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Wednesday, November 27,2002
Since 1900
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Volume 104, Issue 64
University reports diversity numbers
The percentage of ethnic
students enrolled on campus
has declined since 1999,
despite student body growth
Danielle Gillespie
and Brad Schmidt
Staff Writers
As the University continues to grow
at record rates, the percentage of stu
dents of color receiving an education
on campus has declined since 1999.
The University broke the 20,000
threshold for enrollment this fall, but
the number of students of color who
attend the University registers at just
12.7 percent of the student body.
Dating back to 1997, the percent
age of ethnic minorities peaked in
1999, when 13.1 percent of atten
dees identified as students of color.
In 2000, that number dipped to 12.8
percent, and it leveled off at 12.7
percent for both 2001 and 2002.
“A cynic would say that the
numbers haven’t increased so
that’s not good, but I think stu
dents of color fared well,” Office of
Admissions Multicultural Re
cruiter Tomas Hulick Baiza said.
“We are treading water here, but
it’s pretty difficult to maintain
numbers with the University being
more selective.”
And despite the percentage de
crease, in raw numbers, the
University has more students of
color attending.
From 1997 — when the Universi
ty had 2,151 total ethnic minorities
— through 2002, the number of stu
dents of color has increased year by
year. From 2001, the University has
added 122 ethnic minorities, bring
ing the total number of students of
color to 2,545.
And within each demographic cat
egory — which includes Asian/Pacif
ic Islander; African American; His
panic; Native American; and
Multi-ethnic — the overall percent
ages increased from 2001.
Other than multi-ethnic students,
the greatest percentage increase in
minority demographic numbers
came from Native American, which
increased from 200 to 226 students
— a 13 percent jump.
Hulick Baiza said the increased
numbers for Native Americans is a
victory for recruitment, and he said
it happened in part because of an
office position set aside for the re
Turn to Diversity, page 8
Declaration of cultural war
Students and professors
discuss issues such as racial
profiling at a teach-in called
War and Students of Color*
Ben Fuchs
Freelance Reporter
Matt Garcia recalled the horde of
military recruiters that swarmed him
as he graduated high school. They
pursued him based on one factor: his
last name. Garcia. Sounds Mexican.
Garcia was a commodity because
he was a minority. And the recruiters
almost succeeded.
Only a stern three-hour lecture
from his uncle, a Vietnam vet so
scarred by his wartime memories that
he could no longer be a contributing
member of society, would keep Gar
cia from shipping off to West Point.
Now a professor of ethnic studies at
the University, Garcia said Tuesday
that an abnormally large percentage
of the military is composed of minori
ties. Sold on images of successful mi
norities such as Colin Powell, many
minorities see the armed forces as a
road to power and economic stability.
Garcia was speaking at the “War
and Students of Color” teach-in at the
International Lounge on Tuesday
night. The teach-in, sponsored by
Students for Peace, the Multicultural
Center and Concerned Faculty for
Peace and Justice, aimed to create
awareness of how minorities are af
fected by war.
Students and professors discussed
issues thrown into the spotlight in
the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001,
ranging from minorities in the mili
tary to the highly-controversial USA
Turn to Teach-in, page 8
Danielle Hickey Emerald
Matt Garcia spoke at a "War and Students of Color" teach-in on Tuesday night in the
International Lounge. Garcia spoke about the effects of the military on minorities.
Community
offers students
holiday meals
Several options are available to students spending
Thanksgiving in Eugene, such as having dinner
with friends or joining a local community dinner
Jacquelyn Lewis and Helen Schumacher
Staff Writers
Time constraints, scanty bank accounts and myriad other
obstacles prevent many students from returning home to spend
Thanksgiving with their families. However, “home for the holi
days” doesn’t have to mean an empty dorm room or apartment
this year. Solo students can spend the day with an even larger
“family,” given that Eugene offers plenty of festive community
options on this holiday.
Junior psychology major Kim Merrill has not spent Thanks
giving with her family since she started college.
“It’s too expensive to fly home for a short amount of time,”
said Merrill, who is originally from Deerfield,111. “And Christ
mas break is around the comer.”
Instead, Merrill said she will be having dinner with a friend
whose family lives in Eugene.
Students who can’t spend Thanksgiving at a friend’s house
can still enjoy a tasty feast and good company at one of several
local community dinners.
The largest turkey dinner in the area is the annual Whiteaker
Dinner, a free meal available to everyone.
“Everybody and anybody who wants to be a part of the com
munity and share the day with everyone is invited,” dinner co
ordinator Beverly Farfan said.
The dinner will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m Thanksgiv
ing Day at Whiteaker Elementary School, located at 21 N.
Grand Street.
Farfan said about 2,500 Eugene and Springfield residents
usually partake in the fare, which includes traditional Thanks
giving grub such as turkey, gravy and mashed potatoes, but also
includes stir fry and vegetarian options.
“There will be lots and lots of desserts,” Farfan added.
In addition to edible treats, the event will also include a
huge holiday giveaway, including donated jackets, sleeping
bags, blankets and toiletries. Farfan said anyone interested
Turn to Holiday, page 4
Weather
Today: High 50, low 3$, ■
morning fog, otherwise sunny
Thursday: High 50, Low 27,
.morning fog, otherwise sunny
Looking ahead
Thursday
Eating...
Friday
Sleeping...
Students call new logo policy a ‘victory’
Student group opposition helped reverse
the proposed University logo policy that
could have impeded on free speech
Jan Montry
Campus/Federal Politics Reporter
In the aftermath of the “O” logo policy debate,
student groups and publications are expressing re
lief about the administration’s decision to make the
policy optional for student groups.
Associate Vice President for University Advance
ment Harry Battson recently confirmed that the pol
icy — which would have required student groups to
use the university logo — would be reversed, mainly
due to student group protests.
Students from publications around campus were
especially happy with the administration’s ^lecision.
Oregon Commentator Publisher Bret Jacobson
said the policy reversal was a “huge victory” for free
speech in student publications.
“This is the right policy that should have been im
plemented from the beginning, and it’s a shame that
such a flawed policy was ever tried out in the first
place,” he said.
Jacobson added that he thought one important
lesson to derive from the logo debate was the ad
ministration and the ASUO’s failure to recognize stu
dent group needs.
“It was a miscarriage of justice nine months into
the pregnancy,” added Pete Hunt, the Commenta
tor’s editor in chief. Other student groups also cited
freedom of expression and autonomy from the Uni
versity as primary victories in the logo battle.
The policy change “allows us to keep our identity as
• * Turn to Lego, page 4 * *
‘O’ redux
Student groups: Aren’t required
to use the logo on their
publications but can request to
use it if they comply with existing
design requirements.
University departments: Are
still required to carry the logo.
Contract nonprofit groups:
Cannot carry the logo unless
administration officials decide
the group’s message is consistent
with the University.
SOURCE: Office of University Advancement