10-4-2024 – Daily Emerald – EMG

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Emerald THE DAILY

INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM PRODUCED BY STUDENTS, FOR STUDENTS

OPINION

Are frat parties really worth it?

CITY NEWS

Farmers pushback against industrial solar farm

Nine miles north of Eugene, a project that could affect the future of farming and solar energy production in the Willamette Valley is taking place.

The South Korean company Hanwha Qcells is petitioning the Oregon

Frats are not as fun nor safe as they are made out to be

With the start of the new school year, some new students are excited to jump into the college lifestyle by cheering at football games, meeting new people and attending frat parties.

Either to celebrate a football win or to fill up a quiet weekend, frat parties have become a big part of the social scene for college students here at the University of Oregon, but they aren’t always as fun and exciting as they seem.

Frat parties are not worth going to.

I went to a lot of parties in the fall term of my freshman year. My first few experiences made me a little disappointed because the parties weren’t what I expected.

My experience at frat parties consisted of a bunch of sweaty people dancing in a basement which only continued to get mustier. By the end of the night, my feet hurt, and I had to walk back home in the cold while wearing not nearly enough clothes.

The brothers who are assigned to monitor the party and not participate in drinking, are called

A

few tips every college freshman should know

From schoolwork to nightlife, here are a few tips to ensure a fruitful start to your college journey, coming from a recent graduate

It’s that time of year again — a shiny new school year has dawned. And for you young freshmen, it’s just the start of the exciting and chaotic time that is fall term of your inaugural year at the UO. But as you move your life’s belongings into your new dorms, navigate your cross-campus classrooms, meet a thousand new strangers and discover the glories of UO’s dining halls, I’ll be scouring LinkedIn and desperately waving my sparkly new University of Oregon bachelor’s degree in employers’ faces. Yes, I write to you from the other side of the journey you’re just now beginning.

As a fresh graduate with four years of Duck experience now under my belt, I’ve now ascended to proud alumnus status — and with that comes perspective, wisdom and a UO Alumni Association Puddles bobblehead. These last four years taught me quite a lot. Sure, I learned a few things about journalism and the difference between feature and news writing, but I also learned quite a bit about myself. And, luckily for you, what it takes to manifest the best college experience you can. So class of 2028, here are a few tidbits about how to make the most of your life as a Duck.

The best shows to catch in your first weeks back in Eugene

A complete guide to make yourself better acquainted with Eugene concert venues

The first month back at school can set the tone for the entire year. Going out of the way to get outside your comfort zone and check out some of Eugene’s finest concert venues can go a long way toward making college feel like home. Eugene is not a traditional tour stop, but it does have some great smaller acts coming by every week.

P.M.

ARTS AND CULTURE
ARTS AND CULTURE
(Jonathan Suni/Emerald)
LEFT: The Theta Chi chapter house can be found in a more residential area on 19th st.
(Spencer So/Emerald)

NEWSROOM

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Tristin Hoffman

PRINT MANAGING EDITOR

Mathias Lehman-Winters

DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR

Alicia Santiago

CAMPUS NEWS EDITOR

Jasmine Saboorian

CITY NEWS EDITOR

Mathias Lehman-Winters

INVESTIGATIONS EDITOR

Tarek Anthony

A&C EDITOR

Jess McComb

SPORTS EDITOR

Brady Ruth

OPINION EDITOR

Beatrice Byrd

PHOTO EDITOR

Molly McPherson

COPY CHIEF

Alex Woodward

COPY EDITOR

Molly Townes

VIDEO EDITOR

Kendall Baldwin

PODCAST EDITOR

Evan Giordano

SOCIALS EDITOR

Sydney Wolfe

VISUALS EDITOR

Noa Schwartz

DESIGN EDITOR

Sam Butler

DESIGNERS

Adaleah Carman

Eva Andrews

Gabriela Martinez Contreras

BUSINESS

PUBLISHER AND PRESIDENT

Eric Henry (X317) ehenry@dailyemerald.com

VP OPERATIONS

Kathy Carbone (X302) kcarbone@dailyemerald.com

DIRECTOR OF SALES & DIGITAL MARKETING

Shelly Rondestvedt (X303) srondestvedt@dailyemerald. com

CREATIVE & TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Anna Smith (X327) creative@dailyemerald.com

STUDENT SALES MANAGER

Lola Tagwerker

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Cooper Gast

Elliot Byrne

Ysai Hong

Nate Ghilarducci

THE DAILY EMERALD

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.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

How was your first week at the University of Oregon? Or if you’re a returning student, how do you feel to be back on campus?

