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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.
The Student Food Pantry is located on 710 E 17th Ave. in Eugene and is available for students Wednesdays and Thursdays starting at 4 p.m. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
Summary: Published in 1932, Huxley creates a dystopian story about a supposed utopian world. Humans are genetically engineered to fill a specific role and social class in society, and be happy about it. It is a world where no one wishes to be anything other than who they are. That is, until an outsider comes to London and questions everything.
“Oregon football’s color schedule brings excitement to team and fanbase”
by Brady Ruth
Recommended by: Jack Chambers, junior studying psychology and anthropology. “It’s the best book of all time, he’s a visionary,” Chambers said. “It was written in 1932 and it’s surprisingly spot on with the future that we live in today.”
(Serei Hendrie/Emerald)“Growing Cedar Creek Wildfire displaces Oakridge area residents”
by Caleb Barber
- UO Libraries Welcome Events (8 a.m.)
- Esports Open House ( 12 p.m. / EMU)
- Tuesday Treats (1 p.m. / EMU O Desk)
- Produce Drop (3 p.m. / EMU Amphitheater)
- UO Libraries Welcome Events (8 a.m.)
- Explore Oregon (Museaum of Natural and Cultural History)
- Many Wests: Artists Shape and American Idea (11 a.m. / Jordan Schnitzer Muse um of Art)
- Student Sustainability Center Open House (11:30 a.m. / EMU Room 005)
- Welcome Back/Donut Day (11:30 a.m. / Columbia Covered Area)
- Welcome Back/Donut Day (11:30 a.m. / Columbia covered area)
- Get Connected (12 p.m. / EMU O Desk)
- Campus Clutch (6 p.m. / EMU Room 040)
- Oregon MBA Information Session (6 p.m. / LIllis Business Complex Room 145)
- Ducks After Dark - Thor: Love and Thunder (7:15 p.m. / EMU Redwood Auditorium Room 214)
- Freebie Friday: Embroidery (12 p.m. / EMU, Oregon Plaza, by the O Desk)
- Week of Welcome for UO students - Free Bike Trip (2 p.m. Outdoor Program (OP) Barn
- Self-Defense/Pepper Spray Class (3 p.m.)
- 5 Bands, 5 Bucks ( 7:30 p.m. / WOW Hall)
- Fall Welcome Concert (7:30 p,m. / EMU Amphitheater)
(Beatrice Byrd/Emerald)Scan here or visit the Emerald’s social media to participate in our next Voices of UO. ”What is your favorite thing about game day?”
We want to hear from you:
We want to hear from you: Email editor@dailyemerald. com to submit a tip or a letter to the editor. The ideal length for a letter is 200-500 words, but we publish letters of various lengths online.
(Maisie Plew/Emerald)
Opinion: Famous love songs written by men lend themselves to ignorant perspectives soaked in misogynistic phrases. I’m exhausted by the expectation to like them.
BY: BEATRICE BYRD • TWITTER: @BEATRICEBYRD31I am enchanted by the way music imitates life. Often, I will find connectedness amidst everyday circumstances and the songs I admire. For example, the sobbing vocals of Brandi Carlile mirror the raindrops that streak my windows after a storm. My mind reconciles with sorrow and serenity; both the rain and the song give me this emotion.
When Phoebe Bridgers tells me, “I know it’s for the better,” I listen. Voices and words from various singers help me to comprehend my own thoughts. This is not the case, however, for many pop songs written by men who talk about a woman’s experience in a relationship.
Lyrics from these songs are not comforting nor understanding. In fact, they are the opposite. Due to their popularity, I am expected to think the words are endearing. Some studies argue that subjection to certain genres of music can lead to negative attitudes surrounding women. I believe this is true for many love songs.
For example, in many Bruno Mars songs, the women who he sings about either have ignored perspectives or are inconsistently described. This makes me distrust the authenticity of the lyrics.
I would like for many of these songs to stop being normalized as sweet. “Talking to the Moon” describes a man after a failed relationship. He is desolate and longing, hoping his former partner is on the other side of his desire for communication.
But what if this former partner has found herself in a much healthier situation? The song reeks of manipulation once Mars sings, “In hopes you’re on the other side talking to me too. Or am I a fool who sits alone talking to the moon?” Explaining one’s hopes by itself is unproblematic, but the gross self-deprecation that follows begs for the pity of listeners. This practice commands any attention away from alternate experiences and leads to ignorance of a woman’s perspective.
