Monday Edition
OCTOBER 9, 2023
Emerald Media
UO FACES
TITLE IX
LAWSUIT
Two women’s sports teams are suing UO for sex discrimination. They say the university treats male and female athletes differently.
NEWS: Dorm closures spark asbestos concerns PG 5 • OPINION: Hobbs: The dangerous E-Scooters PG 9 • SPORTS: UO provides child care for students, staff PG 10 M O N D AY, O C T O B E R 9 , 2 0 2 3
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Email Roy Susuico at rsusuico@uoregon.edu or visit goarmy.com/bme1
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SPORTS
HAYWARD FIELD TO HOST OLYMPIC TRIALS IN 2024 Daily Emerald VOL. 125, ISSUE NO. 10
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ON THE COVER
Elise Ferreira (15) steadies her gaze on the Portland team. Oregon Ducks beach volleyball took on the Portland Pilots at Amazon Park in Eugene, Ore. on April 6, 2019. (Sarah Northrop/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.
The blockbuster event returns to UO next June
BY OWEN MURRAY • DESIGNED BY LIZ BLODGETT In another step toward fulfilling what former University of Oregon president Michael H. Schill called “[the] relentless pursuit of excellence,” Hayward Field has been selected as the host venue for the 2024 United States Olympic Track and Field Team Trials. The newly renovated stadium, which will host the event for the fifth time in a row, recently played host to the 2023 Prefontaine Classic. Now it will serve as the precursor to next summer’s Olympic Games.
We call it Hayward Magic. It not only inspires breathtaking performances of current and future Olympians, it also fosters meaningful partnerships in research and teaching and energizes fans, alumni and friends the world over.” That’s what makes hosting the event at a university such as the UO special. It’s immediately accessible. It’s possible to host it anywhere across the nation, but there’s a reason that Hayward Field, the University The Olympic Trials, of Oregon and Eugene will take place in have it five times on “Tracktown U.S.A.” the bounce. By bringing from June 21 to 30, the event to the epicenter 2024. While students’ of development, they’re academic commitments not only ensuring will officially end on that the athletes of June 18, the festivities today have access to will doubtlessly attract the best facilities, but attention from fans also opening the eyes worldwide. As previous of young attendants events have effortlessly (the Olympians of proved, Eugene remains Galen Rupp throws the O after winning the 10,000 meters. The tomorrow) to the one of the world’s most Track and Field Olympic Trials are held at Hayward Field in possibilities. track and field-crazed cities. Eugene, Ore. on July 1, 2016. (Kaylee Domzalski/Emerald) There’s something to Prior to its 2018 seeing live sports, and it’s a chance you should renovation, Hayward has hosted six of the 24 never pass up. The best moments at sporting Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field, and the events across the spectrum are those where two occasions since (2020 and 2024) were a we feel inspired — athletes often cite seeing major motivator for funding the renovation. historic events as “the moment” that pushed UO president John Karl Scholz told university them to become the figures of athleticism they media in the wake of the announcement, “The are today, and that’s exactly what the Olympic University of Oregon’s legacy of innovation and Trials will bring to Eugene in 2024. high performance in the world of sports has helped define our university and our state …
HOW IT’S REPORTED
BY EMMA J NELSON • DESIGNED BY LIZ BLODGETT
“SEX DISCRIMINATION AT UO STRIKES WOMEN’S BEACH VOLLEYBALL, CLUB ROWING” BY THE EMERALD INVESTIGATION TEAM For the first ever cover story written by the Daily Emerald investigations team, writers Tristin Hoffman, Jonathon Media and Alicia Santiago looked into the lawsuit against UO regarding Title IX violations. The investigations team first became aware of this story through James Crepea’s article for the Oregonian. While the Oregonian covered unequal treatment of the Oregon beach volleyball team, the Emerald investigations team noted that the women’s club rowing team played a key role in the case. “They highlight a big part of the story, which is the gender parity,” Hoffman said. “In order for
UO to comply with Title IX there needs to be 94 female varsity athletes added to the roster, and UO rowing plays a part in that.” One complication that the investigations team ran into while writing this piece was being unable to speak with plaintiffs about their personal experiences with UO in relation to Title IX. However, the team did find a way to report on the player experience. “Our sources are documents and data,” Hoffman said. “Those documents speak for the players.” After breaking the initial story that Oregon beach volleyball and women’s club rowing were filing a lawsuit against the university, the investigations team is more energized than ever. “This is the first of many stories on UO,” Santiago said. “This is barely scraping the surface of things we want to uncover.”
