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FEBRUARY 12, 2024

Emerald Media

PUTTING the BRAKES on

BIKE THEFT Campus bike thefts surged between spring and fall term in 2023, but there are still plenty of ways to protect bikes

OPINION: 2024’s ins and outs PG 7 • A&C: CHAARG fitness club builds community PG 13 • SPORTS: Oregon softball replaces key players PG 15

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PHOTO STORY

DUCKS TENNIS

Daily Emerald VOL. 125, ISSUE NO. 27

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The Oregon Ducks women’s tennis team played the Eastern Washington Eagles in a home match at the Student Tennis Center in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 2, 2024. (Eric Becker & Kai Kanzer/Emerald)

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ON THE COVER

UOPD Police Chief Jason Wade discusses the department’s strategy to decrease bike-theft. “No Trespassing” signs will be added to different bike cages around campus. (Kemper Flood/Emerald)

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The Daily Emerald is published by Emerald Media Group, Inc., the independent nonprofit media company at the University of Oregon. Formerly the Oregon Daily Emerald, the news organization was founded in 1900.

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Eugene Weekly returned to print on Feb. 8 after an outpouring of community donations and support. The Weekly had not been able to publish a print issue for six weeks following an alleged embezzlement. We want to hear from you: Email editor@ dailyemerald.com to submit a tip or a letter to the editor. The ideal length for a letter is 200-500 words, but we publish letters of various lengths online. M O N D AY, F E B R UA R Y 1 2 , 2 0 2 4

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NEWS

HOW UO MAINTAINS OVER 4,000 TREES UO HAS MORE THAN 4,000 TREES ON CAMPUS AND EACH TREE REQUIRES CONSISTENT MAINTAINENCE

BY GREY KAMASZ • DESIGNED BY ADALEAH CARMAN The Campus Landscape and Grounds Maintenance team is hard at work to clean up fallen tree branches from the January ice storm while maintaining the rest of the trees on the UO campus.

Mulch has many benefits to the soil, like water conservation, temperature moderation, reduction of competition and more, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “We [grounds maintenance] are trying to reuse it on campus as much as possible. We tried to turn it into a product that can be used somewhere The grounds crew, which is part of Campus else,” DeChant said. “What we don’t want to do is Planning and Facilities Management, is send it off anywhere where it just gets dumped.” responsible for maintaining the regular needs of Large tree branches require a different removal campus landscaping, such as trimming, mowing, approach compared to the smaller branches. The planting and more. grounds crew must first mitigate the hazards to Becket DeChant, the campus arborist and students on campus by blocking off sections of maintenance labor coordinator for CPFM, campus with caution tape. From there, the crew focuses primarily on tree care and maintenance can look at the damage caused by the along with ground maintenance. DeChant ice storm, DeChant said. said he acts as the “diplomat for human“What we [grounds maintenance] tree-relations,” keeping up with the have done from ice forming until campus management plan while keeping today (Jan. 30) is basically pick up students and the trees safe. things that have dropped and try to Sophomore psychology major Makena mitigate the biggest hazards to the Smith noticed how well-maintained the campus community,” DeChant said. campus was when she first started at “Once we catch up to that, which we UO and said the landscape is still wellare getting close to at least on the maintained today. main campus, we will start looking “I thought [campus] was really at the damage the ice did to the beautiful,” Smith said. “Everything trees still standing.” was really well maintained, all After removing the first wave of the landscaping is really cohesive fallen tree branches, the grounds and it works really well with the crew will bring down a second wave environment and the buildings in of wood throughout the spring. general. It is pretty impressive to see DeChant said the second wave of everything and it is definitely well wood could be an equal amount to maintained as the years have gone.” People sit outside of the Erb Memorial Union on a campus court yard. (Kimberly Harris/Emerald) the first wave. Some trees will also be The ice storm broke numerous tree removed because they will not regrow. branches and created a safety hazard on DeChant said he and the rest of the of a tree, prevent their branches from rubbing campus. CPFM had to block off the areas around maintenance staff are still working on cleaning other tree branches and prevent the branches the fallen branches with caution tape to ensure up the remaining fallen branches on campus. from becoming a traffic or building hazard due to student safety. Cleanup is being prioritized by safety concerns elevation, DeChant said. “With the ice storm, it was interesting to see while meeting the regular needs of campus. According to the U.S. Forest Service, ”pruning things being taken down and blocked off or put “[Students] should expect to see branches, can best be used to encourage trees to develop tape around it,” Smith said. “It could have been trees and caution tape around campus for some a strong structure and reduce the likelihood of done better, like people were still getting injured time,” DeChant said. “The ice storm was hard on damage during severe weather. Removing broken or seeing it in the way or something.” campus trees. We lost a few large, old trees, and or damaged limbs encourage wound closure.” UO’s campus primarily has two types of trees: many more were damaged. This was the second Fallen tree branches, leaves, weeds and more deciduous and evergreen trees. Deciduous trees major ice storm on campus in seven years.” are referred to as green waste, or biological shed their leaves in the fall and regrow them DeChant expects the campus to be back to waste that can be decomposed. The crew in the spring, while evergreen trees keep their normal by the beginning of the next school gathers the green waste in what they call the leaves year-round. The type of tree influences year. For more information on downed trees “hot pile” on north campus or north of Franklin how they are cared for, DeChant said and the effects of the ice storm, students avenue, DeChant said. “We [grounds maintenance] do a lot of work can view the winter map, which displays Once the biowaste is gathered it is placed in on our deciduous trees in the wintertime when information about winter conditions and a large grinder and grinded down into mulch or they are dormant,” DeChant said. “We can hazardous areas on campus. a layer of material applied to the surface of soil. make bigger cuts and do things that would not PA G E 4

