Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (July 26, 1988)
Neil should stay out o f chancellor mess Frustrations continue to grow over Oregon’s agonizing search for a new higher education chancellor. The latest development in this on-going fiasco is the Wednesday resignation of Charles Duncan, coordinator of the Oregon State System’s chancellor search committee. Duncan quit his post, saying the process should have ended with the acceptance of one of the four finalists unanimously recommended by the board. Instead, at the conclusion of the first search, three of the finalists dropped out and the board declined to approve the remaining one. Duncan, a professor emeritus of journalism here at the University, also said that beginning of a new search should be delayed, and that it would be difficult to locate a better selection for chancellor within a reasonable time. Originally, Duncan was critical of Gov. Neil Goldschmidt’s influence on the chancellor search. While he has toned down some of his accusations, he is not the only person to be flustered by Goldschmidt’s demands. The Governor began this mess when he asked Chancellor William E. “Bud” Davis to resign last year. Goldschmidt has placed seven of the 11 members of the State System of Higher Education. With this considerable in fluence, and his demands, there is reason to beleive that Goldschmidt, even indirectly, greatly influenced the deci sion to reject the finalists. If this is indeed the case, then the time has come for Goldschmidt to put on his Nikes and get away from the chancellor search process. Goldschmidt has a very clear, laudable plan for including education as part of his “Oregon Comeback.” We doubt very strongly that this continuing damage to the state’s higher education system will con tribute to that plan. There's a riot goin' on at Saturday Market It depends on who you hear it from: Last weekend, the mellow, counter-culture crowd at Eugene's Saturday Market turned into an ugly, blood-lusting mob; or nasty, fascist police brutalized some helpless civilians, including a preg nant woman. The near riot at the last Saturday Market began when Eugene police officers attempted to arrest 42-year-old Alton Augustus Thomas on suspicion of selling drugs. Apparent ly, Thomas’ 18-year old girlfriend, Alicia Ann Driscoll, who is six months pregnant, began to interfere with the arrest, saying the police had no right to be at Saturday Market. What happened next is unclear. Police claim that Thomas tried to walk away, calling to the growing, sym pathetic crowd for help. Immediately, the police were mobb ed and threatened as people punched them in their throats and went for their guns. Witnesses report that the police used billy clubs and unnecessary force, hitting innocent bystanders. Additional police arrived to clear the place, rescue the injured officers and arrest Thomas and Driscoll. About a dozen people marched down to City Hall after the melee to file written complaints. Given the conflicting stories, it is hard to side with either party. We do expect the Eugene Police Department to investigate the complaints seriously. However, we also ex pect the police to do their job, anywhere that job is required. Policemen should not become unwelcome at Saturday Market, nor should citizens be inhibiting the conduct of legitimate police business. Students pass AIDS quiz, but fail the big test In their classrooms, they are learning the vital knowledge. In their restrooms, they have access to condoms from handy vending macines. But in their bedrooms, most college students, both here at the University and at Oregon State University, have not changed their sexual habits to prevent contracting the AIDS virus. A recent survey conducted of 450 OSU undergraduates by researchers Lizbeth Gray and Marie Saracino revealed that while 81 percent of the students admitted having sexual intercourse over the past year, more than 60 percent of those who had sex did not use condoms. The survey also showed that the students were well informed enough about AIDS to pass a basic knowledge test about the virus. It is to their shame that students consider this knowledge expendable and refuse to act upon it. ism J*f**deacMS**ri+* -jmw “Now I really need drought aid. The wind blast from the president's helicopter blades blew all my topsoil away.” Commentary Willamette Greenway in danger from research park development I am writing to ask for your support in the environmental campaign to protect the Willamette Greenway from overdevelopment through the proposed Eugene Riverfront Research Park. Commentary by Dan Stotter The research park is an im portant public lands issue. We often forget that our environ ment begins at home, and that the quality of our urban en vironment has a direct and significant impact on our daily lives. Many residents of Eugene place high value on the Willamette Greenway, par ticularly the area near the Autzen footbridge, because of its diverse aesthetic and recrea tional resources. Aimougn me ureenway is used by a cross-section of Eugene residents, the most af fected user-group for this area are younger members of our community, particularly high school and University students. I have been struck by their con cern for the future of this area. The research park is also an economic issue. Large public subsidies from both state and local tax bases are supporting the planning and infrastructure of this project. However, little economic feasibility analysis has been done to ensure that this development will not be a repeat performance of the Van Duyn Chocolate fiasco. This project seems designed to enrich out-of-state interests like the Carley Capital Group, but will provide few benefits to our local economy. Considering the heavy local subsidies and the high risks of economic failure, I believe the costs of this project outweigh its benefits. Lastly, I am concerned about the health and environmental risks posed by research along the Willamette River. The Willamette is used for swimm ing and contact water sports and offers important habitats for a diversity of aquatic species. I fear that return flows of toxic chemicals and run-off from drains, sewers, roads and park ing areas will cause adverse ef fects to the Willamette riparian system. I urge you to contact the City of Eugene and the University before they commit further resources toward this project. Your support in protecting our greenway could go a long wuy toward maintaining the quality of life in our community. Dan Stotter is a Eugene resident. Letters Bad bicycling 1 know how the City of Eugene, through the Police Department, can make some money. Two weeks ago I was waiting to turn left at the intersection of 15th Avenue and University Street, when this oncoming woman on a bike ran the stop sign and gave the impression she didn't care about anyone else except herself. I yelled at her, “That's a good way to gel killed!” She just went on riding her bike like nothing had happened. I hope in the future, the City of Eugene can improve its patrols in the University- in tersections to crack down on those bike riders who enjoy breaking the law. Allan Smith Kugenn Letters Policy The Emerald will attempt to print all hitters containing com ments on topics of interest to the University community. Com ments must be factually accurate and refrain from personal attacks on tho character of others. letters to the editor must be limited to no more than 250 words, P.O. Box 315V, Kugine, Oregon 97403 The Oregon Daily Emerald is published Tuesday and Thursday during the sum mer by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co., at the University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, 97403. Daily publication resumes with the fall term The Emerald operates independently of the University with offices at 300 Erb Memorial Union. The Emerald is a member of the Associated Press. The Emerald is private properly The unauthorized removal or use of papers is prosecutable by law Editor Aaron Knox nows canor oaroiyn Lamberson Editorial Page Editor Thomas Prowell Photo Editor James Marks Assoclati Politics/Higher Ed/Admin Paula Green General Stall Advertising Director Susan Thelen Classilied Manager Kelli Mason Production Manager Michele Ross Advertising Coordinator Sandra Daller Assistant to the Publisher Jean Ownbey Managing Editor Kelvin Wee Sports Editor Gary Henley Night Editor Thomas Prowell Editors Student Govt/Activities Tom Prowell Newsroom....686 5511 Display Advertising.686-3712 Classified Advertising.686-4343 Production.686 4381 Letter Perfect Graphics.686-4381 Business.686-5511