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EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
5 Wyden, Walden try to bring fire funding, forest management changes to the forefront
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Observer file photo
Eastern Oregon University is seeing a growing number of applications for this year's freshman class, an exciting prospect forVice President of Student Services Xavier Romano, though he doesn't want to count his chickens before they hatch.
• Eastern Oregon University sees a slight rise in the numbers of student applications By Cherise Kaechele The Observer
Eastern Oregon University is seeing a growing number of applications for this year's freshman class, an exciting prospect for Vice President of Student Services Xavier Romano, though he doesn't want to count his chickens before they hatch. Romano said he won't believe the number is accurate until he sees the "whites of their eyes," which won't require too much of a wait since students start coming back next week. Romano said EOU has received 1,648 applicat ions thisyear,compared to the 1,424itreceived in 2014. 'The residence halls are full," said
VVesCom News Setvice
Escalating costs
SALEM — While state and federal firefighters are working to get to the end of what may be the costliest wildfire season on record, Congress is gearing up for a fight over how best to pay for the destructiveblazes. Huge stretches of the western United States are still on fire, with more major wildfires flaring up almost weekly during what is typically the tail end of wildfire season. Two fires in Northern California this month displacedthousands ofpeople and burned down entire neighborhoods. Oregon's Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden hopes to highlight the 2015 fire season See Funding / Page 5A
As of Sept. 8, the U.S. Forest Service, which faces a majority of wildfire suppression costs among federal agencies, has spent $1.23 billion so far this fiscal year, not far behind the all-time record of $1.65 billion spent in 2002, adjusted for inflation.
By Taylor W. Anderson
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Romano, noting that the residence halls aren't usually that way."That's very exciting." EOU faces a unique problem, which larger universities like the University of Oregon and Oregon State University do not, because it does not require an enrollment deposit from the incoming class. eWe're an access university. We don't have the deposits," Romano said. Larger universit iesask for a depositofhundreds of dol lars,which givesthe schoolsa better idea ofhow many incoming freshmen to expect. "Generally speaking, the enrollment
deposits can be $250to$500, "Romano said."That's too much for EOU istu-
dents)."
Although the university attracts students with high academic achievements, cWe're still a first-generation institution," Romano said. Romano credits theincrease ofapplications to the university's efforts in promoting EOU across Oregon. eWe'vebeen attacking the territories differently," he said. There are EOU recruiters working in Portland, along the Interstate 5 corridor and in Salem, trying to getstudents tocome to the eastern partofthe state. eWe're working with students and their parents with their financial aid packet," Romano added. If students aren't getting enough financial aid to See EOU / Page 5A
EOIlteaching gradsfindingIoiIs
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People take both sides of potissue • Commissioners One concern make no decision A concern regarding opt out expressed By Dick Mason The Observer
• Record number of EOU graduates selectedforteaching positions By Laura Hancock Eastern Oregon University Laura Hancock/Eastern Oregon University
EOU's education programs are seeing strong placement rates for new teachers, with 90 percent of graduates earning their authorizations in middle and high school education successfully finding jobs this year.
INDEX Calendar........7A Horoscope.....2B Outdoors .......1C Classified.......1B Lottery............2A Spiritual Life..6A Comics...........9B Record ...........3A Sports ............9A Crossvvord.....2B Obituaries......3A State...............SA DearAbby...10B Opinion..........4A Television ......7A
WE A T H E R
With classes starting at public schools in Oregon and across the country, new teachersarealsoprepping fortheir postsas educators,m entors
and role models. Many of them are recent graduates of Eastern Oregon University's master of arts in teaching program. This year a record 90 percent of EOU graduates earning authorizations in middle and high school education have found jobs. Students in the current m aster's cohortare even being sought out, with one receiving offers from five different See Grads / Page 5A
CONTACT US
F ull forecast on the back of B section
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The question has local marijuana supporters and opponents buzzing. Should Union County exercise its option to prohibit the sale and production of marijuana in unincorporated areas within this county? The Union County Board of Commissioners heard arguments for and against this move at a hearing late Wednesday morning. The hearing was a continuation of onestarted on Sept.2, See County / Page 5A
by many speaking at the hearing was the welfare of children.
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541-963-3161 Issue 110 4 sections, 36 pages La Grande, Oregon
MONDAY IN HOME LA GRANDE ISSUES BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS
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