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disrupt their growth patterns. Of course, with evergreen trees, you’re always disrupting the growth pattern, so there is always work to be done on evergreen trees.” DeChant said most trees on campus cannot exist on their own and require consistent maintenance. His job is to keep an eye on the trees and determine whether they are healthy and remove dead or broken trees that may be dangerous. The grounds crew maintains the campus trees through various methods, such as pruning, branch removal and tree removal if necessary. They prune trees to maintain the overall health

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OPINION

HOBBS: INS AND OUTS FOR THE DUCKS IN 2024

Opinion: Some things I would like to see popular and others that are ready to retire BY MONICA HOBBS • DESIGNED BY RYAN EHRHART

We have thoroughly kicked off 2024 — the new year. A time for fresh starts and selfgoals. In light of this, I’m declaring an end to our January resolutions. We’re trying out a different strategy this year: ins and outs.

and the Whiteaker area in northwest Eugene. I can confidently say that you’ll find a new favorite restaurant. Plus, all the best thrift shops are downtown.

Let me break it down. An “in” is something you want to see trendy or accomplished. On the contrary, an “out” is something that’ll get the boot this year. I decided to make an “ins and outs” list for the University of Oregon and Eugene community. Here it goes:

This speaks for itself. Everyone is tired of waiting in line for over an hour to get into a mediocre college bar. It’s time we all start getting there early. Get there at 9 p.m. at the latest. Go in, have a couple of drinks and end the night at Webfoot or Fathoms. Nothing good happens at Max’s past midnight.

OUT: UMBRELLA SHAMING We live in Oregon where it rains from October through May. Let’s start acting like it. I want to walk around with a cute, polka-dot umbrella without being shamed. Once UO invests in umbrella racks in the buildings, I’m busting mine out.

IN: TAILGATING BASKETBALL GAMES Football game days are the best time of the year. I suggest we keep the good vibes going for basketball season. Other Division I schools have a strong basketball culture and make it a whole event. So, I say we start tailgating. “I think it’s a great idea. I do it myself … Get ready with [your friends] and head out as a whole group to the game. There’s just a lot of excitement,” Emilia Proano, a second-year at UO, said.

