_Q_D_the w ft h www.dailyemerald.com An independent newspaper A new beginning m After three straight losses, the Ducks rebounded with a big win and are looking for more. PAGE 15 Just around the Bend The University is one of two schools drafting propos als fora branch campus in Eastern Oregon. PAGE 7 Since 1 900 University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon September 26,2000 Volume 102, Issue 20 Weather TODAY PARTLY SONNY high 75, low 45 CouncUjMtstpones vote on public smoking ban ■ Eugene City Councilors hear more testimony before deciding to postpone a final decision until November By Rebecca Newell Oregon Daily Emerald The Eugene City Council passed two of the three tobacco-related or dinances Monday that will crack down on smoking in public estab lishments and on sales of tobacco products in Eugene. “I’m ecstatic,” said Ray Hilts, a representative of Tobacco Free Lane County. “This is the type of ordi nance we presented to our City Coun cil and they did not act on the ordi nance.” Hilts was referring to a similar meas ure brought before the Albany city government. Supporters and critics of the smoke free policy sat for almost three hours before action came. Although a lengthy public hearing was held earli er this month, 25 people signed up to speak on the issue again prior to Mon day’s vote. The first ordinance, which tightens laws pertaining to tobacco sales passed unanimously, though council amended the ordinance parallel to OLCC guidelines which include a Re sponsible Vendor Inside City council also heard from both sides of the WIS TEC/University parking debate. PAGE 4 Program. The amendment will allow a “good faith attempt” by clerks and discretionary punishment for vi olations rather than mandatory penalties for selling tobacco products to minors. This ordinance will require tobacco selling establishments to obtain licens es and require, vendor-assisted sale of all tobacco products. The second ordinance dealing with smoking prohibitions in all business establishments with two or more em ployees drew more discussion before Dassing unanimously. Prior to a vote 3n the second ordinance, the council eliminated the document’s language which allowed separate smoking rooms in restaurants. Under the pro posed Eugene ordinance, employees weren’t allowed in the smoking rooms, which directly violates OLCC regulations. The third ordinance proved a stum bling block for the council and strong opinions resonated on all sides, in cluding those from new Councilor Bonnie Bettman. This was the first vote Bettman took part in since taking over for former council president Bob by Lee. She now represents Ward 3, which encompasses the University and a portion of the downtown area. Explicitly banning smoking in bars, taverns and bingo halls, the final ordi nance met with more controversy than the prior two combined. Turn to No Smoking, page 12 ■ Recently opened co-op tantalizes students seeking a low cost living arrangement and an environment centered around studying By Beata Mostafavi Oregon Daily Emerald Since its days as a drug and alcohol rehabilitation cen ter on campus, the house at 1790 Alder St. has seen many changes in recent years. Now known as the Janet Smith Cooperative, the home provides a studious atmosphere not typical of most co-ops. For many students, trying to study at home without distractions is already difficult, but living with almost 30 other roommates in a cooperative environment can make that mission nearly impossible. With its recent opening of a third house, JS Cooperative, the national group Stu dents’ Cooperative Association hopes to improve the lo cal scenario by offering a co-op arrangement that pro vides an appropriate academic environment as well. The JS Cooperative, which opened in mid-June, has ex panded the SCA’s membership by 21 new residents, bringing the group to a total of 81 participants this fall. This includes the other two houses on campus, the Lorax and the Campbell Club. All three are entirely student-run and include communal food and supplies in their leases. In contrast to the two other houses at the University, the newest addition aims to provide an atmosphere that re Turn toCo-op, page 12 Kevin Calame Emerald Steve Haskell reads on the couch in the living room of the Janet Smith Cooperative, which offers academically-focused housing. The co-op is lo cated near the university at 1790 Alder St. Governor speaks to revive student voting vitality ■ Kitzhaber will speak at the EMU Wednesday on issues regarding the upcoming election By Eric Martin For the Emerald - When Gov. John Kitzhaber attended the University as a freshman in 1965, he wanted the voting age lowered from 21 to 18. After all, he thought, if students could be drafted to fight in the jungles of Vietnam at age 18, they should have a say in their country’s public policy at the same age, said Jon Coney, a Kitzhaber spokesman. That ideal became a reality in 1970, when Congress passed legislation that lowered the legal voting age to 18. The Oregon Legislature followed suit on June 4, 1971, according to the Secretary of State’s office. But when Kitzhaber returns to the Univer sity on Wednesday for a five- to 10- minute speech at 9:30 a.m. in the EMU Amphithe ater, he will not be pushing for student vot ers’ rights, but encouraging student voters to exercise those rights. “The governor has always said voting is the heart of democracy,” Coney said. “If students aren’t using their influence at the ballot box, they’re going to be overlooked.” Coney said legislators tend to overlook the student vote because students often have low voter Turn to Voting, page 8 Every voter counts What: ASUO voter kickoff Who: Gov. John Kitzhaber, state Sen. Susan Castillo, state Rep. Vicki Walker and Executive Assistant to the University President Dave Hubin Where: EMU Amphitheater When: Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.