The Daily Emerald wants to hear from you.

If you have opinions on campus or Eugene life you want to share or perspectives on topics you think could be of value to the local community, you can submit a “letter to the editor” by emailing editor@dailyemerald.com. Please specify in the subject line that this is a letter to the editor.

Espresso Roma’s history of health violations

The Lane County Public Health Department has revealed several health concerns for customers about Espresso Roma’s condition within recent years, according to health inspection reports obtained by the Daily Emerald.

Q&A with ASUO President, Mariam Hassan

Emerald Media Group 1395 University St.,#302 Eugene, Or 97403 (541)-346-5511

Letters must be under 300 words, and the Emerald does not accept anonymous submissions. The Emerald reserves the right to not publish letters that include hateful or harmful language, and will respond to letters that will move toward publication.

If you want to voice your perspective on a campus or community issue, the Emerald welcomes your voice.

Have a great week two, Ducks!

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.

Daily Emerald Open House

Do you ever wonder what the Daily Emerald does? Do you have a passion for ethical journalism? Or maybe you’re just curious about what work goes into making an online daily and weekly newspaper, run by students, for students. Whatever your reasoning for being interested, come by the Emerald offices on Tuesday, Oct. 8 5:30-7:30 for the Emerald’s Open House event! All are welcome.

Explore students first week back on campus and how they navigate the new year

Meet Mimi Colyer, a sophomore who plays on the UO volleyball

(Alex Hernandez/Emerald)
ABOVE: Tristin Hoffman, the newly chosen Daily Emerald Editor-in-Chief for the 202425 school year, poses for a portrait on March 18, 2024.
(Noa Schwartz/Emerald)

What the new SOJC curriculum looks like

UO’s SOJC introduced a new curriculum in the spring of 2024 that is going to be implemented this year

University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication has adopted a new curriculum, introduced in spring 2024. It will be in place for the first time this year.

The previous “J” subject code has now changed to a new “JCOM” code and new classes have been implemented. The SOJC offers a guide for returning students, so they can see how the previous “J” courses have translated to the new “JCOM” curriculum.

Deb Morrison, the SOJC associate dean for undergraduate affairs and distinguished professor of advertising, led the effort to refresh the old “J” courses.

“When I came into this position, I said ‘As hard as it will be, let’s go after this. Let’s rethink how we want ourt curriculum and our culture to be,’” Morrison said.

The whole process required lots of research and time, according to Morrison.

It was a team of us, sitting over a year. We researched our comparators. We looked at how one little class worked here or there or here. We talked to writing experts at Poynter [Institute]. We

thought about how you make a culture of belonging, which, post-pandemic we all needed,” Morrison said.

We thought about how you make a culture of belonging, which, post-pandemic we all needed,” Morrison said.

According to Morrison, the courses J101: Grammar for Communicators and J213: Fact or Fiction have been retired. J100: Media Professions has now become JCOM 101 and is a 4-credit course instead of a 2-credit course.

J211: Gateway to Media, previously an 8-credit course, has now been split into JCOM 102 Story Craft: Audio for two credits, JCOM 103 Story Craft: Visual for two credits and JCOM 202 How Stories Work for four credits.

“We exploded Gateway and put it into separate entities that we’ll assess at the end of the first year and the end of the second year,” Morrison said.

The number of 400-level core context courses has increased from three to 15, according to the course guide, and the number of 300 and 400-level courses for all four majors under the SOJC has also increased significantly.

Morrison said that the goal when creating this new curriculum was to get students working in closer proximity to their professors. Many of the new courses will now be formatted for around 30 students instead of being large lectures.

