Rachel Pilliod, former ASUO president during 2002-2003, sits on the State Board of Higher Education. She is a senior majoring in political science and women’s and gender studies. Pilliod sat down with the Emerald for Quick Quacks — a short question-and-answer session aimed at giving readers a look at campus and community members’ thoughts.
Emerald: What’s the best restaurant in Eugene?
Pilliod: Currently I like the Lucky Noodle.
Emerald: What’s harder, being ASUO president or being on the State Board of Higher Education and, somewhat hopelessly, trying to make higher education affordable?
Pilliod: Being ASUO president.
Emerald: Why?
Pilliod: More hours.
Emerald: If you had a yacht, what would you name it?
Pilliod: Buttercup.
Emerald: Who is to blame for the high price of education?
Pilliod: The voters.
Emerald: Taylor’s or Rennie’s?
Pilliod: Rennie’s, hands down.
Emerald: Drinking a …?
Pilliod: Rennie’s Lemonade.
Emerald: Where will Rachel Pilliod be in five, ten and 20 years?
Pilliod: Five, medical school. Ten, probably finishing up my residency. Twenty, probably back in Portland.
Emerald: What’s the last Oregon athletic event you attended?
Pilliod: Basketball game. Men’s basketball … Not true! I went to my friend’s Club sports soccer game.
Emerald: What’s the most interesting thing Bill Clinton had to say when you met him?
Pilliod: I can’t really remember, it’s all pretty much a blur.
Emerald: Anything stand out at all?
Pilliod: Yeah, out of all the politicians … he was the only one to say ‘hello’ to me and everybody else on stage.
Emerald: Critique the 2003-2004 ASUO Executive. Was it a success?
Pilliod: I thought you’d ask me this, too. I should’ve thought about this more. I think certain elements of it were successful. I think it’s also very difficult to run any successful campaign in a non-Legislative year. It’s just harder to quantify results. But I’m excited about the housing (standards). I’m glad they did the Venus Festival again.
Emerald: What’s the last book you read, and why did you read it?
Pilliod: Book of poetry my grandmother gave me, because my grandmother gave it to me.
Emerald: Where can Rachel Pilliod be found on a typical Friday night?
Pilliod: At work until probably six or seven. Then at the movies.