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Emerald THE DAILY

FRIDAY, OCT. 2, 2026

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NEWS

Making sense of this year’s midterm

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OPINION

Ehly: UO needs to do more for out-of-state students Opinion: A large portion of UO’s general education fund comes from outof-state tuition, but as tuition increases, out-ofstate enrollment decreases. UO needs to do more to incentivize out-of-state students to choose UO. By Rachel Ehly

Opinion Editor

With the number of friends I have made at UO who are from California, it wasn’t a surprise for me to find out that a large portion of UO’s tuition revenue comes from out-of-state students. When UO’s $65 million budget cut was announced on May 14, President Karl Scholz wrote that about 80% of UO’s general education fund comes from tuition revenue, and “the biggest contributor is tuition paid by out-ofstate students … a gap in our out-ofstate enrollment has a disproportionate effect on our operations.” For the last decade, UO has enrolled about 2,400 out-of-state undergraduates each fall, according to Scholz. In May, it was anticipated that fewer than 1,900 out-of-state students would enroll this fall.

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A B C

M N

D E F

O P

G H I J

Leininger: UO Curriculum needs further adjustment to address AI use Opinion: UO has clearly prioritized adjustments for generative AI models, encouraging professors to present students with explicit AI policies in course syllabi. Leaving AI rules up to individual instructors is not a sufficient model given the rapid evolution of the AI landscape. By Jack Leininger

Opinion Columnist

In the first week of September, the three artificial intelligence giants released updates for their generative models. Anthropic introduced Claude Fable 5.1 on Sept. 1. Google followed the next day with Gemini 3.8 Flash, its third Flash release in six weeks. On Sept. 3, OpenAI began rolling out GPT-6 Astra, which the company says is “the world’s most intelligent and aligned model.” The University of Oregon’s approach to AI in the classroom will exhaust itself attempting to keep up with new models.

In creating an Artificial Intelligence Resource Guide, UO made an effort to provide instructors and students with relevant information regarding AI use. The guide contains an AI policy FAQ , an example course policies page, a data privacy page, an academic integrity page, and an AI and assessment page. When UO’s $65 million budget deficit was announced on May 14, President Karl Scholz wrote that about 80% of UO’s general education fund comes from tuition revenue, and “the biggest contributor is tuition paid by out-of-state students … a gap in our outof-state enrollment has a disproportionate effect on our operations.”

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DAILY EMERALD

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. Emerald Media Group 1395 University St.,#302 Eugene, Or 97403 (541)-357-6569 (ON THE COVER) Students use study space in the EMU at the University of Oregon, on Oct. 1, 2026. (Chris Castro/Emerald)

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EARLIER THIS WEEK IN PRINT:

READ ONLINE AT DAILYEMERALD.COM Novak: Our transportation has fallen behind Opinion: Fully electric transit was once the norm. It’s time it came back. By Shane Novak

Opinion Columnist

Running on the UO Student Power slate, Quadrian GiOver 100 years ago, Eugene was home to a transit system dubbed the “greatest small-city streetcar system in the United States.” That system was a fully electric, 18-mile streetcar system providing transit to and from Springfield, UO, Fairmount, College Hill, Friendly and West Eugene. Continue story online (Alyssa Garcia/Emerald)

Q&A with artist Cindy Ingram Local painter and community organizer discusses experience working in art, future projects. By Dakota Zitterkopf

Arts & Culture Writer

Who gets to be seen as an artist? Whose art do we see and value? Discussions of visibility and recognition for artists of different backgrounds widen the margins around contemporary and canonized art, introducing new voices and ones disregarded in the past. Cindy Ingram, a local painter and community organizer, embodies what years of experience and time spent working across various careers give an older artist. She’s previously worked as a music promoter and booking agent in the Pacific Northwest. Continue story online

STUDENT SALES MANAGER Elliot Byrne ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Ava Mreen Daniel Petilli Tyren Viloria

Friday, Oct. 2, 2026

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Furino: The sun is setting on the Ducks Oregon’s playoff path is already narrowing. By Jonah Furino

Sports Writer

After Oregon lost to Oklahoma State in Week 2, the world thought the Ducks were doomed. Since then, Oregon has looked much stronger, but has the Oklahoma State loss already sealed their fate? Everybody has their own speculations about whether Oregon will make the playoffs, and what they need to do to make it. My answer: They won’t. For one, the defense is not where it should be. The 84-0 demolition of Portland State doesn’t move me. In the other three games, the Ducks have shown that they are vulnerable to conceding big, momentum-swinging plays. It’s not just one area of the defense either. Against Oklahoma State, they gave up a 75-yard rush from quarterback Drew Mestemaker on the first play. In the USC game, the Ducks gave up a 31-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, losing them the lead. The whole Oregon defense just doesn’t seem calibrated right now.

