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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