Thumbs up
Union activity
After all of the struggle that was faculty unionization and administration opposition, United Academics has been certified by the Oregon Employment Relations Board. While the impact on different professor groups is disputed (here and here), the long-term benefits of collective bargaining should benefit our shared governance system.
Spring sports not underwhelming
We already rewarded Oregon baseball with an anticipatory thumbs up, and apart from a short rough patch, they haven’t let us down. A season with success, injury-based intrigue and the possibility for a deep playoff run have given reason to get excited about a third Oregon sport this year. And the spring game wasn’t too bad either.
Amazing weather
Throughout the first half of the term, Eugeneans have been blessed with beautiful weather — from literally the first day forward. Except for the rainy days that have occurred, that could have been expected to occur, it has been a notably nice spring.
Thumbs down
Gone phishin’?
Just all the accusations of campaign impropriety this year. Luckily, they were dealt with properly; unluckily, we know that there are probably many more stories like this in the past that lie uncovered. Let us take one last opportunity to denounce the alleged hacking and phishing that took place in this year’s elections, it was just that bad.
That ESPN story

We’re not going to say that it wasn’t a story of merit; judging by the readership and the buzz it sparked on Twitter, ESPN’s magazine sidebar that focused on the Oregon football program’s marijuana use had an audience. But it just seemed like it was released far more to say “Those crazy Northwesterners and their pot.”
Matt Groening tugging on our heartstrings
For a few days there, we really thought we could say for sure what was mostly known already: Springfield is the Springfield of the Simpsons. I mean, Matt Groening said it to Smithsonian Magazine and everything! But then, in the next few days, he denied it again. Why, Matt?