IN: EXPLORING DOWNTOWN EUGENE AND WHITEAKER Most of the UO and Eugene population tends to stay in their living proximity. However, we should all start venturing out into downtown

IN: GETTING TO MAX’S EARLY

OUT: SNAPCHAT I think we can all agree it’s time to retire Snapchat as our primary form of communication. As college students, we’re on the cusp of it being abnormal. No one above the age of 23 is religiously using Snapchat. For Renee Steinhoof, a third-year student at UO, Snapchat has always been an out. “I hate this culture of having to Snap people all the time,” Steinhoof said. “I’m dusty when I get home, ya know?” I still enjoy posting on my public Snapchat story. The biggest issue is the dating aspect. Young adults commonly ask people for their Snapchat rather than their phone number. “Snapchat nowadays has created such a hookup culture,” UO first-year Taylor Stokes said. “If I meet you, I hang out with you and if I don’t care for you, you’re getting blocked or ghosted. Phone numbers are a lot more personal.”

(Stephanie Yang/Emerald)

life, especially if you’re on campus all the time. Ducks Dine On applies to all nine dining halls for a 13-month period. This was the plan I bought in my second year: 50 meals for $550, or $11 per meal. I used my points on food, coffee, snacks and groceries. Getting a quick meal on campus rather than walking home was so convenient.

OUT: ATHLETE SCOOTERS Athletes needing to transport between practice and class is understandable. The college athlete lifestyle can be very demanding. However, the speed at which they ride their electric scooters on campus is an issue. “It’s dangerous. They don’t even look both ways,” Proano said. “I go up and down campus, and I have to look around. They’ll sneak up and blindsight you.” Electric scooters don’t need to be written off. I just don’t want to be run over when I’m already two minutes late to class.

IN: SPOTIFY DAYLISTS I recently learned about this from a friend. Spotify personalizes playlists for you every day. Here are some of my favorites: breakfast, daytime, love core, anti-anxiety and goblin core — whatever that means. They’re the perfect addition for the new year. That pretty much sums up what I’m hoping to see from the Ducks in 2024. Try them out. Or make your own instead.

IN: DINING HALL MEAL PLAN Meal plans are such a hidden gem in college M O N D AY, F E B R UA R Y 1 2 , 2 0 2 4

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COVER

UOPD LAUNCHES NEW ANTI-THEFT PRACTICES TO COMBAT SURGE IN CAMPUS BIKE THEFTS

BY TAREK ANTHONY & ANDRES BAISCH DESIGNED BY EVA ANDREWS As UO students and faculty returned to campus this fall, alongside them came their bikes and, according to UOPD Clery Act Crime logs, an over 225% increase in reported bike thefts from spring term 2023 to fall term 2023. Pieces of bikes destroyed by thieves, singular abandoned bike wheels and clipped bike locks could be seen at almost any bike rack across campus—leaving students across campus bikeless and sometimes out hundreds of dollars. In two separate incidents during fall term, UO freshman Dylan Elfsten had the seat and tire of his bike stolen from his residence at Hamilton Hall.

“I wish that UOPD or campus housing had more security footage and took it more seriously,” Elfsten said. “Other students’ bikes get stolen on a daily basis.” According to UOPD Police Chief Jason Wade, UO is not unique in their high bike theft rates as bike thefts have long been a problem at large universities. In effort to combat bike theft, UO has installed numerous different indoor and outdoor secure bike shelters over the years. These are located at all dorms and are accessible only by students and staff. Other efforts include a service from UO Transportation Services that offers students a yearlong low-cost membership for access to additional bike cages and secure bike lockers across campus, including ones seen outside the EMU, Tykeson Hall and the HEDCO education building. However, UO’s bike cages are not immune to bike thefts and, according to Wade, are easily accessible. “The problem we have is, [bike cages need] the access card, so there’s only a certain way you can get in there,” Wade said. “But [because] we all were raised in a very polite society, as I’m walking up to the cage, I also hold the door open for you, because I’m polite, I want to help out. That has this detriment, because that’s how [prohibited] people can make that access.” In response, UOPD is in the process of distributing no trespassing signs within bike cages around campus. Wade acknowledged that a sign would likely not deter bike thieves; however, he One wheel of a bike is left locked to a bike rack near Carson Hall on campus. (Kemper Flood/Emerald)

