This week in higher education news:  The Energy Civil War between the University and Oregon State University commenced at the beginning of the week and lasts through Friday; OUS incentives to reward increasing Oregonian degree attainment were explained in detail; and the Jaqua Center sprang a leak.
Here are some stories that didn’t make print:
With budget shortfalls and monetary issues, the University is planning to make some small changes that will save money. The University has opted to replace all of its old T12 style fluorescent bulbs with newer T8 style light-bulbs and new power sources. Not only do the new bulbs produce more light, they are much more energy efficient. Approximately 33,000 light-bulbs will be replaced in the process and University engineers estimate that the swap will save about $98,000 a year. The Eugene Water and Electric Board has also agreed to pay for 40 percent of the project, which amounts to an estimated $681,000. More information here.
An archaeologist at the University recently culminated research on the use of soybeans in ancient civilizations. Gyoung-Ah Lee‘s findings show that the adoption of soybeans was much earlier and widespread than previously believed. The first use of this versatile legume has been dated back some 3,000 years ago in parts of ancient China. The new archaeological evidence, Lee says, should be a springboard for archaeologists, crop scientists and plant geneticists to collaborate on understanding cultural contributions, which may lead them to better soybean characteristics. More information here.