An independent newspaper
http://www.dailyemerald.com
Wednesday, February 5,2003
Since 1900
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Volume 104, Issue 92
NASA's beloved seven
U.S. Navy PN2
Stephen
Escalante looks
at a group
photograph at a
memorial
service for the
crew of the
space shuttle
Columbia on
Tuesday in
Houston.
Erich Schlegel
Dallas Morning
News (KRT)
A heroic memorial
At a memorial for the seven
Columbia astronauts, Bush
offered support to the families,
fellow workers and NASA
Ron Hutcheson and Shawn Windsor
Knight Ridder Newspapers (KRT)
HOUSTON — Standing before the
weeping relatives of the lost shuttle as
tronauts, President Bush on Tuesday
invoked their memory with a vow that
“America’s space program will go on.”
Bush made the commitment to an
emotional audience of more than
10,000 NASA workers and contractors
who gathered at the space agency’s
headquarters for a tearful farewell to
the seven astronauts of the space shut
tle Columbia. Despite the size of the
crowd, the memorial felt more like a
private chapel service, as NASA work
ers shared anecdotes about their co
workers who died Saturday morning
when the shuttle broke up over Texas.
Bush said the seven astronauts ful
filled “an ancient dream of humanity”
by leaving behind “Earth and air and
gravity” in a quest for knowledge.
“This cause of exploration and dis
covery is not an option we choose; it is
a desire written in the human heart,”
he said.
His reaffirmation of support for the
space program was a comforting mes
sage to a crowd with an intensely per
sonal interest in Saturday’s disaster.
Bush and his wife, Laura, sat among
more than two dozen relatives of the
fallen astronauts.
Other audience members laughed
knowingly when Navy Capt. Kent
Rominger, the chief of the astronaut
corps, offered a series of anecdotes
about all seven astronauts. He recalled
the shuttle crew’s high-spirited antics
at the last NASA holiday party, when
they slapped temporary tattoos with
the mission’s identifying designation —
STS-107 — on anyone who came near
their table.
“The world lost seven heroes. We
lost seven family members,” Rominger
said. Addressing his departed col
leagues by name, he added: “I know
you’re listening. Please know you’re in
our hearts. We will always smile when
we think of you.”
Seventeen years ago, NASA hosted a
similar remembrance for the crew of
the space shuttle Challenger, which ex
ploded over Florida shortly after take
off. NASA administrator Sean O’Keefe
promised a thorough investigation of
the most recent accident “to make
sure it never happens again.”
Outside the gates of NASA’s head
quarters, hundreds of other people
held their own makeshift memorial
service.
“We love 6ur astronauts here just as
they love their firemen in New York,”
said Kathryn Lott, a Clear Lake resi
dent who came on her lunch break.
While some mourners placed flowers
or read poems, others simply milled
about.
“Every person coming out here has
some type of hurt,” said Gene
Grounds, the director of Victim Chap
lain, a Dallas-based Baptist disaster-re
lief organization.
John Cobarruvias brought his 8
year-old son, David, who was dressed
in a blue astronaut flight suit. Cobarru
vias couldn’t explain why he had come.
“Hard to explain,” said the NASA
computer analyst.
Bush, who paid tribute to each of the
seven astronauts individually, said
they faced the risks of their work with
joy
“Yet, some explorers do not return.
And the loss settles unfairly on a few,”
Bush said. “To the children who miss
your Mom or Dad so much today, you
need to know, they love you, and that
love will always be with you.”
Turn to Memorial, page 4
EPD issues
citations
at fraternity
Five University students received alcohol-related
citations Saturday at Sigma Nu fraternity, a chapter not
endorsed by the University or Greek Ufe Office
Caron Alarab
Crime/Safety/Transportation Reporter
Eugene Police Department officers issued alcohol-related ci
tations to five University students Feb. 1 at a party held at Sig
ma Nu fraternity. Sigma Nu is one of two fraternities not recog
nized by the University’s Greek Life Office because of
disagreements with current endorsement standards. As a re
sult, it will not face disciplinary sanctions.
Junior Spencer Miles, house president, received citations for
an unlabeled keg and for furnishing to minors, while four other
individuals received minor in possession citations.
As of Dec. 15, 2002, Sigma Nu became disaffiliated with the
Greek system after refusing to abide by University require
ments — including substance- and alcohol-free housing.
“They should be anticipating hard times after this incident,”
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Anne
Leavitt said, “even if they’re not in the Greek system.”
According to EPD reports, freshman Ashley Blodgett was
stopped late Friday night while walking east-bound on East
11th Avenue because she appeared to be intoxicated. The offi
cers issued the 18-year-old an MIP, and Blodgett eventually
directed them to Sigma Nu, located at 763 East 11th Ave.
Turn to Sigma Nu, page 3
Officials avoid
additional cuts,
affix surcharge
With the failure of Measure 28 and a $6.1 million
shortfall, the University is implementing a
$ 10 charge per credit and more ‘belt tightening’
Jan Montry
City/State Politics Reporter
University officials will begin implementing their plan to bal
ance the budget this year, using a combination of surcharges
and budget reductions to avoid cuts to classes or faculty after
the failure of Measure 28.
The plan, which was developed in collaboration with student
leaders, will impose a $10 per credit surcharge for winter and
spring terms to deal with a majority of the 86.1-million shortfall.
The remaining 82.1-million void will be filled by “belt tightening”
Turn to Tuition, page 4
Weather
Today: High 47, Low 25,
Mostly cloudy, areas of fog
Thursday: High 48, Low 23,
Partly cloudy, then sunny
Looking ahead
Thursday
Mecca members turn common
trash into works of artistic wonder
Friday
The Oregon cheerleading squad
heads to national competition
Students to observe black history month
The Black Student Union will be hosting
various events, such as a fashion show
and ball to commemorate black culture
Ayisha Yahya
Freelance Editor
Two hundred years ago, some students, such
as senior Erica Tucker, may have been breaking
their backs working in cotton fields. Seventy
years ago, they may have been in school, but in
separate classrooms, segregated from their white
neighbors. Forty years ago, they may have
joined the civil rights marches, demanding equal
rights for all American citizens.
Today, they walk through the hallways of uni
versities around the nation, actively taking part
in academic and social spheres of institutions
and communities, a sign of how much has
changed for black people in America.
February is Black History Month. It is a time
to celebrate these changes and to recognize
black people — from the well-known likes of
Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois and Rosa
Parks to the simple men and women whose
"names never graced the history books — and
their contributions to American society.
Tucker, a psychology major and co-director
of the University’s Black Student Union, said it
is imperative to acknowledge what black peo
ple have done for America, not just in Febru
ary, but every day.
“We are everywhere,” Tucker said. “Teachers,
doctors, civil rights activists — we can do any
thing other people do.”
Black Women of Achievement co-Director
Mary Kuto has similar sentiments.
“I think it’s important, because being on a
campus where we’re minorities, we want to
show there are positive African Americans.”
Kuto said. She added that it is vital to appreci
ate history and the advancements that have''
been made.
Tucker said BSU tries to create awareness
about black culture through its programs and
outreach activities. To celebrate the month, the
group will post the names of black leaders and
innovators, whose contributions may or may not
be well-known, in its office in the EMU.
The club also will host a black heritage ball
and a black achievement night to honor
Turn to History, page 3