Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 20, 2004)
| Commentary | ■ Guest Commentary How to deal with cops at UO Editor’s note: This commentary is part of ASUO Legal Services’ ongoing efforts to assist students through edu cation as well as representation. “We’re on the front lines of a war zone,” the Harvard Square tour guide told me last month in response to my question of why can’t I go into a cer tain Harvard library to observe an art installation. “There’s sensitive docu ments in there which we can’t allow the al-Qaida terrorists access to.” Okay. I get it — sensitive documents need to be protected. But the entry way art exhibit and the thousands of non-sensitive books and documents should be available to the average cit izenry, right? The ridiculousness and hysteria of this shotgun approach to homeland security struck me as eerily similar to the mentality I’ve encountered when dealing with the Eugene Police De partment Party Patrol, who appear to have predominantly adopted a one-size-fits-all attitude when dealing with anyone remotely college-aged. For the last two and a half years, I’ve been a contract lawyer for ASUO Student Legal Services. During that time, I’ve encountered many stu dents who, due to their own mistakes in judgment or just plain stupidity, found themselves cited into Munici pal Court for violations ranging from underage drinking to DUII and As sault on a Police Officer. Unfortunate ly, for every five students cited into court for their own folly, I’ve come across at least one student who was innocently in the wrong place at the wrong time and who was erroneous ly charged or grossly overcharged for de minimis conduct. In response to what I’ve observed, I’ve met with the chief of police and the city prosecutor to discuss policy. I’ve published numerous articles in the Emerald about students’ legal rights. I’ve assisted students filing complaints against police officers. I’ve litigated some cases and won. I’ve litigated others and lost. But in the end, I think I’ve done little to change the system and failed to help students change their attitudes about dealing with the police. The bottom line is that the police can enter your home without a war rant under certain circumstances, such as when they reasonably believe that the crime of furnishing alcohol to minors is occurring. If you are accost ed by police, you will certainly wors en your situation by attempting to have a conversation with them or by asking them repeated questions about what right they have to do what they are doing. Increasing numbers of stu dents are cited with the crime of Inter fering with a Police Officer. Under Oregon law, ‘interference’ occurs when a citizen intentionally tries to prevent an officer from performing COPS, page 4A ■ Guest Commentary How to rent in campus area Editor’s note: This commentary is part of ASUO Legal Services’ ongoing efforts to assist students through edu cation as well as representation. This time of year, many students rush to find housing for the upcoming school year. This sense of desperation can lead to rash decisions in signing a lease which, unfortunately, is often the first step in creating an unsatisfactory landlord-tenant relationship. Take the time now to carefully con sider your lease. After you move in, continue to be proactive in protecting your rights. Read and understand your lease Let’s face it: Leases, like most legal documents, can be difficult to read: not necessarily because they are complex, but because they are boring. Neverthe less, it is crucial that you read your lease before signing it. A lease creates legal obligations for you. You need to know what these obligations will be before you agree to perform them. If any portions of the lease are con fusing or objectionable, discuss them with the landlord. If necessary, insist on making written changes to the lease itself. Handwritten changes are ade quate if they are initialed by the land lord. Don’t accept statements from the landlord such as “that’s never been a problem.” If it’s not important, the landlord should be willing to change it. If a landlord is unwilling to discuss or modify troublesome lease provisions, this is a red flag that the landlord will be difficult to work with. If the landlord has agreed to do re pairs prior to move-in, get those promises in writing. Think carefully about the security deposit Is the full amount of your security deposit refundable? If not, think about whether you can afford the non-re fundable amount, and what you will get in return. A non-refundable cleaning deposit does not mean that you do not have to clean when you move out. Discuss the landlord’s expectations regarding the refundable portion of the deposit. Will it go only to pay for dam age, or will it also be used for cleaning? Many students are surprised when money is withheld for cleaning a unit which was dirty when they moved in. Be wary of excessively large de posits — it can be very difficult to get your deposit back, even if it was wrongfully withheld. Some local landlords take advantage of that fact. Keep good records Keep a copy of your lease and any attachments. When you move in, carefully inspect the unit, document any existing damage in writing, and provide a copy to your landlord. If the landlord provides a move-in check list, request and keep a copy. Throughout the tenancy, request any RENTING, page 19A Authentic Greek Cuisine Lunch • Dinner • Catering (541) 485-3391 5TH STREET MARKET 1 EUGENE, OREGON 97401 a LttUULiU L3L1BL1 UUUU ULJBLJU LdUUE II LI II u bubuu eueeubkjbu uuhuujuuujbuuub UU1EJLJBU UBUHL1 ubd uuLiii aua buuh bbuebu ejlju ULUUUUULIULULJLjyLJUU BOB BEEBEO BOOB HUE HEBE ODD □BBEB DBHHBH 0BUUBBHBDE0C1U HGJGHDHEEHB UEQBB □ UHU EUUL3 EBQBB ULJKB LJBLJU BULJBU GIVE ME 5! Run your “for sale" ad (items under $1,000) for 5 days in the ODE Classified Section. If the item(s) doesn’t sell, call us at 346-4343 and we’ll run it again for another 5 days free! Since Fish & Chips To Go Salmon Halibut Shrimp Scallops Cod Daily specials $5.00 Chowder • ColeSlaw Monday - Friday 11:00 to 7:00 r ^ * Saturday 11:00 to 6:30 1545 Willamette 344-2371 ' Walk-up • Bike-up • Drive-up Limited patio seating available % Free bar of Uncommonycents GLyCE.RI/VOAP WITH THIS COUPON through October o choose from 15 fragrances! in the Meridian Building 18th & Willamette • 683-5835 i-1 / \ write for the Oregon Daily Emerald For more information about freelancing ca»34fr55U. \__/ cash value $1.25 019771 Annual Tent Sale September 24th & 25th Wakeboards, Waterskis, Skis, Snowboards, Boots, Bindings and Outerwear! SPORT SHOP Willamette Pass Season Passes on sale through September at discounted prices ULLR Sport Shop | 207 Coburg Rd. | 687-8557