Mars is also inconsistent in his descriptions of the women he loves. He jumps from stating, “you’re beautiful, just the way you are,” in “Just the Way You Are” to using derogatory words about women and calling their friends ugly in “24k Magic.” The inconsistencies in this language point towards a carelessness of feminine representation.
Mars is not the only male singer to succumb to this happening. Popular singers such as Shawn Mendes, Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran all fall into this category with a few of their songs; they
either fail to acknowledge another individual’s feelings and situations, or they describe a woman based solely on her looks. This poses the issue of ignorance over these lyrics. The normalization of negative language surrounding women is at stake.
These singers are rich. They are award-winning. They have fanbases stretching across many demographics. This is why even the miniscule negativities are important to point out. I think their songs tend to remain popular due to a culture of fans who are hyperfused on a singer’s appearance as opposed to their content. I also think some listeners won’t dissect lyrics very deeply if they like the tune.
Not all songs will be as blatantly misogynistic as “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke, which is about a man constantly trying to get the attention of a woman while she shows no want in his
efforts. But it is more alarming when we can’t call attention to the small drops of misogyny in hugely popular music.
No matter how intoxicating the beat of a song may be, I’ll never find myself enchanted with lyrics that make me feel diminished. So, as I anticipate rain in the forecast, I will create a playlist that continuously respects the experiences of my brain. I’m exhausted by the male singers who attempt to force me into a different perspective.
Beatrice is an opinion columnist for the Daily Emerald. She is a first year student studying journalism at UO. She believes in the power of fair and educated opinions that come from a desire to help strengthen communities.
(Oscar Zurita/Emerald)
The City of Eugene held a public hearing for the University of Oregon’s application to build phase two of the Knight Campus as well as testimony from community members. The UO needs city approval because of the campus’ proximity to the Willamette River.
BY JAKE MOOREThe City of Eugene held a public hearing on a permit application submitted by the University of Oregon to commence phase two of the Knight Campus project on Aug. 30.
The UO needs city permission for the project through a Willamette Greenway permit because of the Knight Campus’ proximity to the Willamette River.
The City of Eugene’s Hearings Official, Virginia Gustafson Lucker, listened to presentations on the permit application from city and UO staff, which were followed by testimony from community members.
Lucker is responsible for holding public hearings in response to land use permit applications and issuing decisions based on the permit criteria and public hearing testimony.
Presentations focused on the criteria for a Willamette Greenway permit laid out in chapter nine of the Eugene Code.
“The applicant has to demonstrate how they’ve established setbacks to protect the quality of the river,” Nick Gioello, a Eugene Planning Department staff member, said during the public hearing. “The site is over 700 feet from the river… This site’s not going to impact anything in the river or near the river.”
The Willamette Greenway is a protected section of water and land on either side of the Willamette River, which was established by the Oregon State Legislature. It occupies much of the land between Franklin Boulevard and the Willamette River, including the site of the Knight Campus.
A Willamette Greenway permit is necessary for a private landowner to develop any land within the Willamette Greenway. The UO has already received one of these permits for the construction of the Knight Campus’s first phase.
The standards were intended to direct development away from the river, maintain physical and visual access and preserve the habitat and vegetation near the river, according to the Willamette Greenway Code Amendments Frequently Asked Questions.
The community members who testified against the project focused on the effects the project would have on the environment immediately
surrounding the proposed construction.
The concerns included possible damage to the UO Urban Farm, the Eugene millrace — a ditch dug over 150 years ago to power water mills — and all of the surrounding trees, vegetation and wildlife.
“If the applicant has only included their building footprint for consideration for the issuance of this permit, I think that that’s a misrepresentation of the actual impacts of the planned development,” Jenna Witzleben, a UO student and member of the Save the Urban Farm organization, said in her testimony.
The new section of the Knight Campus will be around 700 feet from the water, according to Gioello.
But despite the distance the Eugene millrace flows back into the river after running through the Knight Campus.
During his testimony, Eugene resident Drew Simran said he fears the construction could negatively impact the river ways.
“I fail to see how this protects, preserves or enhances the Willamette River Greenway,” he said.
As part of his testimony, Simran also requested a record extension which was granted. This means Eugene residents could submit written testimony to Lucker seven days after the hearing.
