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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 21, 2004)
An independent newspaper http://www.dailyemerald.com Wednesday, April 21, 2004 Since 1900 University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon Volume 105, Issue 138 Oregon judge rules same-sex marriages valid juuge rrarw cearaen saia me licenses are valid, but ordered the county to halt until a law is passed By Parker Howell News Reporter Oregon Circuit Court Judge Frank Bearden - ruled Tuesday that same-sex marriages already issued by Multnomah County are valid, but ordered the county to cease issuing licenses. Bearden wants the county to stop issuing li censes to allow time for the Oregon Legisla ture to create laws that provide all couples with the protections afforded by marriage. The highly anticipated decision, which will like ly be appealed, was the first step in a legal process designed to speedily establish the constitutionality of Oregon's marriage statute. If appealed, the rul ing could end up in either the state's appellate court or supreme court. At the time of the decision, Multnomah County remained the only county in the nation to issue same-sex marriage licenses. Bearden became the first judge to recognize same-sex marriage, saying the more than 3,000 licenses already issued are legally valid. He also said Oregon's marriage statute is unconstitutional because it bars rights and privileges guaranteed by the Oregon Consti tution. He gave the Legislature 90 days from the start of its next session to draft a new law. If legislators don't form a law, Multnomah County will regain authorization to resume issuing same-sex mar riage licenses. In his ruling, Bearden suggested Oregon follow the Vermont Supreme Court's decision to allow the Legislature to determine how to give all cou ples equal rights, saying the Vermont court's ap proach represents a sound example. The Vermont Legislature enacted a civil union statute as its solu tion for providing legal rights to same-sex couples. In his written findings, Bearden called the legal proceedings of the past several weeks "extraordi nary, but not unprecedented," saying compelling reasons supported the case's shortened time frame. Bearden said time for "reflection and de bate" is required so that laws or initiatives that are passed "coincide rather than conflict with each other." Kelly Clark, attorney for the Defense of Marriage Coalition, said he was "not disappointed" by the decision, calling it nuanced and involved. The coalition is committed to preserving marriage as a union between a man and a woman. "It's a very substantive ruling," Clark said. Clark said he was pleased by Bearden's decision to stop issuing same-sex marriage licenses. He added Bearden did not rule against the existing definition of marriage between a man and a woman. Clark also said Bearden's decision does not make same-sex marriage a constitutional right but defers a final answer on the validity of same sex marriage to the Legislature. "In our view, that's the proper place for it to be, or on the ballot" Clark said. Clark said the constitutional issue should not be carried out too quickly. "There's no reason to rush through this," he said. Turn to MARRIAGE, page 4A MAKING THE GRADE Pi Beta Phi members (right to left) Marissa Neitling, Julie Omiecinski and Rebecca Shively study Monday afternoon. Pi Beta Phi has the highest GPA of all the sororities. Danielle Hickey Photo Editor ‘A’for Achievement While some sororities and fraternities have succeded at raising their GPAs, while others are still struggling Chelsea Duncan Senior News Reporter his past term, University fraternities and sororities received the highest -I- grades in the recorded history of the Greek Life Office, with the all-greek grade point average reaching 3.1. The number matched the University under graduate average for the first time in more than 20 years, according to a Greek Life Office press release. Many of the University's fraternity and sorority members have made headway since the administration implemented its endorsement policies in fall 2002, which include GPA and alcohol-free standards. Still, some houses continue to struggle with the tougher requirements. Greek-affiliated students say they have been striving for a new image by placing a stronger emphasis on academics since the endorsement policies hit the greek system. "I think that as greeks, we're trying to move into an entirely new direction," said Kara Merrill, Greek Life's vice presi dent of panhellenic scholarship. Merrill's sorority, Pi Beta Phi, accumu lated a 3.41 GPA, the highest of all the greek houses. Kappa Delta came in sec ond out of the sororities with a 3.28 and Chi Omega came in third with a 3.21, ac cording to the release. The highest frater nity GPA was Delta Sigma Phi's 3.16. Beta Theta Pi achieved a 3.12 and Sigma Chi earned a 3.09 average. Six of the 12 fraternities exceeded the University undergraduate all-men's average, which was 2.98, according to the release. Three of the nine sororities met or exceed ed the all-women's average, which was 3.16. The houses are required to meet or make progress toward the University's undergraduate all-men's or all-women's GPA to maintain affiliation, Director of Student Activities Gregg Lobisser said. Greek Ufe Coordinator Shelley Suther land said greek-affiliated students have fo cused on improving their scholarship for the past few years, and since the imple mentation of the dry-house regulation for fraternities, GPA averages have risen. "They've been able to focus more on their grades," she said. "Generally, the attitude and atmosphere is better now." Delta Sigma Phi Public Relations Turn to GREEK, page 5A WEATHER INSIDE EMS to feature name change this summer Exercise and Movement Science will soon be called the Department of Human Physiology to reflect changes in the department’s curricula By Moriah Balingit News Reporter The crumpled paper sign marking the location of the Exercise and Movement Science Department in Esslinger I lall will soon be replaced by a new sign of unknown quality that will read "De partment of Human Physiology." The new name reflects changes in the curriculum since the early '90s, when the department's main emphasis was training students to be physical education teachers, said EMS Department Head Gary Klug. "The name change is actually following the transition," he said. "It's not leading it." Klug said the department's mission has evolved to train people for careers in health care. Many students are interested in becom ing personal trainers or plan to go to nursing or dentistry school following their completion of the program, he added. According to Richard Troxel, director of undergraduate studies for the department, about a quarter of undergraduates are con sidering going into medical school. Additionally, several students said "Exercise and Movement Sci ence" was no longer an apt label for the department. "They generally assume that we run around in workout suits," said EMS graduate student Tom Pellinger. "They don't take it very seriously because there (are) misconceptions." Pellinger said the name "Department of Human Physiology" is "more accurate." "It implies more of a comprehensive research," he said. Troxel said the previous name "doesn't reflect the rigor of the curriculum we actually have." The previous name also had the problem of not being easily recognizable, causing problems when it appeared on graduate school applications. "I do feel like human physiology is more accepted from other schools," senior EMS major Hannah Wiley said. "I think (the name change) is a good call for those who are entering graduate school." The uncommon name also veiled the department in obscurity on campus, meaning many students weren't aware of the depart ment until late in their tenure at the University. Turn to EMS, page 5A NEXT ISSUE LOW 40 HIGH 60 Campus buzz.5A Classifieds.11A Commentary.2A Crossword.11A Nation & World.3A Sports.7A ‘Kill Bill: Vol. 2’ falls short
