Eleven UO students issued conduct charges relating to pro-Palestine demonstrations
UO issued student conduct code charges to 11 students, two months after the UO Coalition for Palestine encampment ended in an agreement with administration
By Ysabella Sosa Campus News Associate Editor
While the University of Oregon was on summer break, 11 students were issued several student conduct code charges, months after the pro-Palestine encampment.
After nearly a month of demonstrations, the UO Coalition for Palestine encampment came to an end in late May after an agreement was reached between the coalition and UO administration.
Students were not charged based on their involvement with the encampment, but on
UO undervalues its student dining workers
The “Week of Welcome” bonus should not have been lowered by $300; student workers are entitled to more
By Gracie Cox Associate Opinion Editor
The University of Oregon’s Housing Department offers a $200 incentive, often referred to as the Week of Welcome or Early Return Bonus, for student staff returning the week before classes start. In order to qualify, students must work at least 32 hours during Week of Welcome.
When first introduced in 2022, this bonus amounted to $300 and increased to
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Q&A with ASUO President, Mariam Hassan
AND CULTURE
Ten to Films to Look Forward To
School is back in session, presenting UO students with nine months of Eugene moviegoing. Here’s a list of flicks to look forward to throughout the year.
By Sean Avery Arts & Culture Writer
And just like that, we’re back. A short but sweet summer movie season, which contained box office favorites like “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Twisters,” is all wrapped up. But have no fear, University of Oregon cinephiles: As the campus crowd migrates home to Eugene, movie season is only beginning to ramp up.
From long-awaited sequels to early Oscar favorites, here’s a list of flicks to look forward to throughout the school year.
ASUO President Mariam Hassan sat down with the Daily Emerald to talk about her and her administration’s plans for the upcoming year
By Jasmine Saboorian Campus News Editor
Mariam Hassan, president of the Associated Students of the University of Oregon, answered a series of questions about her and her administration’s plans for the upcoming year after being elected as president on April 8, without any ASUO experience.
What are you [Hassan] and your administration currently planning for the upcoming year?
One of the biggest things that we’re working on is advocacy this year, and that falls into different points. So we have our Department of Advocacy who does a lot of that, but us, as ASUO as a whole, do a lot of it like lobbying.
One of the new things we did this summer is we joined the Association of Big Ten Students… and it’s pretty simple. We work with all of the Big Ten schools… and we lobby together federally and we figure out where we all lie on certain issues and we bring it up to [Washington] D.C., and we get to lobby together on behalf of students.
[Higher education funding] is something that we’re working on a lot this year; housing, campus safety. Wednesday [Sept. 25], during the Senate meeting, me and the Senate president signed a letter of stopping campus hazing, and we’re gonna be sending that to Amy [Klobuchar] and Bernie Sanders.
UPCOMING GAMES:
OREGON VS. MICHIGAN STATE
FRI., OCT. 4, 6 P.M.
OREGON VS. OHIO STATE SAT., OCT. 12, 4:30 P.M.
(Molly McPherson/Emerald)
Mariam Hassan, ASUO President, sits down for an interview with Daily Emerald reporters.
(Jonathan Suni/ Emerald)
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VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE POLL
Will you watch the debate?
According to a combined Daily Emerald poll using Instagram and the Emerald’s website for results, 46 out of 64 people said they were planning on watching the Vice Presidential Debate.
Who performed better?
Using the same methods, 12 out of 16 people voted that candidate Democratic Tim Walz performed better than Republican candidate JD Vance.
Emerald Media Group 1395 University St.,#302 Eugene, Or 97403 (541)-346-5511
ARTS AND CULTURE
Ghost Town Outfitters opens charming downtown storefront
As students move in and back to school shopping season begins, Ghost Town Outfitters expands to 13th Avenue
By Claire Coit Arts & Culture Writer
Ghost Town Outfitters, a hidden gem vintage store, has come to Eugene’s downtown area. Originally operating out of a warehouse on West 11th Avenue, Ghost Town opened in late 2022 to customers looking for hand-picked clothing at affordable prices.
Now, the shop has expanded to a new location on 13th Avenue. Just a ten-minute walk from campus, the new storefront has clothes of all colors and sizes for low prices.
Parker Hayes, owner of Ghost Town, opened the warehouse shop after selling clothing on eBay for many years. Hayes said he was living out of his trailer with his two kids when he acquired the warehouse from a friend of his. He moved into the warehouse and began putting the business together.
Ghost Town started out as a wholesale-based clothing shop, with bins and boxes for customers to sort through themselves. The store blew up online after Hayes posted a TikTok about it. “The next morning, I had a hundred people lined up outside the doors waiting,” Hayes said.
As the store grew in popularity, Hayes needed help. After meeting with Tristan Yaroscak and his sister Stella Hucka, he began putting the Ghost Town team together.
