Domination / Page 5A
Friday, November 15,2002
Since 1900 University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon
Volume 104, Issue 56
One duck... or two ?
Mascot Donald Duck will be sticking around,
but the new mascot, dubbed ‘Mandrake/
will join Donald in entertaining fans
Brad Schmidt
News Editor
Gould the University be planning to replace its
beloved mascot, Oregon Duck, aka Donald Duck?
According to University personnel, that idea is just
plain goofy.
Yes, the University has a new,
futuristic-looking mascot that par
allels the Oregon uniforms and
logo. Yes, athletically speaking, the
new duck can do things Donald can
only dream about. And yes, the new
duck was designed by Nike, the
largest sports apparel producer in
the country and a substantial donor
to the University.
But rest assured, Donald is here to stay.
“As far as the mascot itself goes, I don’t think we’ve
ever looked at replacing Donald,” Merchandising
Director Matt Dyste said. “I don’t think anyone would
want to change that.”
In fact, the University and The Walt Disney Company,
which owns the rights to the Donald Duck character, are
close to reaching a long-term contractual agreement that
is much to the University’s liking, Dyste
said.
The contract should be finalized
within the next couple weeks and, with
its completion, the University will be
two parts. Part
two will run
in Monday^
Smerald.
Top right photo by
Adam Amato,
left photo by Mark
McCambridge,
for the Emerald.
able to market the
Donald character
across the nation.
Currently, Donald
items can only be sold
in Portland and
Eugene.
“We went back
to them and said,
‘Well, we’ve got a
broader audience
and we’d like
broader area to sell
in,”’ Dyste said.
In the meantime,
the University has
continued efforts
to expand its fan
base. The new
duck, which was
designed as part
of the University’s
apparel contract
with Nike, was cre
ated to appeal to
and excite a
younger generation.
“It’s not a state
ment we’re trying to
make,” said Jim
Bartko, assistant
athletic director for
community and cor
porate relations. “It’s
just a way to create
a buzz
around the
games.”
As the story
goes, the idea behind the new mascot, which
Bartko and other athletics officials call
“Mandrake,” spawned from a spring basket
ball game. When Oregon was in Sacramento, Calif., play
ing Montana in the NCAA Tournament, athletic officials
noticed advantages of having an agile mascot.
“Mandrake” will make his final appearance of the foot
ball season Saturday, when Oregon plays host to the
Huskies. After that, Bartko said the new duck — which
students will likely have the opportunity to name — will
show up during key basketball home games.
But it’s quite possible, and probably likely, that
“Mandrake” will be seen on a larger scale.
With the Donald character, the University splits its
royalties with Disney. The new duck, however, is owned
by the University, meaning that all “Mandrake” royalties
will go directly into the University’s pocket.
“We didn’t go in saying we could sell more items,”
Bartko said. “But if it helps out, sure.”
The University’s relationship with Disney hasn’t
always been so good. One day in the early 1970s, former
archivist Keith Richard received a call from the Athletic
Department: The Walt Disney Company wanted to see
the contract that gave the University permission to use
Donald’s likeness. As it turned out, no such contract
existed. A black-and-white photo of Walt Disney,
adorned in an Oregon jacket, stood as the University’s
only proof. From that point on, the University and
Turn to Mascot, page 8A
Federal grant
helps groups
curb violence
With a new grant, the Office of Student Life and
the Women’s Center plan to support campus
programs geared toward preventing violence
Danielle Gillespie
Safety/Crime/Transportation Reporter
The Women’s Center and the Office of Student Life
recently received a $186,359 grant from the U.S.
Department of Justice to reduce violence against women
on campus.
Office of Student Life Assistant Dean Sheryl Eyster said
the groups have plans to use the money over the next two
years to start a new program and to expand and strengthen
current violence prevention programs. Eyster said she
hopes the changes will further involve the campus and com
munity in ending violence against women.
The new program is based on a community engagement
model, which Eyster said has never been implemented in a
University setting. She said the program is designed to get
leaders from different campus groups such as the greek sys
tem, residence halls and Family Housing to come together
and create violence prevention programs based on values
and morals of each community.
Eyster said these community leaders will be able to
request funding for their violence prevention programs in
the form of “mini” grants.
“This allows them to make the changes, and it places the
decision-making on their end,” she said. “It gives them
ownership of the issue.”
Eyster said she hopes the grant will also allow the University
Turn to Grant, page 4A
Staples adopts
recycling policy
The office supply chain is moving toward buying
and selling recycled paper products, as well as
starting national recycling initiatives and programs
Jody Burruss
Environment/Science/Technology Reporter
Staples, the national office supply superstore chain, an
nounced its new Environmental Paper Procurement Policy
on Tuesday, which will move the company toward forest
friendly paper sales.
The new policy focuses on purchasing and promoting prod
ucts with recycled content, implementing chainwide recycling
initiatives, establishing energy conservation programs and cre
ating educational initiatives for customers and associates.
“We are proud of our solid history of dedication to the envi
ronment that has brought us to this important milestone,” Sta
ples vice-chairman Joseph Vassalluzzo said. “We now embrace
the work ahead toward realizing our environmental goals.”
The national Paper Campaign coalition, a mix of dozens of
groups dedicated to moving the marketplace toward recycled pa
per, has been pressuring Staples for the past two years to adopt
this sort of policy. The coalition targeted Staples because it is the
largest and fastest growing superstore chain in the world, making
it the market leader and lead consumer of forest products.
Turn to Staples, page 8A
Weather
Today: High 53, Low 40, morning fog, then dear
Saturday: High 55, Low 45, fog followed by rain
Blood drive creates competition
The Civil War-inspired blood
drive allows donors to vote for
their favorite team after making
an appointment and donating
Jillian Daley
Family/Health/Education Reporter
For those who bleed green and yellow,
the first ever Civil War Blood Drive,
which began Nov. 4 and runs through
Wednesday, is a chance to show support
for the Ducks — or the Beavers.
Football fans statewide can cast a vote
for their favorite team after giving blood
by making an appointment anywhere in
the state with an American Red Gross
bloodmobile or locally with the Lane
Memorial bloodmobile. The team with
the most votes will be announced during
the big game on Nov. 23.
The Lane Memorial and Red Gross
bloodmobiles are visiting the University
today at the EMU from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
collecting donations from the vein and
tallying votes.
“For medical reasons, I can’t give
blood, so it’s my way of being involved,”
said sophomore Julie Whitecotton, blood
Turn to Blood drive, page 8A