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Following a 225% increase in reported bike thefts on the University of Oregon campus during the fall term, the UOPD introduced a collaborative approach to help solve the problem

explained that the purpose of the signs is to give a reason for UOPD officers on patrol to confront and question individuals displaying suspicious behavior in and around bike cages. “What occurs is a bicycle thief will shop the location prior to [theft]. They’re going to look at the locks and see which bike they want to steal.” Wade said. “So when [UOPD] sees someone just walking into a [bike cage] with no legitimate purpose, trespassing signs [will] help us be able to at least make a contact with them and say, ‘What are you doing?’” Another anti-theft initiative that UOPD is looking to expand is a program known as “Keep My Seat Warm,” which launched in 2020. The program offers students a free service to hold their bikes in a UOPD secure facility. Wade said he hopes to find the space and resources to “be a valet” for students’ bicycles, especially during extended breaks and colder weather when students are less likely to use their bikes. According to Wade, there are 7,274 designated bike lock spaces across campus including bike racks and cages. “The main thought process of [providing so many spaces] was for accessibility, so that if you’re parking your bicycle at Mckenzie Hall, you don’t have to walk over to Johnson Hall to park your bike,” said Wade. “But that spreads out that location and now, there’s so many bicycles in different locations, and that’s where it’s hard to monitor.” The Daily Emerald tracked 96 bike thefts reported to UOPD in 2023, spaced out across approximately 42 different locations. The most frequented locations for thieves occurred in more populated areas of campus such as Unthank Hall, New Residence Hall and the Student Recreation Center. UOPD is looking into technology to further help identify locations with high theft rates. Further calculations by the Emerald showed that over 70% of reported bike thefts happened between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., indicating a trend of midday thefts. UO student Shaye Beardsley is a resident of Global Scholars Hall and had a bike stolen in October 2023. Beardsley believes that it is still

COVER leave out a bicycle with a GPS, with the goal of having it stolen in order to track down individual thieves, as well as larger theft rings. Skinner said the program was successful and that EPD has been “able to dismantle some fairly significant bike theft rings.” Sting operations similar to those run by EPD are something UOPD began experimenting with in 2020. Wade cited the It is suggested that a U-lock and cable are used to secure the bike in place. Active bike theft continues COVID-19 pandemic to increase on the University of Oregon campus in and subsequent Eugene, Ore. (Kemper Flood/Emerald) staffing problems as the primary barriers to the program. However, as UOPD is now fully staffed, Wade hopes to expand the program. worth it to invest in a high-quality bike, despite Even when bikes are not fully stolen, many the risk that it could be stolen. thieves will target a part of the bike that is not “I think biking is one of the most healthy secured and leave the rest of the bike locked to ways to travel, not only just for the person the rack, ripping off wheels, chains and seats. This riding but also for the environment,” Beardsley has led to hundreds of said. “I still think it’s worth it, you’ve just got to destroyed bikes being make sure you are locking it right.” littered among bike Wade said that as thievery tools have advanced racks across campus. he has observed video surveillance of increasingly While there is brazen bike thefts. no crossover work “I remember clearly, a person had a pair of bolt between EPD and cutters and a young lady was standing right here, UOPD, Wade said just unlocking their bike. This person is right there that they have a next to them, cuts through a lock, leaves [the] strong relationship lock on the ground, grabs the bicycle and rides with recovery efforts off,” Wade said. “It blended in so well because and returning bikes you’re unlocking your bike and they’re over here to their owners. unlocking their bike, it didn’t stand out.” According to Bike thieves have also damaged bicycle locking Wade, the only infrastructure such as bike racks and cages, concrete way with instances of thieves removing bike racks to ensure your from the ground. As part of a multi-department recovered bike collaboration to address bike thefts, Wade is returned is to has recruited Campus Planning and Facilities register it with Management and University Housing to further Project 529, an address how to secure bike racks themselves. online registration “It’s not just the police department, this and outreach [stopping theft] is going to be a community effort,” program that allows Wade said. anyone to register According to Wade, there is no crossover work their bike online in between UOPD and EPD for investigating bike case of theft. thefts. He said that Eugene’s Street Crimes Unit Chief Outreach and property crime detectives have the resources Officer for Project to investigate large bike theft operations. 529, Rob Brunt, “Our bike theft situation is being explained how the perpetrated by very few individuals,”said lack of tracking Eugene Police Chief Chris Skinner. “It’s more ability on bikes of an organized effort to steal these bikes, and allows for theft to be we want to break those things up.” untraceable. “Bikes EPD runs sting operations where they will are the only form