Over time, more specific pieces began filling the clothing racks, from vintage tees to distressed Carhartts. The store also has one dollar and five dollar bins for customers, keeping it affordable.
Growing organically on social media sites like Instagram and TikTok over the past year, Ghost Town has become a beloved place for people of the Eugene community to outsource clothes and other vintage items affordably. Hayes has since
moved out of the warehouse thanks to the success of the clothing shop.
“The goal is to be consistent with the new store and open this up as a cool community meetup spot, the same way we did on West 11th,” Hayes said. “Even if you have no intention of buying anything, I want people to say, let’s just go down to Ghost Town and see what everybody’s up to.”
The original warehouse is not only home to fashionable finds — it also hosts shows and events. Featuring bands like Louise, Mothra and Lord Lawrence, the shows offer a way for the Eugene community to come together, supporting both sustainable shopping and independent musicians.
The newly opened storefront’s central location is ideal for Ghost Town Outfitters, located on 13th Avenue and Mill Street just blocks from the university campus. With funky music blasting and even funkier clothes, the new store is sure to be a hit among students throughout the upcoming school year.
Stella Hucka, an employee at Ghost Town Outfitters, said, “I’m excited that the new storefront is a walkable distance for most students. It’s good that we’re able to reach more people now and get the word out about Ghost Town.”
When asked what she likes to put on the shelves, Hucka said, “Anything that’s unique. I ask myself: would someone wear this? Is it weird? Is it fun?”
The new storefront, located at 365 E 13th Ave. is already hustling and bustling with customers. With poster-covered walls and welcoming staff, Ghost Town Outfitters’ new location is a welcome reminder of how the Eugene thrift community continues to evolve and grow.
Ten Films to Look Forward To
10. Joker: Folie à Deux (Oct 4, 2024)
Todd Phillips is back in the saddle, plunging into Gotham for round two with the Clown Prince of Crime. Despite 2019’s “Joker” raking in multiple Oscars, including an incredibly overdue one for Joaquin Phoenix, it has since accumulated a divisive reputation. But what really sold this sequel came as an even bigger surprise: “Joker: Folie à Deux” will be a musical.
9. Gladiator II (Nov 22, 2024)
The term “legacy sequel” is a recent acquisition to the Hollywood lexicon, with second entries being greenlit decades after their original films initially hit theaters. Ridley Scott is no stranger to revisiting old work, but has done so with little success (“Alien: Covenant”). With Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal at his fingertips, Scott is hopeful for a better fortune with “Gladiator II.”
8. Paddington in Peru (Jan 27, 2025)
“Paddington” and especially “Paddington 2” sit at the apex of the modern family film collection. The sequel developed a passionate internet following when it conquered a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. With King absent from the director’s chair and star Sally Hawkins unable to return, I’m wary of “Padding in Peru,” yet intrigued by its swashbuckling story ambitions.
7. A Real Pain (Nov 1, 2024)
The first indie installment on this list goes to Jesse Eisenburg’s “A Real Pain,” which turned heads at the Sundance Film Festival in January. The dramedy stars Kieran Culkin alongside Eisenberg as mismatched cousins David and Benji, who reunite for a tour through Poland in honor of their grandmother. Their trip takes a turn when old tensions resurface at the doorstep of their family history.
6. A Complete Unknown (Dec 25, 2024)
Timothee Chalamet evolves into Bob Dylan with the holiday season’s surest box office beast “A Complete Unknown” — a biopic following the 19-year-old musician’s meteoric rise as a folk singer to concert halls and the top of the charts. Chalamet is on top of the world right now; a magnificent leading performance could easily land him Oscar gold.
5. The Brutalist (TBD)
“The Brutalist” has been a surprise standout at festivals across the globe, with fierce Oscar buzz starting to erupt online. The film follows Oscar-winner Adrien Brody (“The Pianist”) as visionary architect László Toth, who flees Europe to rebuild his legacy in America. Brody’s awards odds have climbed as the film garners acclaim for its outstanding craft, score and cinematography.
4. Conclave (Oct 25, 2024)
“Conclave” is a new film from “All Quiet on the Western Front” director Edward Berger — another early candidate for some trophies come March. A heated thriller where religion and politics clash, “Conclave” stars several powerful industry presences, including Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini. The film follows Cardinal Lawrence, who is burdened with selecting the new Pope.
3. Nosferatu (Dec 25, 2024)
Another Christmas day release, “Nosferatu” has “The Lighthouse” and “The Witch” director Robert Eggers leading the charge to reimagine the monumental German horror classic of the same name. With one of my favorite modern directors in control, “Nosferatu” has the potential to terrify its way into the Oscar race.
