The Emerald editorial board decided to do something a little different for its last editorial of the quarter. Here, we discuss the ups and downs of the past term by looking back at the events we thought were particularly significant for you, the students.
THUMBS UP
Obama’s election
Barack Obama’s election as the next president of the United States was a monumental event, the scope of which goes unmatched in the majority of our lifetimes. His campaign policies and promises look to drastically change the direction of the nation’s economy, significantly reduce the possibility of a worldwide energy crisis and restore America in the eyes of the global community. The election of the first black man to the highest office is a testament to how far our nation has come in terms of civil rights and equality. Also, his presidency will mean good things for higher education. Through actions such as lobbying to increase the Pell Grant, which would give lower-income students better access to higher education, and creating an American Opportunity Tax Credit, which would pay the first $4,000 of a student’s tuition in exchange for 100 hours of community service, Obama shows clear plans for improving higher education that we believe he will be successful in implementing.
UO recognition among national college community
In July, the Princeton Review recognized the University as one of the 11 greenest colleges in the nation, calling the campus “a longtime leader in the (green) movement.” Considering efforts such as Campus Recycling’s public composting program, energy-efficient buildings such as Lillis Business Complex, and the sheer number of cyclists on campus, to us, it’s just second nature.
In October, Trojan Condoms released its 2008 Trojan Sexual Health Report Card, and ranked Oregon the 11th most sexually healthy in the nation. The rating considered student opinion of the University Health Center, sexual awareness programs, availability of contraceptives, condoms, and STD and HIV testing, and we’re proud to call the University a safe and healthy campus on which to have sex.
In November, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals dubbed Oregon the third-most vegetarian-friendly campus in the country. The extensive vegetarian and vegan dining options across campus that clinched the high ranking, from the residence halls to Holy Cow Café in the EMU, are no secret to University students, but considering the positive impact vegetarianism has on the environment, we’re thrilled nonetheless.
Sports teams’ success
The Oregon men’s cross country team ran off in November with its second consecutive NCAA championship, which it hasn’t accomplished since 1974. The women’s team finished second at the NCAAs for the second year in a row, as well. The men’s performance marks the 15th national championship in Oregon sports history.
Women’s soccer broke records and exceeded expectations, with head coach Tara Erickson and senior Nicole Garbin being named Pacific-10 Conference coach and player of the year in soccer, respectively, topping off a truly remarkable season. The team accumulated the most wins (and first winning record) ever for the women’s soccer program and finished in second place in the Pac-10. It also set the school record for fewest goals allowed and most shutouts, and beat No. 3 UCLA, the highest-ranked team the program had ever defeated.
No. 7-ranked women’s volleyball had a standout season and will go to the NCAA championships for the third year in a row. This season marked the women’s best overall record since 1983, and the team boasted two Pac-10 Players of the Week, juniors Neticia Enesi and Sonja Newcombe, for the first time since 1989.
THUMBS DOWN
University housing crisis
This year, the incoming freshman class was the largest ever, and all over campus the squeeze to fit the record-breaking number of students was felt. But nowhere was this quite so clear as with the problems students faced in finding housing. More than 400 freshmen were placed in Stadium Park Apartments, near Autzen Stadium. Then, to top it all off, due to many students backing out of contracts, at the beginning of the term University Housing was left with roughly 175 vacant beds and students already bound to contracts elsewhere unable to fill them. These students were forced to miss out on the residence hall experience of living just blocks away from classes, a building away from dorm cafés and dining halls, and feet away from the majority of their peers. While University housing cannot foresee the number of students who will back out of a contract, there should, in the future, be more forethought put into accommodating large numbers of students so students and others aren’t left scrambling at the last minute.
Closed presidential search
In October it was announced that the search for Dave Frohnmayer’s replacement as University president would be a closed one, meaning information about potential candidates, including their identities, would not made available to the public. This is a worrisome development, because community input, media coverage and faculty and student awareness are all necessary to properly vet any candidate vying for the position. If a candidate is unsuitable for the position, these tools and perspectives are vital to making that fact known. Those most affected people – students and faculty of the University – should especially be able to make their voices heard in the selection process, something they can’t do when kept in the dark.
Bus route cuts
In the face of budget cuts, Lane Transit District announced its plan to cut a number of routes from its service, including many that are frequented by students, such as the Breeze, which goes between campus, downtown and Valley River Center, and the 79, which goes to the Kinsrow area. Since the announcement, LTD has made efforts to address student concerns and taken actions such as seeking ASUO funding to expand the routes of other services, and the ASUO has proposed creating alternative routes and shuttles between campus and Kinsrow. There is no clear solution to this problem; at this point, what is important is for LTD, the city and the University to have close communication about possible alternatives so students and community members aren’t left without reliable public transportation, something Eugene has long prided itself on.
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