LOOK ONLINE IN OTHER NEWS
(Caleb Barber/Emerald)
The “Recall Paul” campaign, heavily backed by the culinary workers’ union UFCW 555, was defeated on Oct. 3, as Eugene voters rejected the recall of Rep. Paul Holvey by an overwhelming margin.
(Kai Kanzer/Emerald)
On Oct. 5, the Big Ten Conference announced football schedules through 2028. Next season, prominent Big Ten teams like Ohio State, Michigan State and the University of Illinois will be coming to Autzen. 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.
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Every Saturday X Rain or Shine X 10am-4pm X 8th & Oak eugenesaturdaymarket.org 541-686-8885
In recovery? Curious about getting sober? Is your substance use affecting school or relationships? The Collegiate Recovery Center: • Supports students pursuing recovery • Provides individual consultations • Hosts recovery support groups • Offers a cannabis-specific group
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DORM CLOSURES SPARK ASBESTOS CONCERNS The unexpected closure of Kalapuya Ilihi Hall has forced UO to keep Hamilton Hall open BY TAREK ANTHONY • DESIGNED BY RYAN EHRHART
With record freshman enrollment rates on the rise across the country and many universities struggling to keep up with housing demand, the University of Oregon has been no stranger to housing struggles of its own. Due to an abrupt closure of Kalapuya Ilihi Hall days before UO’s housing portal opened, as many as 650 housing options for UO students and staff became unavailable forcing students into alternate housing options; one of these options was Hamilton Hall, a building built in 1961 that has asbestos, a carcinogenic material. The decision between keeping Kalapuya, a newer dormitory that has cracks in it’s structure, or Hamilton open was lengthy. UO Housing decided that housing students in Kalapuya while repairing the structural issues would ultimately be too disruptive to student life and was deemed not feasible. As a result, the Hamilton Walton Transformation project, which was scheduled to destroy Hamilton this year, was delayed in order to house the displaced students. Associate Vice President and Director of University Housing Michael Griffel said in an email statement, “given the need to repair the Kalapuya Ilihi Hall and the impact the construction would have on student life, the choice was made to delay the removal of the Hamilton Complex until next year after repairs are scheduled to be completed.” The Hamilton Hall Complex was finished in 1961, and with the building being over 60 years old, there are concerns over potential resident exposure to asbestos. According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos is a name assigned to six carcinogenic minerals that were popularly used in insulation. The manufacturing of asbestos was partially banned in 1989 by the federal government because it was found to cause serious cancers. The University of Oregon acknowledges the use of asbestos in the building of residence halls and classrooms on campus until 1978, saying on their Asbestos Management web page that “asbestos was used in numerous building materials until about 1978” and that these building materials eventually “deteriorate due to age, gravity, moisture and impact.”
NEWS
Hamilton Hall dorm rooms are full of students once again after closure of the dorm was delayed for the 2023-24 school year. (Kemper Flood/Emerald)
“We [at University of Oregon] take [asbestos abatement] very seriously. We basically hire the best private practitioners that we could hire” Environmental Services Manager Adam Jones explains, “we’re experienced, we know what we’re doing, and we take it very, very seriously… in the grand scheme of things that keep me awake at night, it’s [Hamilton’s asbestos presence] not even in there.” The presence of asbestos, by itself, is harmless. Exposure can only occur when damage to something that covers asbestos material, such as drywall or paint, takes place. In the 11-page housing contract that all dorm residents sign, there is a disclaimer warning residents to not use any products that could do possible damage to the walls including nails, screws, double sided tape, Command Strips and more. “I’m a little scared. I’d say because it’s scary to have that stuff [asbestos] in the walls. But I’d say I know that as long as I don’t [do damage to the walls], nothing’s gonna happen,” a freshman who lives in Hamilton Hall said. “I’m kind of secure but it’s still scary.” In an effort to calm fears, the housing contract says in part, “walls are inspected prior to resident arrival to ensure that they are in good repair and pose no hazard. Maintaining the walls in the condition they are in at resident Check-In will ensure safety.” Despite concerns, UO Director of Issues Management Angela Seydel said in a statement that “the Hamilton and Walton Complexes are being replaced because they are outdated. The Walton Complex has been replaced with the new, upgraded residence halls, having better amenities for creating the dynamic and attractive communities that students expect.” The statement continued saying that the removal of Hamilton would be delayed to 2024, when repairs on Kalapuya