Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 7, 2001)
Oregonians deem college costly yet essential ■ A survey reveals that most people wish higher education were more widely available By Brooke Ross Oregon Daily Emerald Most Oregonians believe that while a university education is too costly, it is necessary to land a good job and maintain a good quality of life in the state, according to a re cently released Oregon University System survey. The survey, conducted by the Portland-based firm of Davis and Hibbitts, Inc., was based on a statewide poll of 600 registered vot ers. The results showed that 45 per cent of those polled think tuition is too high for public state schools. Yet even though those polled said higher education was too expensive, more than 80 percent said Oregon’s universities and colleges compete with the best in the nation. University faculty and students had mixed reac tions to the survey results. Van Kolpin, an economics profes sor and department head, said he didn’t think tuition was too expen sive in general, but said he under stands it is expensive for some stu dents. “I definitely don’t think tuition’s too high, but at the same time, I know it’s hard for some students to pay it,” he said. Kolpin said tuition at the Univer sity is more affordable compared to other schools, but if it were lower, more students could probably pur sue a college degree. “I paid my own way through school myself when tuition was a lot lower, and it wasn’t easy,” he said. Monica Hernandez, a sophomore economics major, is currently pay ing her own way through college. Hernandez said tuition is too high. She said she depends on financial aid loans and her work study job to pay for her education because her parents are not in a position to sup port her financially. “I don’t know what other univer sities charge, but if tuition was low er, it would make it a lot easier on everyone,” she said. Hernandez said the thought of hav ing to pay back student loans one day has left her worried about her future financial situation, a fear shared by 12 percent of those polled. She said paying back her loans will be a challenge, unless she can land a well-paying job after she graduates. She said her degree will likely make that possible. Hernandez is not alone in placing her hopes on her degree. Of those polled, 78 percent believe that in five years, it will be more important than it is now to have a degree in or der to secure a well-paying job. The survey also found that 90 per cent of polled Oregonians believe that making higher education more widely available is key to maintain ing the state’s quality of life. Martha Pitts, University director of admissions, agreed. She said the quality of life in Eugene definitely depends on the success of the Uni versity. Pitts said the University con tributes more than $100 million a year to Oregon’s economy, and Uni versity employees alone generate more than $9 million in state in come taxes. “For every $1 that the U of O gets from Oregon taxpayers, the Univer sity raises $5 from other sources,” she said. According to the OUS survey, What 600 Oregon registered voters had to say: Are our public universities doing a better job than five years ago? 2001 34% better 10% worse 37% same 1999 23% better 10% worse 43% same Do you think tuition at Oregon’s public universities is too high? 2001 45% too high 36% about right 3% too low 1999 51% too high 31%about right 3% too low Will a college education be more or less important in five years? 2001 78% more 3% less 16% as important 1999 67% more 5% less 26% as important How do you view future economic conditions in Oregon? 2001 30% better 21% worse 45% same 1999 31% better 18% worse 45% same SOURCE: Davis and Hibbitts Inc. about 10 percent more people are fa miliar with the University than they were when the last survey was con ducted in 1999, but University opinions about the reason for this increased recognition differ. Esther La Pointe, a sophomore ex ercise and movement science major, said the University’s increased pop ularity has more to do with media events than anything the University has done specifically in terms of ac ademics. “I think the whole Phil Knight sit uation put us in the media more,” she said. However, Pitts said the Universi ty’s has intensified recruitment ef forts and the establishment of more scholarships have increased recogni tion at the state level. “I think these efforts have gar nered a lot of attention around the state, even with people who don’t have school-age children,” she said. Gunfire causes school cancellation, rerouting of buses ■ A Eugene resident is arrested and charged with reckless endangerment By Darren Freeman Oregon Daily Emerald Police stopped traffic along four blocks on West 18th Avenue Tues day morning after receiving reports of gunfire. The shots were reported at 7:30 a.m., and the Eugene Police De partment blocked off 18th Avenue between Monroe and Friendly streets, notified residents to stay in doors and suggested that adminis trators at the nearby O’Hara Catholic School keep students away from windows. After more shots were fired while SWEET