The aroma of freshly laid bark and newly planted flowers filled the campus Thursday for the annual University Day, a festivity that brought together students, faculty and alumni in a massive clean-up effort.
“It couldn’t have been better,” University President Dave Frohnmayer said of the clear sky and 70-degree weather. University Day “is a statement about what we can do as a community to enhance the beauty of the campus.”
The highlight of the day — which is intended to prepare the campus for Family Weekend beginning Saturday — was the unveiling of a new map, benches and lamp posts in front of Oregon Hall, said University Day co-coordinator Katy Ho, a senior journalism major.
“It’s been absolutely perfect,” Ho said. “All of the student and alumni volunteers have been wonderful.”
With sidekick Christine Carson, a sophomore journalism major who won a contest to follow the president around for the day, Frohnmayer handed out the Thomas Herman Faculty Achievement Awards and gave speeches at the Oregon Hall ceremony and at the dedication of the Glenn Starlin Courtyard at the University Museum of Natural History.

“This is a really nice day to celebrate the good things here,” Carson said. “There’s been so much bad stuff going around lately that it’s nice to return to what we came here for.”
As interim co-president, Carson met with Michael Redding, University vice president for governmental affairs, and members of Frohnmayer’s executive staff for a briefing on community relations.
“She’s been involved in some important policy-making decisions, so she’s the accountable one,” Frohnmayer said jokingly in his speech.
Carson said she saw Frohnmayer’s schedule and was surprised at how busy he is.
“I don’t know when he sleeps,” Carson said of Frohnmayer’s schedule, which is nearly full for the next 18 months.
The opportunity to trade places for Carson was provided through the Student Alumni Association, which holds the contest each year. Traditionally, the president and the student trade duties for the day, but because of the day’s events, Frohnmayer said it was not possible to attend Carson’s classes.
“He just didn’t want to take my test,” Carson said.
“I like it better when we’re side by side,” Frohnmayer said. “It’s nice to get a glimpse of student life.”
Alumni Association Director Daniel Rodriguez said the event is used as tool to encourage students to participate in campus organizations.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to get involved in campus life,” Rodriguez said. “It’s an eye opener for both the president and the student because they get an idea of what it feels like to be that person.”