Instructor-provided textbooks are more efficient than students buying them
By Daria Morris Opinion Columnist
A large portion of University of Oregon students have the burden of paying for not only tuition, room and board and other miscellaneous university fees, but on top of that, textbooks. Even if some of these costs are covered by financial aid, some of the books we are paying for are borderline unaffordable. And even worse, once that class is over, we will never pick them up again.
I have spent a large sum of money on textbooks, ranging from $15 to over $250 for a single book. Some of these have been physical copies while others have been online purchases. Some classes I have taken required up to four books just for that one course. Many of these books I’ve bought I never used again after that class, and some of them I never even had to read.
I can understand the need for books for some courses, such as ones for your major, making it obligatory to purchase a textbook. However, if professors can provide required readings for students rather than forcing them to pay outrageous prices on books, that is the better option financially for students.
Melanie Hanson, a research analyst for the Education Data Initiative, explained the real cost of attending public universities in the U.S. She writes, “The average postsecondary student
CAMPUS NEWS
UO introduces three new academic programs
By Stephanie Jersey Campus News Reporter
New Dave’s Hot Chicken location to open in Springfield
FASHION FORWARD
Three new academic programs have been introduced at the University of Oregon: a bachelor of science in materials science, an education specialist degree and a brewing innovation minor.
Jayson Paulose, associate professor of physics, spoke about the new material science B.S. aimed at bridging the fields of chemistry and physics.
“The program is very much a joint effort, developed by a group of several faculty in MSI (Material Science Institute) from both physics and chemistry starting back in 2022,” Paulose said.
According to Paulose, the team challenged themselves to create a degree with a focus on “applied science” and “real-world problems” within the institute.
Continue story on page 14 Continue
Renegade tailor: turning trash into fashion
Oakridge local, Cheri Moritz, makes runway looks out of trash, drawing from a lifetime of sustainable clothing design
By Cass Morrison Arts & Culture Writer
For over 60 years, Cheri Moritz has made clothes out of recycled materials. In the realms of thrifting and upcycling garments, which have gained significant cultural traction in recent years, Moritz is a seasoned veteran.
Although selling her designs to various retailers has served as a primary source of income throughout her life, her motivation to create has always been the practicality and expressive freedom it allows. Today she frequently displays her
designs in local “Trashion Fashion” runway shows, where all of the designs are made out of trash.
Moritz’s fashion journey began at the age of 16 when her stepmother gave her a sewing machine.
“I’d sit up and make a whole outfit one night and wear it to school the next day,” Moritz said. “Everybody loved it and wanted to know where I got it, and I was able to say I made it. So it kind of began there.”
After high school, Moritz moved to Nebraska and became a go-go dancer, which was a pivotal moment in her fashion career.
A model wears one of Cheri Moritz’s pieces during the 2024 Cottage Grove Trashion Show.
(Photo by Jessica Klarr, courtesy of Cheri Moritz)
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#1
Investigations: Eugene property management company named in multistate antitrust lawsuit
By Reilly Norgen
Eugene property management company Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC was named in an antitrust lawsuit due to an alleged attempt to decrease competition in Eugene apartment pricing.
“To me, journalism has always been about getting important information to your readers. After finding out that Greystar was named in this lawsuit, there was no question that a story had to be written,” Reilly Norgen, campus news and investigations reporter, said.
Norgen said the process of writing the article involved a large amount of reading.
“The Department of Justice had a press release that led to pages and pages of documents outlining the lawsuit. I remember reading dozens of pages of legal documents in the office and trying to piece the story together,” Norgen said.
#2
Opinions: Dating in today’s generation has become increasingly difficult By Daria Morris
Daily Emerald Opinion Columnist Daria Morris explored the difficulty of dating in the social media age.
“When I wrote this piece I did a deep dive on different statistics and theories that might contribute to why finding someone in our generation can be difficult,” Morris said.
Morris said she believed the article was widely read because many University of Oregon students may be tired of navigating the increasingly complex dating landscape.
