Capturing the Cosmos: the Museum of Natural and Cultural History’s newest exhibit
CITY NEWS
FOOD For Lane County helps to feed the community during the holiday season
By Ashley Davidson City News Reporter
FOOD For Lane County is a nonprofit food bank located in Eugene that is collaborating with organizations within the community to assist individuals in need with food and meals during the holiday season.
The holidays can be challenging for some families. According to 2022 statistics from the Oregon Hunger Task Force, 13.2% or roughly 50,000 Lane County residents are food insecure. FOOD For Lane County is looking to help families with limited incomes utilize their food assistance programs.
“If you celebrate a holiday, it is very often that food is at the center of that,” Rebecca Sprinson, FOOD for Lane County development director, said. “Food is so much more than food. It’s culture, it’s family, it’s connection, so of course it’s something that people pay more attention to during the holidays.”
Athlete of the week:
Peyton Scott
Union rallies highlight slow negotiations
CAMPUS NEWS
American English Institute to be discontinued at the end of the academic year
By Corey Hoffman Campus News Reporter
On Sept. 13, faculty and staff at the University of Oregon’s American English Institute received notice that the department would be discontinued at the end of the academic year.
A termination letter obtained by the Daily Emerald said “academic reasons consistent with Article 25 of the UA CBA [United Academics Collective Bargaining Agreement]” were the reasons for the discontinuation and termination.
Article 25 of the UA CBA is the “termination without cause for program elimination or reduction.”
AEI, according to its website, is a department
within the College of Arts and Sciences that “serves the educational mission of the University of Oregon through scholarship, English language instruction and English language professional training.”
In a statement to the Emerald, UO spokesperson Eric Howald said that the reason for AEI’s termination was that “enrollment of UO-matriculated international students has declined drastically over the past 10+ years, the structure of AEI is no longer an effective way to serve a much smaller number of students.”
Jennifer Rice is a senior instructor at AEI and has been with the department since 2009.
According to Rice, there are several reasons for the decrease in international
ARTS & CULTURE
Tempers flare at boisterous, emotional “Wicked” premiere
By Sean Avery Arts & Culture Writer
Movie theater etiquette is dead. Piercing shrieks, uproarious applause and exuberant obscenities echoed throughout Metro Cinemas in downtown Eugene Saturday night, as hoards of spirited fans experienced the film adaptation of the smash-hit Broadway musical “Wicked.”
Directed by John M. Chu, the film was initially announced by Universal Pictures in 2012. After years in development and numerous
production delays, “Wicked” premiered nationwide on Friday, with pop star Ariana Grande and Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo inhabiting its co-leading roles.
Backed by a massive marketing campaign that partnered with more than 400 corporate brands for promotional material, “Wicked” opened to a whopping $114 million at the domestic box office.
A fan of the Broadway production, moviegoer Dustin Shample came to the theater for one reason. “I’m going
OPINION
What does Trump’s upcoming presidency mean for women?
By Lexi Smith Opinion Columnist
On Nov. 6, many Americans like myself woke with a sense of dread and anxiety. We reached for our phones, looked up the election results from the previous night and were devastated by what we saw.
Democrats and Republicans both understand that with Donald Trump’s return to the new presidency, a considerable amount of changes will occur in legislation and the structure of our country.
I want to highlight specifically how women will and have been affected by Trump’s political power. In order to proceed forward in a world where a convicted felon and sexual assaulter is now president, women need to find their power and support each other.
Donald Trump has 27 sexual assault charges and counting. Donald Trump has 27 sexual assault charges and counting.
(Mason Cruz/Emerald)
(Roshni Ram/Emerald)
The AEI Center is located at Agate Hall on the east side of the University of Oregon's campus.
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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.
Winds of Change: A look into the Wild Winds film festival
Michaela Pilkenton, a top women’s kiteboarder, and her partner Kimmy Gustafson begin the journey of creating a new community for windsports in America
By Mark Munson-Warnken Arts & Culture Writer
On Nov. 12, Michaela Pilkenton and Kimmy Gustafson brought the first ever windsports film festival to Eugene. In an interview prior to the festival, Gustafson discussed the duo’s goal in founding the festival, saying, “We have to represent women, we
Breakdown of UO’s hiring process
University of Oregon faculty and new professor share their knowledge and experience about the school’s hiring process
By Johnathan Propes Campus News Reporter
In the 2024-2025 academic year, 259 new faculty have been hired at UO, including tenure-track faculty and career and pro tempore positions, according to UO Spokesperson Eric Howald.