of transportation without a pin on it,” Brunt said. “Proving ownership is nearly impossible.” Project 529 works with UOPD and bike shops in Eugene to report stolen bikes. An app allows users to register a bike with a seven-number shield that acts similarly to a license plate. “When you hit the alert, the cops will know your bike is stolen, and shops will know what bikes are stolen so they can run a search on the stolen database and connect the dots,” Brunt said. Brunt believes that the best way to reduce bike theft begins with educating students and members of the community on how to secure their bikes. “Cable locks don’t cut it,” Brunt said. UOPD says that the best way to lock a bike is with a steel U-lock and an extension cable so that one can secure both wheels and the frame of their bike. While Wade acknowledges that many students do not go through the process of reporting their bike stolen, he still encourages students to register their bike and take advantage of the new streamlined online reporting process. “If we don’t have the serial number [received through registration], I can almost guarantee they will never have a chance to get the bike back,” Wade said. “It’ll be gone at that point.” *The Daily Emerald reached out to the UO Outdoor Program, which facilitates the UO Bike Shop. The program declined to comment.

Lighting and increased security cameras are some of the actions Police Chief Jason Wade said the UOPD plans to enact to decrease bike theft. Active bike theft continues to increase on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene, Ore. (Kemper Flood/Emerald) M O N D AY, F E B R UA R Y 1 2 , 2 0 2 4