are scheduled to be completed. Asbestos in buildings is not a problem unique to the University of Oregon. There are over 40 K-12 schools in addition to colleges and universities in the state of Oregon that were found to have one or more buildings built with asbestos. The latency period for asbestos related diseases can last anywhere from 20 to 60 years, meaning that the effects asbestos will have on the current generation is unknown. The repairs on Kalapuya are expected to cost the university millions. On Sept. 13, the university filed a lawsuit for $7.5 million against three entities associated with the construction of Kalapuya, including the architects of the hall and two construction companies. The 210-page legal complaint filed by UO claims that “engineering defects and resulting property damage discovered at the Kalapuya [Ilihi] Residence Hall affect the building’s ability to perform as intended” and that the building is “at risk during a significant seismic event if repairs are not designed, planned and constructed prior to further use of the building,” further citing that they are suing on counts of breach of contract, negligence and indemnity. The Hamilton Walton Transformation project is scheduled to go on as planned by closing Hamilton for the 2024-2025 school year after repairs on Kalapuya are completed. In an Oct. 3 meeting, UO’s campus planning committee recommended installing a beach volleyball practice facility in Hamilton’s place beginning in fall 2025. The university is facing a sex discrimination lawsuit over, in part, failing to provide the team with a practice site. The Daily Emerald also reached out to Steve McKenzie, the director of housing for facilities services, who declined to comment on the matter. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. The sign that depicts each wing of the Hamilton building. The closure of Hamilton Hall was delayed for the 2023-24 school year. (Kai Kanzer/Emerald) M O N D AY, O C T O B E R 9 , 2 0 2 3
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COVER
SEX DISCRIMINATION AT UO STRIKES WOMEN’S BEACH VOLLEYBALL, CLUB ROWING The mix of club and varsity athletes allege UO is discriminating against female athletes through not complying with Title IX, a sex discrimination law for universities BY TRISTIN HOFFMAN, ALICIA SANTIAGO AND JOHNNY MEDIA • DESIGNED BY RYAN EHRHART
The wind in Sydney Weddle’s hair wakes her up as she settles into her rowing boat in the brisk morning air. As she and her team get ready to compete after practicing alone for months before, she sees the rows of women doing just the same in their boats and all for the same purpose — to break the current going against them. Weddle, a UO sophomore, is one of 14 students on the women’s club rowing team. On Sept. 27, a national law firm representing them and the women’s beach volleyball team told the Daily Emerald that they would be filing a lawsuit against UO for alleged Title IX violations. On Oct. 3, numerous community members packed into a tense and tight room at the EMU for the school’s Campus Planning Committee meeting. The topic at hand during the CPC meeting was where to place the women’s beach volleyball team’s new, on-campus practice and game venue. “What’s the cost of moving a sand court?” Michael Harwood, the associate vice president for the Campus Planning and Facilities Management, asked during the meeting. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination against all academic institutions receiving federal funding and requires them, including UO, to provide equal treatment to both female and male student-athletes. It also requires those institutions to provide equal opportunities to participate in intercollegiate athletics. The teams claim that UO is violating Title IX by discriminating against women athletes through a lack of equitable financial aid, poorer sports venues compared to men’s sports and a disproportionately low number of female varsity student-athletes when compared to their male counterparts. In a statement to the Emerald, UO wrote “we strive to comply with all prongs of the three-part test [of Title IX], and as with many universities, relies most heavily on prong three, that the institution is fully PA G E 6
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and effectively accommodating the interests and abilities of the underrepresented sex.”
Beach volleyball complaints are 10 years in the making The women’s beach volleyball team currently practices at Amazon Park, a public park in south Eugene, making it the least expensive venue compared to all other sports, including men’s sports. The difference in the quality of practice facilities for men’s sports versus women’s sports could be considered a Title IX violation, according to Arthur Bryant, the head lawyer representing the women athletes. “The limitations [of the Amazon Public Park] severely hamper our ability to host events,” Title IX Coordinator Valerie Johnson said. It’s those limitations, which went largely unaddressed for a decade, that sparked the lawsuit. In order to comply with Title IX, women’s beach volleyball would need to be provided an “equal” practice facility to that of a men’s practice facility.