Located by the University of Oregon Fine Arts Studios, the Urban Farm is a place for people and students to have an environmental community. The Knight Campus will support scientific research at UO and is the result of two $500 million donations from Phil and Penny Knight. (Serei Hendrie / Emerald)
In 2015, Nintendo released “Splatoon,” a left-field take on a third person shooter game. Players claimed territory with colorful ink, shooting the ground as well as each other, attacking as humanoids and swimming through the ground as squids. Because of this, it was a hit, commercially and critically.
Seven years and two iterations later, the Nintendo Switch’s “Splatoon 3” sees the franchise sticking to the same formula. It still feels great hopping into fastpaced matches, popping opponents like balloons, and there’s small additions everywhere. However, the game struggles to introduce a central innovation, and it makes another $60 purchase difficult to justify.
The core of the appeal of the “Splatoon” series is expressive movement — diving in and out of ink, painting paths up walls, sneaking up to blast an opponent and scurrying away. Now players can perform a spinning aerial dodge, which makes outpacing opponents even more stylish.
Weapon variety in the series has let players approach matches in many distinct ways. Players can rush enemies down with a paint roller, shield themselves with an umbrella, snipe from afar or go in guns blazing.
In “Splatoon 3,” there are new weapons in this system. Unfortunately, its standout — a windshield wiper used like a sword — doesn’t have the flamboyant animations or dueling abilities it deserves, and the bow-and-arrow fulfills the same niche as existing ranged weapons.
“Splatoon 3”’s most successful departure is an overhaul of its charged super attacks. In previous games, they were primarily simple-to-understand effects
like a shield, a cloud of ink overhead or a missile strike.
This iteration pushes the boundaries of these designs, expecting more from the player. The “Zipliner” lets players latch onto walls, disorienting an opponent if used carefully. The “Crab Tank” makes a user immobile but fires off suffocating rounds. Another device creates shockwaves players need to jump over, becoming a mid-battle minigame. These are frantic and distinct.
Outside of battles, the town of “Splatsville” feels lived in. Like previous entries, self-expression is integral to the in-game world, with customizable clothing inspired by real-life street wear and hip-hop aesthetics. Other players’ artwork shows up as graffiti on the walls. Now, they can decorate a locker, highlighting their personality.
The game’s soundtrack is incredible; it sounds like a vibrant scene from another dimension. There are pop songs drowned in strange voice filters, tinged with elements of Japanese folk. Pop punk guitars and whaling synths create anthemic battle themes. And in the story mode, villain themes challenge the listener with trudging beats under detuned melodic lines.
There are other small additions. A new Tetris-like minigame is played with virtual collectable cards, although the inability to battle other players is a missed opportunity. Additionally, a co-op mode against hordes of enemies returns from “Splatoon 2,” with minor enemy additions.
The biggest disappointment here is the single-player campaign. Like the previous two games, a set of challenges double as weapon tutorials, casting players as secret agents on a dangerous mission. Unfortunately, the world-building promise of the “Splatlands” shown in the game’s opening — a desolate, open wasteland — is left mostly unfulfilled here.
Illustration by Jessica BoldenInstead, the campaign retreads its predecessors, with empty hub worlds and levels of disconnected floating blocks. And despite the introduction of a new, mammalian antagonist, the developers recycle previous enemies. Then, the game’s final act demonstrates what could have been. A rocket ship infiltration ends in an outer space battle with a homicidal bear businessman, and it’s hilarious. This level is well-structured and paced, with a sense of physical location and stakes. If only there was more like it.
The game may one day resolve these deficiencies; there is free DLC on the way. Plus, an upcoming special event will allow three team battles for the first time, teasing a new way to play.
But from what is available now, “Splatoon 3” is just an iteration. For a new player, it has a build-up of incredible content. However, for the millions who bought its direct predecessor on the same platform, the lack of new modes or alluring weapons prompts a personal question: how much is just a little more “Splatoon” worth to you?
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Limited access to food is a widespread issue that affects numerous communities in the area, including students in Lane County. UO associate dean of students, Jimmy Howard, explained more about the importance of students’ secure access to food.
“Food security is foundational to how people live and thrive. I think most people would probably be surprised at how many students have skipped a meal. Maybe they have access to food. But again, it may be very limited access,” Howard said.
A food insecurity survey conducted by Food for Lane County in 2021 provides more insight into how many college students in the area struggle with food security, as 1,100 people out of 1,977 in the survey identified as students.
According to the survey, food insecurity was higher among students; especially in students attending technical school (97%), followed by high school students (94%), college students (91%) and finally, graduate students (89%).
