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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 24, 2003)
An independent newspaper http://www.dailyemerald.com Friday, October 24, 2003 Since 1900 University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon Volume 105, Issue 41 Business school enters new era with Lillis The Lillis Business Complex opens today but will not host classes until January By Caron Alarab News Reporter The most student-centered, environmentally friendly facility on campus opens its doors to the public today to show off its cutting-edge technology and innovative teaching spaces. The Charles H. Lundquist College of Business will celebrate the unveiling of the Lillis Business Complex after more than a year and a half of con struction. Events include an 11 a.m. ribbon cutting ceremony in the building's atrium, a free lunch and self-guided facility tours. The $41-million complex, which spans more than 195,600 square feet, was built almost entirely with private funds. "This has been the largest privately funded build ing at the University," said Chris Murray, associate dean of external affairs in the business school. "It's going to be a jewel on campus." The most prominent of the private gifts was a $ 14 million donation from MediaOne Group Chair man Chuck Lillis, who earned a Ph.D. from the University's business college in 1972. He and his wife, Gwen, also generated about $39 million in private support through fund-raising ef forts, according to a University press release. "Those who funded the project knew it was de signed with students in mind," Murray said. The University's decision to build the complex stemmed from a significant lack of space for classes in Gilbert Hall, where business courses were held before Lillis was constructed. "The previous building was sized to accommo date for about a half of the students we served," Murray said. "The overcrowding conditions were not ideal for the type of learning we want to pro mote here." Lillis holds 14 tiered case rooms and two large auditoriums, which have room for 200 and 300 people. In addition, the building has six learning centers that cluster student study areas and faculty offices around specific subjects, such as financing. Murray said the best aspect of the building, how ever, is the amount of extra space outside of the classrooms, which he called "huddle zones.” The spaces, which are perfect for casual meetings, group projects and socializing, are scattered throughout the building and are easily accessible. Turn to ULUS, page 4A Adam Amato Photo Editor The Lillis Business Complex is a $41 million project designed to be student-centered. Standardized grading remains contentious The business school's policy was implemented last year in the hopes of preventing grade inflation and being fairer for students By Caron Alarab News Reporter Prior to enrolling at the University, freshman Brian Smith had never heard of a regulated grading system. But after attending the first three weeks of his introduc tory business class, which is regulated, the pre-business administration major said he only hopes the system is fair. Turn to GPA, page 4A RACETTE Adam Amato Photo Editor Professor examines changes George Racette, who began teaching finance at the University in 1974, looks back on 30 years of advances By Jared Paben News Reporter As far as George Racette knows, he has been the only professor to ever occupy room 396C of Gilbert Hall. Located in the basement of the build ing's east wing, the office is long and nar row with a high ceiling. Books line shelves that creep high on the walls, and the room has all of the clutter of a well settled bedroom. Since 1974 when Racette started teaching finance at the University, the Charles H. Lundquist College of Business has under gone many changes. His office once stored mechanical arith metic devices, each of them weighing close to 40 pounds. They were about the size of a bread box, and like any mechanical ma chine they often jammed. When the school replaced them with calculators, the storage room was converted to an office, and Racette moved in. That was in the mid-1970s. Since then, the business school has grown by leaps and bounds. Turn to RACETTE, page 8A Mandrake was officially “hatched" at Homecoming 2002. Adam Amato Photo Editor i Mandrake: MIA, whereabouts unknown The Nike-designed mascot hasn't been seen at games since last year By Ayisha Yahya News Editor The University's alternate mascot has been missing in action. The futuristic "Mandrake" has n6t regaled sports fans since a men's basketball game last season, and some wonder whether he'll be there to celebrate his first birthday at the Homecoming football game against Stanford on Saturday. Mandrake was officially "hatched" at last year's Homecoming game. Unlike the Universi ty's paunchy but tenacious mascot Oregon Duck, Mandrake is buffed up like an athlete on an intensive workout program. Nike designed the macho-looking mascot, whose style matched the University's uniforms and logo. Jim Bartko, assistant athletic director for communications and corporate relations, Turn to MANDRAKE, page 8A WEATHER LOW 36 HIGH 65 INSIDE Campus buzz.4A Classifieds.7A Commentary..2A Crossword.7A News briefs.3A Sports.5A NEXT ISSUE A look inside the University’s new business complex