On Sept. 27, UO wrote to the Emerald that “UO Athletics has been working with Campus Planning since 2019 to identify a site to build an on-campus Beach Volleyball facility.” However, “meeting one” for CPC to discuss where to locate a facility for beach volleyball took place on Oct. 3 of this year, ten years after the team was created. According to Harwood,“the first step to being included in the Campus Plan is [through] meeting one.” In August, Rob Mullens, UO’s athletic director, said to the Emerald, “we’ve been working with campus planning to find a site. We have money in a foundation account so we’ve just got to find a site.” Yet a site recommendation for beach volleyball’s new practice facility was not realized by the CPC until roughly two months after Mullens’ statement, and three years after UO began to research a site for the new facility. Mullens said this is due to a “green light” not being given by the CPC to start building a new facility. The university’s full statement on the lawsuit can be found on the Emerald’s website.
In 2021-2022: Men received $6.9 million in “athletically-related student aid”; women’s received $5.9 million Men’s sports were given $2.1 million in recruiting expenses; women’s received $389k UO expenditures for men’s sports were $60 million; women’s received $20.3 million Women’s beach volleyball has received no financial aid in its 10-year history
COVER The women’s novice 8+ crew team warms up on Dexter Reservoir as the sun rises Monday morning. The University of Oregon club rowing team pratices at Dexter Reservoir in Eugene, Ore., on April 14, 2014. (Ryan King/Emerald)
included gymnastics, swimming and diving, water polo and equestrian. Women’s club rowing hasn’t received the opportunity to compete on a varsity level in 20 years. Weddle said when the team gets alone time, the lawsuit often comes up in conversation. The spirit amongst the team remains uplifting throughout its conversations, even if her and some of her teammates express worry. “When it really comes down to it, we’re suing the school that we attend, but it’s a matter of the bigger picture and I think we’re all such excellent women that we need to be able to do that for somebody else,” she said. Weddle said the love for the sport overpowers the fear some may have at the end of the day. “We love the sport so much and I hope [UO] knows that because we love our cousins or our sisters or nieces that we would imagine that we’re in their spot and being able to truly say ‘I’m fighting for you,’” she said about why the lawsuit matters to her. However, under Title IX, the amount of revenue men’s or women’s sports generate ought to have no bearing on the amount of athletic financial aid given to each respective gender.
“Compliance takes years” – or does it? During the meeting, CPC supplied a list of site options for the new beach volleyball facility. The recommended site by CPC was “Site A,” which is where Hamilton Hall currently resides. The committee recommended the site because of its proximity to Matthew Knight Arena for convenience to the athletes, its ability for student use and because the new courts won’t displace any current buildings. If the beach volleyball team were to practice on the singular sand court such as the court next to Carson Hall on campus that students and clubs frequent, the team would still not be able to host home games because of its failure to meet the NCAA three-court requirement for conducting events. “Site A” would provide beach volleyball with three courts and the ability to host games. The site would be “temporary” until a future building site is imagined by CPC, making the facilities for beach volleyball still subject to change in the future. “Temporary doesn’t sound great, but we’re certainly happy to be back on campus,” beach volleyball coach Jason Dillard said. “We just want to be on campus and close to home.” The committee voted 8-2 to approve “Site A” as the facility recommendation to UO president John Karl Scholz. The beach volleyball facility, according to CPC, is expected to finish in the fall of 2025.
Club rowing fights for recognition In order for UO to comply with Title IX, the university’s athletic program would need to add 94 more female varsity athletes to reach gender parity with the number of varsity male athletes, according to Bryant, a lawyer for Bailey & Glasser with years of experience fighting Title IX cases.