2. Mickey 17 (Jan 31, 2025)
It’s been a long time coming, but early next year, Bong Joon-Ho’s first film since “Parasite” is slated for release. Now, with a sparkly new trailer, showcasing Robert Pattison’s latest character transformation and a surprisingly zany tone, my anticipation is through the roof.
1. Anora (Oct 18, 2024)
Landing the top spot is the first American film to win the esteemed Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, “Anora.” The film stars Mikey Madison as Anora, a young sex worker from Brooklyn who impulsively marries the son of an oligarch. I’ve heard nothing but raves and flowers for this film, and I cannot wait to be blown away into a puddle of tears.
wanted
The Recall Claire Syrett campaign claimed on their website that Councilor Syrett “regularly dismissed their concerns and even denigrated them in personal terms.” The campaign also claimed that Syrett ignored notes and emails from her constituents regarding the MovingAhead project.
There were over 2,300 votes to remove her
also attended the public forum. The official cutoff date for officiating the recall vote is Oct. 3.
During the public forum portion of the meeting, two 4J high school students testified on behalf of the climate crisis, urging the City Council to take initiative in retrofitting buildings in Eugene to be less fossil fuel dependent.
at North Eugene High School, said he hopes the Council continues to be proactive in supporting concrete policy to
Mason Tyler, a junior at North Eugene High School, said he hopes the Council continues to be proactive in supporting concrete policy to 1, 2023.
The
of the
Walking distance from Autzen Stadium
The Recall Claire Syrett campaign claimed on their website that Councilor Syrett “regularly dismissed their concerns and even denigrated them in personal terms.” The campaign also claimed that Syrett ignored notes and emails from her constituents regarding the MovingAhead project. There were over 2,300 votes to remove her
Supporters of the recall said the project would remove two car lanes and increase traffic congestion — and that bus ridership has decreased since 2012. Petitioners said they were angry Syrett “supports an EmX system not wanted and not responsive to new eco-friendly transportation alternatives.”
City council members thanked Syrett, who faces a recall after she voted in favor of the MovingAhead project that identified an area in her ward for bus-only lanes.
During the public forum portion of the meeting, two 4J high school students testified on behalf of the climate crisis, urging the City Council to take initiative in retrofitting buildings in Eugene to be less fossil fuel dependent. Mason Tyler, a junior at North Eugene High School, said he hopes the Council continues to be proactive in supporting concrete policy to
Natalie Crowder and Richard Locke, president of the Eugene Business Alliance, two of the largest contributors to the Recall Claire Syrett campaign, also attended the public forum. The official cutoff date for officiating the recall vote is Oct. 3.
City Councilor Claire Syrett, environmental activists and community members against firework ban spoke at Monday’s Sept. 26 Eugene City Council meeting.
“This kind of anti-democratic strategy to undermine and remove duly elected public officials should raise alarms for all who care about our representative democracy, regardless of your political affiliation or ideological point of view,” Syrett said. “This is just a harbinger of a future in which elections truly won’t matter unless we take action to combat this strategy.”
Syrett made a statement contesting the fairness of her recall.
Opposing sides of a movement to recall
Eugene
compared to 1,600 votes to keep her.
BY CALEB BARBER
There were over 2,300 votes to remove her
The Recall Claire Syrett campaign claimed on their website that Councilor Syrett “regularly dismissed their concerns and even denigrated them in personal terms.” The campaign also claimed that Syrett ignored notes and emails from her constituents regarding the MovingAhead project.
Walking
Large
Family
NEWS CITY COUNCILOR CLAIRE SYRETT’S PUBLIC FORUM
Large selection of beers on tap Award-winning pizza Patio and full bar Family tradition since
City council members thanked Syrett, who faces a recall after she voted in favor of the MovingAhead project that identified an area in her ward for bus-only lanes. Supporters of the recall said the project would remove two car lanes and increase traffic congestion — and that bus ridership has decreased since 2012. Petitioners said they were angry Syrett “supports an EmX system not wanted and not responsive to new eco-friendly transportation alternatives.”
Opposing sides of a movement to recall Eugene City Councilor Claire Syrett, environmental activists and community members against firework ban spoke at Monday’s Sept. 26 Eugene City Council meeting.
During the public forum portion of the meeting, two 4J high school students testified on behalf of the climate crisis, urging the City Council to take initiative in retrofitting buildings in Eugene to be less fossil fuel dependent. Mason Tyler, a junior at North Eugene High School, said he hopes the Council continues to be proactive in supporting concrete policy to
Important topics of discussion included Eugene’s firework ban, climate accountability and Claire Syrett’s final days as acting Ward 7 councilor.
Natalie Crowder and Richard Locke, president of the Eugene Business Alliance, two of the largest contributors to the Recall Claire Syrett campaign, also attended the public forum. The official cutoff date for officiating the recall vote is Oct. 3.
“This is just a harbinger of a future in which elections truly won’t matter unless we take action to combat this strategy.”