“There are so many generation z students on campus that relate. I knew they would. It relates to my friends, classmates, strangers on campus and even myself,” Morris said.
“A large portion of UO students want to find their person even though it’s hard. Not everyone, but many.”
# 3
Arts and Culture: The 10 best movies of 2024 By Sean Avery
The list-style article presented Arts and Culture Reporter Sean Avery’s picks for the best movies of 2024.
The article included movies like “A Complete Unknown”, “A Real Pain” and “Challengers.”
“I’ve been the (Emerald) film (and) tv writer for two years now, so it’s kind of a tradition to make an end-of-year top 10 list. I watch a lot of films, big and small, and I love exploring my favorites with readers,” Avery said.
# 4
On Jan. 13, University of Oregon scientists and partners published a study regarding an aquifer discovered beneath the Oregon Cascades.
“I wanted to learn more about it and look into the agricultural implications because I know water is a big deal for farmers, especially being from a pretty rural community in California,” Sasha Love, campus news reporter, said.
Love interviewed two UO researchers who were part of the study and an environmental science professor.
Campus News: Huge aquifer discovered underneath the Oregon Cascades By Sasha Love # 5
Breaking News: Eugene School District 4J Superintendent proposes multimillion dollar budget cuts By Lucas Hellberg
On Feb. 28, a proposal was made by the Eugene School District 4J to reduce the district’s budget by $25 million in the next fiscal year.
“This was a breaking news story. Breaking news coverage is about speed, accuracy and clarity. The focus here was quickly gathering key facts,” Lucas Hellberg, city news reporter, said.
#6
# 8
By Mark Munson-Warnken
The story follows local artist and UO student Liv Ruth on her journey crafting with fiber arts.
“I met Liv my freshman year and have been watching her grow as an artist,” Mark Munson-Warnken, A&C reporter, said. “What really made the story was my ability to pinpoint patterns of motifs within her work. This allowed me to ask the right questions and really understand the context of her art.”
According to Munson-Warnken, the story didn’t take as long to write as previous stories he has written.
“(It) took me about two hours not including the hour of interview and hour of transcription I had to do. Really just said all the stuff that had been marinating and I think it turned out well,” Munson-Warnken said.
#9
Breaking News: SOJC Dean releases email following Daily Emerald records request for his travel activities By Tristin Hoffman and Tarek Anthony
On Feb. 21, School of Journalism and Communications Dean Juan-Carlos Molleda released an email statement regarding his travel activities. The statement came following Emerald record requests.
On Feb. 24, a tree fell near Fenton and Friendly Hall due to severe wind conditions. One person was injured due to the incident.
“I was actually sitting in class when the breaking came in and I left class right when it ended and ran over to the area. It was pouring rain but there was a lot of activity so it was important to be out there. I got there right as the ambulance was leaving and I talked with an official at the scene, which was right next to the construction site,” Corey Hoffman, campus news reporter, said. “It’s not every day that someone gets hit by a tree right in the middle of campus.”
Breaking News: One person injured by “downed” tree outside Friendly and Fenton Hall By Corey Hoffman # 7
City News: Lookout EugeneSpringfield plans to restore in-depth local news By Lucas Hellberg
After a decline in local news coverage beginning in 2018, digital news outlet, Lookout Eugene-Springfield, is set to launch this spring.
“Like any story, this one involved gathering background information, speaking with key sources and making sure the reporting was thorough and accurate,” Hellberg said.
“This story was quite unexpected. We had been requesting a few public records regarding his and a few other dean’s travel records, and all of a sudden, we get word of an email from Molleda detailing both his travel and his relationships within the SOJC,” Tristin Hoffman, Emerald editor-in-chief, said.
#10
Arts & Culture: “Sunrise on the Reaping”: everything you need to know before the book comes out By Bella Graham
This A&C story delves into the upcoming latest installment of the “Hunger Games” series by Suzanne Collins.