Continue story online (Katie Poluyansky/Emerald)

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NEWS

DAILY EMERALD

Thursday, Oct. 2, 2026

page 7

Drop boxes, ballots and deadlines, oh my!: Making sense of this year’s midterm Overwhelmed by the start of a new school year? Here are key dates to keep ahead of election day for student voters. By John Pham

News Reporter

By Nov. 3, voters will have already returned their ballots to take part in a number of local and state elections. For eligible voters on campus, this year’s elections arrive amid questions surrounding the future of mail-in voting. The drop box outside the Erb Memorial Union amphitheater is still a viable option to drop off your Oregon ballot, even for students not registered to vote in Lane County. “Voting is safe and is going to happen the same way it’s happened in the past,” Karen Hyatt, University of Oregon director of community relations, said. “But it’s helpful for everybody to not wait until the last day to vote.” The deadline to register and to drop off your ballot at a mailbox or an official ballot box differs from state to state. In Oregon, the last day to register to vote is Oct. 13 and the last day to return ballots to a drop box or the Lane County Elections Office is Nov. 3. Hyatt recommends that if voters wish to use the postal service to return their ballot, they should do so at least a week before the Nov. 3 deadline. Ballots can be dropped off at USPS post offices or collection boxes Voters can change their mailing address to have their ballot sent to them in another part of the state, as ballots cannot legally be forwarded. Oregon boasts the highest turnout rates in the country, with 66.9% of registered voters submitting ballots in the 2022 midterm election and 75.4% voting in the 2024 general election. But for college campuses across the state, turnout is more of a challenge. In 2022, just half of voting-eligible students at UO registered to vote, with only a third actually casting their ballots. To turn the turnout tide, in the coming weeks, groups, in coordination with the Holden Center, UO Government and Community Relations, ASUO and Oregon State Pub-

KEY DATES

Midterm Elections 2026

OCT. 13 Last day to register to vote NOV. 3

Last day to return ballots to a drop box or the Lane County Elections Office

lic Interest Research Group will be canvassing campus, holding tabling events and speaking in classes. In prior years, the Holden Center has held events like tabling and Pizza & Politics, which aims to engage students and provide resources and information about the upcoming election and voting requirements. The center is still finalizing its fall plans. Statewide, Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read launched the Oregon Campus Voting Challenge in partnership with the larger nationwide ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge this August. The initiative aims to improve voter turnout on campuses, which have historically low turnout rates. “I can totally understand that it’s one of a gazillion things (students) have to do and track,” Hyatt said. “I think sometimes it’s hard … Especially when it’s not a presidential election like this year, you might not know the candidates that well.” Still, Hyatt encourages students to do their research, get out the door and cast their ballots. The initiative mirrors the university’s participation in the Big Ten Conference, with all 18 members also participating in the Big Ten ALL IN Challenge. During the 2022 general election, UO was recognized as a “silver campus,” meaning the university was able to submit engagement action plans and reach between 30% and 39% voter turnout among its student body. “I just want to motivate everyone to go out and register in the state of Oregon,” ASUO President Quadrian Gill said. “The cost of your tuition, the services you’re able to access here on campus, the cost of your housing here at the UO, all of that is connected to your vote in Salem and here locally.” Gill encouraged students to vote in this midterm election and to register as voters in Lane County, considering many students spend a considerable amount of time in Eugene. Gill has paid close attention to this year’s hotly contested gubernatorial race. Recent polling shows Oregonians favor GOP State Sen. Christine Drazan by two points when compared to incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek. “ASUO is doing our voter registration outreach in a nonpartisan way,” Gill said. “But I will say that that is a very big race that will make a very big impact on our way of life here in the state of Oregon. So, I hope that students can go help elect someone that actually shares their opinions as students.” Gill said he encourages students to use drop boxes instead of mailing ballots, to avoid any mishaps. “I’ve always felt comfortable dropping off my ballot at a ballot box, and I think that would probably be the best way to ensure there isn’t any tomfoolery with your vote in the election,” Gill said. “It’s crazy that we even have to talk about that.”

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(Sofia Campbell/Emerald)

The cost of your tuition, the services you’re able to access here on campus, the cost of your housing here at the UO, all of that is connected to your vote in Salem and here locally. Quadrian Gill ASUO President

NEWS

DAILY EMERALD

Thursday, Oct. 2, 2026

page 9

Campus construction continues into new school year Campus construction projects are scheduled to continue throughout the 2026-27 academic year as students return to campus.

up if the university sees a sudden increase in enrollment. “A hope of mine is that Barnhart could potentially be graduate student housing where there would be single occupancy rooms and maybe some community kitchens that folks could share, but there’s still a lot of research and work to be done to do that,” Griffel said. “For Riley, we’re looking into what the best use for that space is.” Harwood said some of the biggest reasons for building Maple Hall were to make up for the lost capacity following Hamilton Hall’s demolition, giving students more room size flexibility and providing bathrooms in each room. “I feel like we’re really well prepared to support the student experience and to make adjustments as enrollment changes,” Griffel said. “So if enrollment were to increase, we have the capacity to expand.”