“This kind of anti-democratic strategy to undermine and remove duly elected public officials should raise alarms for all who care about our representative democracy, regardless of your political affiliation or ideological point of view,” Syrett said.
compared to 1,600 votes to keep her. Syrett made a statement contesting the fairness of her recall.
BY CALEB BARBER
Important topics of discussion included Eugene’s firework ban, climate accountability and Claire Syrett’s final days as acting Ward 7 councilor.
CITY COUNCILOR CLAIRE SYRETT’S FINAL PUBLIC FORUM
UO undervalues its student dining workers
$500 in fall 2023. For fall 2024, this bonus has been lowered by $300.
In a statement to the Daily Emerald, UO said, “University Housing University Dining has offered bonus incentives post-pandemic at our discretion. The bonus offered each year depends on the expected availability of student workers to meet the demand on service and budgeted fiscal resources… Whether to offer the bonuses, and the amount, has always been determined by and at the discretion of the University.”
As student dining workers both deserve and depend on that $500 bonus, lowering it by $300 was an uncalled-for decision by University Housing.
Students sacrifice enough by choosing to work Week of Welcome in the first place and are owed proper bonuses as a result.
The Week of Welcome bonus compensates students for two major inconveniences: returning early to campus and working at least 32 hours — significantly more hours than typical for students.
As both requests complicate student workers’ return to school, the $500 bonus is well-deserved.
“UO lowering the sign-on bonus… without notifying student workers has drastically changed what people thought they could expect as they returned to their on-campus jobs. I know several coworkers who rely on that $500,” UO second-year and University Catering employee, Lili’u Hayashida-Knight said.
For the average student, $300 makes a huge difference in financial security. This bonus decrease could mean not being able to afford rent, groceries or academic expenses on top of the already expensive process of moving and preparing for a new school year.
The dining hall employee job is difficult enough as it is, but without sufficient incentive to work a nearly full-time quantity of hours during one of the most understaffed weeks of the year, the strain is too much, especially for students just returning to Eugene.
“I liked my job last year, but there were some issues with allotted break times, personal issues between coworkers and excessive micromanagement from higher-up full-time staff,” Hayashida-Knight continued. “My coworkers and I are not allowed sufficient time for breaks when we are far from dining halls for catered events.”
For the most part, students remain disengaged from the struggles of dining employees, including their bargaining efforts. Hayashida-Knight added, “The general UO population doesn’t seem to care very much about our fight for a contract, and most people haven’t even heard about it… I think they
sometimes look down on people working in dining even though it is a completely valid position to hold.”
Moving forward, the University of Oregon Student Workers’ “Dining Bonus Petition” demands that University Housing “immediately cease and desist” any planned implementation of this change until the parties have exhausted their bargaining obligations. Such impactful policy changes cannot be made without the input of the workers it affects.
UO stated, “The University is currently in negotiations with the UOSW union and recognizes that UOSW has the opportunity to include proposals at the bargaining table that address the incentives used in helping the University staff dining during the Week of Welcome.”
Despite the early return bonus being lowered, University Housing must make other, positive changes to benefit their student workers.
“I strongly believe student employees — especially those in dining and catering —should receive a shift meal every time we work or at least have $1 meals like the full-time employees,” Hayashida-Knight said.
No student job should be a thankless task, especially jobs that offer you low wages, no shift meal and monthly paydays. Students who qualify for the Week of Welcome bonus deserve the full $500 for their sacrifice and the arduous task at hand: dealing with the hungry demands of brand new freshmen.
The $18K Article: How Paywalls are Gatekeeping Knowledge
By Maddox Brewer Knight Opinion Columnist
At age sixteen, I vowed to become civically informed. I had just registered to vote, and the political jargon behind the plexiglass windows of newspaper boxes blinked out at me with pressing urgency. Soon, I would have to actually understand these headlines, and I would be trusted to cast my ballot accordingly.
I began in the most straightforward way I could imagine: I googled the “New York Times.”
Within two seconds, my journey of civic literacy hit a wall — or more precisely, a paywall. From the “Los Angeles Times” to the “Atlantic,” each article I clicked was swiftly concealed behind a demanding pop-up.
Knowledge came at a price, and it was oftentimes upwards of $20 per month. Stingy as usual, I pieced together my understanding of world events from online trials and free newspapers from swanky hotel lobbies until I arrived at the University of Oregon.
My UO ID was a masterkey. With an institution attached to my name, I could bypass paywalls for the “New York Times,” the “Los Angeles Times,” the “Washington Post” and unlimited academic articles on JSTOR. My newfound access was dizzying, yet I was struck by the realization that I never should have lacked it in the first place.