This is where UO’s women’s club rowing team comes into play. The 14 members of the rowing team could lessen — but not erase — this gender gap. But according to Bryant, UO’s lawyers said they won’t “even consider” making the team a varsity sport. “I know that in my time here, I’m not going to be D1,” Weddle said. But the impacts it will make on the young girls wanting to participate in varsity
I know that in my time here, I’m not going to be D1.” SYDNEY WEDDLE sophomore UO women’s rowing athlete
beach volleyball and rowing are worth the work that needs to be done, Weddle said. There are 1,987 more female undergraduate students than male undergraduate students at UO, according to Equity in Athletics Data Analysis. This means that roughly 55% of undergraduates are women at UO. But, according to a letter sent to President Scholz by Bailey & Glasser on Aug. 29, “women are just over 49% of the varsity athletes at Oregon.” This lack of gender proportionality is also a potential Title IX violation for the university. Under Title IX, any athlete of a university — varsity or not — should be given equal opportunities to participate in intercollegiate varsity sports. According to the Aug. 29 letter, “Oregon fails that test.” In 2003, UO had the chance to bump the team to varsity status, but chose women’s lacrosse instead. Other sports that were considered for varsity
There are many universities across the U.S. that have complied with the federal requirements of Title IX, and at a faster rate than UO. On Oct. 3, Bailey & Glasser announced that Florida State University would add women’s lacrosse as a varsity sport and adopt a gender equity plan in compliance with Title IX to avoid a threatened class action sex discrimination lawsuit by female athletes from the school’s lacrosse team. Bailey & Glasser threated suit against the university in early August. In November 2020, Bailey & Glasser threatened suit under Title IX at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke after the school had announced that it would be “suspending” women’s varsity golf for a minimum of two years in an attempt to save money. UNCP eventually agreed to reinstate the team and develop a gender equity plan in December of the same year, and the lawsuit was never filed. According to Bryant, a lawsuit against UO will be filed by Bailey & Glasser in federal court in Oregon. Bryant hopes UO will create a gender equity plan, hire a gender equity specialist and will comply with Title IX regulations sooner rather than later. “The University of Oregon is moving into the Big Ten with the reputation of allowing sex discrimination,” Weddle said, “and especially with the rowing team attached to that kind of headline, I personally think it’s unwise for the university to shut down. Especially since they’re moving into a conference that does support women.” “The University is justifiably proud of its record of supporting women’s athletics and its dedicated women athletes,” UO said to the Emerald on Sept. 27, in its most recent statement regarding the lawsuit. M O N D AY, O C T O B E R 9 , 2 0 2 3
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS This week’s editor’s picks...
(Photo Courtesy of Aubrey Gemignani, NASA)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10 Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament for Breast Cancer Research & Support Program Ro-sham-GO to this event!
The game of Rock-Paper-Scissors can be used in many scenarios. It can decide who gets to go first, who does what chore or even who gets the last slice of pizza. At Falling Sky Brewing, Rock-Paper-Scissors funds breast cancer research and support programs. Food and drinks will be for sale as you participate in tournament or “Round Robin” matches of the world’s oldest hand game. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and the tournament begins at 6:30 a.m. It costs $40 to participate in the tournament, which includes three “‘Do-Overs’ to save your bacon if you are eliminated during tournament play.” First through third place winners will receive prizes.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12 Film: ‘The Truth About Reading’ Learn about illiteracy with the Eugene Public Library.
In honor of Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Awareness Month, the Eugene Public Library will be hosting a free viewing party of “The Truth About Reading: The Invisible Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight,” a documentary by Emmy award-winning director Nick Nanton. The documentary tells the stories “of two men who did not learn to read and write until adulthood” and “explores the ways that illiteracy and sub-literacy impact a person’s ability to truly thrive.” The hope is that the community can use this opportunity to discuss illiteracy and how to support those learning to read, whether they be children or adults. The viewing will begin at 6 p.m. PA G E 8
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 2023 Eclipse Viewing Breakfast at the Emporium, Veneta It’s a once in a year opportunity!
Pack up your car and drive 15 miles west to Veneta, Ore., to take in the solar eclipse. The Emporium will be hosting a breakfast for the viewing party from 8 to 11 a.m. You can either attend for free, in which case you’ll have to purchase your breakfast, warm beverages, mimosas and more, or you can purchase the $25 “VIP Package” in which everything is included and you’ll leave with a commemorative gift. Whether you attend for free or as a VIP, eclipse glasses are required in order to protect your eyes. These glasses will be available for purchase on site if you have not brought your own.