Friendly Hall UO started the Friendly Hall restoration and deferred maintenance project on June 30, 2025, and is expected to continue throughout the 2026-27 academic year. The project is slated to be completed on Dec. 31, 2027 and open January 2028. The $83 million project will restore Friendly Hall, one of UO’s oldest structures, by turning it into a space for the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages programs. This centralized academic hub for those programs will provide office spaces, classrooms and graduate student space. “We’re trying to bring back a historic building,” Harwood said. “It was an old residence hall that had been turned into offices, and now we’re giving it more of a focus for the Schnitzer School of Global Studies.” The project is on schedule and on budget, but the sidewalk in that area will remain closed until its expected completion in December 2027.

Willamette Hall reroofing Construction of the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages on Oct. 1, 2026, in Eugene, Ore.

By Joseph Chiu

Senior News Reporter

If you’re new to the University of Oregon campus, you may be wondering what all this construction is about. If you’re a returning student, you may be wondering what all this construction is still doing here. Multiple construction projects are in progress as the new year begins, with many expected to drag out for the entirety of the 2026-27 academic year. Those projects include new student housing buildings and the Friendly Hall restoration.

Next generation housing plan As part of UO’s Next Generation Housing Development Plan, a new residence hall, recently named Maple Hall, is expected to be completed and open fall 2027. The seven-story building will cost an estimated $160 million and include 870 beds, with each room having an attached bathroom. Michael Harwood, university architect, said Maple Hall will have three new dining venues, which are “Hatch,” “Oh, Biscuits” and “Wok ‘n’ Waddle.” He said they are hoping to help students commune over food and build a strong community around these venues. Opening Maple Hall on the east side of the UO campus is another effort to shift the community over to the eastern, more central area. This was enhanced following the Barnhart Hall closure and leaving Riley Hall vacant this year, which are both located off campus on the west side. Michael Griffel, UO housing director, said many students who lived in Barnhart or Riley Halls often felt isolated from those living on campus. “As we think through all of our projects, we want to create spaces where students feel like they are able to thrive, and that means not being so far removed from the rest of your classmates,” Harwood said. “That’s been a goal for a long time.” Despite the enrollment decrease and Barnhart Hall’s closure, a large reason for continuing to build more housing with Maple Hall is for long-term planning. Griffel said the university and developers have been working over the years to create the eastern part of campus as the “residential

(Lilly Wall/Emerald)

heart” for undergraduates and to have everyone in one area. “The amount of activity that’s going to be happening in this residential neighborhood is fantastic,” Griffel said. “It’s been years in the making, and now it’s happening.” Phase two of the next generation housing plan is a 670bed residence hall that will provide housing for upper-division undergraduate students, with an estimated cost of $117 million. The new hall was initially expected to be completed in fall 2028, but the project is now on hold with no specific timeline set due to the recent decline in enrollment. The start date will depend on enrollment trends and ongoing evaluations of housing needs, according to Harwood. Harwood said the plan had always been to close Barnhart and Riley Halls for first-year students and to open them back

UO began construction for the Willamette Hall reroofing project in June. A crane was used to replace the roof and gutters, and the skylights were removed, repaired and reinstalled. Harwood said that a couple of entrances may be blocked off periodically to keep it safe for people in and around the building, but the majority of the work is done. It might be a little noisy at times, but it shouldn’t have much of an impact on students. “There’s structure, waterproofing and then the metal,” Harwood said. “The structure was never open to the air, but if we hadn’t done it when it was dry, there was a chance water was going to get in, but that shouldn’t be an issue now.” The project’s construction is expected to be completed Nov. 30, according to Harwood.

(Lilly Wall/Emerald) Construction on the Knight Library Plaza Restoration Project continues Oct. 1, 2026, in Eugene, Ore. The project is scheduled to run through Oct. 30, 2026, according to a university blog.

OPINION/ARTS & CULTURE

DAILY EMERALD

Friday, Oct. 2, 2026

page 10

OPINION

Ehly: UO needs to do more for out-of-state students Continued from page 1

“One year can be an aberration,” Scholz said in a letter. “With a second year of evidence, I believe we need to treat this as our new reality.” Scholz cited declining birth rates as a factor in his May 20 letter, and expects out-of-state enrollment to keep declining over the next decade as the pool of

college-age students shrinks. This demographic trend is real, but is not something the university should hide behind. It does not excuse two decades of tuition hikes that have priced out the out-of-state students that UO is trying to attract. UO sophomore Addy Keenan is from California and knows the effect that UO’s high out-of-state

