Super Collider provides
super experience
By Jen Ellison
Cktxjon Otvly l
How was the universe formed?
University physic.ists are working an a
device that may answer this question and
many more.
University physicists have received
grants totaling $062,000 to conduct
research for the production of the super
conducting Super Collider, a 54-mile
underground ring that surrounds the city
of Waxahachie. Texas.
The purpose of the collider is to accel
erate protons, which are particles smaller
than atoms, through the ring, causing
them to collide at near light speed and
break up into even smaller particles
Physicists expect the creation of previ
ously unknown matter to take pla< e as a
result of the collisions, answering a num
tier of complit ntod questions surrounding
the berth's formation.
The University is involved in designing
the detectors inside the ( ollider that will
determine the presence of the new parti
cles.
University physicists Jim Brau and
David Strom are working on the produ<
tion of these detectors, (.ailed silicon
trac kers. The trackers are made of the
same substance as computer chips — sil
icon
Silicon is a crucial aspect in the project
because millions of sensor lines can be
placed in a small area of the substance,
which makes it a precise sensor
"The readings of where the subatomic
particles go after collision-and what the
new particles are made of will be very
precise with the use of silicon," Strom
said.
Many University undergraduate and
graduate students benefit from the
research they do on the project. Strom
said. •
"It's a real opportunity for these stu
dents to work with the most modern and
up-to-date equipment," Strom said "It
would lie a lot harder and more expensive
for them to learn this stuff in a regular
‘I've learned a lot more
working here In the lab
than I’ve ever learned In
my classes.'
— David Mason,
Physics undergraduate
laboratory."
Physic.* undergraduate David Mason
believes the opportunity to work on this
project is Riving him strong experience.
"I've learned a lot more working here
in the lab than I've ever learned in my
classes." Mason said I'm not knocking
my (.lasses This project has reinforced
everything I've learned and mure."
Particle physicists believe the Super
Collider may answer questions about the*
origins of tin- universe and lead the world
into another wave of te< hnological
advancement, said Robin Stringfellow of
the Texas National Research Laboratory
Commission.
The Super Collider is also expor ted to
help with cancer research, further tech
nological advances to make faster com
puters and the creation of a new plastic
used in medical equipment that can be
sterilized without hazardous chemicals
The University has been involved in
the research for the project for more than
three years. It has been developing the
theory of what a Super Collider can do for
humankind in five to 10 years, Strom
said.
More than $2 billion has been invest
ed so far in the collider, which is expect
ed to be finished in 1990. The total price
tag will be SB.2 billion, according to the
Texas National Research laboratory Com
mission. the Texas agency for the Super
Collider.
The production of the Super Collider
has employed 45,000 business contracts
in 4H states, 120 universities in 54 states,
and 15,000 direct and indirect workers.
Gently down the stream
PtKXO t>y Anthony f um*y
Samantha and Tony Smith en/oy some rare April sunshine Wednesday, feeding ducks while taking a leisurely canoe ride at Alton Baker Park.
Students praised
for rescue efforts
The Eugene Department of Public Safety pre
sented two University students with the Citizen
Service Award Wednesday night in the City Coun
cil Chamber.
Brian Wilson and Curt Frazier were honored for
their extraordinary actions in emergency situa
tions.
Wilson rescued a man from the Willamette Riv
er last December and Frazier applied chest com
pressions to a man who suffered cardiac arrest
Frazier, a senior in leisure studies, was assist
ing a scuba diving class last |an. f>. a night that
would demand more of him than usual.
While preparing for class, he heard shouting in
the locker room. Suddenly, a staff member came
running out, calling for the help of anyone who
know CPR
Frazier ran to the aid of scuba instructor Ed
Rogers, who was trying to resuscitate Robert
llodam.
Hodam. who has been a cardiac surgeon in
Eugene for 23 years, had suffered sudden cardiac
arrest and had fallen unconscious to the floor.
Hodam thanked Frazier after the awards cere
mony Wednesday night.
"It was a team effort That's what saved his life
■ team work.'1 said Frazier.
New magazine to publish in June
By J«n Ellison
Oi*0un t\*iyl m&»kt
A new addition to the University’s
student publications will appear this
June as u one-shot pilot project.
The magazine, titled Flux, is run
by a staff of 14 journalism students
and two journalism professors, Tom
Wheeler and Bill Ryan, who serve as
advisers.
In addition to the permanent staff,
10 student freelance writers and a
freelance photographer have con
tributed to the magazine
The goal of the magazine is to give
journalism students magazine expe
rience as close to the real world as
possible, Wheeler said. The students
run the entire publication, from edi
torial to art to publishing.
Although Wheeler said he is there
to give professional advice and sug
gestions. the students have final say
on every square inch of the publica
tion.
Flux also serves as a showcase of
student journalism. It will touch on
all forms of journalism studied at the
University including magazine fea
tures, public service announcements
and possiblv student produced adver
tisements, Wheeler said.
It all began in 1991 when the jour
nalism school hired Wheeler to start
the magazine. Wheeler served as the
editor-in-< luef of Guitar Player mag
azine for 10 years and guest lectured
at universities in the San From isco
area
'l was hired to start a magazine."
Wheeler suid " That was the only
guideline l went to faculty members
and students to get input on what
they wanted in a magazine- l wont
from there "
Managing Kditor Lynda Westcott,
a returning student, related her past
work experience with what she does
at the magazine. She said it's simi
lar to having a real job
"You have to be creative to find
solutions to problems." Westcott said.
"The answ-ers aren't in a textbook and
a teacher isn't giving you assign
ments. You have to be self-motivat
ed and disciplined."
The hours are long and the process
is demanding, but Editor-in-Chief
Maja Wolff said she wouldn't trade it
for the world.
“I really enjoy getting to work with
other students." Wolff said. “In class
es you are focused on yourself and
you compete against everyone else.
Here you all work together for a com
mon goal as a team."
Associate Editor Rivers janssen
agreed with Wolff.
“It is so different from working on
a newspaper, for example, where the
writt*r only works with the editor who
only works on his or her dejMrtment,"
Janssen said "You're thinking about
how the whole thing will look —
copy and layout "
Flux will be published only onc e,
this June, bec ause of a lack of per
manent funds, Wheeler said
Wheeler received $7,500 Irom the
Strategic Plan Action Fund, which
grants money for programs that
enhance undergraduate education
An additional grant of $5,000 was
donated by Bill lame, a memlrer of the
family that once owned Sunset mag
azine.
The staff of Flux will use these
funds to produce about 5,000 copies
of the magazine. They will be dis
tributed around the University and
to other universities around the
nation.
Flux will contain stories on a vari
ety of topics, including AIDS on cam
pus. a sample of a graduate student's
literary Journalism, a personality pro
file of a Native American screen actor
and the homeless.
The project is open to journalism
students with priority given to stu
dents in the magazine sequence.
“We are trying to koep this a jour
nalism production." said Wheeler
"But I’m open to looking at things
from other students."