The Office of the Provost arranges the hiring of tenure-track faculty through an institutional hiring plan.
UO Human Resources “collaborates with
Smith:
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Is Young Thug truly
Young Thug would still be behind bars if it weren’t for his social status and the drawn-out, messy trial
By Lexi Smith Opinion Columnist
In May 2022, many Young Thug fans, including myself, were shocked to learn that the rapper was indicted under Georgia’s Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Young Thug, also known as Jeffrey Williams, and 27 others associated with the Young Slime Life gang were taken into
Welcome to Overhead Oregon! In our new segment, the Daily Emerald will feature anonymously submitted quotes to be the subject of a cartoon!
These could be anything from the silly to the strange, as long as it is heard in passing and taken completely out of context. Heard your classmate talking about penguin philosophy? Submit it! Hear any juicy gossip? Submit it!
humble under God?
This comic series aims to shed a whole new light on the University of Oregon’s day-to-day. Send in your best quotes to nschwartz@dailyemerald.com for a chance to have your quote chosen for Overheard Oregon. Remember, everything is completely anonymous and only the best quotes will be selected.
Overheard Oregon is produced and illustrated by Noa Schwartz, a third year illustrator and editor on the Visuals section. In her free time she loves to ride her bike, listen to music and crochet.
White Bird Front Rooms department to
close Dec. 13
Leadership at White Bird Clinic announced its Front Rooms department closure on Nov. 21, leaving many workers feeling “uncertain” and “worried”
By Jess Coronado City News Reporter
On Nov. 21 White Bird Clinic leadership announced the closure of its Front Rooms department after apparent budget cuts.
WBC Front Rooms was one of the primary resources for people who cannot access mainstream services, many of which are unhoused. Workers in the Front Rooms provide mail services, food, water, referrals to service providers, hygiene supplies and cold weather gear.
The closure comes after the announcement that some funding from PacificSource is set to “expire” soon. According to a press release by WBC, Pacific Source funding amounted to $1.8 million.
“The PacificSource Per Member Per Month funding, a cornerstone of our budget and accounts for over 20% of our revenue, will expire on Dec. 31,” the press release stated.
Although the announcement was officially made by leadership on Nov. 21, workers have known about the imminent closure since Nov. 13.
Krysta Delfino resigned from White Bird’s Nest Department the day after leadership made the announcement and subsequently sent a press release on Nov. 18.
The press release stated, “The decision has come as a shocking surprise to Front Rooms employees as there was no previous indication of impending closure.”
Some workers in Front Rooms have expressed concerns over the closure and what will happen next.
“A lot of changes have happened around the clinic in the past few years that made us feel uncertain around the workplace,” Delfino said. “The workers feel that management might not understand what it means to work in the front rooms and how difficult the training is.”
Delfino said that Front Room workers function as crisis workers and receptionists, and that they also provide information, triage and give out survival supplies to people in need.
“Who is going to train the new people, and where are
these services going to go?” Delfino said.
Delfino also said that workers who rely on rental assistance remain uncertain about what WB will provide in lieu of layoffs.
In the days leading up to the announcement of the Front Rooms closure, Delfino said WB leadership kept the Front Rooms closure a “secret.”
The work environment was primarily democratic with a “consensus-based model,” where WBC workers from different departments would collaborate to make decisions for the company. Delfino said leadership stripped their ability to be a decision-making body, ultimately leading her to resign.
“Instead of trying to improve it or try to put forward a different type of democratic decision-making, management told us we would no longer have the ability to be a decision-making body,” Delfino said.
Delfino said it was a “big blow” to have the closure passed without a democratic consensus.
“The decision was made to take action that would have less harm on the rest of the organization,” Mike Yoshioka, WB director of programs, said in response.
The closure has been met with disapproval from community members and Front Room workers. A post made by the WB Front Rooms and NEST Union on Instagram was commented on by a number of users expressing their upset over the closure.
