Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 28, 1981)
daily Emerald Vol. 82, No. 164 Eugene, Oregon 97403 Thursday, May 28, 1981 Senate mulls change to semester system System would feature 16-week semesters and calendar year beginning late August By MARIAN GREEN Of the Emerald A proposed early semester system conversion got a mixed reaction from the University Senate Wednesday. The conversion proposal, submitted by Rules Committee member Maradel Gale, features two 16-week semesters and a calendar year beginning in late August and ending in early May. Gale noted that former University Pres. William Boyd tabled a similar motion in 1977 because the Senate vote was very slim. Reporting the findings of the rules committee, she said the early semester system is used by 53 percent of the nation’s colleges and universities and provides "the ability to more intensely cover course material at a less hectic pace." In addition, the University would save money in registration, grading and admissions. She said computer savings alone would be about $31,000. Senate members voted 22-10-2 to ap prove an amended motion that does not specify a conversion to an early semester system. Because Pres. Paul Olum, also president of the University Assembly, must approve or reject the Senate’s amendment, the members also voted 14-15-6 to reject the original proposal. On the whole, Senate members ap proved of the semester switch. However, they took issue with the early semester approach. "As an advocate, I'm very much in favor of the semester system, but I'm leery of the early' system," said Michael Ellis, head of the physical education department. Computer and Information Science Prof. George Struble criticized the sys tem’s final exam week — a split-week schedule which would run from Wed nesday through Tuesday. “It would shorten the time available for final exams studying,” Struble said. He said students and faculty already are under pressure to finish finals early and that pressure would ‘‘increase dramatically” if finals were scheduled the Wednesday immediately following the last day of classes. Political science Prof. Joe Fiszman said semester systems stifle course ex perimentation and freedom. “It will prevent experimentation with courses such as seminars, especially graduate courses.” Some Senate members were con cerned that the early semester system cuts into the summer vacation months — often considered a faculty fringe benefit. “I don’t think it’s a joke. One of the reasons the faculty are glad to stay at Oregon despite the miserably low salar ies is the quality of life," said math Prof. Lewis Ward. Ward also said students who earn money for next year's tuition over the summer may be tempted to transfer to Oregon State University or Portland State University. SUAB chairer Gale Graham presented a SUAB survey of departmental reaction to the proposal that indicated many of the same concerns expressed at the Senate meeting. Study hall it’s knot Students looking to get an early start on cramming for finals, such as the man above, will find it hard to stick to the books today. Temperatures are expected to reach into the low 80s with a few light winds to cool the air. Planning group approves bike restrictions By HARRY ESTEVE Of the Emerald Students commuting by bicy cle to the University next fall may be doing a little more walk ing and a little less pedalling through campus. A plan to restrict cyclists to r only a few designated bike, routes on campus was formally adopted by the University plan ning committee Wednesday night, after a change was made to include a route from Susan Campbell Hall to Kincaid Street. According to the revised plan, most campus sidewalks will be off-limits to cyclists beginning next fall in what planners called an "experimental phase” of the University’s long-range bicycle plan. The decision to call it an ex periment came after committee member Steven Brye voiced his opposition to the proposal, say Beres improves but is still critical George Beres is slightly improved but still in critical condition, Sacred Heart Hospital administrators said Wednesday night. The University sports information director remains in intensive care at Sacred Heart after being struck by a car Tuesday morning while riding his bicycle at 30th and Harris streets. Beres was rushed to the Eugene Hospital and Clinic, then to Sacred Heart where he underwent several hours of surgery for a skull fracture and removal of a blood clot from the base of the skull. Hospital administrators said Beres is semi-comatose, but can sometimes under stand simple commands. “He’s still very confused,” said one ad ministrator. Beres was traveling west on 30th Avenue and attempted to make a right-hand turn onto Harris Street. The automobile, driven by Ed ward Bosshardt, of Eugene, turned from Harris onto 30th, striking Beres as it turned. No citations were issued The Eugene Police Department is investigating the in cident. Beres has held his University position for the past five years. A former play-by-play announcer and sports information director in the midwest, Beres edited “Winning Running,” a book written by University men's track coach Bill Dellinger. ing it would discourage students from riding their bikes to school. He said he would “feel more comfortable” with an experimental implementation, subject to a review and public hearing after fall term. Brye's fears were echoed by Eugene bicycle coordinator Charles Nordgaard who said the city was opposed to the Univer sity’s plan. “(The plan) restricts bicycle usage which contradicts the University’s policy of encourag ing bicycle use,” he said. “We do not favor such discour agement.” The new plan restricts cyclists to campus roadways only, ex cept for a route extending from the dorms west of Agate Street to Franklin Boulevard, passing through the EMU breezeway and the science complex. Wed nesday’s meeting added the route from Susan Campbell to Kincaid Street The restrictions will be in ef fect from 7:30 a m. to 5:30 p.m. Both Nordgaard and Brye also questioned the commit tee's stated enforcement policy, which they said may prove less than effective. According to the plan, the regulations "will be largely self enforcing” and "pedestrians will gently but firmly call atten tion to bikers who have strayed from the bike routes.” The only way the new plan will be effective. Nordgaard said, is if the planning committee works closely with campus security to enforce the restrictions. He said he favored a ticketing program. Otherwise, Nordgaard said, "the plan is doomed to fail.” Complaints from pedestrians and cyclists alike prompted University officials to ask the planning department to come up with a system of separate routes for bicycles in order to stem bicycle / pedestrian accidents on campus, which peak during class change per iods. The approved plan now goes before University administration for final approval.