TALK! Trying to say just the right thing to your Valentine sweetie? How about TRUE LOVE, BE MINE, U R SWEET, or ONE KISS...That's right, those little chalky "Sweethearts®" are here and ready to save the day! We also have a great selection of special Valentine candies and chocolates. UNIVERSITY of OREGON BOOKSTORE officers approached the scene, an EPD SWAT team was called to re spond, according to police reports. Police arrested Douglas Monty Worley, 57, without conflict at 8:30 a.m. He is charged with reckless en dangerment and unlawful use of a weapon. Police confiscated several guns from Worley’s apartment, in cluding a shotgun, two rifles and three handguns. The EPD does not know the mo tive for the shooting, but officers learned that Worley was dealing with personal problems and sus pected that he had been drinking, according to police reports. The EPD used its first-in-the-na tion Community Emergency Notifi cation System to rapidly call 498 area residences and warn people to stay indoors. O’Hara Catholic School officials evacuated the school’s 88 elemen tary students and canceled classes for the day. Before an arrest was made, students were led out of the school’s 16th Avenue entrance and to a nearby church. Parents were called to take the children home. As many as seven Lane Transit District buses were rerouted during the police action, causing some Uni versity students to be late to class. But buses were back on route as soon as the arrest was made. “It didn’t cause us much disrup tion at all,” LTD marketing manager Ed Bergeron said. “We were able to get around it.” Calendar Wednesday, Feb. 7 Career Education Expo: “Human and Social Services Career Paths.” Noon-1 p.m. River Rooms, EMU. Free. Center for the Study of Women in Society presents Mary Wood, English: "This Puzzling Case: Narratives of Schizophrenia.” Noon-1 p.m. 330 Hendricks Hall. Free. Russian Film Series: "The Second Circle,” Aleksandr Sokurov’s study, in Russian with English subtitles, of family relationships and mortality. 6:30 p.m., 115 Pacific Hall. Free. Meeting: Information session about Queretaro, Mexico. 4 p.m., 214 Friendly Hail. Free. Black History Month The Black Student Union will host the following events: Today: Black Expressions Exhibit in the Multicultural Center. The exhibit will include a photo and art display. Feb. 16: Black Heritage Ball at the Red Lion Hotel. The event starts at 10 p.m., and thetheme will be “Harlem Nights: A Black Diamond Affair. ” Feb. 20: Celebrating African-American Achievement Night in the EMU Ballroom. The event, starting at 7 p.m., will honor prominent African-Americans in Oregon. Two events have yet to be scheduled: a poetry night and Taste of Blackness, a meal featuring soul food. Oregon Daily Emerald P.O.Box 3159, Eugene OR 97403 The Oregon Daily Emerald is published daily Monday through Friday during the school year and Tuesday and Thursday during the summer by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co. Inc., at the Uni versity of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon. A member of the Associated Press, the Emerald operates independently of the University with offices in Suite 300 of the Erb Memorial Union. The Emerald is pri vate property. The unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable by law. NEWSROOM — (541)346-5511 Editor in chief: Jack Clifford Managing editor: Jessica Blanchard Community: Darren Freeman, editor. Lindsay Buchele, Rebecca Newell, reporters. Freelance: Serena Markstrom, editor Higher education: Andrew Adams, editor. Brooke Ross, MandyToomey, reporters. Student activities: Jeremy Lang, editor. Emily Gust, Beata Mostafavi, Lisa Toth, reporters. News aide: Suzanne O’Kelley. Perspectives: Michael Kleckner, editor. Jayna Bergerson, Bret Jacobson, Pat Payne, Eric Pfeiffer, columnists. Pulse: Rebecca Wilson, editor. Lisa Griffing, Mason West, reporters. Sports: Jeff Smith, editor. Scott Pesznecker, asst, editor. Peter Hockaday, Adam Jude, Robbie McCallum, reporters. Copy: Sara Lieberth, Katie Mayer, copy chiefs. Jessica Davison, Monica Hande, Lori Musicer, Tom Patterson, Jessica Richelderfer copyeditors. Online: Carol Rink, editor. Timur Insepov, webmaster. Design: Katie Miller, editor. Azle Malinao- Alvarez, Brooke Mossefin, Russ Weller, designers. Bryan Dixon, Giovanni Salimena, illustrators. Adam Amato, Chrystal McConnell,Tom Patter son, Laura Smit, photographers. BUSINESS — (541) 346-5512 Judy Riedl, general manager. Kathy Carbone, business supervisor. Sarah Goracke, receptionist. Masahiro Kojima, John Long, Jeff Neely, Laura Ramelli, Gretchen Sim mons, distribution. CLASSIFIEDS — (541) 3464343 Trina Shanaman, manager. Katy Hagert, Amy Richman, Laura Staples, assistants. ADVERTISING — (541) S46-S712 Becky Merchant, director. Doug Hentges, Katie Harsany, Nicole Hubbard, Trevor Kuhn, Jesse Long, Chau Nguyen, Adam Rice, Hillary Schultz, Chad Verly, Lisa Wood, sales representatives. Erin O’Connell, Van Nguyen, assistants. PRODUCTION — (541) S46-4S81 Michele Ross, manager. Tara Sloan, coordinator. Laura Chamberlain, Kara Fallini, Cassie Keller, Melissa O'Connell, Laura Paz, Ross Ward, designers.
