Student groups share New Year’s resolutions Many organizations have big plans for 1999 By AmyJennaro lor the Emerald While students are still worry ing about finals, a variety of cam pus groups are already thinking about their New Year’s resolu tions. Some have outlined their goals, plans and desires for the coming year. Here is a sampling: ASUO The ASUO has a large number of activities planned for the New Year. It’s focusing on petitioning the Legislature to support bills that would benefit students, especially a bill that would provide better child care for student parents. “We are petitioning the gover nor, writing letters and giving per sonal testimony,” ASUO Presi dent Geneva Wortman said. In addition, the ASUO is also sponsoring a bill that would con trol student fees and keep tuition manageable. The group has been somewhat successful. Gov. Kitzhaber recently put the student fees bill in his budget, although he has yet to approve the child care proposal. The ASUO also hopes to in crease funds for Oregon Need Grants, financial aid that helps students with tuition and books. Currently, the grants only cover f 1 percent of education costs. The group also has many on campus activities scheduled for the coming weeks, including pro fessor evaluation handbooks that will be distributed in January. Wortman said the objective for the coming year is to assist students in the best way possible. “Always the goal of any quality ASUO is to give students access to higher education and make life easier,” Wortman said. Career Center The New Year is going to bring an expansion in the Career Cen ter’s services, especially in the area of student involvement. The center hopes to increase student participation by holding more ori entation sessions each term. “We are coming out to students more,” director Larry Smith said. The sessions provide an oppor tunity for students to learn more about the center’s resources and to sign up for job interviews with em ployers who come to campus year round. Smith said the best way to get in touch with companies is through the Career Fair. Although this term’s Career Fair has already passed, another one is scheduled for Jan. 20 and 21. Students who attend the fair have the opportuni ty to talk to employers and arrange interviews. Smith said all activities will help to achieve the center’s New Year’s resolution. “Our main goal is help ing students get career direction and find a position,” he said. Jewish Student Union The Jewish Student Union has a variety of projects in the works for next term. Starting in January, an Israeli dance workshop will be offered twice a month. In addition, monthly coffee talks with Jewish professors will be held. In February, the group will hold Jewish film festivals. Although the details haven’t been worked out yet, the Bijou theater is being con sidered as a possible location. “We wanted to get community involvement and educate people on Jewish films,” director Angela Favero said. The union is also working with the student group Common Ground to hold a conference on Is raeli-Palestinian identities at the end of March. Favero said everyone is wel come to take part in the activities. “The Jewish Student Union is a place for everyone, Jewish and non-Jewish,” Favero said. Greek Life Greek Life will mark the coming year with new officers for both the Interfraternity Panhellenic coun cils, Brian Meese and Kari Skoog, respectively. The officers are new to their jobs and are still formulating solid plans for next year. But Skoog said both groups would like the focus more on community service. Al though all greek houses have cer tain community service require ments, Skoog would like to raise the level of involvement. “We want to strengthen the greek system and be more involved in the community,” she said. »•■**. »■**■ »-<* K''» ».«». p<» ►<>. *<* |.o» ►Hi p«i ►«*> ».«*. (•««. *c® f.e*. ►'-» fCji I* ** I'* !« SV ,«» !<• «, | |i (