“I love the idea of a first-year student getting to know Professor Ed Madison who does all this amazing stuff. They’re going to sit with him and get to know him and be able to come back to him the next term and say, ‘Help me, I want to do this.’ I love that idea of building those relationships and so we’re really working on that,” Morrison said. According to Morrison, the goal of this refresh was to allow students for more hands-on learning

with as much feedback as possible.

“You know, we have two important constituents. We want our students to be ready and we want them to have a full set of experiences,” said Morrison.

Sally Garner, senior director for student success, provided insight on the process of piecing these ideas into an organized pathway of courses that made sense for students.

“With an entire curriculum overhaul like this one, it’s actually a two-step process, and this process is the same for any new major or minor. First the courses have to be “built” and once all the individual courses are there, the program structure has to be approved,” Garner said.

Garner explains the process as similar to creating a Lego set.

“All summer, I’ve been describing it this way: we had to first build each individual Lego piece. Then we had to submit the picture on the Lego box for approval,” Garner said.

According to Garner, effort from multiple groups of faculty went into executing the new courses.

“Internally, it’s with faculty and the area directors. It’s Deb Morrison and her curriculum team, Marcia Stuart and Melody Olmsted, and with my own team of advisors who help me “test run” the courses and the prerequisite logic. Externally, Deb and Marcia liaise with UO’s curriculum committee and the faculty and staff on that. I work more behind the scenes with partners in the registrar’s office to update the UO Catalog, degree guides and now, Ducks on Track,” Garner said.

While the goal of these new courses is to connect students with professors and hands-on learning, Garner explained why prerequisites will still be in place.

“Prerequisites can be tedious and annoying, but they are there for good reasons. Learning and skill development best happens when you let things “breathe.” Give yourself time to learn, give yourself time to practice the craft that you’re building,” Garner said.

(Molly Mcpherson/Emerald) BELOW: The School of Journalism and Communication implemented an entirely new course curriculum for this upcoming year.

STUDENT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Farmers pushback against industrial solar farm

Farmers and community members north of Eugene are pushing back against what would be the largest solar farm in the state citing environmental concerns

Energy Facility Siting Council to build the “Muddy Creek Energy Park,” but local citizens and farmers have serious concerns about its environmental impact and the future of the Willamette Valley.

If completed, the park would be the largest solar farm in Oregon, encompassing a proposed 1,588 acres along Gap Road between Brownsville and Harrisburg. According to Qcells’ website, the Muddy Creek solar farm has the potential to supply green energy to up to 34,000 homes and bring in 100 union construction jobs.

However, some local farmers and residents are resistant to the proposal. They say that the project will substantially hurt the environment and ruin the rare and valuable farmland on which it is projected to be built.

David Rogers is the spokesperson for “Friends of Gap Road,” a community group that formed in opposition to the project. Rogers said that if the project succeeded, the land would be irreversibly altered and could never be valuable farmland again, should the site be decommissioned.

“They are going to have to pour concrete pilings for the panels. And to do this, they’re going to have to dig up and mix the clay with the topsoil,” Rogers said. “Once it’s mixed, you can never, you can never separate it. So this is never going to go back to it will never go back to farmland once this happens.”

In the first and currently only Muddy Creek Public Information Meeting hosted by the Oregon Department of Energy in July 2023, Assistant Director for Siting at Oregon Department of Energy Todd Cornett addressed a portion of this issue.

“In their [Qcells’] application they have to submit to us how they’re gonna decommission the facility,” Cornett said. “This application will also include a bond fully-funded by Qcells of how much decommissioning will cost, so that when the time comes the money is there to ensure that happens.”

Cornett also said that there will also be a “condition that says at the end of the useful life of the facility they [Qcells] will return the site to a useful non-hazardous state.”

One of the concerns expressed by Rogers and Friends of Gap Road is that the decision on whether the project will proceed does not lie in the hands of local elected officials, but rather in that of the Oregon’s Energy Facility Siting Council, appointed by the governor.

Should the Muddy Creek project be eventually approved by the Siting Council, it could set a precedent in Oregon of converting high-value farmland into industrial solar farms.