Clients have also expressed concern about resources that will potentially be impacted by the closure.
Yoshioka said there will still be mail, food, and “other service operations” available at 341 E. 12th Avenue, the old Front Rooms department building. The difference is there will be a reduction in the hours of operation.
White Bird Clinic Front Rooms has been operating since February 1970.
FOOD For Lane County helps to feed the community during the holiday season
Eugene-based charity food bank, FOOD for Lane County, is working with local organizations to provide food programs and services for families in need
Sprinson said that they appreciate donations when it comes to holiday food. Additionally, the food bank picks up food from supermarkets, retail food establishments, food manufacturing and community companies on a daily basis.
“The big food drive barrels that you’ll see around the community are primarily for shelf-stable food donations from anyone who’s able to drop something extra in there,” Sprinson said. “Hundreds of businesses and community organizations host food drives for us and we have a whole tool kit that we can give anyone who wants to host a food drive to help make [the holidays] as successful as possible.”
FOOD For Lane County has placed many donation barrels in local grocery stores, businesses and organizations. Some locations include Safeway, Fred Meyer, Jersey Mikes and more.
FOOD For Lane County has also partnered with sorority organizations
on the University of Oregon campus like Delta Delta Delta. “Throughout the month of November, Tri Delta has been hosting a food drive in partnership with Food For Lane County,” Tri Delta member Kira Johnson said.
Johnson said the sorority chapter has been gathering nonperishable food items to help families in the community because November is a crucial month for food banks as the holiday season progresses. “A majority of FFLC’s food comes from donors, and through our members’ donations, Tri Delta is proud to contribute to their mission of fighting hunger in the Eugene area,” Johnson said.
FOOD for Lane County creates kits to help anyone set up a food drive barrel and collects donations year-round. For more information, visit FOOD for Lane County - Donate.
(LEFT) White Bird Clinic provides humanistic healthcare and supportive services for those in need in the Lane County community.
(Alyssa Garcia/Emerald)
(Mason Cruz/Emerald)
D is an Opinion Columnist for the Daily Emerald. Originally from Las Vegas, D is a third year student and loves to write about topics that matter to her and the wider University of Oregon community.
By D Ortega Opinion Columnist
Lexi is an opinion writer for the Daily Emerald. She is a second-year student studying journalism and psychology. Lexi enjoys writing about social topics such as pop culture.
What does Trump’s upcoming presidency mean for women?
(Stephanie
A guide to a healthy worklife balance
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance isn’t the easiest. Here’s some advice to help you prepare for winter term.
ing yourself for a work shift after school.
Are you part of the 60% of Americans with an unhealthy work-life balance? Well, you’re in luck — I’m here to discuss the difficulties of maintaining a healthy balance between work, school and life. I’ll also give some input on how you can create a work-life balance that sets you up for success next term.
This term, I have struggled to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Something about having two jobs, working for the Daily Emerald and taking 20 credits didn’t seem too ambitious for me yet here we are. At Week 6, I remember having to work 20 hours over the weekend and being on the verge of tears because I felt so exhausted. I didn’t eat much that week, and it felt like I was never going to get to rest.
I sometimes have to do homework on my breaks at one of my jobs when school work piles up. I expressed my concerns to my co-workers, and one of them named Domonique responded, “I’m glad that I’m not doing school anymore, f**k that.”
Trying to maintain a healthy work-life and school balance can be arduous — leading to immense stress. To deal with all the chaos, try developing strategies to maintain a balance apart from school. OCC Coast Report Newspaper discussed ways their school counselors offer help to students struggling with mental health. Luna Reid’s report called “An impossible balance: Juggling school, work and mental health,” relayed a conversation with their Director of Mental Health Services Larry Valentine on mental health and work-life balance.
“I love good orientation and drive, but students who work full-time or those who have other obligations tend to be busier and forget the parts that make them who they are and what they enjoy. I like to ask students what their activities mean to them and why they do them,” Valentine said.
A student from OCC also suggested creating personalized schedules for each week and prepar-
Asking other students about their input, Zoe Thomas, a sophomore attending the UO speaks on her work-life balance. “It took me a while to figure out how to balance work and school with my personal life and taking care of myself, and it’s something I still struggle with sometimes,” Thomas said.
