i
Are the newly
proposed athletic
trainingjacilities
nearAutzen Stadium
warranted?
Let us know.
editorials, letters, commentary and perspective
BY MAIL: P.O. Box 3159,
Eugene, OR 97403
BY PHONE: (541)346-5511
BY E-MAIL: ode@oregon.
uoregon. edu
IN PERSON: Suite 300, EMU
Eugene on top of college-town heap
■ OUR OPINION:
As Civil War
approaches, we
have to say that
the home of the
Beavers doesn’t
measure up to our
schizophrenic city
For 100 years, the University football team
and its northern nemesis, Oregon State
University, have faced each other in the
cold November air. And whenever the
“Civil War” comes around, the usual comparison
between the two schools ensues. As most of us
know, the University is vastly superior in almost
every way. Therefore, arguing over the quality of
the two institutions is almost irrelevant —
although very enjoyable.
Another argument that is equally
lopsided yet not as often discussed is
the “battle" between the two college
cities, our Eugene and the insignifi
cant other, Corvallis. Both can be
called college towns, but only one has
any level of independence apart from
its school. Both have resources for
their student residents to use, but
only one has resources to sustain a de
cent, civilized population. The two
towns are comparable and yet on
entirely different levels.
Eugene, we must
admit, is not perfect. £/■—■
Many of its citizens’
habits are down
right detrimental to
the city — usually 3 \
by being blatantly (3
illegal. And Eugene,
of course, has always
suttered from an identity crisis.
Is it or should it become a big city like Portland
— offering something for everyone? Or should it
keep its small town roots, remaining friendly and
devoid of any problems plaguing the big cities. Un
fortunately, it is not both, like many city officials
would like to believe. Instead, Eugene is neither —
doomed to be eternally confused.
Nevertheless, Eugene is a virtual utopia com
pared to Corvallis. A rural metropolis with 47,000
people to call its own, Oregon State’s home is tired
and just plain boring. While its Convention and
Visitors Bureau touts the city’s “beautiful scenery,
mild seasons and plentiful activities,” Corvallis ac
tually offers nothing but a supply depot for the
many farmers in the area.
CHRIS HUTCHINSON/Emerald
College students, especially, find only empti
ness in their search for activity outside of campus.
Just ask one. While most Beaver fans won’t say it,
they actually hate Corvallis as well — more than
any of us could. They just can’t admit it. Fortunate
ly, we’re here to help them do just that.
Eugene, on the other hand, actually has events
and activities, not just people. There’s more than
three movie theaters, more than one decent news
paper and more than one major theater company.
There’s a diverse culture instead of a very limited
one. And numerous parks and hiking trails exist
inside the city limits instead of 20 miles outside,
like in Beaverville.
Many college campuses, especially smaller, pri
vate ones, become shelters for their students. They
never venture out, except for the necessary food
and supplies. At Oregon State, the students can’t
venture out. There’s nothing there — just Corvallis.
Fortunately, in Eugene, we have the luxury of a
life. Not only are there things to do, but we actually
get to make choices. And most importantly, we at
tend a good university. The Beavers can’t even say
that.
This editorial represents the opinion of the
Emerald editorial board
The Oregon Daily Emerald is published daily Monday through Fri
day during the school year and Tuesday and Thursday during the sum
mer by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co. Inc., at the University
of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon A member of the Associated Press, the
Emerald operates independently of the University with offices at Suite
300 of the Erb Memorial Union. The Emerald is private property. The
unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable by law
Editor-in-Chlef: Steven Asbury
Managing Editor: Jennifer Carter
Night Editor: Steven Asbury
Community: Jennifer Schmitt, editor. Doug Irving
Entertainment: Nicole Kreuger, editor. Jesse Stephenson
Higher Education: Shana Cohn, editor. Tamyra Howser, in-depth.
Laura Cadiz, Benjamin Kwasney
Opinion: Ashley Bach, editor Chris Hutchinson, illustrator.
