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Legendary Pre •
Though track star Steve Prefontaine died in his
prime, his feats continue to inspire many: PAGE 5
Ratings slump
Can students and the administration create an
effective and relevant evaluation system? PAGE 2
Wednesday
May 23,2001
Volume 102, Issue 155
Weather
TODAY
high 81, low 50
Since 1 900 University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon
Recycling technology
Jon House Emerald
Environmental health specialist Nick Williams sorts through a load of used computer equipment Monday at the Klamath Hall loading dock. The
University Environmental Health and Safety program has spearheaded the recycling drive to help reduce lead seepage in local landfills.
Dumpster diving for computers
■The University’s Environmental
Health and Safety program is
leadingthe charge in properly
disposing high-tech equipment
By Lisa Toth
Oregon Daily Emerald
Computer monitors were being left
anonymously on the University’s load
ing docks, and electronic equipment
was being found in trash bins. But
thanks to the University’s Environmen
tal Health and Safety program, those
monitors — which often contain haz
ardous materials that can leak out — are
now being disposed of properly.
Katyn Kaplah, Campus Recycling’s
program manager, said a recent survey by
the Environmental Protection Agency
found that 1.5 million computers have
entered the waste stream as of today. By
2004, 315 million obsolete computers
may be disposed of in landfills.
But the University’s program has al
ready diverted more than 1,000 pounds
of lead according to Nick Williams, an
environmental health specialist with
the University’s Facilities Services de
partment.
University Property Control Special
ist Susie Endow said Williams has been
“the driving force” behind the program,
which will either properly dispose of or
reuse the University’s state-owned com
puter and electronic equipment. Work
ers collected the equipment Monday at
the Streisinger and Klamath loading
docks.
“This harvest gathers both the living
and dead equipment,” Williams said.
“My concern is that the dead equipment
be disposed of properly.”
Williams also said the program will
be able to reuse about 50 computer sys
tems and 30 computer accessories, such
as printers, that have been collected al
ready. Those items will be donated back
to the community through the state’s
surplus property program.
The collected computer equipment
had been piling up in the closets, hall
ways and storage areas of campus huild
Turn to Computers, page 3
Fee meetings
hold no secrets
■ Panelists say Clark Document meetings are
closed to the public because they’re perfunctory
By Beata Mostafavi
Oregon Daily Emerald
Some people at the University are concerned about closed
meetings regarding recommended changes to the Clark Docu
ment. But those involved said the meetings are closed for a
good reason — and that they have nothing to hide. For several
weeks, a panel of five students and four administration mem
bers have discussed possible changes to the Clark Document,
which governs use of the student incidental fee. The discus
sions stemmed from the ASUO Student Senate’s proposal to
remove two programs from the Erb Memorial Union budget
and place them into the Programs Finance Committee’s juris
diction, but senators and EMU board members found rules
governing such a change are unclear in the document.
Another issue under review is how the U.S. Supreme
Court’s decision in Southworth v. the University of Wiscon
sin will affect the University’s ballot measure process. The
Court’s decision stated that incidental fees must be distrib
uted on a viewpoint-neutral basis, meaning groups cannot be
denied funds based on their views.
After the decision, the University president’s legal counsel
ruled that the ballot measure system is not viewpoint neutral,
according to Associate Vice President of Student Affairs
Anne Leavitt. While the budgetary process run by the senate
involves “back and forth” discussions incorporating many
perspectives, she said, the ballot measure process does not.
The nine-member panel’s recommendations will be sub
mitted to University President Dave Frohnmayer sometime
next week, Leavitt said, and the same information will be
disclosed to the public.
She added that the meetings are closed because more can be
accomplished by a small group. Leavitt said the people at the
table — including the ASUO president, the senate president
and administration representatives—have the most experience
with the fee process.
Turn to Clark, page 4
News brief
Plan to pay to play in parks
Beginning this weekend and continuing through Labor
Day weekend, parks throughout Eugene will charge a daily
user fee to cover operating costs associated with the parks.
Lane County Parks will charge a $3-per-car user fee at the
following locations: Richardson Park, Orchard Point Park,
Perkins Peninsula Park, Baker Bay Park, Hendricks Bridge
Park and Armitage Park.
However, Lane County Parks offers a simple way to avoid
paying the fee each time a person wants to venture out to
one of the parks: Users can purchase a Lane County Parks
season pass for $30.
“If people plan on visiting more than 10 times a year, the
pass is really the way to go,” said Susan Schweitzer, a Lane
County Parks office employee.
Since the parks don’t receive any tax revenue, the user fee
provides the necessary money for maintenance and operat
ing expenses, she said.
She said that the fee has been charged during peak-use
seasons since the 1970s.
Fees are necessary when operating some of the larger
parks, such as Baker Bay, according to Lane County Park
employee Robert Henderson.
Located eight miles east of Cottage Grove on Dorena Lake,
Baker Bay Campground and Marina offers a full-service
campground, group picnic sites, a boat ramp with plenty of
parking and a demarcated swimming area.
“Right now, the lake is full — it’s one of the only full ones
around,” he said, adding that although the lake’s water
comes straight from the mountains, it’s temperature is great
for swimming.
Passes can be purchased at the Lane County Parks office
located inside Armitage Park, at each park’s fee booth and
at G.I. Joe’s.