“I wasn’t involved that much in high school so coming to college and suddenly having to balance volunteer work, clubs and classes has been a lot. I’ve learned that it’s really important to take care of myself and spend time doing things I love with people I love so that I could do better when it comes to working instead of feeling burnt out,” Thomas said.
Finding things that work for you is I believe –the single most important thing in ensuring that you are taking care of your priorities including yourself. I’ve noticed that creating a to-do list every day has helped me plan out my week. I usually write in my planner assignment due dates, when I work and other activities I have planned.
Spacing out what I need to accomplish helps me calculate how busy a day will be. Knowing that my workload this term has been tremendously tiring, I decided to lighten my credit load next term and will only be working one job instead of two, making necessary accommodations to find the perfect work-life balance for myself.
As a human being, I hate being stressed 24/7. I feel like I’ve lost control of my own life. Maintaining a good relationship between your responsibilites and work-life balance is crucial to ensuring your needs are fulfilled. I personally love filling out a planner to guarantee I don’t miss anything important and don’t forget deadlines. Planners have always given me a sort of safety net that enables me to stay on track. It’s important to listen to your body when it needs its rest. By organizing your schedule, talking to a therapist and making to-do lists, you can create a healthier work-life balance.
With Trump’s election win, women need to support each other now more than ever
Trump’s hand-picked cabinet member Pete Hegseth has also been accused of sexual misconduct. The leaders of our country aren’t going to advocate for abused women since they are contributors to the issue.
Women are tired of this country failing them. Instead of settling for mediocrity, women need to ensure that our voices are heard by engaging in more political discussions, exercising our right to vote, and challenging men of power when necessary.
As women, we need to speak about our truths and provide a supportive space for our peers to have sensitive and difficult conversations. We must not fear repercussions for speaking out against the powerful men in our lives.
For instance, influencer Brianna LaPaglia recently shared her traumatic experiences with her ex-boyfriend and singer, Zach Bryan. LaPaglia declined to sign an NDA and, in the process, turned down $12 million dollars.
She also spoke about how her thinking patterns are scarred from the previous year of Bryan’s emotional abuse.
“I’m still scared right now because I’m scared of him,” LaPaglia said. “My brain’s rewired, and I’m scared to make him mad.”
LaPaglia set an inspiring example by sharing her abusive experience with the public despite her fear and hesitation.
During Trump’s upcoming presidential term, women who have suffered similarly to LaPaglia need to speak up about the abuse they
have endured and seek justice. University of Oregon sophmore Hannah So explained the importance of believing and supporting victims of sexual abuse during this uncertain time for women.
“I definitely think we should be believing victims and supporting them,” So said. “I think as much as it feels like this isn’t the right time to talk about sexual assault or rape or domestic violence it is most definitely a good time. I think now more than ever is a time where women need to start supporting women.”
In addition, UO Women’s Center supports all students and is working towards ending female oppression. It is a great on-campus resource for anyone wanting to become more involved in the fight for equality.
In a written statement, the Administrative Program Assistant of the UO Women’s Center, Karyn Schultz, wrote, “It is in our mission to serve ALL students on this campus, regardless of any opinions they may hold regarding our incoming Federal Administration. We always support and believe Survivors of sexual abuse.”
In a world where a sexual abuser has been elected as president, women need to bring awareness to their abusive experiences with men and support each other during this challenging time. Instead of giving in to feeling powerless, we must use the anger from this defeat to fuel us to construct a world where we don’t excuse men of power for abusing women.
Yang/Emerald)
American English Institute to be discontinued at the end of the academic year
student enrollment.
“We used to have an enormous population of international students who were coming here,” Rice said. “International students were almost 10% of the UO’s enrollment at one point within the past 12 years or so. A multitude of factors have plummeted international enrollments across the country; [President] Trump being elected, COVID[-19], the strength of the U.S. dollar… all of those things plummeted our enrollment numbers.”
According to Rice, the AEI department is split into three programs. The first is the Academic English for International Students program which, according to Rice, offers students enrolled in UO with basic English and academic support.
