An independent newspaper
http://www.dailyemerald.com
Civil War on Saturday Page 7
Friday, February 6, 2004
Since 1900 University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon
e 105, Iss
Con Court
summons
Melton
for inquiry
A Constitution Court vacancy
is the subject of the ASUO
President’s public hearing
By Jan Tobias Montry
Managing Editor
The ASUO Constitution Court on Thurs
day ordered ASUO President Maddy
Melton to appear at a Feb. 16 public hear
ing to explain why she has not yet appoint
ed a new justice to fill a court vacancy.
The court has been working with four of
five members for the past eight months,
according to a writ of mandamus — the
second one this week — delivered to the
Emerald Thursday afternoon. The ASUO
Constitution requires the ASUO president
to maintain a five-member court, and that
at least two of those members be second
or third-year law students.
In the writ, Justice Stephen Yoshida and
Chief Justice Michael Harris instructed
Melton to appear before the Court at 6:30
p.m. in Room 241 of the Knight Law Cen
ter to "show cause as to why the present
Con Court vacancy has not been filled
within a reasonable time." Melton took
office in May 2003.
"Not mindful of the ASUO Executive's
considerable obligations, undertakings
i and workload, the Court nevertheless feels
that the present vacancy threatens both
the effective administration and the in
* tegrityofthe Court, "the writ said.
ASUO spokeswoman Taraneh Foster
defended ASUO's efforts to find a replace
ment, saying advertisements have been pe
riodically placed in the Emerald through
out fall and winter terms to try and find
interested candidates. Although four
Turn to COURT, page 6
-^
Getting down to business
Students and staff alike are dazzled by the Lillis Business Complex, despite some of its technological challenges
Erik Bishoff Photographer
Students rush between classes in the Lillis Business Complex Tuesday morning.
By Caron Alarab
Senior News Reporter
fter only five weeks of winter classes, the Lillis Business
Complex has lived up to community expectations. De
JL Vspite some students' qualms about staircase design and
a lack of quiet areas, the overall impression is positive as the
building's ambiance, technology and uncommon qualities
continue to be praised.
I-acey Edwards, office assistant for the Charles 11. Lundquist
College of Business Career Services, gives frequent facility tours
of Lillis and said that she loves the building's "openness."
"I really don't think there is anything 1 don't like about it,"
she said.
Students and faculty say they still find themselves stop
ping to look at the unique design aspects of Lillis, from the
colorful tile patterns of the ground floor to the outdoor pa
tio on the fourth.
At night, the combination of spodighting, track lighdng and
light reflection makes for a dazzling Christmas tree effect,
from the inside out.
In addition, centered among the building's casual meeting
areas and windowed offices is the spiral staircase. Although
the staircase succeeds in accommodating the hundreds of peo
ple who use it, people say the design makes for an exhausting
trip to the third and fourth floors.
"It takes too long to get to class," said one tardy student,
who was too hurried to give her name.
Senior Kara Bigelow agreed.
"It's pretty, but a litde inconvenient," she said, adding that
it's still great for people-watching.
Director of Technology and User Services Mick Westrick
said that although the spiral staircase is the longest way up, its
width allows for more people to cross paths compared to the
east and west staircases.
"It is very inefficient," he said. "But it looks really cool when
a lot of people are using it."
Although Bigelow likes the atmosphere, open space and
creative architecture of Lillis, she said that the classroom tech
nology is a little too complex for some professors.
"It's humorous," she said of the classes that have been held
up by technological problems.
Despite some technology issues during the first week of
classes, Westrick said the only glitch that has yet to be fixed is a
wave of failed motion sensor light fixtures.
Assistant Professor of decision sciences John Goodaie
teaches in 132 Lillis, one of 14 tiered classrooms that offer au
tomatic window shades and lights which can be dimmed at
the flick of a switch.
"One of the features of the Lillis Complex I like most is the
Turn to LILLIS, page 5
University student files to run for Eugene mayor position
History major Adam Ward
is one of seven candidates
vying for Eugene’s top spot
By Nika Carlson
News Reporter
Politics can be intimidating, espe
cially the thought of participating in a
campaign. Fund-raising, mud sling
ing and baby kissing seem to domi
nate the field, but running for a local
office may be easier than it seems.
With 25 signatures and a little pa
perwork, anyone can get his or her
name on the ballot for the seven open
seats in Eugene city government. The
candidate must have lived in the city
or ward for which they are applying
for at least one year, he or she must be
a registered voter and the signatures
must belong to citizens of the area.
Campaigns are beginning to gear
up for the primary elections, but there
is still time to file for the positions.
"1 don't think it's very complicat
ed," Deputy City Recorder Kris Aan
derud said.
Candidates must file completed
paperwork by 5 p.m. March 4 with
the city recorder to qualify to run for
mayor, city councilor in wards 1, 2, 7
or 8, or one of three seats on the Eu
gene Water and Electric Board of
Commissioners.
City councilors govern the city,
making policy decisions and approv
ing budgets, as paid representatives of
the areas they serve. The mayor holds
the tie-breaking vote on the City
Council and serves as the figurehead
of the city. This position is paid.
EWEB commissioners, who are un
paid, govern EWEB itself.
Candidates filing for positions
must have an appointment with the
City Recorder's Office before they can
begin gathering signatures, but the
city does not charge a filing fee to run
for office.
Aanderud said the length people
take to complete their paperwork
varies, but she said she has seen the
whole process take as few as two days.
"It depends on how busy we are,"
she said.
Seventeen people have filed to run
for the different positions, with the
most candidates flooding the mayoral
race. Seven people, including Ward 8
City Councilor Nancy Nathanson and
former state representative Kitty Pier
cy, are vying for the position. No one
has filed for the EWEB Ward 2 and 3
position as of Feb. 2.
But this is an anomaly. When a
seat in the city government opens
up, there is usually someone eager
to* fill it.
"There seems to be a lot of inter
est," Aandemd said. "We've had sev
eral people call today and ask about
packets of information. We've had
several people stop by and get infor
mation. You just never know who's
going to actually file."
University student Adam Walsh, a
20-year-old history major, is run
ning for the Ward 1 City Council
spot against incumbent Bonny
Bettman. He filed in the beginning
of December.
Walsh said after watching City
Turn to COUNCIL, page 6
WEATHER
INSIDE
NEXT ISSUE
LOW
37
HIGH
50
Campus buzz.
Classifieds.
Commentary.
12 Crossword.
11 Nation & World.
..2 Sports..
11
..3
..7
Oregon basketball
faces OSU
Saturday