“I knew with this book there was going to be a lot that we would want to remember from the initial series. I think Suzanne Collins has done a great job with these prequels of writing them so they are able to stand alone, but there are a lot of things, like already knowing how Haymitch’s games end, that I think knowing them made reading the book better,” Bella Graham, A&C reporter, said.
The art of living ruthlessly: How Liv Ruth took the road less traveled to reconnect with her creativity
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UO introduces three new academic programs
The University of Oregon has launched a Bachelor of Science in materials science, an education specialist degree in school psychology and a brewing innovation minor, expanding interdisciplinary opportunities for students
Paulose said that he and his team asked themselves, “How can we come up with a new major that really meets the needs of today’s workforce, modern technology and also trying to meet the needs of today’s students?”
The requirements will build on existing physics and chemistry courses with the integration of a degree-specific curriculum.
“In their first or second year, students will take a research immersion course, working directly with a faculty lab on hands-on problem solving around an actual research project,” Paulose said.
Alicia Lancaster, a sophomore majoring in chemistry, is involved in undergraduate research at the Material Science Institute lab, focusing on crystal lattice vibrations and heat transfer in materials. For her, the degree fills a programmatic gap.
“I think the overlap between chemistry and physics is where I want to be in my research. It’s hard to put together a class schedule that fits those interests, so the materials science B.S. is really beneficial since my research isn’t totally related to my current classes,” Lancaster said.
The material science degree will be housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, run jointly by the Department of Physics and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
“What I’m really excited about is how broad it is (and) how interdisciplinary it is,” Paulose said.
According to Paulose, the major has been approved at the university level, but it is still in the final stages of approval at the state level.
“We expect to begin offering the first new courses around the major starting in fall 2025, but it is not confirmed yet at this stage,” Paulose said. For students in their postgraduate level of study, a new opportunity has been in the works at the College of Education. Angie Whalen, a clinical professor and associate dean at the COE, discussed the expansion of their school psychology program to include an education specialist degree.
“There’s a huge shortage of mental health providers who are working in schools, K-12 school
district settings,” Whalen said. “We are wanting to be able to graduate more school psychologists to go out and meet that need in school districts in Oregon and around the country.”
The program, which currently exists as an M.S., will be renamed to better reflect the three years of full-time graduate training required for entry-level licensure.
Whalen commented on the “unique” preparation that students get to experience.
“I think our program is unique in that students get that supervised clinical training, but they also have access to opportunities to be involved with innovative and cutting-edge research in the field of education,” Whalen said.
The first two years of the program involve graduate-level coursework and part-time clinical training. In their final year, students will participate in a 1,200-hour supervised clinical internship in a school district under the guidance of a licensed school psychologist.
According to Whalen, the program’s goal of providing hands-on work experience has driven the need for expansion to the Portland campus.
“We’re limited in the number of students that we can admit and prepare in Eugene because they have to do a lot of internships and supervised clinical experiences under the supervision of school psychologists,” Whalen said.
Beyond these two new degrees, UO has created a brewing innovation minor. Lindsey Rubottom, the brewing innovation instructor and manager, said their hope is to proceed with the Knight Campus’ goal to “advance innovation training.”
The courses themselves will range from the history of beer to hands-on brewing. According to Rubottom, throughout the sequence of courses, an entrepreneurial approach is at the forefront.
The Knight Campus funded the construction of a fermentation innovation lab and hired a brewing instructor/lab manager to lead the brewing innovation minor.
According to Rubottom, the lab has a brewhouse, fermenters, an analytical laboratory and a cold room. All of these allow “students to apply their skills in collaboration to design a new product.”
Students in the minor will have access to both an educational and professional experience through the Knight Campus resources.
“The minor is an interdisciplinary program, drawing from chemistry, biology, business, journalism and history,” Rubottom said. “There are no course prerequisites required.”
What students need to know about the Equal Rights for All campaign
A campaign that aims to protect gender-affirming healthcare as well as abortion and IVF rights could be seen on the Nov. 2026 ballot. Students are being called to action.