The second program, according to Rice, is the Intensive English Program, which allows non-enrolled international students interested in attending college in English-speaking countries the ability to come to UO to build an “English foundation.”
According to Rice, the third program is a teacher training course for educators from around the world who want to take professional development courses.
The department was founded in 1978 and according to its website, it has been a leader in English language teaching, services and research both at UO and around the world.
Currently, AEI has six core faculty members and one staff member.
The termination letter states that a single position has been made available to current AEI faculty to teach “a reduced offering of AEIS/GRST [Academic English for Graduate Students] courses.”
Faculty were provided 30 days to apply, as said in the termination letter.
“We [as a core faculty] basically decided that one of us out of the seven needed it more than the others so nobody else applied, only [one person] applied,” Rice said.
Janine Sepulveda is a senior instructor at AEI and has been at UO for 28 years.
Both Rice and Sepulveda stressed that one position is not enough to continue what AEI currently does for UO.
“It’s really horrible in terms of pedagogy because it’s not wise to have one teacher teaching all the classes for all the international undergraduates,” Sepulveda said. “It’s very unethical because this position is not just one person teaching all of the classes, but that’s the same person doing all the administration and all the advising.”
According to Howald, as of September 2025, UO students who need English language support can take classes through the Yamada Language Center, which supports foreign language study for UO students.
“We expect to serve approximately 40 UO international students per year with courses taught by Yamada instructors,” Howald stated. “In addition, the UO’s Global Education Program will offer intensive English program coursework for non-matriculated students beginning in September 2025.”
Sepulveda said that she feels the termination of AEI is “demoralizing.”
“We feel like the university doesn’t really value the expert services we provide that can enable our international students, who bring so much diversity to our campus, to be successful,” Sepulveda said.
For Riko Horiguchi, an international student from Japan, the closing of AEI will make studying internationally more challenging.
“AEI is a place where students can learn basic English, so if that’s closed, the hurdle for foreigners to study abroad will be raised. I feel that it will make it more difficult for international students to study abroad,” Horiguchi said.
The discontinuation of AEI comes as UO pushes to boost international student enrollment after a steady decline in enrollment rates.
The university partnered with Kaplan International in August 2024 with the hope of bringing in students from all over the world.
According to its website, Kaplan International, a UKbased agency, helps the university recruit international students for undergraduate degrees by assisting students with the admissions process and promoting the university abroad.
Kaplan International is partnered with five universities in the United States, with UO being the only partnered school on the West Coast, according to its website.
The first cohort of students recruited through Kaplan International will arrive on campus for the 2025-2026 school year, according to the UO Admissions Office.
In an email, Rice stated that faculty and staff at AEI were unaware of the partnership with Kaplan International.
The agency currently promotes AEI services, including the Intensive English Program, on its website that advertises why students should attend UO.
Rice said she was disappointed at the “lack of coordination” between UO and their international partner.
“I think it’s really, really sad that they’re still recruiting for international students and simultaneously cutting all the programs that support them,” Rice said.
Sepulveda expressed dismay at what the university will
Continued from pg. 1
The American English Institute, a leader in English language education, is closing after 46 years
be losing.
“They’re losing the opportunity to enrich the UO student population by having all these great international students on campus,” Sepulveda said.
For Sepulveda, the termination of AEI is “devastating” for international students who rely on the department’s services.
“Imagine if you went to another country right now and you had to do everything in a different language and a different system and a different culture and they [students] are perfectly capable of learning those things but they need people who understand the shock they’re going through… that’s what we do,” Sepulveda said.
Rice stressed the importance of programs like AEI, which give international students a community and a place to be with people in similar situations to themselves.
“About half the students in my class this term don’t actually need to take my class,” Rice said. “They enrolled in my class because they want an international student community and the feeling of that small class connection with students who are experiencing a similar thing in their lives. Without our program, that goes away.”
For Horiguchi, the discontinuation of AEI means a loss of community.
“I feel that AEI is a place where teachers and students get along well and students can make new friendships with each other. Therefore, I am very sad that AEI will be closed because I feel like we will lose a place of community,” Horiguchi said.
