The long summer months have been ripe with breaking news and controversial issues here at the University. Here is an overview of summer events that students may have missed:
* The University administration pushed a proposal through the Eugene City Council in July to allow Department of Public Safety officers who witness municipal offenses to issue citations. Municipal citations include minor in possession of alcohol and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. DPS said it wanted the expanded power to improve campus safety and to free the Eugene Police Department from having to respond to simple municipal offenses. We say, “Reno 911!” anyone?
* Didn’t you hear? Tuition is increasing. A lot. And classes may be cut to cushion a $4 million shortfall.
Higher education administrators from around the state made a push in July to increase tuition for winter term, and the Oregon State Board of Higher Education approved the changes shortly thereafter. At the University, residents will pay an extra $20 per credit between 14 and 16 credits, while non-residents will pay an extra $60 per credit between 14 and 16 credits.
* McArthur Court madness was abound this summer as Eugene’s news agencies assigned teams of journalists to sit in a small room and guess where the new Pit will go. Well, not really. But it was still a hot issue. In July, officials announced seven sites under consideration for the new arena. Now, the top sites look to be the Autzen Stadium area, Howe Field and Williams’ Bakery.
And guess who was already named as a donor? Calling all protesters, it’s our favorite funding deity, Phil Knight. Possible name for the new area: McNike Court.
* The summer also had some sad moments as two fellow University students died.
Sophomore Jay Rowan, known by his family and friends as caring and outgoing, died Aug. 9 in an accident on the Deschutes River. He was 20 years old. The aspiring film producer made headlines last April when he worked tirelessly to get his friend Jake Johnston back into the United States. Johnston was detained in Mexico and jailed in San Diego after an immigration misunderstanding.
University biology major Daniel Levey, described as bright and humorous, went missing July 21 while he was hiking in Hawaii’s Koolau mountains. The 19-year-old’s body was found July 25 after he had apparently fallen 150 feet. Levy was active in the Jewish communities in Hawaii and Eugene, and was an avid hiker and runner.
* A warning to all you student-terrorists: The federal government is watching! Following federal guidelines, the University updated the student privacy code this summer. Now, Feds can seize student records legally, and nobody is required to inform the student about it.
* Look man, Theta Chi is on fire!
No way, bro.
Way.
Whoa!
Dude, you think we can stay with some sorority girls?