For farmers such as Rogers, who farms 750 acres of land just 4 miles north of the proposed project site, that sounds like a nightmare.

“I’ve been here 50 years so I watched what happened to my beloved Northern California,” Rogers said. “If this project goes through, and they’re able to make this go through, I’m afraid we’re going to see this [industrial solar farms] all the way up the valley from here to Portland.”

The Muddy Creek site is currently being leased to Qcells by what Rogers said is “a lot of absentee landowners.” Before any application can be submitted to the Siting Council, a two-year study mandated by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife must take place.

“We get hundreds of thousands of ducks and geese mi-

grating through this area,” said Rogers. “Annual ryegrass [which grows on the planned project site] is one of the reasons ODFW wants to do a study, because a threatened species called the [Streaked] Horned Lark…loves to nest in annual ryegrass fields.”

Rogers wants to make it abundantly clear that neither he, nor the Friends of Gap Road, are against solar energy. Rogers said, “We [Friends of Gap Road] are absolutely not against solar power, not against changing over to solar. Our rub is it shouldn’t be done on farmland.”

The next time the public will get to speak on the Muddy Creek project will be after the Siting Council accepts the application, which does not seem to be anytime soon as first the two-year study must be completed.

In the meantime, Rogers said that the Friends of Gap Road intends to lobby the Oregon State legislature in the upcoming 2025 session to shift the decision away from the Siting Council’s jurisdiction, and back to that of the Land Conservation and Development Commission. This would make approval of the project on such a large swath of land more difficult. A 2019 amendment shifted the decision away from LCDC and to the Siting Council.

The next meeting of the Friends of Gap Road will be after the “fall harvest gets in,” according to Rogers. “As you know, a lot of our members are farmers.” Rogers said this would most likely be within the next five weeks.

The Emerald reached out to Hanwha Qcells repeatedly for this story, but did not receive any response.

(Mathias LehmanWinters/Emerald)

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Baby Oil, Freak Offs and A Lifetime of Trauma

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.

The victims of P. Diddy deserve justice for his disturbing crimes

Warning: The following column contains graphic descriptions of sexual violence.

Rapper and producer, John Sean Combs, more commonly known as P. Diddy, was indicted on Sept. 9 and arrested in Manhattan on Sept. 16 is currently being held without bail.

Combs’ accused actions of sex trafficking, drink spiking, rape, physical abuse and so much more, have finally caught up to him.

Allegations and rumors have circled Combs throughout his whole career, however, news of his abuse and exploitation blew up when singer Casandra Ventura, famously known as Cassie, filed a lawsuit against him in November of 2023.

Ventura’s lawsuit was filed under the Adult Survivors Act of New York City. This act creates a one-year window that allows victims of sexual abuse to sue their abusers years after the mistreatment occurred.

Combs suspiciously settled this lawsuit within a day and pleaded not guilty to any criminal offenses.

Ventura began her relationship with Combs in 2005. The two met when Ventura was 19 and when Combs was 37.

In 2007, Ventura signed to Combs’ record label, Bad Boy Records. She signed a ten-album contract, connecting her to Combs for a decade.

Between the years 2005 through 2018, Ventura accused Combs of violently mistreating her.

She was allegedly drugged, raped and forced to have sexual relations with male prostitutes while Combs watched and recorded.

In addition, she claimed to be physically abused by Combs. He allegedly attacked her and kept her out of the public and away from others while her wounds healed; then the cycle would continue.

On March 5, 2016, there was recorded surveillance footage from the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles where Ventura was seen attempting to flee her room.

In the video, Combs ran after her, threw Ventura to the floor and kicked her until she was motionless on the floor.

Along with the abuse, Ventura also alleged that Combs blew up rapper, Kid Cudi’s car after Cudi, also known as Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, allowed Ventura to seek refuge at his house when Comb’s abuse escalated.

After Ventura’s lawsuit, nine women and one man have come forward to support Ventura’s claims with their own experiences, with disturbing accusations, about Combs.