OPINION
HOBBS: THE DANGEROUS E-SCOOTERS Opinion: Safety concerns and injuries have skyrocketed after Eugene introduced Superpedestrian E-Scooters BY MONICA HOBBS • DESIGNED BY LIZ BLODGETT
Earlier this year, the city of Eugene introduced the E-Scooter. The newest form of public transportation has slowly taken over the US and European countries. Their goal is to provide a more cost-effective, environmentally safe form of transportation. However, the Eugene community is experiencing much backlash due to safety concerns. The University of Oregon is located in the heart of Eugene, so naturally e-scooters target college students. Integrating public scooters was the perfect solution for UO students to get around. Through the app Superpedestrian, they could rent any scooter on the street. Following the launch, UO came out with a statement about safety protocols when using E-Scooters. It states that helmets are vital as “Oregon law requires helmets for all E-Scooter riders, regardless of age.” However, I can assure you I have not seen one UO student wear a helmet on a scooter. With a lack of protection, head injuries have become a widespread issue. In 2019, UCLA found there were 249 scooter injuries in one year. Of that number, 40% experienced head trauma. That same study also found that less than 5% of riders wore helmets. Scooter accidents stem from numerous reasons. First, no prior training is required to use an e-scooter. Not only does this create reckless drivers, but also a lack of understanding of traffic laws. Many cars don’t know how to accommodate scooters on the road. UO student Ryan Vandenberg was hit by a car while riding an E-Scooter. “Some guy opened his door without looking, and I went full speed into his door. I had a hole in my arm. The corner of the car door went into my arm, and my back was messed up for a week,” Vandenberg said. “I would say there’s a lack of
driver awareness for scooters.” On the other side, there’s the issue of scootering while intoxicated. Like most college students do, much of the UO student population loves to party and drink alcohol. In a city filled with public scooters, it’s easy for students to ride them intoxicated. The Superpedestrian app obligates riders to complete a “sobriety” quiz before hopping on. I’ll admit that I’ve used an E-Scooter in not the soberest state, and I can confidently say anyone can pass it, sober or intoxicated. The horror stories are endless. You’ll see UO students attempting trick shots. Two people riding a scooter that’s designed for one. I know at least four people who went flying off of an E-Scooter. Unsurprisingly, they were intoxicated. A 2022 study in Norway found that 40% of e-scooter accidents involved an intoxicated rider. And without helmets, students are at risk of serious injury or death. “My friend fell and got hurt. It wasn’t a good situation. She could’ve gotten seriously hurt,” UO student Janae Mcintosh said. “They need stricter rules on them, like maybe a curfew.” UO students rushing to the emergency room after a scooter accident isn’t the only problem. Reckless driving puts pedestrians at risk as well. E-scooters are designated to be in the bike lane, yet many riders weave onto sidewalks. A drunken student hitting someone at 15 mph is bound to be lethal. Despite all this, e-scooters are still beneficial to modern society. They provide affordable transportation while reducing greenhouse emissions. However, there is still improvement to be done before wide implementation across the country. Higher regulations on safety are just the start.
Superpedestrian E-Scooters are lined up in one of the many designated parking zones in Eugene, Ore. (Sebastian Flores/Emerald) M O N D AY, O C T O B E R 9 , 2 0 2 3
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A&C
UO PROVIDES CHILD-CARE FOR STUDENTS, STAFF BY DAVID CHANDLER • DESIGNED BY RYAN EHRHART
UO affiliated child care options and assistance aid UO student parents If you’ve been to the Knight Library recently, you may have noticed that there is something new: a study room dedicated to students with children. “This is a friendly space where somebody who is taking care of a child can more comfortably study while they are in the library,” Kate Smith, assistant director of access services for University of Oregon libraries, said. Amenities include a “safe sleep spot for infants,” a space to pump or nurse, furniture Smith described as “child-friendly,” a sitstand desk and a size-inclusive rocking chair. Additionally, if the caregiver needs a diaper, they can now pick one up at the circulation desk. There are also “circulating kits of toys to check out” while in the library, according to Smith. Use of the room requires a reservation, and one can be made on the Rooms and Study Spaces tab of the UO Libraries website. Moss Street Children’s Center is a go-to child care option for student parents. Located southeast of the law school, it has been open since 1970. Moss Street was started “when a group of law students demanded that the UO provide early childhood care to allow them to equitably participate in their academic pursuits,” Becky Lamoureux, the PA G E 1 0
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The Moss Street Children’s Center is located on 1685 Moss St. in Eugene, Ore. (Sebastian Flores/Emerald)
center’s current director, said. It is “supported by fees paid by parents, funds from the student union fee and state/federal grants,” added Lamoureux. A waitlist is in effect and enrollment for the center’s services opens each year on April 15. This is necessary due to the high demand for child care and the fact that “the state does not allow us to provide ‘drop-in care,’” Lamoureux said. Their license allows for up to 128 children to be served, according to Lamoureux. In addition to helping out parents enrolled at UO, the center employs UO students as staff. More information can be found at the center’s web-page. The Co-op Family Center is another resource for UO parents. Located in the Spencer View Student Housing complex at 2250 Patterson St., it has been open since 1978. It began as a cooperative, meaning that “UO student families traded time in order to support their child care needs,” according to information provided on their website. It has since evolved into a fully-staffed child care operation, including 13 teachers, administrative staff and 45 to 50 UO students. It serves over 100 children. Spencer View describes itself as a “Reggio Emilia inspired” school. “Based on our philosophy, we always put the child’s experience and discovery at the center of our theoretical thinking and work,” the website states.