Union rallies highlight slow negotiations
University of Oregon Student Workers and United Academics rally together, as one heads to mediation and the other considers the same
By Sasha Love Campus News Reporter
University of Oregon Student Workers and United Academics both protested this fall after bargaining sessions with UO have not met their needs. UOSW is headed to mediation, and UA may follow suit.
Mediation is a process in which a third party works to resolve contract disputes. The process can result in either resolution and the establishment of a contract, or an impasse which sets the stage for a potential strike during the winter term.
Both unions have grievances over pay, and UOSW has argued for an anti-discrimination and harassment article in their contract.
In a statement, UO spokesperson Eric Howald explained why these disagreements, unresolved after several months, led to UO’s call for mediation with UOSW.
“First agreements often take more time because the parties are not starting with an existing agreement…but we’re hopeful that working with a mediator will help us have more productive discussions with UOSW,” Howald said.
A rally to push UOSW’s ideal contract forward was held on Oct. 25 outside the Erb Memorial Union. UOSW concluded that “UO gets an F” before heading to their bargaining session. UOSW was joined by campus union allies Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation, Service Employees International Union and UA.
UA President Mike Urbancic spoke about unity through the contract process.
“We have never been more united, coordinated and we have never been more cohesive, and the university is trembling,” Urbancic said.
UA hosted a Nov.13 rally outside Johnson Hall to push their ideal contract forward. Members from unions across campus and beyond attended.
Taliah Johnson, a resident assistant and Global Scholars Hall worker, was on the organizing team for the UOSW rally. Johnson discussed the importance of rallying together.
“I hope to show [UO] that there is a wide amount of student supporters from not only student workers, but also our fellow unions…and to show that people do care about these issues,” Johnson said.
Collin Heatley, vice president of external relations for GTFF, attended the UA rally and discussed supporting other unions.
“We’re showing up here for our campus allies, we’re only as strong as our colleagues and campus labor is showing up for our faculty,” Heatley said.
At the UOSW rally, attendees chanted, “Ready to strike, ready to win,” while drumming on buckets and shouting.
Signs read “Despicable Admin” and “We Deserve a Ducking Raise.”
At the UA rally, similar messages were painted on cardboard, reading “3% Won’t Pay My Rent” and “Arguing over Groceries.”
At the Nov. 13 bargaining table, UA Treasurer Keaton Miller discussed how UA members he spoke to felt that UO did not agree to UA’s articles, including an 8.5% across-the-board raise.
“You are asking us to eat that pain and eat that loss. The words we hear over and over again [from UA members] are ‘we are disrespected,’ ‘we feel unheard,’…that is what is coming across to our members and ultimately we are beholden to our members,” Miller said.
Miller said UA is “sad” to get to a point where they may require the help of a third party for mediation.
“We want to believe that we are on the same team working towards a better contract, and it’s getting really hard to believe that…so we’ll take this wherever it needs to go…but we are sad,” Miller said.
UOSW negotiator Izzie Marshall reiterated the “disappointment” between the union and UO.
“What they are giving us is not enough to come to a tentative agreement,” Marshall said. “We’re disappointed that we are at this point. We think there is a lot more progress we could make.”
Marshall said she hopes UO will show up “in good faith” to finish out the sessions allotted for the year.
Howald’s statement explained how UO hopes the mediation process proceeds.
“How long mediation lasts depends on the parties’ willingness to continue finding common ground through the process. The UO is interested in collaborating with an equally engaged UOSW to reach an agreement,” Howald said.
(BELOW) Nathan Whalen, the United Academics Chair of the Grievances & Contract Administration Committee, discusses their disagreement with the verbiage in Article 19 during a UA Bargaining Sessions on Oct. 17, 2024.
(Eddie Bruning/Daily Emerald)
CAMPUS NEWS
ARTS & CULTURE
Capturing the Cosmos: the Museum of Natural and Cultural History's newest exhibit
The collection features images from the James Webb Space Telescope, as well as educational infographics
By Claire Coit Arts & Culture Writer
As the term comes to an end, new academic opportunities come to life right here on campus. A brand-new exhibit at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History has opened, showcasing images from the James Webb Space Telescope and the science behind it, free for students to visit.