“As alleged in the Indictment, for years, Sean Combs used the business empire he controlled to sexually abuse and exploit women, as well as to commit other acts of violence and obstruction of justice,” US District Attorney, Damian Williams said. “Today, he is charged with racketeering and sex trafficking offenses.”

One of the main focuses of Combs’ criminal charges is organizing “Freak Offs.”

Combs allegedly used his position of power to pressure women and men in his social circle to engage in sexual acts with sex workers. He was also accused of drug his victims so they would easily comply with his sexual requests.

In Ventura’s lawsuit, she claimed that these Freak Offs lasted for days and in some instances, victims had to receive IV fluids to recuperate from the constant physical exertion and drug intake.

Ventura alleged that she was given excessive amounts of “ecstasy, cocaine, GHB, ketamine, marijuana and alcohol” which allowed her to disassociate during the Freak Offs.

In the civil lawsuit, Ventura also claimed that Combs would instruct her “to pour excessive amounts of oil over herself.”

When Combs’ Los Angeles and Miami residences were raided by federal agents, 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant were found and seized.

This was one of Ventura’s many claims that aligned with what federal agents discovered when investigating Combs.

Combs allegedly used his position of power to pressure innocent people into doing heinous sexual acts for decades. Ventura and the other victims deserve justice for all the harm Combs has caused them.

(Stephanie Yang/Emerald)

Are frat parties

sober monitors. I found myself feeling more safe when greeted by the sober brothers, especially after hearing about all of the negative allegations surrounding frat parties.

Overall, I never had a bad experience with any of the brothers or guys at the frat. The parties just weren’t as fulfilling as I thought they would be.

As the school year continued, I realized that I valued the time spent with my friends in the dorms more than I enjoyed the frat parties and I stopped going altogether.

Generally, frat parties aren’t known to be the safest environment for students. Just within this past school year, some UO fraternities have been alleged to have drugged attendees or assaulted their female guests.

As of March 7, Theta Chi was temporarily suspended for drugging two attendees at the beginning of the 2024 year.

Last winter term, Phi Delta Theta and Delta Sigma Phi were also placed on interim suspension due to more alleged drugging.

In addition, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, SAE, also known to college students as “Sexual Assault Expected,” is typically known as the frat to stay away from, especially after its s disaffiliation from UO for drugging and assaulting attendees.

Sara Bowin, a sophomore at Delta Gamma, explained the Panhellenic Counsel’s warnings about disaffiliated and suspended fraternities.

The UO Panhellenic Counsel is part of the National Panhellenic Conference which organizes, supports, and advocates for the sorority chapters at universities nationwide.

“They [PHC] tell you at the beginning of recruitment, ‘These are the frats who are disaffiliated,’” she explained. “They kind of make it a note to you: ‘don’t attend these ones or be aware of the activities of why they’re suspended.’”

Along with alleged drugging, partying also

promotes underage alcohol abuse. Students might feel pressured by their peers to drink before these events or some underage guests might be interested in attending frat parties since it is an easy way to access alcohol.

Additionally, partygoers sometimes drink too much, making them more vulnerable in the disor dered environment of a frat party.

I spoke with Sam Burgess, the safety and wellness board delegate for Alpha Tau Omega. He explained that they discuss the safety of their members and guests at their chapter meetings each week.

“I think the main thing is definitely having access to a lot of water,” he said. “Another thing is making sure that, if there’s a case where we need to have someone get walked home or have them get an Uber home, that we can do that for them.”

Burgess also explained that they are making the parties more exclusive this year by checking UO IDs, which will help control the environment at the frat.

Through his work with safety precautions, Bur gess thinks the safety of the frat depends on which one you are going to.

“I feel like they are [safe] sometimes. It real ly depends on the fraternity,” he said. “It really depends on their safety guidelines and if brothers know what to do in certain situations.”

Safety is constantly brought up at affiliated fra ternities but there is always room for improvement, and each fraternity does things differently, which makes college partying unpredictable.

Along with the inconsistent safety at frat parties, they are also overhyped. Some see college parties portrayed glamorously in films such as “Animal House” or “Neighbors” which can make the reality – which is far different – disappointing.

I asked Bowin if she thinks frat parties are worth going to.