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OPINION

COX: THE BARB

status. This is suggested by multiple concerning patterns that have become steadily apparent over the years. The most alarming is the fact that Minaj willingly surrounds herself with abusers. As subtly hinted at by Megan Thee Stallion in her “Hiss” track, Minaj’s husband and father of her child, Kenneth Petty, is a registered sex offender. As reported by NBC News, “[Petty] was required to register as a sex offender after being convicted of firstdegree attempted rape in New York in 1995, when he was 16, according to court documents.” In addition to her husband, Minaj voiced support for her brother, Jelani Maraj, just days before his sentencing for the rape of an 11-year-old. She posted a photo of them together on Instagram, captioned, “Jelani, I love u more than you’ll ever comprehend.” Both incidents paint Minaj in a truly disgusting light. Individually forgiving abusers already requires a distorted sense of empathy, but directly voicing support for them is inexcusable. While you can’t choose your family, actively voicing support for their sex crimes sends a message to your audience: “This behavior is ok.” Even beyond her personal life, Minaj professionally invests in male abusers, especially those who prey on underage girls. Three years after 6ix9ine’s 2015 arrest for using a 13-year-old in a sexual performance, he collaborated with Minaj on their hit track “FEFE.” In regards to sexual abuse, Minaj has no empathy for survivors. As the “Queen of Rap,” she prioritizes personal comfort and fiscal gain over setting a positive example for her dominantly female audience. Beyond her support system, Minaj has ultimately built her career on internalized misogyny. Instead of sticking up for her audience when it matters most, she consistently ignores female survivors. With such a young and impressionable audience, Minaj should know better than to perpetuate rape culture. While my criticism may appear intense, I acknowledge that Minaj has had a massive impact on the rap genre as a whole. In fact, in the 2010s, I do believe that she was the ultimate female rapper, as lyrically powerful and confrontational as any male rapper. But, in reality, there are so many other less controversial and equally talented, if not more talented, female rappers out there today. With unique sounds and punchy lyrics courtesy of newer artists such as Megan Thee Stallion, Flo Milli and Little Simz, Minaj is not the only option. Perhaps her insecurity is warranted: Modern talent could finally label her as irrelevant, a great of the past. Barbs themselves are losing patience with their leader. UO first-year and Nicki Minaj stan Elijah Earheart shared his perspective. “Her past behavior has affected the way I view her music. The notion of separating the art from the artist is difficult,” Earheart said. “Hearing about Nicki’s past and current controversies makes it harder for me to enjoy her music.” Moving forward, I don’t expect anyone to take bops like “Starships” or “Va Va Voom” off their playlists. With Minaj’s current chokehold on pop culture, I recognize that this is an unrealistic request. Nonetheless, I hope you examine Minaj’s actions more critically and give other female rappers a chance. Don’t let her distract you from supporting the female artists who genuinely deserve the hype, both in terms of their music and character.

DILEMMA

OPINION: Nicki Minaj’s cult following is undeserved BY GRACE COX • DESIGNED BY GABRIELA MARTINEZ

Following the release of her new album “Pink Friday 2” and the recent “Hiss” scandal, Nicki Minaj is back on the public’s radar. Minaj fans, more commonly referred to as Barbs, eagerly awaited the return to “Gag City,” but in hindsight of her most recent public breakdown, does Minaj still deserve our support? As much as it hurts to say this, the answer is no. Despite her vast cultural significance and impressive repertoire of pop and hip-hop hits, the self-titled “Queen of Rap” has proven incapable of wielding the influence behind her star

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CROSSWORD ACROSS

1 Nudge 5 Photocopier unit 9 __ Day: treeplanting occasion 14 “The Real” co-host Love 15 Ill at __: troubled 16 “Make like a tree and __!” 17 In the thick of 18 Sunday comics locale 20 Shaggy’s sidekick, familiarly 22 Season for the 2024 Olympiques 23 Brita rival 24 Pull-apart breakfast treat 28 That, in Tijuana 30 “Russian Doll” co-creator Poehler 31 “There’s __ in team”

32 Built 64 Like seven 34 Conger catcher candles on the 36 Did one’s civic first night of duty Hanukkah 37 Sign outside a 65 Volcano new store, or associated with what the first Hephaestus words of 18-, 66 Litter’s littlest 24-, 52-, and 67 Fitbit units 59-Across can 68 Tragic fate do? 69 Online artisan 42 Language marketplace of India that derives from DOWN Sanskrit 1 Life-saving 43 Cuba y Cozumel donation 44 All together 2 Enemies-to47 Go through lovers movie dots like Pacgenre Man, e.g. 3 Like some bagels 48 Amiss 4 Got a C, say 51 Happy Greek 5 NHL whistle cry blower 52 Broadway 6 __ de parfum number that 7 Ed of “Elf” brings the house 8 Protégé down 9 Tour de France 55 Turn __ dime mountain 57 Endeavour 10 Gather in the astronaut fields Jemison 11 Boulangerie loaf 58 29-Down, for 12 Supervises example 13 Hi-__ photo 59 High roller 19 Date 63 Corgis and component collies 21 Health insurance, paid time off, etc.

