City of Eugene officials and University administrators went door-to-door today welcoming back residents of the west campus neighborhood, handing out informational pamphlets including guidelines to being a good neighbor and resources for public safety.
The event started at 4 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, where participants gathered to receive their block and group assignments. Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy, University President Richard Lariviere and ASUO President Ben Eckstein were among those who participated. The welcoming congregation also included members of the Eugene Police Department Crime Prevention Unit and several neighborhood association members.
“The goal is to be a visible presence in the near-campus neighborhoods and to show them we care about their well-being, their safety and their integration into the neighborhood community,” University Director of Community Relations Greg Rikhoff said.

This is the third year that this event has been held, and it has expanded in area and in number of participants each year. It started as an idea in the University’s Community Relations Office and was created in effort to reach out to the community. Lariviere and Piercy have both taken part all three years.
“This really says to the community, you are part of us, and we are a part of you,” Piercy said.
Lariviere, Piercy and Eckstein all took great joy in personally welcoming community members and handing out information on neighborhood safety. They were assigned to a stretch of block along East 15th Avenue between Kincaid and Patterson streets which included two fraternities, two sororities and a mix of other houses and apartments. Some of the sororities and fraternities welcomed by the three leaders felt that the visit was a thoughtful act on the part of the city and the University.
“It’s great having them come by and extend a peaceful and welcoming feeling with everything going on with the start of school,” Alpha Epsilon Pi member Matthew Lerman said after receiving a visit.
Other homes that were visited also received their guests cordially and respectfully and felt that the visit was a worthwhile and tactful gesture.
“I love when I’m all around the country, and I’m able to boast about the relations our University has with the city it is fortunate enough to be located in,” Lariviere said.
The door-to-door walkabout was followed up with “Flock the Block”, a party held in order to celebrate the completed road construction on East 13th Avenue and Lane Transit District’s new University bus stop renovations. Businesses as well as most participants from the door-to-door walk along East 13th Avenue between Kincaid and Alder streets came out onto the sidewalk for the event and intermingled with other community leaders, students and local neighbors alike.