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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 8, 2003)
An independent newspaper http://www.dailyemerald.com Monday, December 8, 2003 Since 1900 University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon Volume 105, Issue 70 Fire singes residence hall room No one sustains injuries in the fire, which caused the evacuation of the entire Hamilton Complex early Sunday By Jared Paben News Reporter Spiller Hall freshmen John Gutman and Andrew Byrne are safe after a fire broke out in their first-floor residence hall room at about midnight Sunday, prompting the evacuation of Hamilton Complex. The students face possible University sanctions after a candle on a shelf in their room started a fire that singed shelves, blackened the ceiling and filled the first-floor hallway with smoke. Both men were asleep in 109 Spiller Hall when the fire broke out, and they said they credit their friend and across-the-hall neighbor, freshman Col in Williams, with saving their lives. "I heard their smoke detector going off, so I got up to see what it was," Williams said. Williams said he saw 3-foot-high flames coming from their top shelf, and Gutman and Byrne were "passed out" in their beds. Williams said he pulled the fire alarm and ran to grab the fire extinguisher. He came into the room and extinguished the blaze, he said, sending smoke throughout the room and hallway. "I was yelling, 'It's a real fire, get out'," Williams said, adding that he can remember three false alarms this year. Williams said he tried to wake Gutman and Byrne by shaking them and yelling but hey didn't move. Eventually, he said, they both woke up. Byrne said he remembers getting up and, with some help from fellow residents, walking down the hallway and outside. He stood in the cold in his underwear, without socks. "You don't really realize things when you come out of sleep," he said. "People were shrieking in the hallways. People were freaking out." Sophomore Josh Matheny said he ran from the third floor down to the first to investigate when he Turn to FIRE, page 6A Adam Amato Photo Editor Firefighters enter Spiller Hall in response to a residence hall room fire Sunday morning. New steps: Freshmen face first finals week The learning experience of college culminates for freshmen in the harrowing schedule of finals week By Jared Paben News Reporter Jennifer French sits in her butterfly chair, rest ing her head against the edge of the nearby coun tertop. Her expression is one of discomfort, falling just short of a grimace. Occasionally she reaches up and holds her head, which aches. She reaches up and shuffles some things on iter desktop, searching with her hands. French says she has not been able to find her Motrin IB. It's Wednesday evening of Dead Week, a week before the end of French's and her roommate, Michele Taylor's, first term in college. French has a brutal headache, but she insists it's not because of her finals. In fact, she says she is not very stressed at all. Already, she has completed a fi nal in her Freshman Interest Group chemistry class and she feels good about it. Turn to FRESHMEN, page 5A ONGOING SERIES The Emerald recognizes the significance of freshman year and, more importantly, the ad justments that are made in such a short period of time. Emerald writers and photographers chronicled the activities of two freshmen this term, reporting only what they saw and heard. If Emerald staff were not present, the scene was re-created through the recollection of those who were present at the time. This is the last installment of the series. Feminist bookstore could face closure Long-standing Mother Kali’s Books is facing financial trouble and competition from larger bookstores in Eugene By Ayisha Yahya News Editor For more than 25 years, Mother Kali's Books has been one of Eugene's most prominent resources for feminist litera ture, and many in the community believe it's more than a bookstore. To them, it's also a cultural institution. Recent financial turmoil may force the in dependent store to close its doors, however. Mother Kali's Board of Directors mem ber Daryl Moore said the store will stay open until at least early spring as the board works to find ways to keep it in operation. The store, located at 720 E. 13th Ave., has a unique range of books that focus on national and international women's is sues, as well as other diverse selections. "It's a good place for women to come and find books especially about them," store co manager Cheryl Rivers I laley said. She said readers may be able to find titles at the store that they are unable to find at larger stores. Moore has similar sentiments. "Mother Kali's has always been a femi nist bookstore, and it's about access to feminist ideas," she said. She added that Turn to CLOSURE, page 4A NEWS BRIEF ASUO Vice President still awaiting trial date No trial date has been set for ASUO Vice President Eduardo Morales, who was charged in October with assault and crimi nal mischief in the second degree. Morales pleaded innocent to both charges Oct. 22 in municipal court, and he requested a jury trial. Municipal court clerk Barbara Keahey said there are multiple reasons for the lack of a trial date. "There is an incredible amount of prep work," Keahey said. "We do the best we can, but it's the end of the year and the docket is full." The court also must pool a jury, and it has to wait for the Eugene Police Depart ment to send a schedule of police officers' availability. "We set (trials) as quickly as possible," she said. "But it can take a considerable amount of time." —Ali Shaughnessy WEATHER LOW 36 HIGH 46 INSIDE Classifieds.10A Commentary..2A Holiday supplement....lC Sports.7 A NEXT ISSUE The Emerald will resume publishing Jan. 5,2004