College students pay hefty tuition fees for access to curated classes, professors’ instruction, tutoring and certifications for their field — but, unbeknownst to many, they are also paying for
the privilege to teach themselves. Due to institution-wide subscriptions, knowledge hidden behind paywalls becomes an unspoken perk to college tuition.
Instruction, interaction, and unique experiences make universities worthwhile, but access to raw information shouldn’t be gatekept for those who can afford a college degree. On the contrary, free scholarly materials are even more crucial for those who don’t have the wisdom of librarians, tutors and professors at their disposal.
This inequity only furthers the divide between college students and the rest of the world, promoting elitism and division — students who feel privy to exclusive information are quick to weaponize their “I’m-an-intellectual-and-you’renot” attitude, a phenomenon which I have encountered all too frequently throughout my freshman year.
This predicament becomes even more important during election season, when misinformation can run rampant. As easy as it may be to mock your uncle who reposts falsified articles on Facebook or your neighbor who regurgitates fear-mongering “Fox News” features, how can we blame readers for getting their information from reactionary right-wing sources if those sources are free, yet more reputable newspapers charge prohibitive access fees?
In this instance, entire points of view are being gatekept, disseminated through articles written by and for the affluent and educated. There is no chance for dialogue or constructive conversation in a world of echo chambers,
and people are unlikely to challenge their own beliefs if they can’t afford access to opposing viewpoints.
But how can we remedy this situation? Public libraries offer a promising solution.
As a paragon of open access, libraries have successfully implemented open-access programs like Kanopy, a streaming service that allows anyone with a library card to watch up to six free movies per month. While niche, Kanopy has found major success in the fifteen years since its release, providing education and enjoyment to thousands of users — but this trend doesn’t have to stop with cinema.
With federal funding, libraries could arrange subscriptions with prominent publications to grant cardholders access to a set number of free weekly articles from various sources, allowing readers to access a diversity of opinions and bridging the information gap.
After all, knowledge is a power that should not be gatekept by private institutions, but instead freely available to all those who wish to seek it.
Maddox Brewer Knight is an opinion columnist at the Daily Emerald. She is a first-year CHC student pursuing a double major in English and Spanish. As a lifelong Oregonian, Maddox cares deeply about confronting social issues both within UO and in the greater community to make our home region a better environment for all.
Duck House workers prepare food ahead of time before the big rush.
(Kemper Flood/ Emerald)
Continued from page 1
Gracie Cox is the Associate Opinion Editor of the Daily Emerald and a second-year Planning, Public Policy and Management student. You can find her sharing her opinions on UO culture and drinking copious amounts of Red Bull.
ON THE COVER
Q&A with ASUO President, Mariam Hassan
Top five roles and responsibilities the ASUO president has:
#1 Understanding the needs of the student body across three campuses: Eugene, Portland and UO’s coastal campus
#2 Setting and executing the visions of ASUO
#3 Advocating for student interests and campaigns
#4 Overseeing 200+ student organizations
#5 Monitoring university processes
How are you and your administration planning to connect student groups [Students for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voices for Peace, Ducks 4 Israel, Oregon Hillel] to ASUO and the rest of campus?
Our sole purpose is that we’re a resource for students and making sure that student voices are heard. As we saw last year, administration isn’t necessarily providing that space for students to have constructive dialogue in the same environment. I think this year we really want to expand that… like student forums or town halls, but that also means that we are providing them a resource. If they want to contact administration, we can be that resource and that connection.
What is your administration’s biggest goal for this year?
Engaging with the broader student body is a huge thing, and so we are gonna be launching a new website in a couple of weeks and hopefully that will help mitigate a lot of the transparency issues that were happening last year. I don’t think students fully understand what ASUO can and can’t do.
It’s really good to have a lot of goals and a lot of things that we want to achieve throughout the year and creating the resources for students, but none of that necessarily matters if students don’t know what’s there. So I think the biggest thing is to lay that foundation first, and that foundation is reaching out to students, meeting them where we’re at, where they’re at and then from there we can start implementing the new things that we’re trying to achieve throughout the year.
What do you feel will be your biggest obstacle for your goals this year?
One of the things is combatting the perceived notion of ASUO. For me, I kind of fell into that. I’m new, and it’s hard to join an organization fresh not knowing what it is; I didn’t even know what ASUO was last year, and now I’m here as the president.
It’s easy for people to assume that ASUO can do a lot of things, and coming on the other side of that, I was able to see why certain things weren’t being done or how we can change that to make it better for students.
To me, I think that’s a transparency issue on our end, and I think it’s our job to make it clear to students, ‘Hey, we actually cannot do that, but we can do this. We can support you in this way.’
On a more personal level for me, I think coming into this new role, it’s gonna be learning how to separate personal and professional, and where I can give my opinion on a personal side and then also understanding my role as president.
Last year, [UO] had a lot of different strikes and potential strikes that were happening, how would you deal with potential strikes of student groups and these other groups on campus happening in the upcoming year?