25 “Here goes nothing” hashtag 26 Oktoberfest quaff 27 One straying from the norm 29 FanDuel stat 33 Downsides 34 Exo- opposite 35 Cleanup hitter’s stat 37 Pro Football Hall of Fame location 38 Zero in on 39 Get wrapped up in a sticky situation 40 Doesn’t waste 41 Bedframe part 45 “Alas ... ” 46 Gave temporarily 48 Say “I pass” 49 Pretends 50 Snowman with a magic hat 53 Joined with 54 San Diego slugger 56 Small taste of liquid 59 Magic vehicle for Ms. Frizzle 60 TD’s six 61 Brian of Roxy Music 62 Male sheep

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A&C Participants pose during the Art of War martial arts workshop. (Photo courtesy of Lexi Stevens/Oregon CHAARG)

CALENDAR OF

EVENTS

This week’s picks...

CHAARG SEEKS TO UNITE FITNESS AND FRIENDSHIP 550 miles separate UO junior Lexi Stevens from her home in the Bay Area. Like many first-year students, Stevens struggled to find community at UO when she arrived two years ago. That changed when she came across CHAARG, a club committed to combining friendship and fitness for college-aged women. There are more than 110 chapters of CHAARG, or Changing Health, Attitudes + Actions to Recreate Girls, on college campuses nationwide. The organization’s mission is to unite women through a wide variety of workout classes, as well as social events and small groups. CHAARG members will participate in one workout class a week, trying out local studios from Glow Yoga to the Downtown Athletic Club. Additionally, members will join a small group of eight to ten women that will meet for coffee, go for walks or hit the gym. There are also multiple socials a term, with activities fit for that given season. Last term included a cookie decorating event. Stevens and her friend Natasha Carrillo, a fellow UO junior, joined the group together in 2021. The two now serve as vice president of media and president & ambassador, respectively. Stevens is responsible for running all of CHAARG’s social media channels, which includes creating graphics and edits. Carrillo acts as the liaison between CHAARG’s UO chapter and Nationals. “It’s just been an amazing experience to not only grow it with her and grow it with all of our other amazing exec members but to just be a part of something so moving and such a warm and welcoming community,” Stevens said in reference to working with Carrillo. Anna Carpenter, a sophomore at UO, discovered CHAARG at last year’s Flock Party. Carpenter, who

UO CLUB MEMBERS REFLECT ON THEIR EXPERIENCE BY LAUREN ENGLET DESIGNED BY RYAN EHRHART

always had a passion for fitness, was immediately drawn to the community that CHAARG offered. When a spot opened on the group’s executive board, she ran for and won the position of vice president of membership. “I’ve met some of my closest friends through CHAARG,” Carpenter said. “Every time I go to a workout, I’m just so happy to work out with the people next to me. Everyone is so positive. We do CrossFit sometimes, and I mean, it’s hard. But having everyone to motivate you and give you positive feedback is really helpful.” Carrillo said that while going to the gym at UO can be intimidating, CHAARG has helped create a welcoming and inclusive space for her and others. “My favorite part of CHAARG is creating that safe space for girls,” Carrillo said. “My freshman year, it was hard to find clubs that I was interested in, and now I feel like we’ve established ourselves pretty well known on campus. Hearing so much of the positive feedback from some of the girls is the most amazing aspect of it.” To learn more about CHAARG and how to become a member, check out @oregon_inchaarg on Instagram.

OP BARN: HOODOO SKI TRIP (2/18) Feeling cooped up inside this winter season? Join the Outdoor Program for a day full of skiing and snowboarding at Hoodoo mountain! Fees include: van ride for $20 + lift ticket for $55 at OP + rental at Hoodoo for $39. This Saturday from 7:30 a.m to 6 p.m., call (541) 346-4371 to save a seat!

EMU: SEX TOY BINGO (2/14) Valentine’s Day is this week and the EMU is hosting a bingo night! Bring yourself, friends or partner to win all kinds of prizes. Bingo will be held in the EMU Ballroom from 6 to 9 p.m. (Image: Alex McDougall/Emerald)

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OUR DOORS ARE OPEN. Make an appointment online, or walk in to our Health Center on Franklin today!