Identity categories like race, class, gender, sexuality, disability and age can all influence the degree of one’s food security, according to the survey.
The Food for Lane County report stated the percentage of food-insecure households in Lane County is higher for all minorities — especially for people who identify as Native Hawaiian and Asian.
Structural inequities like food insecurity are
often especially present within higher education. Several programs at UO, such as the new Basic Needs Program, aim to destigmatize and provide more resources for students facing food insecurity.
Howard explained more about the Basic Needs Program, launched in spring term of 2022. Located in 185 Oregon Hall in the Office of the Dean of Students, the program works to provide more support and advocacy for students’ essential needs.
“Through the generous funding of our ASUO students, we’ve been able to, unlike many schools across the state, and even in the country, have financial resources to give to students who are struggling,” Howard said. “In many ways we serve as a new place to land for students. That didn’t exist a few years ago.”
Students — both with their families and as individuals — can fill out an online Basic Needs Assistance form to get assistance from Basic Needs coordinators and get connected with UO and community resources like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Coordinators help students apply to enroll in this program, which provides financial support to buy food.
Many other campus food security programs, such as the Produce Drop, are run through the Sustainability center.
“Addressing basic needs helps get someone to the place where they can handle the hectic
life of college,” Ella Meloy, a senior majoring in political science and global studies, said. “If you are struggling to have a stable food access, stable nutrition, if you’re not getting what your body needs, then you’re not going to be able to do your schoolwork.”
The Produce Drop, which will resume September 27th, occurs every Tuesday from 3 to 5 p.m. in the EMU amphitheater. It operates as a farmer’s market where students can select the produce they would like for free as long as they have their student ID.
“The produce drop also has satellite boxes, [which] deliver produce to the Non-Traditional student union and the Black Cultural Center so the students there get direct access to produce,” Meloy said
Another resource students can utilize is the Student Food Pantry at UO. Run by both the Basic Needs Program and the Student Sustainability Center, it has been serving students since its founding in 2011 and transitioned to a larger space on 17th street in 2020. Meloy was present during the shift and explained more regarding the positive effects of the location change.
“The capacity for serving students increased. There are six refrigerators now in that space, and backroom storage for extra food to make sure that it’s not running out. It was really helpful during COVID to have that extra space there so we could operate it and maintain social distancing and still have volunteers there working,” Meloy said.
According to the UO Basic Needs Resource Guide, the pantry is open for students Wednesday and Thursday from 4–6 p.m. Howard said that the selection includes a mixture of perishable and nonperishable items, largely depending on what donations the pantry receives that week.
“We found that our students really have appreciated that as an opportunity, and that pantry doesn’t just serve UO students. We don’t turn away anyone in terms of being a UO student, we serve students from [all of] Lane County,” Howard said.
Another resource students can use is Leftover Textover, which makes sure no food on campus goes to waste. Students who sign up receive a text whenever there is free food available on campus or leftover food from catering, according to Meloy.
Howard expressed how students have an opportunity to help destigmatize food insecurity on college campuses through volunteering with services like the UO Food Pantry.
A “little free pantry” near Monroe Park in Eugene, Ore., contains non-perishable food items that are donated by community members. Among their other initiatives, Burrito Brigade has built food pantries in several neighborhoods throughout Eugene and Springfield, Ore. (Summer Surgent-Gough/Emerald) Food insecurity is an issue that affects many within Eugene - here are resources for students, the broader community, and volunteer opportunities.“It is so wonderful to see students helping students and breaking some stigmas around getting help and getting assistance. Because I think we’ve all been there at some point where we just needed a little bit of help,” Howard said. “And I think to have a peer that sounds like you, that understands the culture and gets you is better.”
According to the City of Eugene, there are about 3,000 people experiencing houselessness in Eugene, and more than 2,000 without shelter every night. Eugene’s houseless crisis and lack of long-term resources for this community means these people are not getting their basic needs met, and are extremely vulnerable to food insecurity.
The Burrito Brigade has been providing hot meals, specifically burritos, to those in need since 2014. The non-profit originated out of a house in the Whiteaker neighborhood of Eugene. Jennifer Denson, now the executive director of the organization, initially began her involvement with the group after spotting a Facebook post stating the brigade was short on volunteers that day, and brought her brother along to join.
“I’m passionate about this work, because I feel like food is a human right,” Denson said. “And people should not be going hungry when there’s 1000s of pounds, millions of pounds of food that are being thrown away a day.”