Resident vs. Nonresident Undergraduate Enrollment Over Time Residents

Undergraduates Enrolled

Nonresidents

Year (Source: UO Office of Institutional Research)

tuition can have on prospective students. “I think it’s really high, and I don’t think it should be,” Keenan said. However, Keenan doesn’t think UO is isolated from most public universities, in that a majority of public schools in the U.S. have significantly higher out-of-state tuition. “I also personally know a lot of people that didn’t come here because … there’s no guarantee that you get financial aid,” Keenan said. Jennifer Smith, president of UO’s classified employees union, has argued the crisis says more about priorities for UO than demographics. “We’ve seen decades of disinvestment from our schools by the state, poor management and administrative bloat, wishful thinking that private donors will give enough to keep us whole and untenable tuition increases,” Smith said to Lookout Eugene-Springfield in May. Smith argued that the university is slashing the budget, cutting programs and laying off faculty while building brand new dorms and paying upper administration generously, while also raising tuition for new students. Keenan noted that UO joining a program like the Western Undergraduate Exchange — a program that works to cap participating out-of-state students’ tuition at no more than 150% of in-state rates for students who meet a minimum GPA — could possibly draw in more non-resident students without slashing the sticker price across the board. Many public universities in Oregon, such as Oregon State, Portland State, Southern Oregon and more, all participate in the WUE program, while UO left the program in 2012. If UO wants to remedy its out-of-state enrollment rates to supplement its general education fund, it needs to cater to financial programs that bring these students in and give them an incentive to choose UO.

Rachel Ehly is the Opinion Editor for The Daily Emerald and is studying journalism and political science. She could talk for hours about all things politics, pop culture and music.

Don’t let “Adults” fall victim to premature cancellation “Adults” on Hulu is back for season two as a more confident, funnier, and messier version of season one. It’s ridiculous, and all you have to do is embrace it. By Bella Graham

Arts & Culture Editor

Becoming an adult doesn’t necessarily mean you know how to act like one, and no one embodies that better than the cast of 20-somethings in the FX hangout comedy “Adults.” Available to watch on Hulu and Disney+, season two premiered on Aug. 27, and it only ups the ante from season one, which came out in May 2025. “Adults” follows five friends — Billie (Lucy Freyer), Samir (Malik Elassal), Issa (Amita Rao), Anton (Owen Thiele) and Paul Baker (Jack Innanen) — who, upon Samir’s parents leaving to travel during their retirement, move in to Samir’s house for one giant, never-ending sleepover. Building on its first season, season two explores themes that are all-too-familiar to Gen Z young adults: paying for healthcare, finding jobs, modern relationships and more.

Spoilers ahead! For a taste of what this group gets themselves into: in season one, Billie gets an endoscopy and colonoscopy before realizing that, without health insurance, she’s staring down a $15,000 hospital bill. To help her pay off that bill, Paul Baker and Samir go to sell a shotgun they find in the house, carrying it through the streets of New York in a tote bag, which predictably doesn’t end well. To take Billie’s mind off her medical bill, Issa encourages

Billie to engage in more casual hookups, resulting in them unknowingly inviting a fugitive on the loose into their home. Season one left us after a race to find someone for the endearingly Canadian Paul Baker to marry, as his visa is expiring. Issa initially volunteers, until the group remembers she pulled a Winston Bishop and got married as a joke to former classmate Zack-Carlos, who refuses to sign the divorce papers. Anton ends up volunteering, to be a good friend, but the pair shared a steamy kiss in the finale that went beyond the requirements of friendship. On paper, “Adults” is a classic sitcom formula: cold open, set-up, conflict, conclusion. But watching each episode, it’s anything but predictable. Season two of the show doesn’t fail to keep that up — it’s potentially the most unhinged comedy on TV, in the best way. Owen Thiele is a highlight of this season, and his ability to dissolve into hysterics — whether that’s aimed at his family or coming out during a crisis — is the magic sauce of the show. Season two, episode four, titled “Racoon,” is when the show is firing on all cylinders: the writers, actors and storyline come together to create a masterpiece of a sitcom episode which has drawn comparisons to the “New Girl” “Background Check” episode. Despite all the positives, the one downside to the show is that we didn’t get more of a slow burn with Paul Baker and Anton. When we leave them in the finale of season one, it’s

(Gavin McConnell/Emerald)

clear they’re more than friends. In the finale of season two, Anton accidentally confesses how he feels about Paul Baker live on television. Is that reflective of the current state of television? Shows get frequently cancelled before their storylines are allowed to play out, so my guess is that “Adults” didn’t want to risk leaving that plotline on a cliffhanger. Where Jess and Nick from “New Girl” got six seasons of about 20 episodes per season to build their relationship, Paul Baker and Anton are sprinting through 16 episodes in total to get to where they’re at. Am I disappointed that the relationship came to fruition? Definitely not. Anton and Paul Baker’s budding relationship (and Issa and Paul Baker’s incompatibility) is a fresh and well-executed take on an old trope, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention their unfulfilled slow burn potential. “Adults” hasn’t been officially renewed for a third season, but with the positive reception (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), investment in getting new viewers by adding a special episode to serve as a new pilot, and yearly production schedule, I’m hopeful it will be.