By Bella Bishop Campus News Reporter
Under the new presidential administration, some University of Oregon staff and students are expressing concerns over their uncertainty on matters that were previously implemented to safeguard the equality and safety of all citizens.
These uncertainties range from gender-affirming healthcare for trans individuals to abortion and IVF rights.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 20 that claims to “defend women’s rights… by using clear and accurate language and policies that recognize women are biologically female, and men are biologically male.”
This is just one of numerous decisions made on behalf of the Trump administration thus far that attempts to dismantle the rights of these communities and in response, some Oregonians are working to mobilize and mitigate within the state legislature as a precautionary measure.
“Any kind of health care is health care, even if some people don’t believe that, even if it’s not healthcare for everybody, it’s still health care for people,” Amy Loya, a second-year psychology and family human services student at UO, said.
Oregon’s American Civil Liberties Union serves to “defend the rights of all people nationwide,” and considers immigrant rights, trans justice, reproductive freedom and “more at risk,” according to its mission statement.
The ACLU authored the Equal Rights for All campaign, which was last updated in January in an effort to safeguard the rights of individuals whose rights may be at risk by President Trump’s administration.
This campaign asks voters to update the language in Oregon’s constitution to explicitly protect the equal rights for all to make private and personal health decisions “regardless of one’s gender identity, sexual orientation or if they are pregnant,” according to the ACLU webpage.
The Associated Students of the University of Oregon’s Director of Basic Needs Fiona Sherwood said she is in the process of researching the act and considering how ASUO can mobilize registered voters to get it on the November 2026 ballot.
This campaign aims to update the Oregon legislature for all Oregonians “to make clear that everyone has equal rights to make private and personal decisions regardless of one’s gender identity, sexual orientation, or if they are pregnant,” according to the campaign flyer.
With the Trump administration limiting or minimizing access to these resources for LGBTQIA+, the purpose is to solidify clear language regarding these issues to ensure that they, “are as strong in the Oregon constitution as they possibly can be,” Sherwood said.
“When basic human and civil rights are under attack by the Federal Government, enshrining these rights for inclusion, anti-discrimination, welcome and protection into state law both articulates that inclusion is a state value and offers reassurance for transgender and gender diverse communities that Oregon is a safe and welcoming place for them to live, work and thrive,” Kristin Yarris, Department Head and professor of UO’s Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, said.
This campaign would not be seen on the ballot until November 2026 as it is in “the first steps,” according to Sherwood.
“They (the ACLU) are currently in the process of trying to get 200,000 signatures to get it on the November 2026 ballot. So it’s kind of a long time in the making,” Sherwood said.
According to Sherwood, ASUO is not confirmed to be associated with this campaign, but she said that ASUO is interested in looking into mobilizing this campaign at UO.
“I think the main…goal is to help collect signatures of Oregon voters just around campus, kind of spread the word so that more students on campus know about it,” she said.
(Noa Schwartz/Emerald)
(LEFT) Student Kristina Trinh carefully pours material into a funnel while working at the Knight Campus.
(Roshni Ram/Emerald)
(Roshni Ram/Emerald)
Students Kristina Trinh and Alicia Lancaster at Knight Campus.
New Dave’s Hot Chicken location to open in Springfield
By Stephanie Hensley City News Reporter
For anyone in Springfield who’s been craving Dave’s Hot Chicken, but doesn’t want to drive all the way to Eugene, this new restaurant opening may be the perfect fast food opportunity.
Mohawk Boulevard in Springfield, which is already home to several fast food locations, will welcome a new restaurant on the block: Dave’s Hot Chicken
The upcoming Dave’s Hot Chicken will be located on 1570 Mohawk Boulevard, near other fast food restaurants including McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell and Sonic Drive-In.
While Dave’s Hot Chicken was unavailable for comment, a manager at the Eugene location shared that the Springfield restaurant is “tentatively” expected to open this spring, though this timeline is subject to change.