Like I said, ASUO is there as a resource because we are here to support all students, specifically anybody in a vulnerable position. There are definitely legal implications of how involved we do get, but we are there as a resource to help people get to where they’re at, or if they need to make a connection or if they need to talk to a specific person, we can guide them through that.
Last year during your campaign, there were some skepticisms from some people after [attending a conference hosted by the Campus Victory Project]. How are you going to work around students who may have skepticisms of your ability to lead as president of ASUO?
I think that’s a really valid question, and they have every right to, if students feel skeptical. I’m very new to this organization; I went from not even knowing that it exists to now holding the top role. I understand where the skepticism comes from, but I think it’s just gonna come from my administration showing how hard we’re working this year and earning that trust to work with students and them being open, but also us being open.
How does your administration plan to connect and work with UO administration in the upcoming year?
There’s a new [Vice President for Student Life] and we’ve been able to already have meetings about the food pantry, so that’s already gotten started. We’re trying to figure out where the food pantry can be, the short-term solution of having it start right away, but then the long-term solution of having a permanent location for it, but that’s something that we’re working on.
I’ve already met with President [John Karl] Scholz a couple of times, shared what ASUO is trying to do and making sure that’s on their radar and knowing that they’re there in case we need them.
(Molly McPherson/Emerald)
Mariam Hassan, ASUO President, sits down for an interview with Daily Emerald reporters.
Eleven UO students issued conduct charges relating to pro-Palestine demonstrations
activities that “violated the student conduct code,” according to Eric Howald, UO spokesperson.
“Student conduct charges were made against 11 students based on activities that violated the student conduct code,” Howald said. “These behaviors include disruptive behavior, damage and/or destruction, unauthorized access or use and violation of university policy.”
A commitment in the agreement said that individual students who did violate the campus policies of overnight camping, utilizing space without reservations and improper use of amplified sound would be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. According to a representative of the coalition who wished to not dis-
close their name due to the ongoing charges, the charges highlighted events that occurred “during and after the encampment.”
“There were a few events that were cited during the encampment—the ‘catastrophe’ of the Nakba on May 15 and the ‘100 Hours in Chains’ rally on May 20,” the representative said. “There were also two events that happened after the encampment — one of which was the demonstration at [UO President John] Karl Scholz’s investiture and the other [was] a rally at the Prefontaine [Classic] track event.”
Howald said the charges “were related to incidents that occurred before and after the negotiated agreement was signed.”
He said that five students were charged with “chalking.”
Scott Lambert, a member of the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation, said that among the five charged was a graduate student.
According to the representative, the coalition had an understanding that the agreement would bring “amnesty” to any student who participated in encampment activities.
“The understanding that came to agreement was that students would not face any consequences for their participation in encampment activities, which obviously includes marches, rallies, protests, etc.,” the representative said.
Gerard Sandoval, the former president of UO Senate who helped implement the agreement, said he was also under the impression that students would not face consequences for violating the student conduct code.
“I would say that while we negotiated [the agreement], there was an informal understanding that there weren’t going to be any student misconduct repercussions based on the encampment because of this [agreement],” Sandoval said.
Both Howald and Sandoval said the agreement was not considered an “amnesty agreement,” which was unknown to the coalition.
“The university only agreed that the removal of the camp would be taken into consideration when looking at some student conduct violations [overnight camping, utilizing space without a reservation, improper use of amplified sound],” Howald said.
The coalition representative said the university chose “to single out these 11 students” because they were present at Scholz’ investiture, where pro-Palestine protesters interrupted the ceremony and vandalized a statue of the Duck.
Presence O’Neal, president of GTFF, said that students were “target[ed]” based on sharing their names at the UO Board of Trustees meeting.
According to Howald, students who chose to attend the board meeting shared their names in a public setting.
“Student identification and supporting documentation is needed to initiate student conduct proceedings,” Howald said. “The students who chose to attend the Board of Trustees meeting shared their names in a public forum.”
In the case of the five students charged with chalking, Howald confirmed that “follow-up letters” were sent indicating that “suspension/expulsion/negative transcript notation would not be considered” in the resolution process.
EUGENE’S HOUSING CRISIS
As the population of Eugene increases with each year, potential residents may find difficulties with the shortage of available housing units
By Stephanie Hensley City News Reporter
As the demand for housing grows higher, potential residents may find difficulties with the shortage of available units in Eugene.
The current vacancy rate for single-family homes in Eugene is 1.2% while the rate for rentals is 3.6%. The vacancy rate is the percentage of available units or houses that are unoccupied since the previous tenants moved out.
Meanwhile, the current national vacancy rate for rentals is 6.6% and 0.9% for homeowner housing. In August 2024, there were 746 homes for sale in Eugene; houses will typically remain on the market for 32 days.
