Kara Westerveltforthe Emerald
Mohammed Jalloh, Kawezya Hutchinson and Quincy Attaway (left to right) gather in the Black Student Union office in Suite 25 of the EMU.
BSU branches out on campus
■The group aims to obliterate
racism while hosting campus
activities throughout the year
By Kara Westervelt
for the Emerald
On the wall of Suite 25 in the EMU
is a work in progress: a mural depict
ing a brilliant sunset and a wide me
andering river, with sharp black sil
houettes of people standing out
against the multicolored background.
The vibrantly painted wall provides a
backdrop for die lively conversation
and laughter that fills the office of the
Black Student Union.
BSU was founded as a resource for
black students on the University
campus. It “exists to encourage a pos
itive image of African Americans and
to support its members in achieving
their educational goals,” according to
the group’s mission statement, and its
members say it gives them that sup
port in a variety of ways.
For some, BSU provides a sense of
comfort and familiarity.
“It’s a second home for me,” said
Kady-Ann Davy, a freshman original
ly from Jamaica.
Etopi Fanta, a junior from Portland,
agreed. “It’s a home away from home,”
she said. “I can escape the anonymity I
feel on such a large campus. ”
Co-director Haben Woldu said the
group offers a forum for students to
“share stories and common goals. We
give support and motivation to stu
dents.”
“It’s nice to be part of an organiza
tion because there are only 300 to 350
African American students on a cam
pus of 18,000,” co-director Kawezya
Hutchinson said.
According to the co-directors, the
group has approximately 100 mem
bers, with at least 30 who are active
on a weekly or monthly basis.
BSU also serves as a resource for
new students. “Freshmen can come
here for peer guidance. We offer in
formation and advice for students on
classes, career choices, everything,”
Hutchinson said.
Fanta also described BSU as “a po
litical force— If you face adversity, it
can help educate you about your
rights.”
The co-directors expressed con
cerns about subtle racism on campus.
“It’s difficult to address issues that
people are unaware of,” Hutchinson
said. Some comments that might be
thought of as compliments can cut
Turn to BSU, page 11B
Brokerage firm funds student group
■The University Investment
Group analyzes industries
and votes on securities
in which to invest funds
By Dominique Beaumonte
for the Emerald
When someone hears that there’s a
student investment group on cam
pus, the first question that might
come to mind is whether the group
uses real money.
This one does.
“We are not dealing with chump
change,” junior business major Ben
Buzbee said.
In fact, the University Investment
Group receives $50,000 per year from
D. A. Davidson & Co., a brokerage firm
in Portland, to invest in the stock
market after analyzing industries and
companies.
Since the group was created in
1998, it has had great success, Buzbee
said. In its first six months, the group
was making a 15 percent profit, he
said. If the group earns more than 5
percent of the money invested, it di
vides the gain with D.A. Davidson.
The group usually donates its gains to
the University’s Finance Department.
Russel Tennant, the branch man
ager of D.A. Davidson’s Portland of
fice, said the student group provides
real-world opportunities that stu
dents can’t get in other places.
The organization, which was
founded by three students, now has
16 members. It is governed by three
co-directors: business majors Mark
Rollins and David Stout, and account
ing graduate student Jeremy Potts.
Stout, the director of information
for the group, said he takes pride in
the organization and sees the oppor
tunity to invest real money while still
an undergraduate as amazing.
Stout said students spend hours re
searching and analyzing different in
dustries and stocks and preparing rec
ommendations on which stocks to in
vest in. After presentations on stocks
and industries, the group takes a vote.
The decision of the majority deter
mines how the money is invested.
The group is currently investing in
a variety of companies, such as Lu
cent Technologies, Centennial Bank
and Monaco Coach. Stout said the
group prides itself on making wise in
vestments.
Active membership in the invest
ment group gives students incredible
opportunities in the job market, Stout
I 1 1 " 1 . I—nil’ll..1
said. The group’s work with D.A.
Davidson has been one of the best parts
of the experience for him, he said.
Cindy Burg, a D.A. Davidson ana
lyst and the company’s adviser to Uni
versity students, said investing is not
as easy as it looks, and these students
have had the opportunity to ride the
wave of the investment world. She
added that it takes a lot of time and ef
fort to make investments, and the
group has definitely worked hard.
Dominique Beaumonte is a freelance reporter
for the Oregon Daily Emerald.
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American Sign Language Clul> of the University off Oregon
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WAeite? Pegasus Pizza, 790 E. 14th
When? Thursday, October 18 at 5:30 pm.
Who? Anyone who wants to improve their ASL or meet other
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Why? Because we are a tun, committed group of people interested
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got aloha?
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When: Tuesday, November 13 (6:00 pm.)
Where: Ben Under Room (EMO)
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www.emu.uoregon.edu
From national franchises and brands to local
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The EMU has something for everyone.
food in the emu
Buzz Coffeehouse • Erb Essentials Store
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Jamba Juice • Pizza Planet • Subway
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