Jonathan O. Bowers has made it his mission to preserve McArthur Court, and tonight the Student Senate will likely back him up.
Sen. Samantha Brodey is sponsoring a resolution written by Bowers, a pre-journalism student, to preserve Mac Court because of its cultural significance. Bowers has devoted significant time to the issue, writing to newspapers and congressmen, lobbying the student and faculty senates as well as the Eugene City Council, and researching plans for a new basketball arena.
“It just seemed as if the whole attitude toward Mac Court by the administration is so callous,” Bowers said. He said he was a little disappointed that the Senate Rules Committee removed pieces of the resolution that referred to eminent domain issues and private donations to University athletics.
University President Dave Frohnmayer released a letter saying that “Mac Court must indeed be replaced. It has served the university well for some 80 years, but it is at the end of its useful life.” He said the future of Mac Court is undecided at this time, but, “We have begun discussions as to how best to involve members of our community in deciding (its) future use.”
Brodey said she recommended the provisions be removed because she thought it was the best way to get the resolution passed, though she personally agreed with Bowers’ concerns about athletic funding. A two-thirds majority is required for the Senate to adopt such a position. Sen. Neil Brown expressed reservations in a recent Senate meeting about straying too far from the premise of preservation.
“The initial resolution had a lot of language that condemned the new basketball arena,” Brown said. He said the amended bill more “accurately reflected the feelings of myself and my constituents. The final product is a resolution that focuses on preserving a very important part of University of Oregon history.”
Bowers agreed. He said he is protective of architecture that lends character and identity to campus.
“When I go to Chicago, there are buildings I see and I know that’s what Chicago is,” he said. “I feel the same way here at the University of Oregon.”
According to the Green Tape Notebook, the Senate can pass resolutions not related to allocation of student incidental fees “when it is in the direct interest of the overwhelming majority of incidental fee-paying students.”
But that ability hasn’t been around for very long, according to Senate President Athan Papailiou.
“Resolutions are new in the history of the Senate,” Papailiou said. “Three or four years ago no process existed.”
Since that time the Senate has passed resolutions dealing with the bundling and prices of textbooks, opposing the sale of the Westmoreland housing complex, and supporting the use of cage-free eggs in residence halls, he said.
“I think it’s great that the body is debating issues that are important to students,” Papailiou said. As president he abstains from voting, however.
If the resolution passes, Bowers aims to take it to University Senate next.
“What I would like to do is say, look, if students are backing this resolution, here’s something to take into consideration,” he said.
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Students hope to preserve Mac Court for next generation
Daily Emerald
October 16, 2007
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