Curated by museum staff and University of Oregon Professor of astronomy Scott Fisher, “Capturing the Cosmos” showcases images captured by the Webb Telescope and insight into the technology behind it. Launched on Christmas Day 2021, this infrared space telescope gives astronomers a revolutionary look into space, farther and clearer than ever before.
The collection of images at the museum includes vibrant images of nebulas, exploding stars and a detailed view into our own galaxy, the Milky Way. In addition to the images, the museum exhibit has interactive elements, including videos explaining the telescope’s impact and workstations that explain light refraction.
The collection features images comparing the previous leading telescope, Hubble Space Telescope, with the James Webb Space Telescope. Hubble operates using visible wavelengths, while Webb uses infrared, producing a much higher visibility in images and a further range of sight.
One infographic reads, “Webb allows us to look deep into dust clouds to study how stars and planets form. Infrared light — what Webb can see — easily pierces through dust.” Alongside the text, there are two images of the Pillars of Creation, comparing the Hubble and Webb telescopes’ visibility, showcasing just how far science has come with this technological development.
“Webb is going to push forward astronomy for a whole generation, just like Hubble did. We’re gonna get to see the same objects we’ve seen, but in different wavelengths and with exquisite resolution. The best resolution we’ve ever seen this stuff in,” Fisher said.
Fisher has been teaching at UO for 12 years and is one of the most beloved astronomy professors on campus, according to students. He was previously a staff scientist at a telescope in Hilo, Hawaii, and is now the director at Pine Mountain Observatory, located in Bend, Oregon and operated by UO. Fisher has received a grant this year, allowing him to spend time working at the observatory, as well as consulting on exhibits like “Capturing the Cosmos.”
“I really appreciate that we live in a community that
values scientific knowledge, and we want to be able to share it with folks,” Fisher said. “By seeing these images that draw you in because they’re beautiful...in that beauty, there are these incredibly powerful statements about our place in the universe and how we’re connected to it.”
The museum exhibit features a quote on the wall from Dr. Carl Sagan, prolific astronomer and science communicator. The quote reads, “The cosmos is within us. We are made of star stuff.”
This quote captures the thought-provoking nature of “Capturing the Cosmos.” Showcasing the wonders of space through Webb’s images, the museum exhibit encourages visitors to reflect on their place in the universe and the profound nature of space itself.
The exhibit will be open until March 28, 2025.
Tempers flare at boisterous, emotional
“Wicked” premiere
After more than a decade of development, John M. Chu’s film adaption of the Broadway classic “Wicked” hit theaters on Nov. 22, attracting masses of hardcore fans
to sing my ass off,” Shample said.
Not long after the previews concluded and the boisterous, green and pink-adorned crowd settled into their seats, Shample and a smattering of others quickly proved they
would do much more than sing along.
For some members of the packed audience, the constant commotion was an irritating distraction.
Eugene resident Cameron Graham-Mask is an avid fan of the musical and the extended “Wizard of Oz” universe. Having seen the play and read the novel countless times, he was excited to witness the story unfold on the silver screen. Though he thoroughly enjoyed the film, Graham-Mask was annoyed by some of his fellow spectators. “I understand everyone is passionate and trying to have a good time,” Graham-Mask said. “But it took me out of the magic.”
Metro Cinemas patron Nicholas Maddox, brought along by his musical-loving boyfriend, found the movie enjoyable but repetitive. Most of his amusement stemmed from the heated verbal altercations that arose throughout the screening as perturbed viewers tried to hush their rambunctious neighbors. “Their reactions were more entertaining than the movie,” Maddox said.
Despite his appreciation for the show’s iconic musical numbers, moviegoer Nick Gudem had no clue that a “Wicked” movie was in the works — until its existence became inescapable. The film’s seemingly unlimited advertising campaign extended its reach to Starbucks drinks, Xfinity commercials and social media. “There was even a ‘Wicked’ themed Snapchat story that popped up,” Gudem said.
Cammi Ganshert, who sang the show’s most notable song, “Defying Gravity,” for a childhood audition, became aware of the film due to an online controversy surrounding a fan-made poster. However, it was Grande’s inclusion in the film that encouraged her attendance. “I love Ariana Grande,” Ganshert said. “I’m excited to see how she sings in a non-pop atmosphere.”
