Welcome back to the college world, everyone. We hope your holiday break was a success. Ours was, and we tried our hardest to not pay attention to social and political issues for a month. Unfortunately, there were a few things that we couldn’t help but notice. Fortunately, they were mostly good, and we ended up with the feeling that 2001 might be an enjoyable year. Here then, are the top 10 reasons we’re excited for the new millennium.
10. It’s actually the new millennium.
Despite last year’s incorrect assessment that the 20th century was over (even a 3rd-grader knows that counting goes from one to 10), media outlets corrected the mistake and pointed out that 2001 is the first year of the 21st century. Otherwise, we would all have lived through the only 99-year century in history.
9. The Pita Pit has opened for business in downtown Eugene.
This fast-food sandwich shop, a chain from Canada, offers big, tasty pitas for a reasonable price. That wouldn’t be news alone, but they’re open until 4 a.m. on the weekends — and they deliver. Thanks to Canada, Eugene couches are now safe for late-night dining.
8. Control of the federal government is more evenly split between Democrats and Republicans than ever before.
We hope this doesn’t lead to complete policy gridlock, but it’s certainly an editorial dream. Legislators will be trying to capture the safe middle so their respective parties don’t lose political points with voters. There should be plenty to watch — and write about — for the next two years.
7. Oregon State Police troopers have started new measures to show they don’t racially profile.
After every traffic stop, an OSP officer will now call in the age, sex and race of the person stopped, the reason for the stop and what happened during the stop. The act of having to call it in should go a long way, not only to show that OSP doesn’t profile, but to prevent officers from profiling in the first place. The whole world is watching.
6. The ASUO ended the year 2000 with a drive to get college students to volunteer with high school-age kids.
It’s one thing to talk about kids needing a good example in life; it’s another to provide that example. Volunteering is an opportunity to learn how diverse our community is, to learn from the kids and to do a little bit of good, all in one. Everyone should sign up and help a youngster.
5. President Clinton has protected nearly a third of all federal forest land.
Clinton’s plan will be challenged in the courts (and President-elect Bush has said he’ll review all of Clinton’s last-minute policy changes), but it’s a bold and courageous move for conservation nonetheless. How much land should we destroy before we say, “OK, that’s enough, we’ll protect the rest”?
4. John Henry’s, the Eugene club, has an ’80s Night every Thursday.
They offer great music spun by Chris and Jen, fashion you remember from grade school, and alcohol. The crowd is growing larger every week, but for now, John Henry’s is still the hippest place for the retro over-21 set to be on Thursday.
3. Gov. Kitzhaber came out strong for education with his budget.
True, the governor’s plan doesn’t include as much for higher education as college supporters wanted, but he still stepped up to the plate with some political hardball by striking first with an education plan. He struck even harder by cutting social programs and scrapping a state police funding increase to make money available for education. Kitzhaber has shifted the funding debate in favor of schools, and now Republicans in the legislature are going to have to make difficult decisions to decide Oregon’s spending priorities.
2. This year, Northwest football shone like the sun we don’t have.
The Huskies won, the Beavers won (and holy jeez did they win), and the Ducks quacked up the Longhorns. Thanks to the Ducks’ impressive season (OK, and the Beavers, too), Oregon football won prestige and national attention. Well done.
And the number one reason we’re excited for the new year here on campus: University president Dave Frohnmayer has not yet withdrawn from the Worker Rights Consortium.
More than one group on campus suspected such a move over winter break, but Frohnmayer is actually waiting for the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Trademark Licensing’s recommendation. The committee’s early reports showed that there is value to being a member of both organizations. Despite our editorial sense last term, maybe the decision will end up being a democratic process. Any decision should wait for the committee’s recommendation, alumni input, a University Senate vote and another vote of the students.
All in all, 2001 should be a lot of fun. It seems that there will be plenty to write about. Please continue to tell us when our reasoning is wrong and when we’ve made mistakes. Don’t tell us how stupid we are any more, though. Leave that to our grades.