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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 28, 2004)
http://www.dailyemerald.com An independent newspaper Wednesday, April 28, 2004 Since 1900 University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon Volume 105, Issue 143 Wolfe the Watchdog Ray Wolfe, a professor emeritus of chemistry, decided to join the world of public television at the tender age of 76 By Moriah Balingit News Reporter ot many people decide to change careers when they're in their mid-70s. But University JL Professor Emeritus of chemistry Ray Wolfe, who will turn 84 years old on June 1, did just that. Though Wolfe has always been socially active, he decided in 1997 to join the Board of Directors for Community Television of Lane County. Wolfe wasn't just an average volunteer, however; he at tended every meeting during his five-year service with the board. Tom Cleveland, who cunendy serves on the Board of Advisors for CILC, said Wolfe played a crucial role in getting the station off the ground. "Without Ray, we would not have been able to save community television," he said. After joining CILC, Wolfe, who had no previous experience in television, began producing and direct ing his own television show for the station. He said the inspiration for his show "In the Public Interest" came from the lack of good local programming on television networks. "Because of network corporations and the need for advertising, local programming is almost all lost," Wolfe said. Though Wolfe is no longer the "young" 76-year old man he was when he got into the business of community television, he is still very active in the stu dio. Cleveland said Wolfe "has done everything at the station that there is to do, and more." George Beres, the show's host, said Wolfe even per forms physical tasks around the studio. For example, when a light falls out of place on the scaffolding, "it's Ray that will roll out the long ladder to adjust it." Additionally, Wolfe directs and edits his program, recruits his volunteer crew and has even served as the station's programmer. Wolfe's show covers a variety of topics, including the environment, political and social problems and current election-related issues. Recently, the show hosted Eugene attorney Ed Monks and talk-show host Dan Carlin to debate the issue of corporate own ership in radio. Wolfe also broadcasts interesting local events, such as the Sustainable Business Symposium and the Medical Ethics Symposium, on his show. Wolfe said he's the ultimate media watchdog, be cause he's driven by the desire to keep the public in formed and the government accountable. "If anyone observes what's going on in city govern ment, they'll find controlling influences that may not be in the public interest," he said. Beres echoed Wolfe's sentiments. Turn to WOLFE, page 5 Tim Kupsick Photographer Ray Wolfe, a University professor emeritus of chemistry, joined the Community Television of Lane County's Board of Directors in 1997. At the age of 76, Wolfe began his fruitful and prolific career as the producer and director of his own television show, “In the Public Interest." Groups raise awareness for sexual assault Sexual Assault Support Services has organized the Clothesline Project for Sexual Violence Prevention Week By Lisa Catto News Reporter Various organizations in Lane County, in cluding Sexual Assault Support Services, the ASUO Women's Center and the Men's Center, are hosting events to raise awareness about sex ual violence in conjunction with Sexual Vio lence Prevention Week. One of the events, the Clothesline Project, aims to "visually air society's dirty laundry," said SASS Education Program Coordinator Michelle Ed wards. The national project encourages sexual as sault survivors to create T-shirts expressing their ex periences and thoughts, and shirts decorated by local sexual assault victims and allies will be on dis play in the EMU Concourse through Thursday Edwards said she hopes the project and other events this week will enable sexual assault survivors to educate ^ themselves on services and become involved for the remainder of the year. She said many people don't realize that a large percentage of people have experienced sexual assault. Erin Dury, sexual violence prevention and edu cation coordinator for the ASUO Women's Center, said one in four women will be sexually assaulted by age 24. "Violence against women permeates all as pects of our lives," she said. "The only way we can make a positive change is through educa tion and awareness." Eugene Womenspace Community Outreach Di rector Margo Schaefer said sexual assault is a severe Turn to ASSAULT, page 4 Student numbers trend low in voting A recent national study shows people aged 18 to 24 have voted in decreasing numbers for the past three decades By Jared Paben Senior News Reporter Fewer than one out of every 20 students voted for Adam Petkun and Mena Ravas sipour for ASUO president and vice pres ident last week, a turnout that would spell certain defeat in many elections. But for Petkun and Ravassipour, the numbers spelled victory and ascension to the most coveted of student govern PART 1 OF 2 Today: Low voter turnout worries ASUO Tomorrow: Causes and solutions to voter apathy student campus cast a ballot in this year's ASUO general election, marking an even lower rate of voter participation than the past year's 14.3 percent. For whatever reason, the vast majority of students on the University campus don't vote. Those 10 percent who do vote are choosing the leaders who will decide how to handle approximately $8 million in student money annually. Everyone, including this year's ASUO Executive winner, sees that as a serious problem. voter turnout, only 9.9 percent of the 20,000 The ugly numbers The average voter turnout in the last three ASUO general elections is roughly one-fourth of what it was nearly 50 years ago. In 1955, voter turnout on the 5,400 student campus hit 43 percent of the stu dent body, compared to this year's 9.9 percent turnout in the general election. Campus general-election voting hit an all-time low at 5.8 percent in 1993. It's clear student voters are a dying breed, but the problem may have noth ing to do with politics on this campus. Statistics from the Washington D.C. based Committee for the Study of the American Electorate indicate that voter participation for 18- to 24-year-olds has been in decline over the past three decades. Only 28.7 percent of people within that age group voted in local, state and federal elections in 2000. ASUO President Maddy Melton, a member of the United States Student As sociation and Oregon Student Associa tion, agreed that University students are Turn to VOTING, page 3 WEATHER LOW 38 HIGH 65 INSIDE Campus buzz.3 Classifieds.11 Commentary..2 Crossword.11 Pulse.6 Sports.7 NEXT ISSUE Jon Fishman to play with The Everyone Orchestra