Subjugated to constant exposure to the film’s outrageous distribution tactics, I was well aware of the film’s preliminary outrageous hype and widespread online discourse. While I might not have accessed the same passion as those beside me, I was happily impressed with “Wicked.”
On top of their magnetic chemistry, Erivo and Grande lead vibrant, well-choreographed musical numbers. From the fantastical costuming to the transportive production design, Chu directs a magical experience that achieves precisely what it intends to. Had it not been for its egregiously muddy visual backdrops and repetitive humor, “Wicked” might’ve had a shot at my complete critical approval. Drawing rowdy fanatics, musical theater dabblers and intrigued, unbeknownst moviegoers, the “Wicked” premiere was anything but ordinary. With “Wicked Part Two” slated for a 2025 release, audiences will clash over cinema etiquette once more.
Popcorn rating: 3.5/5
The main walkway view of the “Capturing the Cosmos” exhibit at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History. (Eddie Bruning/Emerald)
(Noa Schwartz/Emerald)
Crossword
Hall’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame partner
Chemically inactive
“__ Theme”: “Doctor Zhivago” music
Exposes 21 Pickleball court divider 22 Think the world of
Shrub with lavender flowers
__-Lay snacks
New Year’s __
Reproductive health doc
Persian Gulf fed.
Smidgen
“Tiny Bubbles” singer 35 __ hair pasta
Bullwinkle, e.g. 38 Spy org. 39 Boxer Muhammad
Baseball club 42 More mature
Break of day
Anderson of “Baywatch” 45 “Invasion of Privacy” rapper
__ & Perrins steak
Sudoku
This past Saturday, the Huskies touched down in Eugene to play the Ducks in the last game for the regular season
Read the recap of the rivalry game online at dailyemerald.com
Oregon men’s basketball surges past San Diego State 78-68
SATURDAY
Dec. 7, 2024
Big Ten championship game
Don’t miss the Emerald’s live coverage of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Athlete of the Week: Peyton Scott
The graduate student has made her long-awaited return to the court worthwhile
double-figure scoring in four games, including 17 points and three 3-pointers against Grand Canyon University on Nov. 18.
The second time’s a charm.
Peyton Scott got another shot at her Oregon debut nearly a year after she first stepped onto Kilkenny Court. This time, it ended in a Ducks’ 30-point victory over Cal Baptist University on Nov. 4, propelled by Scott’s 16 points.
Scott missed all but five minutes of the 2023-24 season after going down with an ACL injury in last year’s opener. Her highly anticipated impact on the program had to wait and Oregon struggled mightily as Scott could only watch from the side-
Now eight games through the season, Ducks fans have seen what the team was missing the past year. An Oregon team that only won two conference games last season adds scoring, defense and ball handling, as well as a vocal leader in Scott.
“We’re not reminiscing. We’re not talking about the past,” Scott said coming into the season. “Everyone knows what it was, but we’re trying to stay in the present and really build that culture on and off the court and bring the energy and be ready to compete in the Big Ten.”
Scott averaged 9.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists through eight games this season. She’s reached
Before her transfer to Oregon, Scott played four years at Miami University where she ended fourth all-time in scoring for the program.
When Scott decided last spring to play one last season of college basketball she could’ve gone just about anywhere — but she wanted to stay at Oregon.
“I wanted to give this program and this community and this university a chance to play here,” Scott said during the preseason. “That’s what I came here to do.”
The Ducks started their season 6-0, including a win over then-ranked No. 12 Baylor University. They’ve since lost a pair of games at the Hawaii North Shore Classic.
Oregon is in the middle of a much-needed week off. Scott and the Ducks will return to Matthew Knight Arena, where it’s undefeated, on Wednesday to face Washington State.
(LEFT) Oregon Graduate Student, Peyton Scott (10), sprints toward the baseline to keep the loose ball in play. The number 25 ranked Oregon Ducks host the North Texas Mean Green at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene on Nov. 12, 2024.
(Julia Massa/Emerald)
(BELOW) Mar’shaun Bostic (12) jumps and passes the ball over Peyton Scott at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene on Nov. 20, 2024.
