r
Citq farming:
UJill it group
Kaki Rusmore’s classroom has a dirt floor and plastic
roof.
All it needs now is to be filled—with plants, not students.
Rusmore offers a course in Urban Farming to Univer
sity students, and, while the class itself is new. the idea
isn t Gardening of one sort or another has been offered in
the landscape architecture department s plot of land near
the Millrace.
While the other classes have dealt with the cultivation
of outside produce such as vegetables and fruits,
Rusmore's class has taken a new turn—inside.
We are concentrating primarily on greenhouse
plants, she says, "similar to something one might grow in
a city where land is scarce.
Hence the title, Urban Farming
Rusmore. who says the class is still open, is enthusias
tic about this term.
The students have already asked me what we can
grow and when we can get started, she says. One even
wanted to know if we could try different varieties of mush
rooms."
The types of produce that the class will grow will de
pend upon the final consensus of the group, although
Rusmore says there will be plenty of room for individual
ity.
Other classes sponsored by the landscape architecture
department are offered in the fall and spring. Rusmore
explains Hers, she says, is sort of a continuation.
V.
Photo by Greg Clark
What is now an empty greenhouse will be full of plants (and students) in a few weeks.
y
Health agency draws debate
I
By TOM JACKSON
Of the Emerald
A new health planning agency
has been proposed to improve
health care in Western Oregon,
but it has become the subject of
criticism from persons who feel
that it would not be accountable to
the people
The proposal is a result of the
efforts of the Western Oregon
Health Systems Agency De
velopment Project and the Lane
Council of Governments
(L-COG).
These two organizations are try
ing to develop a Health Systems
Agency (HSA) that is agreeable
and acceptable to all persons
concerned, includmq physicians
and other providers of health care
as well as the general public.
Jeri O Brien, director of public
affairs of L-COG, said L-COG is
concerned about accountability,"
but favors the concept of a HSA
He declined to speculate on the
long-range effects of the HSA.
■
saying that it is a very complex
agency and it would be difficult to
predict the future of it.
I think that people are looking
at it positively,'' said O Brien.
But Lane County Commis
sioner Bob Wood is more aggres
sive in his criticism of the HSA.
Wood is concerned about the lack
of public interest and education
about the HSA. and about accoun
tability and the future of the
agency. It could become a viable,
powerful agency, or it could be
come a chaotic tug-and-pull situa
tion," said Wood.
As it is structured. I am totally
opposed to the HSA. he said.
The proposal to develop an
HSA is a result of the National
Health Planning and Resources
Development Act of 1974. It is also
a result of congressional findings
that the public must have equal
access to quality health care, that
existing systems have not
achieved such access, and that
attempts to achieve access have
failed Congress also recognizes
that health care costs have risen
uncontrollably, that providers of
health care must play an active
role, and that the public must have
knowledge of how to use and ob
tain maximum benefit from the
health system.
Under the existing proposal,
there would be three HSA s in
Oregon, one each for northwest,
eastern and western Oregon. The
three HSAs would be responsible
for approving or disapproving fed
eral funds for health facilities, for
reviewing facilities for approp
riateness. and for developing a
long-range health plan.
These agencies would be under
a statewide Health Coordinating
Council, which in turn would be
accountable to the Department of
Health, Education and Welfare
(HEW). The Western Oregon
HSA Development Project will be
applying to HEW for federal fund
ing.
The HSA steering committee
will meet on Thursday at 7 p.m. in
the Pacific First Federal Savings
and Loan. 640 North A St.. Spring
field.
GROUP LEADERS HEEDED
ESCAPE seeks coordinators to lead student volunteers in
field settings of their choice.
1) Elementary schools 2) Secondary schools
3) Community service agencies
Examples of settings are those related to Special Ed, Day Care, Rural Schools, P.E.,
Correction and Halfway houses.
Coordinators will be trained to:
•Lead small groups
• Teach communication and counseling skills
Teach instructional strategies
•Troubleshoot problems in the field
Requirements are a strong sense of responsibility and con
cern for others. Besides invaluable experience and training,
coordinators earn 4 upper division credits from C & I or CSPA.
For more information, drop in at ESCAPE tables in the Union
or the office at room 327 EMU, ext. 4351.
r
%
Grcinlreerip
FURNITURE RENTAL
• 100% Purchase Option (Rent to Own).
• Student Discount
• Month to Month Rental
• Quality Furniture
• Attractive Rates
Showroom Open 9-6 Mon.-Fri., 10-5 Sat. y
1st & Lawrence Eugene 343-7717 ^
1
f
Coming SoonUl
3rd annual
Blitz Weinhard
In ter fraternity Council
3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
Saturday—Jan. 17th—Mac Court
OSSA Referees
Modified double elimination system
Trophies
Free T-shirts for first 15 teams entering
Winner Plays O.S.U. Champ
in Portland at halftime
of U of O—O.S.U. Game
January 29th
Registration begins Wednesday
January 7th in Interfraternity
Council office
EMU Suite 3
Ext. 3701
All proceeds go to
Kidney Association
of Oregon