Volunteers meet every Saturday and Sunday in the mornings to prep, cook and roll burritos to be distributed throughout Eugene. The burritos are made utilizing food from the Burrito Brigade’s public food pantry, called Waste to Taste, as it is all food that has been rescued from the landfill. Additionally, the program gathers food from local businesses, grocery stores and farms to provide ingredients for the burritos and for those in the community to take for free.
“[In the] onset of the pandemic, we started a little free grocery store. So it’s all imperfect foods, but it’s a shopping experience for food boxes rather than pre packed food boxes,” Denson said.
The Waste to Taste program offers appointment times between Monday and Friday each week for community members to stop by and fill up a food box for free.
From the beginning, Burrito Brigade’s volunteers have occupied many kitchens serving the Eugene community. From a house in the Whiteaker area to the Lorax Manner of the Student’s Cooperative Association, the organization adapts to each workspace to consistently provide hot meals for those that are in need. Various groups within the Eugene community have shown up to support Burrito Brigade, as the group has occupied church kitchens and Food For Lane County has provided space for the group as well. The Burrito Brigade will soon be settling into their own location which is currently under renovation, with ample storage for the Waste to Taste pantry and their own kitchen.
Long time volunteer Kathy Jordan joined the group in 2016, when the Burrito Brigade was utilizing the space at the Lorax co-op located on Alder Street near the UO campus.
“We were lucky to turn out 30 or 40 Burritos in that little confined space with just a few of us. Now we do close to 300 on a Saturday and about that on Sunday too,” Jordan said. “So it’s just been a continual growth. And the community has been really good about pitching in and supporting us.”
While the Waste to Taste pantry is currently not vegan centered, the burritos the brigade distributes are vegan, in order to serve a larger group of people.
“It [vegan burritos] accommodates many health restrictions. Somebody might be vegetarian; somebody might be lactose intolerant. And it just is really nutritious and we have less risk of dealing with meat and dairy with volunteers,” Denson said.
A few weeks before school started, I headed to the Food for Lane County location to volunteer with the Burrito Brigade. I got busy washing leafy greens, a whole box of mushrooms and started chopping at one of the stainless steel tables in the kitchen. Everyone worked at their own pace dicing veggies, Tofurkey, and prepping warm tortillas.
Jim, one of the volunteers, showed me how to roll a burrito –– and how to pack it with just the right amount of filling. As we rolled burritos and wrapped them in foil, one volunteer packed them away into insulated bags to be taken for distribution.
As I departed, I grabbed two bags and took them to distribute to two of the Little Free Pantries on Broadway. Denson added that the burritos go quickly at both of those pantry locations, similar to many of the other pantries as they are located in high traffic areas to be more accessible.
In July 2019, the Burrito Brigade expanded their reach further by launching the The Little Free Pantry project, which now has 50 pantries scattered throughout Springfield, Eugene and even Florence and Junction City. The Little Free Pantry motto is “Take what you need. Give what you can.”
Reducing food insecurity in the Eugene area is a community effort, and student volunteers are crucial in making this change happen. The UO has plenty of volunteer opportunities that students can sign up for to support the community, including shifts at the Student Food Pantry and projects at the Student Sustainability Center. As the Burrito Brigade continues to supply accessible hot meals around Eugene, student volunteers are always appreciated, whether you’re rolling burritos on the weekends, organizing the Waste to Taste pantry, or stocking Little Free Pantries.
For more information regarding the basic needs services and volunteer opportunities the University of Oregon provides, go to their website. For more information, follow the Student Sustainability Center @uo_ssc and the Basic Needs program @ uo_basicneeds on Instagram. For more information on the Burrito Brigade, follow them on Instagram @burritobrigade and check out their website. The Student Food Pantry is located off campus at 710 E 17th Ave. in Eugene. Students are advised to bring their student ID and a grocery bag. The pantry is looking for volunteers for fall term.
1,758 (89%)
households in the survey used food assistance programs.
54% of those that used them said the programs allowed them to prepare healthy meals.
38% reported they had more energy for work and family.
55% of people surveyed who used food pantries said the food was enough to meet their household needs
Video games are expensive. With the newest Xbox and Playstation consoles, the standard price of a major studio title has jumped to $70, with hundreds more for the accompanying hardware.
However, those in the local gaming community say there are more resources than ever to get into the hobby on a budget. It is just a matter of where to look.
