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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 22, 2004)
Experts remain somewhat hopeful about economy At Wednesday's 10th annual Economic Forecast symposium, local economists address a slow but steady rise for Oregon in 2004 By Caron Alarab Senior News Reporter Despite predicted increases in property, health care and utility costs, industry experts and economists remain "cautiously opti mistic" about the future of Oregon's economy in 2004. At the Eugene Area Chamber of Com merce's 10th annual Economic Forecast on Wednesday, local and state representatives addressed issues ranging from the importance of improved investment statewide to the in creasing economic value of higher education, especially the University. "The University is a tremendous force in the local economy," University Vice President for Research Rich Linton said. Speakers at the forum focused in part on the economic benefits of the technology in dustry in Oregon. "Oregon's high-tech companies are doing big things in small places," Jack Isselmann, deputy director of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, said during his keynote speech. Isselmann stressed the importance of high-technology compa nies as private manufacturer employers and as a means of leveraging statewide investment. After the speech, local industry panelists — including representatives from markets in real estate, health care, tourism, utilities and higher education — gave an uneasy forecast for 2004. Real estate experts predict more record high vacancies and record-high prices, while those in health care expect hospital, physi cian and pharmacy costs to continue rising. Utility costs are also expected to increase, lo cally and regionally, by five to 15 percent in 2004. On the other hand, the tourism industry hopes a new Eugene airline and new Univer sity buildings will help to bring back visitors. Linton, representing higher education, had the most optimistic outlook for 2004 as he re ferred to a recent multi-million dollar fundraising campaign, and he predicted an end to the statewide salary freeze by 2005. The event also featured an economist pan el, which included representatives from the Oregon Employment Department, ECON Northwest and other organizations. The panel estimated a four percent growth rate in 2004, despite major job market challenges and on going investment issues. Linton, who called the overall forecast for 2004 "cautiously optimistic," said he was proud to have represented the University at the event. "I felt very gratified that there is growing appreciation for the University as an econom ic engine," he said. Contact the business/science/technology reporter at caronalarab@dailyemerald.com. Tim Bobosky Photographer Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies Rich Linton discusses the University’s economic contributions to Eugene at Wednesday's Economic Forecast. SEMINAR continued from page 1 "The money was wonderful," SMARTs South Valley Area Manager Liz Degnersaid. Degner said the money SMART re ceived paid for 14 children to enter the program, which works with children in kindergarten through third grade who are snuggling with reading. She said she was impressed with the students in the class because they took their responsibilities seriously and re searched the organizations thoroughly. Degner said she believes the class connects students to their community. Irvin agreed an important aspect of the class is helping students become more involved with the community. 'This is a dass that sort of opens peo ple up to other things that are out there, "she said. Lenzser said getting out of the dassroom and visiting the organiza tions made the seminar unique to the University. NEWS BRIEF ASUO Student Senate approves realignment plan, releases money for events The ASUO Student Senate approved a seat realignment plan, sending it to the ASUO Constitution Court for their approval, and passed four special re quests at a one-hour, forty-minute meeting Wednesday night. The realignment of senate seats, long in the works, aims to shift the seats of academic senators so they rep resent as equal a number of students as possible. Senators said that is ex tremely difficult to do, given that seats represent certain majors. "We're making it better than it was before," Sen. Colin Andries said. The senate also dealt with special re quests, releasing $2,075 from the Chi nese Student Association's accounts to pay for the group's China Night event The Multicultural Center also filed a successful request to release $300 from the group's account to pay for food dur ing a guest speaker event and the sen ate released $70 of the Students of the Indian Subcontinent's funds for food. The International Student Associa tion received a $117 release for Friday coffee socials during winter term. There was some debate about whether to give the group $ 116 or $ 117. "I think it's a waste of time to argue over a dollar or two," Ombudsman Mike Sherman said. "You will proba bly never hear me say that again." —Chuck Slothower Have some great UO stories to share? Help new students with their transition to the UO by working at IntroDucktion this summer. •The summer job includes all of July and the last week of September. • Earn 3 upper division credits and up to $ 1200 • Pick up an application in 465 Oregon Hall. Applications are due by January 29th at 5pm. For more information contact: Student Orientation Programs 465 Oregon Hall 346-1159 "There are few other classes that give students such a hands-on experience," she said. Contact the higher education/ student life/student affairs reporter at chelseaduncan@daityemerald.com. CAMPUS BUZZ Thursday Public Safety Advisory Group meeting, EMU Walnut Room, 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. Romance Languages lecture featuring Sharon Kinoshita from the University of CalifomiaSanta Cruz, Room 221, Friendly Hall, 5 p.m. Author Nancy Hopps will present a variety of relax ation methods. Bring pillows and mats. University Bookstore, 7 p.m. Honors College lecture featuring Population Institute President Werner Fomos, EMU Fir Room, 7 p.m. Faculty ensemble and guest artist concert featuring jazz violinist Diane Monroe, Beall Concert Hall, 8 p.m. Complete ‘<yr\j Selection of: MP • Skis jf & • Boots / M • Clothing • Ski Rentals erg/1 Hi F nop 13th & Lawrence* Eugene • 683-1300 www.bergsskishop.com Today's crossword solution Oregon Daily Emerald P.O. Box 3159, Eugene OR 97403 The Oregon Daily Emerald is pub lished daily Monday through Friday during the school year by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co. Inc., at the University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon.The Emerald operates inde pendently of the University with of fices in Suite 300 of the Erb Memorial Union. The Emerald is private prop erty. The unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable by law. NEWSROOM — (541)346-5511 Editor in chief: Brad Schmidt Managing editor: Jan Tobias Montry Freelance editor: Jennifer Sudick News editors: Jennifer Marie Bear, Ayisha Yahya Senior news re porters: Caron Alarab, Jared Paben News reporters: Nika Carl son, Lisa Catto, Chelsea Duncan, Chuck Slothower Pulse editor: Aaron Shakra Senior Pulse reporter: Ryan Nyburg Pulse reporter: Natasha Chilingerian Pulse columnists: Helen Schumacher, Carl Sundberg Sports editor: Hank Hager Senior sports reporter: Mindi Rice Sports reporters: Jon Roetman, Jesse Thomas Editorial editor: Travis Willse Columnists: Jessica Cole-Hodgkin son, Peter Hockaday, David Jagernauth, Aimee Rudin Illustrators: Steve Baggs, Eric Layton Design editor: Kimberly Premore Senior designer: Tanyia John son Designers: Mako Miyamoto, Kari Pinkerton Photo editor: Danielle Hickey Senior photographer: Adam Amato Photographer: Lauren Wimer Part-time photographers: Erik Bis hoff, Tim Bobosky Copy chiefs: Kim Chapman, Brandi Smith Copy editors: Tarah Campi, Stefanie Contreras, Sean Hanson, Rebekah Hearn, Ben Pepper Online editor: Erik Bishoff Webmaster: Eric Layton BUSINESS — 346-5512 General manager: Judy Riedl Business manager: Kathy Carbone Receptionist. Sarah Go racke Distribution: Mike Chen, John Long, Matt O’Brien, Ben Turner ADVERTISING — DISPLAY 346-3712 CLASSIFIED 346-4343 Director: Melissa Gust Sales manager: Michelle Chan Sates representatives: Sav Banerjee, Army Feth, Patrick Gilligan, Megan Hamlin, Kim Humphries, Alex Hurliman, Tyler Mack, Shannon Rogers, Dan Sawaya, Katherine Vague Assistants: Thomas Redditt Special publications and classified manager: Hilary Mosher Associates: Liz Carson, Liz Conant, Katy Cooney, Sabrina Gowette, Keri Spangler PRODUCTION — 346-4381 Manager: Michele Ross Production coordinator: Tara Sloan Designers: Jen Cramlett, Kristen Dicharry, Matt Graff, Andy Holland, Marissa Jones, Jonah Schrogin