“I’m gonna be

(Jonathan Suni/Emerald)
The Phi Delta Theta house sits right next to campus on Kincaid st.

really worth it?

ARTS AND CULTURE

The best shows to catch your first weeks back in Eugene

A complete guide to make yourself better acquainted with Eugene concert venues, including interesting concerts and local acts to see at the start of the school year

WOW Hall

WOW frequently hosts smaller acts, making it a great place to catch local bands. The intimate venue is an amazing spot for a night out in Downtown Eugene.

Hawthorne Heights Oct. 11

Emo band Hawthorne Heights will be touring for the 20 year anniversary of its classic album “The Silence in Black And White.” With over a million monthly listeners on Spotify, Hawthorne Heights is one of the most popular bands on the list, making this a must see if you’re a fan of classic 2000s emo music.

Caltucky, Muddy Souls and Dadweed Oct. 17

If you’re a fan of bluegrass music, this will be the first event you’ll want to check out. All three bands come from the Pacific Northwest, and Muddy Souls even hails from Eugene itself. Make sure to get your tickets in advance to save some money.

Hult Center for the Performing Arts

The Hult Center is my absolute favorite local venue. The beautiful auditorium makes it the perfect setting for not only concerts but plays, symphonies and movies, too. This venue also has one of the largest capacities for any setting in Eugene, and a great variety of restaurants and bars nearby in the downtown area.

Destroyer with special guest Katie Von Schleicher Oct. 14

Destroyer makes some beautiful indie rock music and hails from Canada. If I had to pick just one of these events to go to, it would have to be Destroyer at Hult Center. The combination of his beautiful songwriting and the outstanding venue should make this con-

A few tips every college freshman should know

Join a club or campus organization, preferably as early as you can

If I can advise the single most effective way to make your UO experience memorable, extending beyond the two-hour lectures and late-night cramming sessions, it’s something so essential yet criminally underrated — joining a club! Getting involved in any form of campus organization, particularly ones that spark your interests and passions, is the best way to feel a strong sense of community and belonging as a Duck.

Clubs and extracurriculars allow you to gain experience in what you love and befriend other like-minded students who share your interests. And most importantly, you’ll make core memories you’ll remember far longer than your psychology Quizlet flashcards.

about what stood out to you in the lecture. Let them know who you are and tell them your story. When you go the extra mile and establish a one-on-one rapport with a professor, you might just discover a hidden gem of mentorship.

Go to house shows

cert an unmissable experience.

Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse Live in Concert Oct. 18

One of the best decisions I made was covering Star Wars: A New Hope last year at the Hult Center with a live symphony. The venue seems perfectly designed to show movies with live instrumentation. Combine this with a fantastic movie like “Across the Spider-Verse,” this showing should be a great time.

McDonald Theater

McDonald is a classic venue known for hosting more popular acts ranging from hip-hop and rock to comedy.

Some of the best concerts I’ve seen, from JPEGMAFIA to Tennis, have been at McDonald and it’s always a great time.The stooped floor going down into the stage is a really interesting set up, and like the other two places on this list the venue is fantastic and near some great late night spots.

Tape B Oct. 4

Eugene does not get a lot of big electronic artists coming through, so it’s always worthwhile to check them out when they do. Tape B is coming by with a stacked card including Levity and MYTHM. This should be a fun night out for any electronic music enjoyers.

BabyTron & BLP Kosher Nov. 6

Even though this is a month away, I had to include BabyTron on this list. Over the past few years, Eugene has seen many great hip-hop acts come by from Travis Scott to Amine. While still not the prime destination for massive rappers that Portland is, we have a good selection of talent coming in to check out our city. BabyTron should be a great time for any hip-hop fans looking to get a fix in Eugene.

So many opportunities to get involved are right at your fingertips, and the options are extensive — Greek life, intramural sports, ASUO, student media groups, multicultural student unions, the list goes on and on. And believe me, if I never applied for the Daily Emerald a little over three years ago, I truly would not be the person I am today. I can confidently say that my time spent at this campus newspaper you’re reading right now changed my life for the better.