“Gaming is extremely accessible now, compared to what it was when I was a kid,” UO student and game designer Andrew Taske said. After earning a Master’s in economics, he returned to college to study computer science.
Taske is 32 years old. He said titles used to be split between several different consoles, with many exclusives forcing consumers to choose or to buy multiple devices. Now, he finds it is less important which one someone owns.
He said players can start on something universal — their smartphones — as more powerful models have let established developers port console-quality experiences.
For console users, both the Allan Price Science Library at UO and the Eugene Public Library offer popular games for rental. Although return times are quick, they let players try before they buy.
Taske encourages players to share console games, mailing physical copies back and forth rather than paying full price. He said there are reputable online communities on Reddit and Facebook that make this trade easy and safe.
“It’s the best way to save money and to get around what companies are wanting you to do,” he said, noting that major game developers are moving towards digital ownership to discourage the practice.
Additionally, independent games provide an inexpensive alternative. “Stardew Valley” offers hundreds of hours of farm life simulation for the cost of a lunch, with lower fidelity graphics that run well, even on weaker computers. Itch.io, an online marketplace, lets independent creators distribute their games or upload them for free to play on the web.
For those dedicated enough, Taske believes building a computer is the best
long-term investment. Parts can be upgraded rather than replaced. A game library is continuous, not divided between new models. And consumers obtain access to sale-happy online stores — Epic Games offers a free game a week, while Humble Bundle provides pay-what-you-want prices to benefit charity.
“The tradeoff is a much higher entry point,” UO sophomore Calvin Ajizian said. He spent over $1,000 on his computer build –– and more on expensive peripherals. However, Taske said a $600 machine could be serviceable, and there are guides for builds under $300.
Freshman Alex Craig said he grew tired of replacing low-end, pre-built computers after heat and heavy use ruined them. Building his own wasn’t hard, but it required him to wait for the right parts and the best deals. The most popular retailers include Newegg, Best Buy and Amazon.
Craig said the building process also served as a learning experience on computer mechanics. In-depth tutorials are available online.
In the meantime, UO’s Esports Lounge in the EMU provides high-end computers at hourly rates, in addition to game consoles for open use. It hosts popular online games, many of them free-to-play.
Waiting is important as a consumer, Taske said. Video games depreciate in value quickly after release, and the market for computers fluctuates. He said buying the newest hardware and games opens consumers up to being overcharged.
Taske believes gaming is the culmination of multiple art forms — music, art, cinematography and writing. He said, by building a community and being smart about purchases, people can be involved without being exploited.
“For anyone who is interested in getting into games, look up anything that interests you, pick it up and try it.” Taske said. “Not every game has ways to get it for free, but if you’re interested, you can find a way to get it cheaper.”
Grace Turchetto/ Daily EmeraldThe start of a new school year often means moving into a new place. Start your move-in right with a clean, organized closet with some tips to sort out the good and the bad.
BY: EVAN HUNTINGTON • TWITTER: @EVANHUNTINGTON
Here we are — the start of a brand new school year. My move back to The Dirty Eug consisted of moving into a new house. And while that came with its own excitement and enthusiasm, it also came with the daunting thought of having to choose which clothes to bring. Going through my drawers made me realize I had to get to the nitty gritty and figure out what needed to go with me to school and, more importantly, what I should be getting rid of completely.
My deep closet dissection resulted in the formation of a new process for going through your clothes, one that made it easier to make simple judgments over whether something should stay or go. Taking on the chaos of an overflowing closet can be overwhelming at times, so I realized it’s vital to attack the situation with the right mindset. As you begin to form your wardrobe for your new spot, here are some criteria to have in mind for reasons to keep a certain piece.
It’s an everyday essential
The key to a solid wardrobe is to keep a stock of the pure basics — your go-tos. Whether those are your plain white tees, your best pair of jeans, a simple black hoodie or Air Force 1s, make sure to hold on to your supply of personal essentials.
It’s one of your favorites, a staple piece
This almost goes without saying, but if you have a piece that you know you couldn’t live without, or it’s something you wear all the time, those are your absolute “yes” pile candidates. These are the easy decisions you can get out of the way first.
It serves a specific purpose
Some clothes take space in our closet for the inevitable situations we’ll need them for, even when those circumstances don’t come around every day. Your best rain jacket, a nice blazer for interviews, Oregon jerseys for sports games and other situational pieces might not be taken off the hanger too often, but if they serve a specific role for its useful or utilitarian purpose, it’s important to keep these around for when the time comes.