According to city data, Eugene’s population has been growing faster than the projected growth rate of 0.9%. In 2023, the population of Eugene was 177,339, growing by 1.13% percent from 2022.
As of January 2024, more than 3,000 people were reported as homeless within the Eugene area. Of that number, 920 people were living in an emergency shelter while just 69 were living in transitional housing, which is a temporary shelter that allows people to stay for longer periods of time. The remaining 2,011 were either living in alternative shelters or were without housing.
In response to the lack of housing, the Eugene City Council adopted the Multi-use Property Tax Exemption Program in July 2015, otherwise known as MUPTE. The program provides temporary tax exemptions to developers to stimulate the building of at least 1,500 units within Eugene. If a developer was building a multi-family residential property with five
or more units, they could receive a discount of up to 50% of system development charges, which are fees that local governments would charge developers when they build new projects.
revenue from the project may not match what the developer originally invested.
My concern is if the council continues piling on additional public benefits, we will not get housing built in our core.
—Katie Wilgis Executive Director of Downtown Eugene“ “
One of the factors that can drive up the price of housing in Eugene is the cost of construction for developers. According to the National Association of Home Builders, the largest financial impact on construction is rising costs of materials. The increase in costs may come from supply and demand as more homes are needed and any rises in inflation. Developers may take out a loan to cover the costs, and the
In a public hearing on MUPTE on Sept. 16, Chris McGee, a special representative from the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, said that the immediate demand for units in Eugene has an impact on laborers who are involved in these projects.
“Let’s say you have a 50-unit apartment complex that takes 200 workers to build,” McGee said. “You can now house 50 of those workers that just built that complex. In return, you just created a need for 150 more units, essentially by allowing these developers and contractors to undermine the area standard, you are now creating a greater need for affordable housing as it is being built.”
Katie Wilgus, the executive director of Downtown Eugene Inc., a non-profit representing downtown property owners, emphasized the need for more housing units in Eugene, specifically in the downtown area to meet the growing demand.
“We figure that we need 2,500 market rate units just to equalize all of the affordable housing we have downtown,” Wilgus said. “But we need thousands of units. It’s a lot, and it’s not going to happen overnight. My concern is if the council continues piling on additional public benefits, we will not get housing built in our core.”
As the population of Eugene continues to grow, the balance among affordable housing construction and construction, fair labor standards, and city regulations remains a challenge. The gap between housing demand and availability is likely to widen, causing potential residents to struggle to find affordable housing.
(Molly Mcpherson/ Emerald)
Meet Your Local and State Leaders: A Guide for Students
As students settle into life on the UO campus, some may find themselves wondering: who are my representatives?
By Hanna Kalan City News Reporter
Understanding city and state government politics as well as the identity of officials can be a daunting task. Government officials establish policies that set the baseline for education. This includes budgeting, creating a safe learning environment and enforcing laws that apply to education institutions that create fair and equal opportunities at schools.
“I don’t think a lot of students care [about the city government] except once after getting grilled about it, they [a student] seemed offended that I didn’t care,” M McFetridge, a sophomore at the University of Oregon, said.
Samantha Noson, a UO student from California, said she did not know much about the government in Eugene.
“I probably know more about California because I am registered to vote there. I hear things here but I am more in tune with things in California,” Noson said.
Ahead of election season, here’s a list of Eugene, Lane County and Oregon government workers that take responsibility in ensuring success at and around UO.
CITY COUNCILOR
Alan Zelenka
Ward Three City Councilor Zelenka has represented Ward Three since he was first elected in 2007.
Zelenka is a University of Oregon alumnus, having received his graduate degree from UO in 1990.
Councilor Zelenka represents Ward Three, which includes the University of Oregon campus.
As city councilor, Zelenka’s role is to help pass laws, set community goals, adopt policy and decide which services the city will provide.
OREGON HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE
Paul Holvey
House Representative Holvey has represented the UO campus area in the Oregon State House as a Democrat for the past 20 years.
Holvey is a Eugene native and worked as a carpenter for many years before becoming the Oregon House Representative. Holvey attended both Lane Community College and the University of Oregon.
Holvey represents Oregon House District 8 which includes much of Eugene.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER
Laurie Trieger
County Commissioner Trieger will be starting her second term this January, a term which will expire in January 2028. As county commissioner, Trieger’s responsibilities include budgets, audits, management of county properties, overseeing the Lane County Elections office, public welfare and more.
Trieger is the District 3 commissioner of South Eugene, where the UO is located.
Her top priorities include access to housing, access to healthcare and environmental management.
OREGON STATE SENATOR
Floyd Prozanski
Democratic State Senator Prozanski has represented Oregon’s fourth State Senate District 4 seat since his appointment in 2003.
His district includes much of Eugene and Springfield, an area which covers the UO campus.
