An independent newspaper http://www.dailyemerald.com Tuesday, July 15, 2003 Since 1900 University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon Volume 105, Issue 7 UO will slash classes if board rejects tuition hike The University would have to trim about 100 classes to make up for $600,000 in lost funding By Ayisha Yahya Reporter About 100 classes will likely be cut from the 2003-04 academic year if the State Board of Higher Education de lays or doesn't approve proposed tu ition changes for the University, an administrator recently warned. It's not yet clear whether the board will come to a conclusion on the pro posal at Friday's meeting, but the pending decision will be far-reaching, affecting all seven Oregon University System schools. If the board turns down changes to tuition and fees plateaus proposed by state universities, the cash-strapped schools will have to deal with bigger financial burdens, administration of ficials said. If the board approves the changes, students statewide will pay more for a college education. The University is asking the board to allow an extra $20 charge per credit from 14 to 16 credits for undergradu ate residents. And Vice President and Provost John Moseley said the school's budget would be very tight should the board rejects the proposal. "If we are not allowed to institute the $20 charge, the financial impact on us would be $600,000," Moseley said. Moseley said the effects of the board's decision might not be felt un til winter term since some people feel students around the state were not ad equately informed of the proposed changes. If the decision is delayed or rejected, the University will be $600,000 short in the fall. "I'm hoping that the board will go ahead with (the University's) plan be cause it's reasonable," Moseley said. And if not? "I can't see any other solution for the $600,000 other than cutting class es," Moseley said. Moseley said due to the past year's fi nancial storm, other sectors like admin istration and maintenance have borne the brunt of the funding crisis. 1 le added that the school has done everything from not mowing the lawns to turning off lights in order to save money and to en sure that classes were not affected, which PART 1 OF 4 Today: Administrators warn of cuts without new tuition and fees standards Thursday: Student leaders prepare to discuss implications of tuition hikes Next Tuesday: Full coverage of Friday’s State Board of Higher Education decision Next Thursday: Students weathered tuition surcharges in winter and spring he said is the 11 niversity's key objective "We've protected classes while cut ting everywhere else," he said. "(Now) there's nowhere else to cut." The potential loss of $600,000 trans lates into about 100 lost classes, Mose ley said, and would mean hiring fewer part-time and adjunct faculty, as well as graduate teaching fellows. Classes will not be affected in the fall since the Uni versity already has its fall schedule in place, and Moseley added the school has not yet determined which classes to cut should the need arise. "You look at where you think it would do the least damage," Moseley said. 1 le added the University is already completely filling some classes; howev er, he said it might be able to offer larger classes, especially with the opening of the new lillis Business Complex. While there is still the possibility some stu dents may not get the classes they need, Moseley said the school will do what it can to promote education. "We're here to make it possible for Turn to Tuition, page 6 De-working 13th Avenue Construction workers are shaking things up on East 13th Avenue, building the new Memorial Plaza in front of the new business school By Jared Paben Freelance Reporter East 13th Avenue is likely to draw a second glance when students return for classes next fall. Instead of a flat ex panse of asphalt, the street will have planter boxes with brick work criss crossing it and the street itself will be raised to sidewalk level, all of which will form the new Memorial Plaza. PART 2 OF 2 Today: Construction of the facility has spilled into East 13th Avenue Last Thursday: The people and the processes behind the nearly completed Lillis Business Complex The work changes are part of a project by Eugene-based Cameron McCarthy Gilbert & Scheibe Land scape Architects LLP to beautify the grounds surrounding the new Lillis Business Complex. The work in cludes both the Memorial Plaza, lo cated on East 13th Avenue in front of the new complex, and several court yards elsewhere around the complex. Mike Loe, landscape architect with the firm, estimates the work will be finished on Memorial Plaza sometime next month, just in time to surprise many of the returning students. The plaza itself will Turn to Lillis, page 6 JmA 55* -tr -'y'. • *r tfV mih'i Jessica Waters Emerald Steve Andrew is part of the construction team that is working on East 13th Avenue to install, among other things, large flower beds for the University’s new Memorial Plaza. Council mulls expanding DPS responsibilities In a Monday meeting, the Eugene City Council discusses a proposal that would allow DPS officers to cite students for certain misdemeanors on campus, including MIPs By Jan Tobias Montry Managing Editor University administrators pressed the Eugene City Council Monday to support a proposal that would allow Department of Public Safety officers to issue citations such as minor in pos session of alcohol and possession of less-than-an-ounce of marijuana, and most councilors overwhelming supported the idea. Despite this position, many also questioned the timing of the proposal, noting that students should have the chance to become more involved before a vote takes place. "The timing is not only inappropriate but irresponsible to conduct this hearing on an ordinance that is very specifically targeting to the University, at a time when the University com munity is largely absent," said Ward 3 Councilor David Kelly, who represents the University area. Kelly recommended the council hold off on voting until fall, and suggested a clarifica tion be given on whether only commissioned DPS officers would receive the expanded power. Councilors Bonny Bettman, Ward 1; George Poling, Ward 4; and Gary Pape, Ward 5, also expressed support for the ordinance, leaving only Betty Taylor, Ward 2, expressing opposition at what she felt was a deliberate attempt to keep students in the dark. No other councilors commented on the issue. University administration officials — including Vice President of Administration Dan Williams, Vice President of Student Affairs Anne Leavitt and DPS Interim Associate Director Tom 1 licks — also showed support at the hearing. Administration officials argued the ordinance would promote a safer campus environment, provide a more efficient system for DPS officials and free Eugene Police Department officials and of ficers from having to deal with minor on-campus offenses. "We would very much welcome the opportunity to accept this responsibility," Williams said. Turn to DPS, page 6 WEATHER LOW HIGH 53 80 INSIDE Campus buzz.8 Classifieds.7 Commentary.2-3 Horoscope.7 Nation & World.4 Sports.5 NEXT ISSUE SOS keeps new Ducks afloat