It brings sentimental value
This category is for the pieces that bring you a nostalgic feeling, like your dad’s old sweatshirt that he gave to you, or a rush week shirt you were given from your sorority or fraternity. A sentimental item might be the one exception for keeping something
that might not fit or you wouldn’t necessarily wear every day. Although, if you do want to hold on to a sentimental piece, I would recommend keeping it in a separate place away from your main clothing if you’re not intending to wear it regularly.
To sum it all up into one premise, it all comes down to if it brings you joy. Marie Kondo, a Japanese organizing consultant and author recognized globally for her expertise in this space, argues that if you decide to keep something, it must “spark joy.” Above anything, that should be your primary standard for keeping something in your collection.
It’s something you never choose
If its only purpose left is to collect dust in your closet, it probably needs a new home. Nothing may be wrong with it — you just simply never choose it next to your other options. Leigh Anne Tuohy in the 2009 film “The Blind Side” said that “if you don’t absolutely love it in the store, you won’t wear it. The store’s where you like it the best.” The same principle applies in your closet — if it’s hanging on your clothing rack, and you’re on the fence about it even there, you’ll never pick it. Time to go.
It doesn’t fit right
Nothing is worse than putting on a shirt or a pair of pants and discovering you’ve outgrown it or it sits too big. If it doesn’t fit you anymore, and it feels uncomfortable, it’s pretty likely that you will never decide to wear it again, no matter how much you like it. Unfitting clothes should be an automatic toss in the “no” pile. An exception to this rule is if you know you undergo known weight fluctuations, which would allow you to hang on to specific pieces if you think they might fit again later on.
It’s not just old, it’s falling apart
The vintage clothing market continues to grow in mainstream fashion, and if you’ve hopped on this fashion wave, many pieces in your collection might be on the older side. Vintage typically describes clothing from a previous era that abides by stylistic elements relevant to the trends of those times, according to the Vou. So even if it
was stylish and trendy in the past, don’t confuse your old, worn down clothing for being “vintage” if they’ve become thrashed and near the point of being unwearable. I don’t see much glamor in something about to fall apart, so if it has reached that point, time to toss it away.
It doesn’t fit your current style
Maybe a piece you’re debating was your style three years ago, but it’s more than likely that your taste has changed or evolved in some way. This idea came up a lot when I went through my closet, and it ended up being the underlying reason why I was on the fence about so many pieces. If you’re debating on an item, ask yourself if it’s still your style or if it used to be. Letting go of pieces you used to love will free up more space for the styles you’re currently feeling.
You don’t feel good wearing it anymore
This principle might be the most important. It’s not a good sign if you look in the mirror with a certain piece on, and you don’t see your most confident self. If it doesn’t express you in the way you want it to, and it doesn’t make you glow in the best possible light, it doesn’t deserve to take up space.
The overarching reason to say goodbye to a piece of clothing is if it simply doesn’t serve you anymore. It might have before, but people change along with their taste. So as you finalize your pile of “nos,” have the Ariana Grande mindset: thank you, next.
A messy closet can be stressful. The way I see it, a messy closet can be a messy mind. Organizing and decluttering can be the impetus that inspires you to organize and clear out other parts of your life, like your computer desktop or other parts of your physical space. A clean closet can be the refreshing energy you need to spark a clear headspace. Organization is a mind at ease. So as the start of a new school year rolls in, a restored wardrobe might be a great place to start.
Pac-12 volleyball has always provided an entertaining experience for fans. Schools competing in the conference have won 17 out of 41 all-time NCAA championships –– four more than the next conference. A Pac-12 team has been one of the final four teams in all but five years of the NCAA tournament, in addition to at least one Pac-12 team playing in 27 out of the 41 NCAA title matches: the most in any league.
With conference play starting on Sept. 21 for the Oregon volleyball team, it’s time to look at who it’ll be facing this season.
The Ducks’ first opponent traveled across the country to prepare for league play. Their first invitational, the Rose City Showdown, led to the Beavers starting their season 0-2. Oregon State was awarded its first win at the Flo Hyman Cup in Houston, Texas, against Alabama. Junior setter Izzi Szulczewski is Oregon State’s most powerful weapon this season. She recorded the Beavers’ first tripledouble in five years, leading to Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors.