Prozanski holds a law degree from South Texas College of Law and also works as a municipal prosecutor. He also is the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
OREGON GOVERNOR
Tina Kotek
Democratic Governor Kotek was elected as governor on Nov. 8, 2022. Upon assuming office she also became one of the first openly lesbian governors in the country, alongside Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy.
Kotek graduated from the University of Oregon in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in religious studies.
Governor Kotek’s top priorities as governor include the housing and homelessness crisis, behavioral health and education.
Governors represent the executive branch in a state, and are aptly compared to being the president of their respective states. The term for a governor is four years and all states except for Oregon are able to impeach a governor. Instead, the citizens of Oregon can recall their governor via popular vote.
OREGON CONGRESSWOMAN
Val Hoyle
Congresswoman Hoyle became the 118th congresswoman of Oregon’s 4th congressional district in January 2023. The fourth district includes many coastal cities and stretches inland to Lane County.
Hoyle has worked to increase the state’s minimum wage, provide sick leave for workers, require background checks for firearm purchases and pass the nation’s first requirement for insurance to cover a 12 month supply of birth control.
Hoyle emphasizes education and works to give educators and students access to all resources they may need. She has also made efforts to reduce student loan debt and double the Pell Grant.
SENATOR
Jeff Merkley
Senator Merkley was born and raised in Southern Oregon. He has served as a Democratic senator for the state of Oregon since 2009.
Merkley’s top legislative priorities are raising the minimum wage, affordable housing, lowering the cost of higher education, making the college admissions process equal and boosting education in K-12 schools.
Additionally, he is working to make prescription drugs affordable.
SENATOR
Rob Wyden
Senator Wyden was born in Kansas but grew up in Portland, Oregon.
Wyden has helped create laws that protect over 400,000 acres of Oregon’s wilderness including Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge.
Senators Merkley and Wyden host a town hall meeting in each Oregon county once a year. These meetings are open to all.
(Ian Enger/
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STUDENTS TODAY, ALUMNI TOMORROW
Oregon Volleyball on a 10 win streak
The Oregon volleyball team extended its winning streak during a 3-1 home win Saturday evening over Indiana
TOMORROW
Friday, Oct. 4, 2024
Oregon vs. Michigan State
The Ducks gear up to play Michigan state this Friday
Oregon Acrobatics and Tumbling revamps coaching staff
Former Hawai’i Pacific University assistant Jacie Van de Zilver, head coach Taylor Susnara sign new deals for 2025 season
By Owen Murray Sports Reporter
One year removed from a national semifinal, Oregon Acrobatics and Tumbling is getting stronger.
Ahead of the 2025 season, the Ducks committed to their head coach, renewing her contract until 2028. In three years with Oregon, Taylor Susnara has led her group to three consecutive National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association championship appearances. While she hasn’t yet claimed a title, her teams have won seven individual event titles and five athletes have been named All-Americans.
Susnara is a former three-time All-American at Oregon, where she competed before transitioning into an assistant coaching role in 2018-19.
She’s added to her staff, too. Just under three weeks before Susnara’s contract was renewed in July, former Hawai’i Pacific University assistant, Jacie Van de Zilver was announced as the Ducks’ newest assistant. The two-time NCATA Division II Most Outstanding Athlete previously spent a year on staff with the Ha-
wai’i Pacific University Sharks in 2023.
“We are eager and excited to welcome Jacie to our coaching staff,” Susnara told GoDucks. “She brings a unique perspective having been a student-athlete and assistant coach from two different programs. Her passion and enthusiasm for the sport is contagious and we know her knowledge is going to help elevate our program. Welcome to the Duck Family, Jacie!”
Susnara added assistant coach Karly Nowak to the program last year. Like Nowak, Van de Zilver is a former NCATA athlete. The three-time All American competed for four years, capturing four individual event titles and leading the Cougars to an NCATA National Championship final berth at Azusa Pacific University before joining the Hawai’i Pacific staff in 2023.
“I am incredibly excited and truly blessed to embark on this new journey with the University of Oregon Acrobatics and Tumbling coaching staff,” Van de Zilver told GoDucks. “It’s an honor to contribute to such a prestigious program and help shape the future
“ “
It’s an honor to contribute to such a prestigious program and help shape the future of this sport.
—Taylor
of this sport. I am eager to learn from coach Susnara and coach Nowak, as well as work alongside them as I enter into this position.”
The Ducks finished the 2024 season with a 3-3 record before making a run to the NCATA Championship semifinal, where they lost to eventual champions Baylor University. Their appearance in West Virginia also included four individual event titles and recognition for Alexis Giardina and Makena Carrion as NCATA All-Americans.
As the sport continues to grow, the Ducks will look to retake their crown — and both Susnara and Van de Zilver could help them do just that.
