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Larsen leads the way Page 13
Thursday, January 15,2004
Since 1900 University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon
Volume 105, Issue 79
Bush proposes manned flights to moon, Mars
Bush plans to establish a more
permanent outpost on the moon,
create a new ‘Crew Exploration
Vehicle/ and then head for Mars
By Seth Borenstein
and William Douglas
Knight Ridder Newspapers (KRT)
WASHINGTON — President Bush set a soar
ing "new course for America's space program"
on Wednesday by proposing manned explo
ration of the moon within a generation and of
Mars sometime after that.
Hie price could soar, too, to about $170 bil
lion, according to a NASA document. But Bush
spoke mostly of the challenge he saw ahead.
"We do not know where this journey will
end," Bush said, standing before photos of the
moon and Mars at NASA's headquarters, "yet we
do know this: Human beings are headed into
the cosmos."
Comparing the new quest into space to the
Lewis and Clark expedition that opened the
American West, the president declared: "The
desire to explore and understand is part of our
character."
Astronauts could return to the moon to estab
lish a more permanent outpost, instead of brief
visits as in the Apollo era, as soon as 2015 or as
late as 2020, according to Bush's plan.
Wednesday's much-anticipated announce
ment was heavy on the what and the where of
this new initiative, but light on the how and
the how much.
The missions would employ a not-yet-de
signed "Crew Exploration Vehicle" that would
replace the current space shuttle, which would
be scrapped in 2010. Construction work on the
International Space Station, the world's current
presence in space, would finish at the same
time. It could be used to help on the moon
Mars mission.
Robots similar to the Spirit rover now on Mars
will pave the way for manned moon missions,
which could be launched as soon as 2008.
Bush gave no date for humans visiting the
red planet. Sean O'Keefe, NASA's administra
tor, said: "Our principle destination is Mars to
be sure. That's why we're there right now."
Bush also offered no overall cost estimate for
NASA's vast new mission. Nor would NASA. A
NASA document distributed after Bush's speech
showed three general categories involving the
moon-Mars mission and a few other smaller
programs, which would cost a total of about
$170 billion by 2020. More than 80 percent of
that spending would occur after Bush leaves of
fice, even if he is elected to a second term.
Retiring the limping space shuttle program
would free some money in NASA's tight $15.4
billion budget, as would curtailing construction
for the over-budget International Space Station.
Bush pledged to invite other nations to join in
the missions to tire moon and beyond, but O'
Keefe said they'll be U.S.-led.
NASA veterans, including Christopher Kraft,
who oversaw the Apollo Program, said the cur
rent agency is too old and rigid to do what the
president wants. NASA will reorganize, in light
of its new mission, on Thursday, O'Keefe said,
with an emphasis on "being flexible."
The key to getting to the moon and eventually
Mars is likely to be money, however, and NASA
has had a hard time managing that. Former
NASA officials and outside space experts point
to a history of massive cost overruns and poor
NASA budget estimating.
Going to the moon and Mars is important,
and "the next thing an exploring nation ought
to do," said Humbert Mandell, a former NASA
Turn to SPACE, page 16
Senate meeting
addresses budget,
athletics spending
The University Senate on Wednesday focused
on the large Athletics Department budget
and the financial impact of Ballot Measure 30
By Moriah Balingit
Freelance Reporter
Senior Vice President and Provost John Moseley revealed grim
budget prospects for the coming year at Wednesday's University
Senate meeting, and he emphasized the importance of Measure
30, the state's looming income-tax surcharge.
If Measure 30 fails, Moseley said, the University will see a $2.5
million budget shortfall, which would result in tuition increases,
program cuts or some combination of both.
There was some good news, however.
"We're not talking about a tuition increase for this academic
year," University President Dave Frohnmayer said.
There is also a fair amount of uncertainty regarding the poten
tial budget shortfalls. Moseley said Gov. Ted Kulongoski told fac
ulty that, because of other legislation, the shortfall may be closer
to $ 1.7 million rather than the originally slated $2.5 million.
In a panel discussion that followed the Senate meeting, ti
tled "Intercollegiate Athletics and Higher Education," numer
ous members of the audience challenged the relationship be
tween the Athletics Department and the University. The
discussion was sponsored by the University Senate and the
University of Oregon Chapter of the American Association of
University Professors.
Some members of the audience expressed concern that the
Athletics Mission Statement conflicted with the University Mis
sion Statement. ASUO Senate President Ben Strawn, a panelist in
the discussion, countered that argument and said, "I don't think
you can separate physical pursuits from intellectual pursuits
when (examining the mission statement)."
Brad Shelton, chair of the Intercollegiate Athletics Commis
sion, added, "I would be horrified if there was anything in the
Athletics Mission Statement that didn't jive with the University
Mission Statement."
The discussion then shifted to the athletics arms race, a move
ment of big spending by athletic programs that aim to keep up
with and outdo one another. Many are concerned that Division I
athletics programs are being pushed to outspend each other to
attract the best athletes.
Turn to SENATE, page 4
End of the road
Erik Bishoff Photographer
Mayor Jim Torrey walks through the City Hall courtyard Wednesday afternoon after announcing he will not be running for re-election.
Torrey cited personal reasons, as well as wanting to focus his energy on improving Eugene’s schools instead of on campaigning.
Eugene Mayor Jim Torrey said Wednesday
he will not run for re-election, saying it is time
to allow others the chance to direct the city
By Lisa Catto
News Reporter
Eugene Mayor Jim Torrey announced Wednesday that
he will not seek a third term after his tenure ends this year.
About 20 people gathered at Eugene City Hall to hear
Torre/s announcement, which lasted about 10 minutes.
"There comes a time in everybody's life and career when
it's time to step aside and let others step forward, and take
over in the position you've held for a period of time," the
63-year-old mayor said.
Rep. Pat Farr, R-Eugene, a former Eugene city councilor,
was overcome with emotion at the announcement and
wiped tears from his eyes.
"I've been so closely associated with Jim Torrey," Farr
said. "It's not the end. I think we'll see Jim come back and
do something later."
Torrey has been a part of local government for 16 years.
He served four years as a Waldport city councilor and two
years as a Eugene city councilor. He also served three years
on the Eugene City Budget Committee. Torrey recently be
gan the first month of his eighth year as Eugene mayor.
Turn to TORREY, page 16
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Travis Willse and
others evaluate
the Democratic
candidates