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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
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‘Kill Bill: Vol. 2’
falls short