More information, including a waitlist application, can be found at the Co-op Family Center website. For university faculty and staff, there is the Vivian Olum Child Development Center. This child-care facility is located on campus, just west of Kalapuya Ilihi. It has been in operation since 1990 and also employs students. All three of the above centers are official UO affiliated child care programs. Finally, there is financial assistance. Coordinated via the Dean of Students office as part of the university’s basic needs program, a subsidy exists to help UO student parents defray the costs of child care. For information on this, as well as links to other child care assistance opportunities, interested students can visit the UO Basic Needs Program website. It is hard to find exact numbers on how many UO students have young children. However, since more and more non-traditional students are becoming involved in post-secondary education these days, it is safe to say that the share of student parents is increasing. The particular challenges of these students, whatever their number may be, are beyond what most undergraduates face. It is fortunate for the entire university community that UO offers resources to help them meet these challenges.
CROSSWORD ACROSS
1 Physical effort 6 Girl Scout sash addition 11 Flamenco cry 14 Unaccompanied 15 Road oneeighty 16 “Industry Baby” rapper Lil __ X 17 Potential March Madness bracket buster 19 Egyptian viper 20 Comfort 21 Rowboat pair 23 Pilates surface 25 Hair coloring technique with an ombre effect 29 “Gossip Girl” steps location 32 Cooks (up), as grub 33 Gaseous water 34 Flying formations 36 “Frozen” princess
37 Mind-body DOWN connector 1 __ Vegas 40 Against 2 “Moonlight” 43 JPEG actor alternatives Mahershala 44 Prefix with 3 Basic foxtrot scope or soft move 48 Floating 4 Not fooled by basketball hoop, 5 Fishing rod e.g. attachment 50 “Leaving 6 Banana buy already?” 7 Completely lost 51 Electrifying 8 Invoice word industrial facility 9 Future MBA’s 54 Whiskey grain exam 55 1950s sitcom 10 Provides with name funds 56 Absorb, as 11 Enjoying a hot a significant streak moment 12 Ropes at the 59 Like most reruns rodeo 60 “Black Hole 13 Paranormal Sun” grunge ability, for short band 18 Sunrise 65 Modernist direction architect who 22 Twin sister of lived to be 102 Apollo 66 Hebrew prophet 23 “The Hills” airer 67 Actress Mary 24 “Eureka!” Tyler __ 26 Put on clothes 68 ID on an I-9 27 Forcibly remove form 28 PreCheck org. 69 Not together 30 Alexander 70 Adolescent Calder emotion sculptures 31 Mix up “their” and “there,”
e.g. 34 Pressed music medium 35 2023 World Cup finalists, briefly 38 Each, informally 39 Moody music genre 40 Smartphone program 41 Udon and soba 42 Taken to the junkyard 45 Snack on a stick 46 Baseball Hall of Famer Campanella 47 Top Billboard spot 49 Country singer Yearwood 50 Male deer 52 67-Across co-star 53 Greet wordlessly 57 __ Sutra 58 Word with Man or Maiden 59 Mil. missions 61 Alley-__ pass 62 Mex. and Can. neighbor 63 Triage sites, briefly 64 Take-home pay
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