Another key thing I should note — I had virtually zero journalism experience when I was first hired for the newspaper. I know it’s easy to feel imposter syndrome when you’re first stepping on a big college campus. But everybody has to start from somewhere, so jump in and try something new!

Build personal relationships with your professors

In college-level academia, it’s critical to seek help from your professors and GEs when needed, but I highly recommend taking the extra step and trying to build personal relationships with them. One thing I quickly realized early on was that the classes that produced the most positive experiences were the ones where I felt closest with my professors. And on top of that, those were the courses I often had the most success in.

Professors can provide more than just instruction — they can offer you personalized guidance and insights, recommendations for future endeavors and, importantly, strong references for you when you need it. Most professors are eager to give support to students who ask for it, and they love when you show them you care. Plus, having a professor in your corner can make those tough classes a little less daunting.

So stay after class when you need help. Talk

As for nightlife, Eugene is brimming with talented local musicians playing around the city, but who knew so many of them are UO students? Take a walk down the west campus streets on any Friday night, and you’ll be sure to hear the distant roars of crashing cymbals and buzzy guitar shreds emanating from several rundown houses turned concert venues. House shows are, small backyard concerts, typically hosted by students for UO student-comprised bands, that serve as a cornerstone of the city’s vibrant music scene. Entry is typically cheap, crowds are eclectic as hell, and it’s the quintessential late-night-out activity to kickstart your weekend. They’re raw, loud and always a good time. So lace up your beater shoes and be sure to check out this distinct Eugene scene — it’d be hard to say you fully experienced the true Eugene college life if you never moshed in a random backyard to some thrashing head bangers.

Emphasize balance in your day-to-day

From your very first week on campus, it won’t take long to realize that college life can be a whirlwind of responsibilities, deadlines, commitments and million other things begging for your attention. Between lectures, labs and discussions, studying, social life, self-care, eating, exercising, sleeping, etc., it’s a heap to juggle for anyone.

Finding time for these endless demands can be overwhelming if you don’t strike the right balance. Establishing a healthy equilibrium between your studies, social life and self-care is paramount for both your mental and physical well-being, and it boils down to your dayto-day. I always like to picture my day like a pie chart, each of my responsibilities and daily needs serving its own slice, and I try to balance as many of these tasks as equally as possible to create the whole.

A consistent routine that prioritizes balance in your day makes even the busiest days not only more manageable, but much easier, too. Remember, it’s okay to take breaks, relax and recharge. A well-rounded college experience is one that allows you to grow both academically and personally, and it all starts with your routine and maintaining a healthy balance.

It’s been quite some time since I moved into my Carson Hall dorm room, burning dino nuggets in the communal microwave and learning a hundred people’s names in a day. Four years later, I’ve grown in ways I never anticipated, and it’s a journey like no other. So put yourselves out there, young freshmen. Get outside, embrace the opportunities, take risks and be open-minded. College is about personal growth, exploration and building lasting connections. Time to spread those new wings — you are about to embark on one of the most exciting and transformative chapters of your life.

(Molly Mcpherson/Emerald) Two club memebers begin to remove the stripes from an old shirt.
(DL Young/ Emerald)
ABOVE: Earthgang, supported by Benji and Guapdad 4000, perform on their Mirrorland tour on Nov. 13,
at WOW Hall in Eugene, Ore.

Oregon Volleyball on a 10 win streak

TONGIHT

Friday, Oct. 4, 2024

Oregon vs. Michigan State

MIMI COLYER SPIKES AGAIN

Oregon looks to make another run to the NCAA Tournament

serving team, they’re very consistent, they don’t miss a lot, and we let that get the best of us.” As the season progresses, she said, “knowing we pushed a team that’s gonna make it

The Ducks have gotten off to another hot start, largely thanks to Colyer. As they enter Big Ten play, she’ll need to continue to perform at a high level. But, for now, she’s establishing that the program’s recent successes aren’t flukes,

Crossword

UO’s First week back

LEFT: Students coming out of class and passing by the outside of Lillis.
ABOVE: The Duck Store is selling
LEFT: (Left to Right) Anna Carpenter, Sarah Burbach, Natasha Carrillo, and Ashley Davidson, in front, and tabling for the club CHAARG.