Dave’s Hot Chicken currently has locations on East 13th Avenue in Eugene, Salem, Beaverton, Tualatin and Portland.
Dave’s Hot Chicken got its start in southern California in 2017, when childhood friends Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan and brothers Tommy and Gary Rubenyan operated a portable fryer in an empty parking lot in East Hollywood.
The original food stand rose to popularity when it caught the attention of Eater Los Angeles, a food blog run by Vox Media, who featured Dave’s on their blog. By
the end of 2018, an official restaurant was opened on Western Avenue in Los Angeles.
Since then, Dave’s Hot Chicken has expanded their locations across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
University of Oregon student Brandon Lee, a sophomore studying economics, shared his thoughts on the chicken chain.
“Dave’s Hot Chicken is pretty fire,” Lee said. “I think their chicken and fries are seasoned well, but it’s pretty expensive.”
Isabella Zarate, another UO student, said that opening a new Dave’s location would be good for business.
“I think the Dave’s at Eugene, near campus, gets a lot of business,” Zarate said.
“Sometimes it can be really, really busy, so maybe it would be good for their staffing if they had another location.”
Zarate added that while she doesn’t “do well with spice,” she still loves Dave’s fries, sauce and their new bites.
With the new Springfield location on the
Eugene conservation groups aim to help bees
Habitat loss, climate change and pesticides are threatening Oregon’s more than 600 native bee species. Local initiatives, including Eugene’s Bee City designation and proposed state legislation, aim to safeguard these vital pollinators.
By Ceci Cronin City News Reporter
Eugene is home to a diverse array of pollinators, including hundreds of bee species that play a critical role in sustaining local ecosystems. However, habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use are driving a concerning decline in these vital species.
“We have approximately 600 species of bees in Oregon,” Aimée Code, pesticide program director at the Xerces Society, said. “The federal oversight of pesticides really fails to provide the level of protection that we need to protect these species.”
According to Code, multiple threats are putting pollinators at risk, including shifting weather patterns, habitat degradation, pesticide exposure and climate change. These threats compound each other, which means a pollinator already under duress by habitat loss may be even more vulnerable to pesticide exposure.
One legislative effort in Oregon, House Bill 2679, will look to mitigate pesticide risks by classifying
Bees pollinate more than 66% of the world’s 1,500 crop species.
neonicotinoid pesticides as restricted-use pesticides.
If the bill passes, neonicotinoids would no longer be available for retail purchase, limiting access to licensed pesticide dealers only. The bill aims to restrict unlicensed users from buying pesticides at retail stores.
Jennifer Eisele, ecosystems and communities project manager at Beyond Toxics, said the bill intends to make neonicotinoids no longer available for purchase to unlicensed users in retail outlets.
“There have been a lot of concerns from agricultural users about how this will affect them, and there’s an amendment that would still allow farmers or producers of agricultural commodities to use them without a license,” Eisele said.
While Beyond Toxics does not support the amendment, Eisele emphasized the importance of finding a middle ground while prioritizing pollinator protection. She noted that neonicotinoid residues can persist in soil for long periods, affecting pol-
→ The value of bee’s crop pollination accounts for $5-14 billion dollars per year in the United States.
linators that come into contact with contaminated ground. In some cases, exposure to these chemicals has interfered with pollinators’ reproductive cycles and caused large-scale population declines.
Despite these challenges, many cities, including Eugene, have taken proactive steps to create safer environments for pollinators.
“One of the things I love about pollinator conservation is that in a very small space, in a very short amount of time, you can see change,” Code said. “I planted sunflowers, and that year, I saw a new species of bee — Longhorn bees — because they’re attracted to sunflowers. The next thing you know, I had these adorable little Longhorn bees in my yard.”
The Xerces Society encourages residents to take part in pollinator conservation through its “Bring Back the Pollinator” pledge. The initiative emphasizes four simple actions: planting native flowers, avoiding pesticide use, providing nesting sites and reducing habitat disturbances.
