EWEB may increase rates
Eugene Water and Electric Board customers may see their rates raised — again. The board proposed a 6 percent increase, which would mark the second increase in less than six months. The utility raised power rates 36 percent last November.
EWEB’s board of directors met Tuesday to discuss ways to raise money for the utility, which is facing a $40 million deficit caused by last summer’s energy shortage and EWEB’s purchase of power from high-priced brokers this past winter.
A 6 percent rate increase would amount to $5.00 more on a student’s monthly bill, and EWEB spokesman Marty Douglass said the proposal would raise $13.7 million over the next two years.
Additional ideas suggested by the board included freezing pay and benefits for EWEB’s employees this year, which would save $800,000, and tinkering with accounting methods to push payment on EWEB’s building and structures into future years.
The board will meet again Feb. 19 to further discuss the issue. If the 6 percent increase is improved, there will be a public hearing in March to discuss the plan, and the new rates will hit customers in April.
— Brook Reinhard
PFC budget cuts
continue next week
The ASUO Programs Finance Committee will decide next week whether to make cuts in 10 more previously approved program budgets.
Full budget recall hearings will be held for Programs and Assessments, the Black Law Student Association, the Associated Students for Historic Preservation, the American Institute of Architecture Students, Recreation and Intramurals, Sexual Assault Support Services and Lane Transit District.
PFC will also recall one line item within the ASUO Women’s Center budget, and two line items in both the Forensics Association budget and the Student Insurgent budget.
A hearing schedule has not yet been set.
— Kara Cogswell
Search begins for new
affirmative action director
After nine years as director of the Office of Affirmative Action, Kenneth Lehrman is leaving the University to take a position with Pennsylvania State University.
University Provost John Moseley announced Thursday that the University would launch a national search to replace Lehrman, who will begin working as Penn State’s director of affirmative action and Diversity Support Center on July 1.
Lehrman said his position at Penn State would pose an “incredible challenge professionally,” and while his time at the University has been rewarding, the opportunity to work at a larger school with more resources was one he could not ignore.
“I think this institution does an incredible job with limited resources,” he said. “But I did my homework and recognized what an outstanding institution Penn State is and what an appealing opportunity this is.”
— Leon Tovey
MFA to benefit
from Badges of Hope
Studies show 15- to 24-year-olds are at a greater risk of getting meningococcal meningitis, especially students living in residence halls, according to the Meningitis Foundation of America. That’s why Kappa Delta sorority, Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and the Residence Hall Association set up tables outside the bookstore and the residence halls to sell silver and pink, ribbon-shaped pins for the Badges of Hope philanthropy.
The money raised will go to the MFA, whose mission is meningitis education, prevention and victim support.
“We hope to promote awareness about the disease and educate the public,” Kappa Delta member Nikki Navarro said.
Sigma Phi Epsilon member Tyler Traudt said the issue hits particularly “close to home” because Kappa Delta member Jill Dieringer died of meningitis in February 2001.
“It’s a philanthropy that has a deeper meaning for us because it’s affected us on a personal level,” he said.
Before Thursday, about 280 pins had already been sold to sororities and fraternities, Sigma Phi Epsilon member Glen Pak said. He said sales were going well Thursday.
President Frohnmayer accepted a pin in support of the philanthropy Thursday morning from Kappa Delta sorority council officer Melissa Winkler.
— Diane Huber