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ON THE COVER

DAILY EMERALD

Thursday, Oct. 2, 2026

page 17

Leininger: UO Curriculum needs further adjustment to address AI use Continued from page 1

Jack is an Opinion Columnist at the Daily Emerald and a fourthyear student studying journalism and computer science. He has a passion for creative writing, could talk for hours about Cormac McCarthy, and is always looking for new study spots in Eugene.

Rather than an all-encompassing policy, UO has opted for an individual approach, which isn’t uncommon for universities. Instructors are expected to present and enforce set expectations on use in each course. The course policies page goes as far as to say, “your policies are an articulation of you.” While I would argue it would be ideal to universally prohibit the use of generative AI models, I don’t think that’s a practical approach. The unfortunate reality of our transition from a digital age to an artificial intelligence age is that it would be a disservice to students to act as though the technology is not at their disposal. With that in mind, the curriculum issue isn’t as simple as some professors banning AI use and others allowing it. Professors in the same department don’t align on where AI fits into course structure. Rather than departmental expectations, students rely on instructor terms, often based on their own assumptions or biases. Policy feeds into curriculum development. Professors who ban AI tend to lean into traditional coursework, like reading annotations, research essays or problem sets. Professors who allow AI have to redesign assignments, and in some cases use AI to do so. This leaves students with varying expectations for industry standards post-grad, and vastly different learning outcomes from course to course. For some students, the rules themselves aren’t the confusing part. Benjamin Cohen, a fourth-year student studying advertising, said his professors’ expectations have always been clear. Confusion stems from where those expectations derive from. “I think some professors are under the impression students just copy and paste assignment prompts into ChatGPT, but that’s rarely the case,” Cohen said. That gap matters when professors decide which parts of an assignment AI can touch. A policy intended to stop copy-and-paste misses how students are actually using these tools. “I think the danger comes from AI evolving so quickly, which makes it harder for me to even gauge the way other students can utilize it,” Cohen said. In an attempt to adjust, many instructors have rapidly shifted course design. Nico Sicat, a recent grad who studied computer science, worked through heavy coursework adjustments during his time on campus. “The curriculum felt like it was shifting from ‘We can tell if you use AI, so avoid using it,’ to completely integrating AI into my classes by my senior year,” Sicat said. The curriculum adjustment fed into the narrative that AI would take software engineering jobs, which pushed him from software toward cybersecurity. “After my freshman year, my classes started to feel very different, but the change didn’t feel natural. It felt like I was just winging it the entire time,” Sicat said. (RIGHT) Students use study space in the EMU at the University of Oregon, on Oct. 1, 2026. (Chris Castro/Emerald)

Of course, it is not easy to reorganize a class around a tool that can automate much of the work that typically acts as practice for students. That doesn’t mean it hasn’t been done. In June 2025, The Ohio State University announced it would integrate a AI fluency initiative. The stated goal was to integrate generative models into the undergraduate learning experience to help students become “fluent in their field of study, and fluent in the application of AI in that field.” The initiative will also “explore the implications (ethical, societal, environmental, legal, practical) of AI use cases and develop reasoned recommendations for responsible implementation within a field of study.” Purdue University adopted a similar approach, pushing out an AI competency graduation requirement for all undergraduate programs. In an excerpt from Purdue News, Haley Oliver-Jischke, senior vice provost for academic and student success, stated, “We want Purdue graduates to develop the skills to be the leaders of AI systems rather than letting AI lead them.” Both of these programs are still in early deployment, so there is limited data regarding their perception and effectiveness. However, they certainly provide a baseline model for addressing the overbearing AI problem facing universities. Ohio State’s solution is effective because it allows each program to independently view how AI can be applied in each field. By adopting a similar model, UO could transition from a cluttered, instructor-dependent AI approach to a more calculated application of a divisive tool. Identifying program-specific use cases takes pressure away from both instructors and students. This would also allow for a necessary distinction between fluency and dependency. As a student who studies both journalism and computer science, I have seen how different AI applications look in different settings. This also helped me realize how nuanced any solution to AI course integration must be. On Sept. 29, President Trump met with top

AI executives at the White House and announced a voluntary accord signed by himself and leaders from Anthropic, Google, Meta, OpenAI, Nvidia and xAI. This accord essentially states that the nation’s largest AI companies will largely police themselves, and the government would not limit the technology’s growth. It seems that regardless of how the public perceives AI, its development is inevitable. The federal government isn’t going to set boundaries on AI, so universities have to decide how students should interact with it. A policy built around each program’s needs would help stop UO’s curriculum from falling behind as AI progresses while preparing students for the fields they’re entering.

