Old sports story is pathetic
Regarding the article on the back of the March 6 Emerald, “Debate ensues over No. 1 Conference” — why on earth would you print an article written before the college basketball season? I mean seriously, this is just pathetic.
Please start caring about what you print, unless you really think we won’t notice.

Raman Sposato

senior

journalism

Close the campus to private autos
The University is patting itself on the back for being “green” just because it was rated exemplary in four out of 17 categories in a recent study by the National Wildlife Federation (“University ranks high on national green-friendly study,” ODE, March 7). But what really separates the green from the non-green is where the rubber hits the road, and we don’t see transportation listed here as one of the categories where the University shines. Not surprising when you look at how many University faculty, staff and students drive to campus. From where we live, campus is a 20-minute walk, a 10-minute bike ride or a half-block walk to a direct bus line, yet we see our student neighbors driving to class most of the time.
Homeowners in our neighborhood are arguing about where we should build structures to redirect traffic flow instead of looking to the source of the problem. With increasing enrollment, it’s time for the University to get serious about developing a plan that gives people incentives to leave their cars at home.
Close the campus to private autos. Restructure parking fees to reward each car-free commute. Provide additional covered bike parking and a fleet of campus bikes and electric vehicles for getting around on campus and running lunchtime errands. For more transportation solutions, check out the University of California at Davis (www.taps.ucdavis.edu/LRP.htm). Their much larger campus has been car-free for more than 20 years. That’s what we call green!

Jim and Sharon Blick

Eugene

Need-based financial aid

must have funding
Students are currently facing many problems concerning higher education. Budget cuts, declining services and increased tuition are some of these problems. Employment is especially difficult to find as well. These factors contribute to the difficulty of financing a higher education.
Unmet need for students of higher education has devastating effects on Oregon students. In response to much-demonstrated financial need in Oregon, the Oregon Opportunity Grant was created. This grant is designed to provide financial assistance for tuition, books and other higher education-related costs.
Currently, the grant covers a minute 11 percent of the total cost of education. Furthermore, it does not reach all eligible students. Nearly 10,000 eligible students are denied funding each year. This is due to the poor funding of this need-based program. With the proposed budget cuts, at least 1,700 and possibly 3,000 students will lose their grants.
Students rely on the grant to attain a higher education. Without it, these students will not have the financial means to afford post-secondary education. It is imperative that funding for programs similar to and including the grant be prioritized. These programs provide the skills necessary for people to successfully enter or return to the workforce.

Mike Martell

pre-business administration Letters to the editor