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.

Mason Tyler, a junior 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.

included the ban would increase the demand for more dangerous illegal

and would reduce revenue for local nonprofits who have historically depended upon fireworks sales.

The City Council successfully voted to ban the use of all fireworks in the city of Eugene.

A majority of the community members who spoke during the public forum advocated against the fireworks ban. Statements against the ban included the ban would increase the demand for more dangerous illegal fireworks and would reduce revenue for local nonprofits who have historically depended upon fireworks sales.

The City Council successfully voted to ban the use of all fireworks in the city of Eugene.

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

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.”

Mason Tyler, a junior at North Eugene High School, said he hopes the Council continues to be proactive in supporting concrete policy to

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.

City Councilor Claire Syrett, environmental activists and community members against firework ban spoke at Monday’s Sept. 26 Eugene City Council meeting.

Opposing sides of a movement to recall Eugene

Camouflage Face Paint | Flight Suits | Gas Masks | Aviator Sunglasses | Soilder Uniforms | Toxicological Suits | Nurses Uniforms | Hard Hats | Army Berets | Navy Uniforms

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.

| Navy Uniforms

Franklin Blvd., Eugene • 541-746-1301 (Next to Roaring Rapids Pizza) ActionSurplusEugene.com

Syrett made a statement contesting the fairness of her recall. “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.”

compared to 1,600 votes to keep her.

Aya Cockram, coalition coordinator for the Fossil Free Eugene campaign, asked the Council to schedule a work session moving forward on a commercial electrification ordinance ––and that when the electrification ordinance is presented to Council, it is voted on to mandate all new residential buildings be all electric, starting June 1, 2023. A majority of the community members who spoke during the public forum advocated against the fireworks ban. Statements against the ban included the ban would increase the demand for more dangerous illegal fireworks and would reduce revenue for local nonprofits who have historically depended upon fireworks sales. The City Council successfully voted to ban the use of all fireworks in the city of Eugene.

“I hope for Oregon to be a leader in the fight for climate justice and the opportunity is here.”

“It’s felt like the efforts of our world leaders haven’t been enough,” Tyler said.

decarbonize buildings in Eugene and mandating against the development of new natural-gas infrastructure.

CLAIRE SYRETT’S FINAL PUBLIC FORUM

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

Important topics of discussion included Eugene’s firework ban, climate accountability and Claire Syrett’s final days as acting Ward 7 councilor.

Large selection of beers on tap Award-winning pizza Patio and full bar

Family tradition since 1989

Walking distance from Autzen Stadium

Large selection of beers on tap Award-winning pizza Patio and full bar

Family

NEWS CITY COUNCILOR

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.

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. 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.”

off food with duck ticket stub

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.

Syrett made a statement contesting the fairness of her recall.

compared to 1,600 votes to keep her.

Aya Cockram, coalition coordinator for the Fossil Free Eugene campaign, asked the Council to schedule a work session moving forward on a commercial electrification ordinance ––and that when the electrification ordinance is presented to Council, it is voted on to mandate all new residential buildings be all electric, starting June 1, 2023. A majority of the community members who spoke during the public forum advocated against the fireworks ban. Statements against the ban included the ban would increase the demand for more dangerous illegal fireworks and would reduce revenue for local nonprofits who have historically depended upon fireworks sales. The City Council successfully voted to ban the use of all fireworks in the city of Eugene.

Mason Tyler, a junior at North Eugene High School, said he hopes the Council continues to be proactive in supporting concrete policy to decarbonize buildings in Eugene and mandating against the development of new natural-gas infrastructure. “It’s felt like the efforts of our world leaders haven’t been enough,” Tyler said. “I hope for Oregon to be a leader in the fight for climate justice and the opportunity is here.”

NEWS CITY COUNCILOR CLAIRE SYRETT’S FINAL PUBLIC FORUM

Important topics of discussion included Eugene’s firework ban, climate accountability and Claire Syrett’s final days as acting Ward 7 councilor.

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