No. 5 Stanford is going to be a formidable opponent for the Ducks. The Cardinal has faced six top-25 teams during preseason invitationals and has beaten three of them, including No. 3 Minnesota — which the Ducks lost to in four sets during the Pac-12/Big-10 challenge. Stanford has two AVCA AllAmericans returning this season, opposite Kendall Kipp and outside hitter Catie Baird, and neither have skipped a beat. Kipp is the team leader in kills and service aces, and Baird is in the top five in every statistical category.
Senior outside hitter Iman Isanovic became the 18th Sun Devil to reach 1,000 career kills before hitting conference play. In addition to Isanovic, the Sun Devils will be returning three seniors and six juniors, as they only lost one athlete last season due to graduation. In her fifth year as head coach, Sanja Tomasevic led the Sun Devils to a 14-17 (7-13 in Pac-12) record. This season, ASU will face 10 teams who were in the NCAA tournament last season, six of whom play in the Pac-12 conference.
Regardless of returning all but one of Arizona’s major contributors, Pac-12 coaches believe they’ll do worse this year as they were written into the 10th spot on the Pac-12 preseason poll. Over the past four seasons, the Wildcats haven’t finished higher than fifth place. The Wildcats will have 2020-21 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and all-conference honorable mention Sofia Maldonado Diaz. Puk Stubbe, a sophomore opposite named to the Pac-12 all-freshman team last season, will be returning as well as Kamaile Hiapo, considered one of the best liberos in the league.
Oregon’s first matchup against the Cougars will be on Oct. 7 in Pullman, and it will be exciting. Two-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year Jen Greeny has led Washington State to six straight NCAA appearances, and they’re expected to
make their seventh. Star players Pia Timmer and Magda Jehlarova will be back for the Cougars. Timmer, one of the best players in the Pac-12, is a two-time AVCA All-American honorable mention, a two-time Pac-12 all-conference first team and a two-time AVCA Pacific North all-region player. Jehlarova was named AVCA National and Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2019 and was ranked second in the nation in blocks last year.
The Huskies have one of the most accomplished senior classes this season. Washington’s seniors already achieved four-straight Sweet 16s, an Elite Eight, a Final Four and two Pac-12 titles. All-Americans Marin Grote, Claire Hoffman and Ella May Powell will again lead the Huskies, as Washington is predicted to come out on top during Pac-12 play. During the preseason, the Huskies faced high-level competition from Northwestern, Pepperdine and Cal Poly to prepare them for conference play.
USC
During a preseason game against New Mexico State, the Women of Troy collected its 1,100th all-time win. The six-time National Champions were voted to finish fifth in Pac-12 play, one spot behind the Ducks. This off-season, the Trojans signed the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class, which includes Adonia Faumuina, Rylie McGinest, Jordan Wilson, Madison Pietsch, Dani ThomasNathan, Gala Trubint and Megan Verbiest.
Last season, the Bruins finished with a 25-6 overall record and 16-4 in conference play. A lot of their success was credited to Mac May, who graduated this past spring and finished her time in Los Angeles third in all-time kills and aces. The six-foot-three outside hitter was a force to be reckoned with, and now there are huge footprints to fill. Head coach Michael Sealy will undoubtedly struggle to find someone to fill that void this season.
Utah finished the 2021 season, tying a program-record for the most Pac-12 wins in a season, leading to a third place finish for the third time in a row. The Utes will be returning eight letter winners from last season’s tournament team — which reached the second round — to try to compete in the tournament once again. Fifth-year senior Madelyn Robinson, an AVCA All-Region and All-Pac-12 honoree, will lead the Utes, which adds a significant piece to a young team.
The Buffaloes arguably have one of the most rigid schedules out of all conference opponents. They will face 13 teams that have advanced to the NCAA tournament. That number could rise with Arkansas, Colorado State and Denver expected to push for spots this season. Colorado will be led by fifth-year seniors Meegan Hart and Bryanna DeLuzio. Right side and middle blocker Sterling Parker is expected to be ready to compete this season after missing the 2021 season due to an injury. Parker was an All-American freshman in 2019 and made the All-Pac-12 team in 2020.
The Ducks play in the hardest volleyball conference, let’s check out who they’ll be competing against this season. Ducks outside hitter/ libero Brooke Nuneviller (5) leaps into the air to spike the ball to Washington State. Ducks Women’s Volleyball loses 0-3 to Washington State at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on October 17th, 2021. (Ian Enger/Emerald)
