To ensure that the clocks keep good time, the batteries are replaced every six months, at the two annual time changes. The batteries still have some life in them, and Facilities puts them back to work in pagers and small flashlights, and we also make them available to other departments.
Our goal is to have a minimum of one clock in each classroom and one on every floor of all campus buildings. (Individual departments are responsible for purchasing and maintaining their own clocks.) If you notice a problem regarding the public clocks, please contact Custodial Services at 346-2316 or via e-mail at [email protected]
Jerry Dominy
manager, Custodial Services
University Facilities Services
NAACP targets racial profiling
The Register-Guard for Monday, March 6, on the front page show ed a photograph of some students and teachers, both black and white, in Montgomery, Ala., celebrating their unity prior to commemorating the 35th anniversary of the “Bloody Sunday” march from Selma to Montgomery. Here in Springfield on the same day I heard a discussion of racial profiling problems here in Lane County on “Critical Mass” (KLCC). I guess some things changed over the last 35 years and some things have not. One thing that has changed is the relationship of the police and the NAACP.
With that attitude in mind, the NAACP has been meeting with management people from local law enforcement agencies to ensure that the pronouncement signed by the heads of the local law enforcement agencies stating they would not practice racial profiling is honored. The local chapter of the NAACP met in December of 1999 with several members of the local law enforcement community, and we plan to meet again in May.
The Oregon ACLU is in the process of developing a special form to record complaints against racial profiling. In addition to the NAACP and the Oregon ACLU, people can also report these events to the Lane County human Rights Advisory Committee’s staff liaison, Laura Yergan, by calling 682-3153. A subcommittee that deals with issues of this type and is chaired by Fil Soriano (686-7555 x5310) is actively involved in dealing with the issue of racial profiling in Lane County.
G. Dennis Shine
membership chairman,
Eugene/Springfield branch of the NAACP
