Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 26, 2000)
Seniors sent off with speeches. grab bags ■The EMU Amphitheater buzzes with conversation, ska music and pizza By Serena Markstrom Oregon Daily Emerald The air smelled like pizza and sounded like music Thursday as seniors ate, mingled, reminisced and took final photos with the Duck mascot at a send-off party sponsored by the Alumni Associ ation. The annual event took place in the balloon-decorated EMU Am phitheater and gave students a two-hour break from classes and studying. This year, Liz Smith, incoming vice president of the Student Alumni Association, was in charge of coordinating the event. Though it took a lot of organiza tion, Smith said she had a lot of support. “It’s a fun event to put on,” she said. The Accelerators, a ska band that played original songs and covered some favorites like Billy Joel’s “My Life,” entertained the crowd of hundreds of seniors who generally agreed it was good that there was an event put on just for them and their hard work. “I think it’s nice they finally gave us something for spending four years and a lot of money here,” said Michael Perkins, a po litical science major, who added that he enjoyed talking to people about their progress in school. “It’s crazy to see all these peo ple graduate who I never thought would make it.” Students expressed mixed feel ings about the grab bag they re ceived, which contained a mag net, a pen and a compact disc case, all marked with the Alumni Association insignia. “It’s cool you get free stuff, but when my brother was here they got pint glasses,” said Emilie Lavin, who will graduate in the fall with a degree in psychology. The grab bag didn’t fly with Je remy Burbank, who finished classes after winter term and will graduate with a degree in busi ness administration. “I think it kinda sucks,” he said. Other than the gift, however, the senior send-off was fun for Burbank. “I’m having an excellent time mingling and seeing people for the last time,” Burbank said. Another senior, Annelise Nor ton, said she would have appreci ated a different type of music. “It’s a good atmosphere, people are friendly, we’re enjoying our selves. But it doesn’t compare to the party I’m going to have for graduation.” Students also said they were glad to see so many people show up because they may never see them again. “It’s really nice to be around friends that I have known since freshman year,” said Hong Tran, who will graduate with degrees in political science and sociology. Students halted their conversa tions to listen to University Presi Catharine Kendall Emerald Students were able to enjoy pizza and live music by the ska band The Accelerators. dent Dave Frohnmayer and Uni versity Vice President Duncan McDonald say a few words. McDonald, who was attending his 25th senior send-off, said stu dents will miss the University af ter they graduate. He then gave a pitch for the Alumni Association saying it was a good way to stay connected to the school. Frohnmayer said it was a good sign for the graduates that the weather cooperated. University, state seek environmental sustainabilitv ■ Protectingand preserving the environment can help the economy, experts say By Adam Jude Oregon Daily Emerald With strong environmental pro grams such as the nationally renowned campus recycling serv ice, the University and the state of Oregon are considered by many as international pioneers in estab lishing sustainable measures for the future. Gov. John Kitzhaber issued an executive order May 17 that de mands state agencies to adopt greater sustainability practices and to m^et economic goals by 2025. The main objectives of the order are to increase economic vi ability for all Oregonians and im prove the efficiency of energy, water and land use. “Sustainability means using, developing and protecting re sources at a rate and in a manner that enables people to meet their current needs and also provides that future generations can meet their own needs,” the governor’s order states. Dr. John Baldwin, director of the University’s Institute for a Sustainable Environment (ISE), said the state is an international leader in establishing more effi cient environmental policies. “Oregon, more than any other place in the U.S., has made the commitment to properly develop economic sustainability and con serve what’s here.” With its strong emphasis on en vironmental protection, the Uni versity has also established itself as a leader of sustainability, said Christine Thompson, a planning associate in the University’s Of fice of Planning. “The University has done an awful lot, especially in recycling and transportation,” Thompson said. “We’re way beyond mast universities, but there’s still more we can do.” Throughout the past decade, the University has made huge strides to promote better sustain ability practices, including the creation of the ISE and the Uni versity Recycling Program, which was named the best school recy cling program by the National Re cycling Coalition in 1997. Karyn Kaplan has been one of the major contributors to making the campus more environmental ly friendly. As the manager of the campus recycling program and head of the Environmental Issues Committee, Kaplan said she is glad to finally see more support for environmental concerns being generated. “Other places are doing it,” Ka plan said, “but Oregon is a strong leader in presenting reasonable solutions.” Not only is protecting the envi ronment a good idea, it’s cost ben eficial and will eventually lower taxes too, Kaplan said. “We don’t want to waste the valuable resources we have; we want to invest for the long term.” In terms of the physical layout of the campus, Kaplan said that University is great at promoting the use of bicycles, as evidenced by the small number of parking spots for automobiles. The Campus Planning Com mittee (CPC) has also developed guidelines for better sustainabili ty; the group hopes to have a final version of its Environmental Poli cy Position Paper completed by this fall, Thompson said. In a recommendation to Uni versity President Dave Frohn mayer, the CPC said the Universi ty has done incredible work to promote sustainability in many facets. Stronger enforcement policies, however, need to be implement ed to in order for the University to reach its goal — to be a world leader in creating and maintain ing sustainable solutions. “Every little thing that every one does makes a difference,” Ka plan said. On Tuesday, the CPC will meet at 3:30 p.m. in the EMU Metolius/Owyhee Room.. Sustainability plan The governor’s executive order calls for the development of pro grams that meet the goafs of envi ronmental sustainability by 2025. The University is already in line with the executive order with many of its own sustainability measures and groups, including: * The institute for a Sustainable En vironment * The Environmental Studies de partment • “Green”chemistry, which looks to reduce the use of toxic chemi cals ♦The Campus Comprehensive En vironmental Policy ♦ Campus Recycling Program ♦ Office ot Environmental Health and Safety J SWING INTO SPRING! »jilMftPBING: RATES .1 H-Th $1619 tale] $29 U8 hates] Students nuS Seniors $20 uySmt with Student I.D. - Bjlltes] $34118 holes] Students ami Seniors $24 anytime rift Sbidoitf ID Check out Traditions Restaurant now open for Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner EMERALD VALLEY 83301 Dale Kuai Rd. S§ Creswell, OR 97426 CALL 541.895.2174 FOR TEE TIMES