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I think the danger comes from AI evolving so quickly, which makes it harder for me to even gauge the way other students can utilize it. Benjamin Cohen Fourth-Year Advertising Student

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Learn more at xfinity.com/student or stop by to speak to Xfinity at UO Parent & Family Marketplace on September 24 and 25.

Celebrating & Honoring

UNCOMMON COLLABORATION AND INNOVATION IN SOLVING THE LEGACY CHALLENGES OF THE AMERICAN WEST

Having worked with the late Don Kerr to help establish the High Desert Museum, I have always taken great pride in the fact that there is a world-class museum in Bend, Oregon! In discussions with Dana Whitelaw, Executive Director of the High Desert Museum, I suggested that we create a prize focused on the thirteen Western states and the shared challenges they face, including water rights, wildfires, best ranching practices, tribal and fishing issues. We were honored that 12 extraordinary individuals agreed to serve on our Advisory Committee and they chose this year's Jordan Schnitzer Prize of the West winner Brad Parry, Vice Chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation and a former employee of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, where he served for nearly 20 years. Mr. Parry has been instrumental in helping reclaim his tribe's ancestral lands in Southeastern Idaho. Through collaboration and thoughtful stewardship, his work has helped restore the watershed, allowing much-needed fresh water to flow toward the Great Salt Lake, which is in desperate need of additional water.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE INAUGURAL WINNER

BRAD PARRY

2026 FINALISTS AMY BOWERS CORDALIS

KELLY DELPIT

JULIE RENTNER

LAURA VAN RIPER

We look forward to this award continuing for many years to come, recognizing individuals who work tirelessly and collaboratively to find solutions that benefit everyone while preserving and enhancing the remarkable Western United States! JORDAN D. SCHNITZER

President of Schnitzer Properties and the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation JORDAN SCHNITZER PRIZE OF THE WEST ADVISORS

John L. Blackwell, Benjamin F. Carter, Sharon Collinge, Zephyr Frank, Jon Griggs, Michael Hollern, Patty Limerick, Paisley Rekdal, Don Sampson, Jordan Schnitzer, Carly Solström, Dana Whitelaw

2027 NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN For more information, nominations, eligibility, and award cycles, please visit highdesertmuseum.org/schnitzer-prize

Jeffrey

Gibson They Teach Love

From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation

September 12, 2026 - March 7, 2027

Jeffrey Gibson (American, b. 1972). Untitled Figure 1, 2022. Plastic bone pipe beads, fringe, glass beads, artificial sinew, tin cones, sea glass, acrylic felt, steel armature and powder coat varnish. 71 1/2 x 39 x 26 inches overall. Collection of the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation. © Jeffrey Gibson. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth

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*Must be 21 years of age or older to consume marijuana. *Do not operate heavy machinery under the influence of marijuana. Keep out of reach of children. *Must be 21 years of age or older to consume marijuana. *Do not operate heavy machinery under the influence of marijuana. Keep out of reach of children. *Must be 21 years of age or older to consume marijuana. *Do not operate heavy machinery under the influence of marijuana. Keep out of reach of children.

OPINION

DAILY EMERALD

Thursday, Oct. 2, 2026

page 23

Roll: Weed science has gone too far (out, man) Opinion: Weed products have gotten out of control; there’s no charm anymore. By Demetre Roll

Opinion Columnist

As a longtime enjoyer of one particularly green Eugene activity, I have mixed feelings about the legalization of the devil’s lettuce. I first sought out the ganja as a sophomore in high school (sorry, Mom). I bought my first three grams for $30 from a middle-aged dude in a Mustang. Since marijuana’s slow creep into mass legalization has begun, the industry has expanded out of car trunks and into storefronts. Ten years of development have morphed simplicity into something unrecognizable. A myriad of hilarious names for different strains, with 20% THC (sometimes more) being the norm. Grams

selling for $3.40. Moon rocks. Dipped blunts. $300 app-connected PuffCo rigs that evaporate concentrated THC and hit like a bus. While this evolution wasn’t unexpected, it certainly destroyed a lot of the charm. Kayla Whitman, a budtender at Sorority House, offered her insights on this expansion after nine years in the industry. “I’ve definitely gotten into more of the dabs and the carts and like the easy on-the-go stuff … but it also comes with the drawback of a lot of waste,” Kayla said. Also, the big corporations are taking over and kicking out all the small people that are in it for the good of the plant, which is very sad.” Admittedly, legalization has its perks. Weed has never been more accessible or affordable, not to mention less

(Demetre Roll) The cannabis flower selection at the Sorority House Dispensary. There are over 50 options at ranging price points.

