ASUO Senate unanimously passed a resolution Thursday evening that opposes further development of University-owned land that sits between the railroad tracks and the Willamette River until student involvement is included in the process.
The Riverfont Research Park Resolution seeks to halt development of the 4.2-acre stretch of land. The initial master plan was drafted in 1988 and has historically been opposed by community members and by the ASUO. The current plan looks to build an Oregon Research Institution building in the space.
Presenters of the resolution included ASUO President Emma Kallaway and ASUO Environmental Advocate Daniel Rottenberg, who brought with them new components to be considered in passing the resolution.
Kallaway informed the Senate that she met with Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies Richard Linton and Director of Riverfront Research Park Diane Wiley on the Friday following last week’s Senate meeting.
Linton and Wiley offered Kallaway a compromise to the resolution in an attempt to dissuade the Senate’s passage of the resolution. The compromise would have placed two students on the Oregon Research Institution building plan committee, in response to ASUO’s desire for more student involvement in the project.
Kallaway confirmed her support of the resolution despite the administration’s proposal. “I think the resolution still holds merit in terms of a direct message,” she said.
“Adding involvement now is not the same as contributing to a new master plan,” Kallaway said. “It’s like coming into a meeting late — you spend a lot of time catching up. Since we weren’t there in initial phases, what we really want is a new master plan with a 21st-century focus.”
From here, the resolution will be sent to the University Senate, where it will face a vote. Kallaway recommended that one senator be assigned the task of meeting with University Senate President Peter Gilkey. Sen. Zachary Stark-MacMillan volunteered himself for the job.
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ASUO resolution opposes Riverfront development
Daily Emerald
November 19, 2009
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