»C-US/Page9 Tuesday, April 15,2003 Since 1900 University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon Volume 104, Issue 132 UOalum changes trash into treasure University graduate Matthew Rutman’s charitable work in Guatemala earned him a finalist position in a national program Lindsay Sauve Family/Health/Education Reporter What is just trash to many students — outdated computers, wobbly tables, old chalkboards—is opportunity for Matthew Rutman. Rather than letting these items go to a landfill, Rutman fills up a semi and sends them to Guatemala. Rutman, a recent University graduate, founded Partners in Solidarity, a nonprofit organization that collects school supplies and delivers them to remote villages in Guatemala. He recently achieved recogni tion in the Volvo for Life awards, a nation wide program that acknowledges individ uals who have helped others in need. Rutman was one of 50 chosen from 2,036 nominations. Volvo for Life chooses 10 finalists to receive cash awards. Though program organizers did not choose Rutman as a finalist, he said the recogni tion he received may attract potential con tributors for his organization. After graduating from the University, Rutman traveled to Central America with the idea of exploring the area and volun teering his time. Rutman ended up in Guatemala and was inspired by the volun teer organizations he worked for. “I just fell in love with what was happen ing down there,” Rutman said. “There were a lot of people, international and Guatemalan, who were working hard to es tablish organizations, school systems, med ical clinics and orphanages.” Rutman saw a need for basic supplies in schools and medical clinics. After sev en months in Guatemala, he returned to the United States, established Partners in Solidarity and received several dona tions from schools, medical clinics, com puter stores and households. In April Turn to Hero, page 3 U.S. calls Syria ‘rogue nation’ Ron Hutcheson Knight Ridder Newspapers (KRT) WASHINGTON—President Bush didn’t list Syria as part of his axis of evil, but it is fast becoming his top target in his campaign to rid the world of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. Although U.S. officials downplay prospects of military action, and Syrian offi cials deny the charges, the steady stream of accusations from the White House, the Pen tagon and the State Department is strikingly similar to the invective aimed at Iraq in the buildup to war. On Monday — a day after Bush accused Syria of producing chemical weapons—ad ministration officials branded Syria “a rogue nation” and threatened diplomatic, eco nomic and unspecified “other” sanctions. U.S. officials have also accused Syria of of fering sanctuary to top Iraqi leaders and har boring a host of terrorist organizations. Syria has been on the government’s official list of nations that sponsor terrorism since the list’s inception in 1979. A newly released CIA report says that Syr ia has a stockpile of sarin, a deadly nerve agent. It also says that Syria “apparently is trying to develop more toxic and persistent” chemical weapons and is probably seeking biological weapons. “Syria needs to seriously ponder the im plications of their actions,” White House spokesman Ari Fleischer warned on Mon day. “They need to examine their ties to Turn to War, page 3 Syria Population: 17.2 mil. Ethnic groups: Arab 90.3%' c Kurds, | Armenians' other 9.7% Religions: Sunni Muslim 74% ons:_ c Alawite,; Druze, other „ Muslim } 16% TURKEY SYRIA 'Wit km Christian 10% Parties: Ba'th Party dominates; other parties have only a little influence S~^ : WM -- /V- '///, - WftWW M v M Read more online Go to www.dailyemerald.com, click 'News’ and then ‘ASUO elections’ 7, which includes the responsibility of serving on the Athletic Department Finance Commit tee. The ADFC works with the University's Athletic Department to provide free student tickets to select sporting events. Faust did not respond to the Emerald’s re peated requests for an interview. The chance to earn real world experience in the career she is most interested in drives Schulthies’ desire to be a student leader, she said. With a major in journalism focusing on sports broadcasting and a minor in econom ics, working on the ADFC brings together the Turn to Seat 7, page 12 Weather: Today: H 60, L 43, showers likely, light wind / Wednesday: H 60, L 43, scattered showers I Oil Wednesday: Legislation to increase OUS autonomy is coming... really...