Erb Essentials is blowing smoke
Unlike the University Bookstore and Lane Community College’s bookstore, some members of the EMU Board of Directors appear indifferent to important ethical issues associated with selling tobacco. Instead, revenue was cited as reason enough to continue selling tobacco in Erb Essentials.
Given that University Bookstore tobacco sales were less than 1 percent of total annual sales, the decision to discontinue was apparently less difficult than the one before the EMU Board of Directors. However, appearances can be deceptive.
Profits from the convenience store support EMU programs, but the $30,000 generated last year in profits from tobacco sales equates to a tiny percent of total EMU income. In addition, with record student enrollment, the EMU should be benefiting from increased consumption and incidental fees.
The University finds itself in an increasing minority. The majority of Pacific-10 Conference schools don’t sell tobacco, including the University of Washington, which recently discontinued tobacco sales in three campus outlets, even though they faced losses similar to the University. Similar events have taken place at other colleges.
Tobacco is responsible for more suffering and death than all other legal and illegal substances combined. A decision on campus tobacco sales should’ve been about severing ties with an inherently unethical industry and establishing an environment for students that discourages harmful
tobacco use.
It’s a shame the EMU Board chose to ignore student health in favor of a small share in tobacco industry profits.

Julia Martin

Eugene

Puck you
I found Hank Hager’s piece (“U.S. hockey team hopes win will unite America,” ODE, 1/15) both ridiculous and sexist.
Hager states that “the actions of September have magnified what the men of the United States do in February.” He didn’t mention that the United States won the first ever gold medal in women’s hockey in 1998. The U.S. men’s hockey team, however, has represented the absolute worst in sportsmanship in past Olympics, through lack of teamwork on the ice and poor conduct that created an inaccurate representation of the American athlete.
Since when did the horrors of Sept. 11 become the backdrop for someone’s “Mighty Ducks” fantasy? The murder of thousands of American citizens created a wound on the soul of our country — a wound that can’t be healed with something as minuscule as a sporting event victory.
I suggest Hager choose his words carefully, and pick his sports heroes with even greater caution.

Raechel M. Sims

junior

journalism, women’s studies