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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 1981)
harry esteve OSPIRG’s example IN OCTOBER, 1974, the University branch of the Oregon Student Public Interest Research Group called an organizational meeting for the new academic year Nearly 100 people showed up The 100 broke into groups of 20 to study health agencies in Eugene, rental cleaning depo sits and telephone deposits Later in the year OSPIRG published a "Health Services Directory" for Eugene and Springfield, listing all services available and the average cost for each It also established a renters' "hotline" that fielded between five and 15 calls a day Later that year the group attempted to bring Pacific Northwest Bell to court for overcharging on phone deposits for students It was working with a total state budget of well over $100,000 More than $30,000 of that was from the University It got better The same year the group dis covered a mistake the Oregon Department of Revenue had made on their renter rebate forms and uncovered more than 100 violations of state laws regarding the sale of dangerous toys And better In March, 1980, the Incidental Fee Committee granted OSPIRG a $7,800 budget increase That brought their total funding from the University to over $45,000 OSPIRG was sitting pretty BUT BY FEBRUARY of last year they were sitting ducks OSPIRG had its biggest operating budget ever and at the same time its smallest member ship Student support was at an all-time low, and the IFC — in an effort to lower student fees — was in a budget-cutting mood The major criticism of OSPIRG was that it did not perform enough of a service to students to warrant such a high level of funding In fact, the same criticism had been leveled at the group since it first was granted student funds in 1971 But this time the criticism had basis The single issue OSPIRG was concentrating on was a state ballot measure to increase safety standards for new nuclear energy construction The ballot measure passed, but OSPIRG's funding request didn’t. Acting on a recom mendation from then-ASUO Pres Dave Eaton, the IFC cut 73 percent from the budget OSPIRG was left with $10,000, the lowest level of funding since 1971 THIS YEAR 10 PEOPLE are part of the local OSPIRG The research group is working diligently and quietly to regain stature Under the direction of Michael Matteucci, OSPIRG has turned its attention closer to the hand that feeds it "The University is going to be our primary focus," says OSPIRG member Michele Miller, and their latest projects reflect the new attitude Last week OSPIRG published a survey of 23 issues currently confronting the University and asked students to check which they felt were most important Miller says OSPIRG will use the results to determine topics for a series of "educational forums” scheduled for next term About 400 students took the time to fill out the surveys and return them to OSPIRG s*office, a response that took both Miller and Matteucci by surprise OSPIRG’s major project at the moment is to involve students in producing television shows for a forthcoming Eugene public access TV station OSPIRG has opened seven different positions worth University credit through the telecommun ications department MATTEUCCI WONT SAY how much funding OSPIRG will ask for when it goes before the IFC this spring, but he says it probably will be close to their current level. "I see it as not dying," he says, "and I see it as possibly gaining strength " If OSPIRG does gain strength, and it is showing signs that it will, it could serve as an example to other student groups who rely on student funds Student fees — hardly "incidental" at $44 per term — must be earned or they will be taken away OSPIRG took the hint Draft non-siqners spared WASHINGTON (AP) - The Justice Department said today it has decided not to prosecute young men tor tailing to register tor the dratt until the White House decides whether to recommend ending the mandatory sign-up procedure The decision was announced only a day betore some U S attorneys were scheduled to go before grand juries and seek indictments of men who refused to register Justice Department spokes man John Russell said 161 cases were "in the pipeline" although only a handful of cases Imported Coffee & Tea by the pound or hy the cup KINKO’S 344-7894 764 E. 13th Bean of the Month Viennese $4.55 lb. Compare our Prices were to be presented to grand juries today Young men are required to register within 30 days of their 18th birthday Last month, Selective Service Director Thomas Turnage said that 307,000 men who were required by law to have regis tered by Sept 1 had failed to do so — a non-compliance rate of 23 percent Of the 1,336,000 men born in 1963 who were supposed to have signed up by Sept 1, only 1.029,000 had registered But Selective Service officials said they expected 98 percent compliance with the law after warning letters were sent to men who refused to register There is no draft now, but registration was instituted last year to provide a list of eligible in the event a national emergency required reinstatement of the draft Pres Ronald Reagan is con sidering asking Congress to drop that requirement. LOOKING FOR INVOLVEMENT? Our College Ministry is growing, both in character and size. This year we can honestly say that if you want to develop yourself or your role in the Lord’s family, we have a place for you. You will be ministered to and have an opportunity to minister. Our goal is full fellowship with the entire church family in order to promote personal growth and to honor the Lord. Come find out what FBC is all about. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Broadway & High 345-0341 College Class - 9:00 am Worship Service -10:30 am Evening Service - 6:00 pm Wednesday Bible Study - 7:00 pm Pastor Bob Luther Senior Pastor Pastor Richard Cook Associate Pastor Ed Mach Director of College Ministries 345-0341 (Church) 484-6938 (Home) 345-6777 (Way Inn) Free Vacation * Safety Inspection with this coupon Tire and Auto Center WE WILL CHECK: Transmission Fluid Anti-Freeze Tire Wear Front End Brakes Exhaust Shocks Oil Level ' An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure ’' 183 10th Ave W on the Downtown M<?l! Appointment suggested. Call 687-7095 Otter expires December 31, 1981