discretion than ever being required for consumption. I love a cruddy joint in a sunny park, a luxury only afforded by legalization. But what about anything beyond that? Back in the day, a casual J wasn’t enough to prevent me from acting normal, but nowadays smoking renders me incompetent. I can feel the THC crystallizing my brain, derailing all trains of thought. Subsequently, my social confidence deteriorates. What was once a catalyst becomes an effective deterrent. I am relegated to dungeon-dweller status, where the only path to peace has become silent submersion into the labyrinth of the mind paired with immersion into something beautiful. This experience is one I’ve found in plenty of peers, notably UO alumnus Sean Lally. “When I first started smoking, it was just to have a little fun and play video games. It wasn’t as easy to use, but once I got introduced to the weed pen, it became too accessible, a lot stronger and a lot easier to get addicted to it,” Lally said. “The accessibility made me so reliant on it. I didn’t even want to be social when I was smoking because I was just getting so high.” I find myself asking, “What happened?” One theory: aging has made me hyper-aware, turning psychoactivity even more active. While this may be true, my second theory rang truer after a visit to Amsterdam. Weak spliffs, smoked over bridges while gazing into a canal filled with forgotten bicycles with a clear mind. I was astounded by how much less the lower weed-voltage shocked me. Upon my return, I began buying sub20% THC flower with equal parts CBD and haven’t looked back. For anyone who may be feeling similar, I can highly recommend switching. There’s no need to obliterate yourself with the unfiltered power of hell whenever you spark up; smoking can still feel like a recreational activity, not an obligatory one. There is hope! (LEFT) Sorority House Dispensary located on E. 11 Ave. and Patterson St. in Eugene, Ore. Sorority House is a popular dispensary for college students. (Demetre Roll)

Demetre is an opinion columnist for the Daily Emerald and a senior at UO majoring in journalism with an interest in writing and reporting. He knows he was put on this earth to have opinions and spread the truth but he’s also aware that sounds a little pretentious.

PUZZLES Weekly Crossword 1

DAILY EMERALD

Puzzles Master, Nate Wong

page 24

Friday, Oct. 2, 2026

ACROSS

DOWN

1 Circular object bought at Kay’s, maybe 5 River ledges (to drive your Chevy to?) 7 Result of a long build-up, to a DJ 9 End goal for many modern tech companies, abv. 10 Hosp. scan that you should remove metal for 11 House material, for Lincoln? 12 “Honest” prez 13 David Attenborough, Amy Winehouse, Sir Michael Caine, ex. 16 “I don’t ___. I don’t ___... I ___!!!!” - Spongebob 17 Word after compact or laser

1 Gave up one’s position 2 ER fluid suppliers 3 Flanders of The Simpsons 4 Branch of languages including English 5 Atoll feature 6 Frozen fruit dessert 7 Circular object thrown on a court or beach 8 Dock 14 Inclusion inits. 15 Emergencies prevented by Narcan, for short

16 17

Sudoku 7

Unscramble

8 8

2 5

Sudoku031 By Nate W

Answers

E S P T

N G I

What do trees use to embroider?

E T L F E

2 6

A D W N E R

By Nate W

PINE NEEDLES WANDER, FLEET, PEST, GIN

Sudoku031

3 2 9 5 7 4 8 1 6

1 8 7 9 4 3 5 6 2

4 9 3 2 5 6 7 8 1

6 5 2 1 8 7 9 3 4

9 3 8 4 1 2 6 7 5

5 7 4 6 3 8 1 2 9

2 1 6 7 9 5 3 4 8

R I NG L E V E E S B A S S D ROP AG I MR I L OG A B E L ON DON E R N E E D I T D I S C

B R E AK I NG S! W NE

NEWS! G KIN A E BR

WS! G NE KIN EA BR

BREAKING NE W S!

BRE AK IN G

S! W NE

BREAKING NEW S!

SPORTS

DAILY EMERALD

Friday, Oct. 2, 2026

page 26

The new faces for Oregon women’s basketball MEET THE NEW PLAYERS OF OREGON WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Mallory Heyer, #4 Previous: University of Minnesota Hometown: Chaska, Minnesota Position: Forward Height: 6’1”

Hilary Fuller, #7 Previous: Belmont University Hometown: Brisbane, Australia Position: Forward Height: 6’2”

What the two frontcourt additions bring to the table for the Ducks. By Jonah Furino

Sports Writer

Oregon women’s basketball has fallen in the second round of the NCAA tournament in back-to-back seasons, but the Ducks are capable of more. Th is offseason, Kelly Graves hit the transfer portal and landed two frontcourt pieces: Mallory Heyer and Hilary Fuller.