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SPORTS

SOFTBALL TEAM PREVIEW How will the Ducks replace Allee Bunker and Terra McGowan?

Under head coach Melyssa Lombardi, Oregon softball has emerged as one of the premier powerhouses in a loaded Pac-12 conference. Led by Allee Bunker and Terra McGowan, the Ducks reached new heights in 2023, making the national Super-Regionals before two losses against Oklahoma State crushed the Ducks’ World Series hopes. Those two games loom large in Eugene, and with Bunker and McGowan now gone, Lombardi’s squad, which is highlighted by nine seniors, is as determined as ever to get the Ducks back to

Ducks pitcher Stevie Hansen cheers after striking out an at bat player. The Oregon Ducks softball team faced the Oregon State Beavers on May 1, 2022, at Jane Sanders Stadium. (Serei Hendrie/Emerald)

BY JOE KRASNOWSKI DESIGNED BY EVA ANDREWS

Oklahoma City. “They’re all on the same page, their leadership has been phenomenal [and] they are all so committed to each other,” Lombardi said. “Just from the start, our seniors have been tremendous in their leadership.” It won’t be easy for the Ducks. McGowan and Bunker’s absence leaves a large gap in Oregon’s lineup, but with an infusion of returners and newcomers, Lombardi’s squad has every chance to get back on top. The most notable transfer of the offseason, Emma Kauf, has immediately contributed, hitting .571 over six fall games. “She’s got a beautiful left-handed swing,” Lombardi said of Kauf, who transferred from Georgia Tech. “She’s clutch, she hits a lot of line drives … she’s here to do what it takes for the team.” Behind the plate, Kauf certainly has had her work cut out for her. Oregon stole a whopping 6.7 bases per game on average over the fall and is considered “the fastest team” Lombardi has coached. Oregon baserunners stole 47 bases throughout the fall and were caught just five times. That’s tremendous, regardless of

the opponent. The primary catalyst on the base paths has been junior Kai Luschar who stole 12 bases while hitting a team-high of .619. “The hitter that stands out the most is Kai,” Lombardi said of Luschar in the fall. “She’s done a great job reading the defense and understanding how she wants to attack.” On the pitching side, Stevie Hansen looks to ride the experience of last year as well as add some new pitches in her arsenal for another successful season. “I have been able to add a few [pitches],” Hansen said. “I’m excited to showcase them when we get to Florida and start getting into Pac with hitters I see every three games. They’ve seen me for two years now. Let’s see if they notice anything different.” Hansen, Raegan Breedlove and freshman Taylour Spencer will take up the majority of the innings for the Ducks, who feature a diverse arsenal of pitchers. “The strength of our staff is that we have a lot of different arms,” Kauf said. “All of them individually, they have their own different personalities, and I think as a whole staff together, that’s what makes them special, that they can all build off of each other.” Spencer allowed just one run over the fall and will likely be utilized to start some games and in middle relief. “We have one freshman in Taylour Spencer, which I think is great. She doesn’t have to come in as a freshman and take on this major load, just come in and do your part,” Lombardi said. “I think this pitching staff is going to do some great things this year.” The trio of arms will have their work cut out for them. Oregon ranks No. 13 nationally but just No. 4 in Pac-12 rankings. Finishing just two wins away from a College World Series berth, Oregon will do everything it can to get over the hump in its last year in the Pac-12. “This team is hungry,” Lombardi said. “This team does not like that we were two games away last year.” With those two games in the rear-view mirror, Lombardi and the Ducks will set their sights on winning the “Conference of Champions” one final time. “Last year’s standard was high,” Lombardi said, “[and] this year’s standard is even higher.” M O N D AY, F E B R UA R Y 1 2 , 2 0 2 4

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