Brian Diamond, Larry Haiti, Sonja Sherwood
Student Activities: Kristin Bailey, editor Angie Suchy. Tom Potter
Sports: Mark McTyre, editor. Andrea DeYoung, assistant editor
Chris Hansen, Ryan Frank. Ryan Halvorsen
Copy Desk: Thom Schoenborn, copy chief. Sarah Kickler,
Paul Meznarich. Mike Schmierbach. Kendra Smith
Presentation: Dennis Bolt, editor. Matt Garton
Photography: Mathew Stiffler, editor Andrew Brackensick,
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Freelance: Lara Pittman, editor. On-Line: Nicholas Stiffler
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LETTERS
SAA hates apathy
The members of the Student Alumni
Association wish to respond to your Nov.
8 editorial concerning Homecoming activ
ities. We were disappointed by the lack of
support for the many activities offered for
students during Homecoming weekend.
Instead of promoting the events, you took
it upon yourselves to trivialize and even
ridicule these events that we work hard at
each year to make enjoyable.
We feel that everyone is entitled to their
opinions, but before you criticize our
events, it may be wise to get your facts
straight on information regarding the
Homecoming activities. For example, you
claim in your article that Homecoming
events are only for “a select group with
open wallets.” In fact, the events we plan
are intended to be directed at all college
students regardless of their financial situ
ation.
You also asked, “What ever happened to
parades, bonfires and true school spirit?”
We agree that bonfires are fun and have
done our best to sponsor them in the past,
but the city is very reluctant to issue per
mits for burning within the city limits be
cause it pollutes the air. Wouldn’t this be
cause for another editorial?
The problem is not that there is a lack of
activities to foster school spirit. Rather, it
is a combination of student apathy and ed
itorials such as yours that convey a nega
tive attitude toward Homecoming and re
lated events.
The bottom line is the Student Alumni
Association prides itself on the diverse ac
tivities we plan for students and the Eu
gene community. This year’s Homecom
ing and Parent’s Weekend were extremely
successful in that we had greater atten
dance in years past. It is fortunate for us
that the majority of students who do take
pride in the school take your editorials
with a grain of salt. It is also these students
who will continue to plan events in order
to maintain and increase student pride.
Celicia Tatsumi,
Patrick Tandingan
& 23 co-signers
Student Alumni Association
Misplaced identities
Recently, I read a letter to the Emerald
(Oct. 28) by a woman who referred to her
self as “an actively out lesbian” — I think.
I’m not sure anymore because the special
interest labels keep changing. Thus, I
wrote this letter.
Maybe I am insensitive, but I get really
sick of having to stumble around rhetoric,
innuendo and buzz words just to be politi
cally correct. Or is it “P.C.” now?
The double standard of special interest
categorization actually separates instead of
uniting. The more we invent student
unions for 9,000 different minorities (Can I
say minorities?), the more we divide.
The letter to the ODE on Nov. 18 is a
good example. A woman in support of in
creasing the number of multicultural stu
dent unions spent half of her text using the
correct terms for the cultures.
Some may call me a gay basher; others,
a commie fag. One thing I'm not is rigid.
However, I am not without bias. Being
born and raised in Oregon and not being
able to afford to buy a house here helps me
to support my bias against people moving
here from other states. But I don’t believe I
should receive special rights in housing,
schooling or employment.
Besides my Oregonian status, I am also
an alcoholic. I believe that I was born an
alcoholic. I am not seeking special status
due to my disease. I abused alcohol and
other drugs for 25 years, and though I
haven’t used those substances for more
than 12 years, I still choose the mantle of
alcoholic. I do not seek special treatment
or recognition, yet I have been turned
down for jobs, relationships, insurance
and driving privileges due to my disease.
This is true even after I quit using the
drugs.
Though an alcoholic, I do not get my
identity through it — just freedom. If I was
gay or “actively” gay, my identity, rights or
privileges would not come from who I
slept with. If yours does, there are a couple
of 12-step programs for you.
Colin Campbell
Eugene