Mallory Heyer Heyer comes from Minnesota and brings a wealth of experience to the Ducks’ frontcourt. She joined Oregon in the 2025-26 season but redshirted and didn’t play a single game. In three seasons at Minnesota, she started all 102 games she played in. In her one matchup with the Ducks two seasons ago, Heyer put up 11 points and 14 rebounds. Throughout her career, Heyer has displayed the ability to score from anywhere on the court. She can space the floor and spot up for threes with her quick release, or she can post up her defender for paint buckets. Heyer’s versatility as a scorer will be important for the Ducks’ offense this season. Along with her experience and versatility, Heyer’s biggest strength is her rebounding ability. At 6-foot-1, she averaged 8 rebounds per game across three seasons with the Gophers,

which includes grabbing 2.2 offensive rebounds per game. For a team that ranked No. 222 in rebounds per game last season, Heyer’s rebounding will be huge for the Ducks.

Hilary Fuller

Fuller joins the Ducks as an incoming junior transferring from Belmont this offseason. The 6-foot-2 forward played her first two college seasons with the Bruins, where she earned third-team All-Mountain Valley Conference honors in her sophomore year. In that season, Fuller averaged 14 points per game in just 21 minutes per game. She also led Belmont in scoring in 10 out of the 27 games she played last season. Fuller is a great rim protector as well. She uses her size and strength to stop attacks in the paint, averaging 1.5 blocks per game last season. From a scoring standpoint, Fuller does most of her work in the paint, but can also stretch out to the wing to knock down threes, shooting the ball at 35.3% from behind the arc. Fuller and Heyer will likely start in the frontcourt alongside returning junior Ehis Etute. The three combine for 35.1 points per game and 21.7 rebounds per game. The Ducks’ starting lineup will have a strong paint presence with three forwards who like to operate down low. Through the transfer portal, the Ducks were able to fill some of the holes in last year’s system, specifically rebounding and size. The new talent in the frontcourt will fix several defensive issues for Oregon. With a new look for Oregon women’s basketball, they have the ability to exceed expectations and outperform last season.

Oregon men’s basketball: A bright future ahead With an almost entirely new men’s basketball roster for the upcoming 2026-27 season, head coach Dana Altman is optimistic about the roster he has in front of him. By Bel Perez

Sports Writer

After a devastating men’s basketball season last year, the University of Oregon Ducks are looking to have a fresh start to this upcoming season. After accumulating a record of 5-15 in the Big Ten, it was time for a more drastic change to occur through the roster. With only four returning members from last season’s roster and 12 players who either exhausted their eligibility or chose to transfer out of Oregon, this year’s team is looking to rebuild itself from the ground up. As head coach Dana Altman starts to navigate through a new season, he remains optimistic about the team that he has in front of him. He is not one to dwell on the players that have passed him by, as he is focused on this new roster and the things they could be able to accomplish. During his preseason review interview, he gave many positive notes to a few of his nine incoming transfers from other top schools across the country. “We got a good group. Talented, young (and) inexperienced,” Altman said. “We’ve got some talented young men.” Specifically speaking about chemistry and the process of gelling the team as soon as possible, Altman is also pleased with the effort he has seen so far coming from this group. “I think the guys get along (well),” Altman said. “We haven’t faced any adversity. Character is revealed in times of stress and adversity, but they’ve been great to work with.” With the addition of the new guys, Altman himself seems to be excited about the group he has the opportunity to work with. He has been with some of the players from his previous

roster, like Nate Bittle, for multiple years. So to have a fresh start and draw up some new plays should be exciting for Altman as a coach as well as for the fans to watch. Altman also spoke highly about many of the additions to this year’s roster during the season preview — ames such as senior transfer from Boston College, guard Fred Payne. “Fred Payne is tough, hard-nosed, and (has) got some experience,” Altman said. Averaging almost 35 minutes and 15.8 per game last year at Boston College, Payne had the best season of his college career. Moving from coast to coast, Payne is looking to continue that momentum here in Oregon. Even Altman has started to see the work Payne has been putting in during practices. As Payne looks to finish his college career in Eugene, it looks like he’ll be playing a productive role, contributing to the basketball team and increasing the offensive production. Along with Payne, Oregon received six new forwards through the transfer portal in hopes of upping their offensive power this coming season. Players such as Dwayne Aristode, the sophomore forward from Arizona, who was averaging a little over 13 minutes and only 3.8 points per game during his freshman year in Arizona. Aristode has the space to grow his game here at Oregon within a new roster. As one of the many pieces to the puzzle, head coach Altman seems very satisfied with the potential he sees in Aristode. When it comes to a brand new group trying to reach the level of success tied to the name of Oregon athletics, there are always pros and cons with that connotation. Walking into the season with no expectations and having the space to create an identity for themselves may be what this group needed to start seeing a true championship run in the near future.

(Owen Buriss/Emerald) Coach Dana Altman yells at the refs. The Oregon Ducks men’s basketball hosted the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. on Feb. 17, 2026, losing 44-61.

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