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SERVING UNION AND WALLOWA COUNTIES SINCE 1896
EOU's 10-vear plan unveiled to citv council • Strategic plan calls for new building that would house data center and technology-rich classrooms By Bill Rautenstrauch The Observer
The possible shape of the future at Eastern Oregon University was revealed for the La Grande City Council
recently, as an architectural consultant unveiled a strategic plan that calls for a new, high-tech learning center, a re-designed portal connecting the campus with downtown, a radical landscaping makeover, and more. Allison Wildman of SERA Architects met with the council in a work session June 18 at City Hall, showing off the plan that's been in the works since the fall of2011 and is nearing completion now. ''We have a pretty good
draft together but there are still a few details to be worked out," Wildman said of the document that provides strategic planning and a design framework for the university for the next 10 years. Wildman added she is satisfied the plan helps Eastern play to its strengths. "This location is so rich in so many ways. We felt that very strongly," she said. Wildman talked a little about the history of the university that opened in
1929 as the Eastern Oregon Normal School, and traced its development to the current time when it serves some 4,300 students, 53 percent of them participating in on-line, distance education. She said only modest growth in enrollment is projected over the next few years: six percent for on-campus students, and 11 percent for those in distance education. There likely will be only a slight increase of students living on-campus.
''We think there will be a need for maybe 50 additional beds," Wildman said. Wildman said the plan, developed with input from a steering committee, students and faculty, strives to create open spaces and honor the school's small-town ambiance. At the same time, it aims to meet Eastern's "core themes" of quality, access, engagement and a:ffordability, Though some of the older buildings would be renovated under the plan, Wildman
Street project's grand opening Friday
said only one new building is proposed. That structure, the Eastern Learning Commons, would house the university's data center, equipment to support growth in distance education, and multipurpose, technology-rich classrooms. "You'd have the newest and latest and greatest in teclmology there," Wildman said. She said the Commons would also include a residential component to provide See Plan I Page 6A
Closure ofODOT's station at Flora raises concerns • Spokesman says acceptable level of maintenance will still be performed on Highway 3 By Katy Nesbitt The Observer
Brad Mos her /The Observer
Bryce Gage of Redmond scrapes off part of the giant Blaw-Knox 55-10 as it puts down the asphalt mix on Second Street Monday in La Grande. Gage and the rest ofthe crew works for the Redmond-based High Desert Aggregate and Paving. The grand opening of Second Street and Penn Avenue is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday at the base of the Second Street hill at Spring Street. The area has been under construction and closed over the past y ear as crews have corrected hillside slippage. The project included construction of a retaining wall, replacement of utilities, construction of curbs and sidewalks and new paving.The ceremony hosted by the City of La Grande will celebrate the re-opening ofthe street and show off improvements. For more information, call the City Manager's office, 541-962-1309, or La Grande Public Works, 541-962-1325.
Educator with 'special way of teaching' succumbs to heart attack By Dick Mason The Observer
Carole Smutz thought nothing ofhelping students payfees for things like their GED test, which can cost close to $150, and making other sacrifices tohelp them succeed.
La Grande High School has lost a teacher who had a gift for helping misdirected students find their way, an educator who transformed her classroom into a springboard for students facing daunting hurdles. Carole Smutz, 62, a teacher for the LHS alternative education program, died Friday at St. Luke's Hospital in Boise after suffering a heart attack. Smutz, worked in the La Grande School District four years, three at LHS and one at LMS. She earlier worked 12 years for the old Union-Baker Education Service District. "She had an ability to work and c01mect with students like nobody I have ever seen," said LHS Principal Andrea Waldrop. At LHS, Smutz worked in its GED Options program, helping students prepare
forGED tests. The GED is a high school equivalency certificate. Smutz often found herselfworking with students who struggled with school but later flourished. One reason for her success was an unwave1ing confidence in the potential of her students. "She believed that all students could accomplish anything they wanted to See Smutz I Page 6A
INDEX
WEATHER
Business ........ lB Classified ....... 58 Comics ........... 4B Crossw ord ..... 78
DearAbby ... lOB Kids Scoop ... 3B Opinion ..........4A Record .......... .5A
Spo rts ............ 7A Sudoku .......... 4B Wallowa Life lOA Wonderword... 4B
FRIDAY IN OUTDOORS
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Smutz
Full forecast on the back of B section
Tonight
Thursday
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82/52
Mostly clear
Most~ sunny
RallY drivers cited for speeds in excess of 100 mph Four drivers participating in an organized road rally that originated in Las Vegas, Nev., were cited Tuesday morning in Eastern Oregon by Oregon State Police troopers and Grant ('A)unty Sheriff's Office for traveling at speeds up to 117 mph. According to OSP Master Sergeant Gordon Larson, OSP and Grant County Sheriff's Office were looking out for the vehicles participating in the "Bullrun Rally" after receiving citizen driving complaints and information from Idaho State Police and Nevada Highway Patrol. Tuesday morning, June 26, OSP troopers stopped and cited four See Speeding I Page SA
Drastic state budget cuts are forcing rural highway maintenance station closures all over the state including one 35 miles north of Enterprise. Mike Buchanan of '1t is going to Oregon Department be nasty. Snow ofTransportation said 5, which covHollow Hill can region ers much of Eastern be really bad Oregon, will see $1.8 to $2.5 million in cuts in even with chains the 2013-2015 biennium. as conditions Reductions in state gas turn from ice to taxes are forcing the department to cut 75 slush." - Delmar Stanley, million statewide. truck driver for Buchanan presented Fann Supply the proposal to conDistributors cerned Wallowa County residents Monday morning at the Hurricane Creek Grange outside of Joseph. He said Highway 3 is a low volume state road and has only 320 vehicles traveling on it each day. Buchanan said roads all over the state will receive lower levels of service because of the cuts, but would have an acceptable level of maintenance. Region 5 plans to close the Flora Station Nov. 1 and move the two maintenance workers who live there to Enterprise. He said fom shifts a week are already covered from the district office, 50 miles from the state line. Buchanan said the plan is to keep a sand pile and loader at the station for crews to access during snow storms. He said the biggest cost of running the remote station is equipment which includes two trucks, two loaders and a pickup. The second biggest cost is fuel to run a generator that powers the station a cost of$2,800 every two weeks. The department is looking at places to keep the loader near an electric power somce to run an engine block heater for the loader in winter and save on generator fuel costs. Long tenn, Buchanan said the state will probably See Flora I Page 6A
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Issue 121 3 sections, 36 pages La Grande, Oregon
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