→ One cause of bee population declines are pesticides, which are used in agriculture, forestry, pest control, and landscape management. →
In Oregon and Washington, the combined value of pollinator dependent crops in 2008 was close to $3 billion.
Beyond individual actions, Code emphasized the need to shift perspectives on insects in general. Many people see all insects as pests and turn to pesticides at the first sign of a problem, even though only about 2% of insects are considered harmful.
“We need to step back and recognize that a lot of these species are actually good for us,” Code said. “Even if all you can do is put some flowers in your yard, on your patio, and not spray pesticides, you’re making a difference.”
Code said that pollinators are declining at an estimated 1-2% annually across North America — a figure that may not seem alarming at first glance, but adds up to devastating losses over decades. Bumblebee species in particular are at risk, with over a quarter of North America’s nearly 50 species facing near extinction.
“Fifteen years ago, people were not thinking about bees. We weren’t worried about them, but they have been in the news recently, and for very good reason,” Code said. “Our pollinators are vitally important. Our whole food system and all of our ecosystems rely on these pollinators.”
With spring approaching, Code encourages Eugene residents to take a moment to appreciate these vital creatures.
“When the spring arrives and there are flowers, step back and look at our bees,” Code said. “They’re actually pretty amazing.”
HOW TO SAVE THE BEES
→ Don’t spray pesticides on flowers when they are in
→ Avoid pest-prone plants.
→ Patches of natural or semi natural habitat should be retained or flowers should be planted in field margins or hedgerows that bloom in sequence.
way, fans of the chain living in Lane County may soon have a more convenient way to get their hot chicken fix.
(ABOVE) Dave’s Hot Chicken stands at the corner of Alder and East 13th Avenue in Eugene.
(LEFT) A takeout order of a Dave's #3, 1 Tender + 1 Slider With Fries sits on top of a bag that reads out Dave's Hot Chicken.
(Molly McPherson/Emerald)
Renegadeturning
“I made my own costumes, and so I ended up making a few costumes for other dancers,” she said. Moritz explained that she prefers making “costume-y” clothes, drawing from her experience designing for the stage.
When Moritz moved to Laguna Beach California in her early 20s and was introduced to the 1970s hippie movement, the role that fashion played in her life evolved from a means of personal expression to a means of interpersonal connection.
When she arrived in California with her Nebraskan go-go dancer look, nobody would talk to her at first.
“I bought a tapestry, made a set of bell-bottom pants and a cute little halter top,” Moritz said. “I let the hair down, got rid of the makeup, got rid of the shoes, got rid of the bra, walked out there and then everybody wanted to know who I was.”
As she moved around in her 20s making clothes for herself and the people she met, Moritz’s designs evolved with her surroundings. After hitchhiking from California to New Jersey, Moritz quickly found work at boutique stores in New Jersey and New York.
“
- Cheri Moritz, Local fashion designer
“ I let the hair down, got rid of the makeup, got rid of the shoes, got rid of the bra, and I walked out there and then everybody wanted to know who I was.
She said her designs were noticed by a contractor who asked her to design stage costumes for singer-songwriter Carly Simon, but she spontaneously returned to California despite the opportunity.
Landing in Santa Cruz, Moritz briefly sold designs to an artisanal shop before deciding on a drastic change of lifestyle.
“I decided to move out of houses and live in the woods, so I made a lean-to tent out of a big parachute up in the mountains,” she said. “I had a cast-iron pan and the only thing I
A model wears one of Cheri Moritz’s pieces during the 2024 Cottage Grove Trashion Show.
(Photo by Jessica Klarr, courtesy of Cheri Moritz)
Renegade tailor: turning trash into fashion
knew how to cook was pancakes, but they were so good.”
At the time, countercultural sentiments shared among the Californian youth inspired many young adults to retreat to nature in pursuit of a new way of life. Hippies moved to the woods and depended on their creativity and craftsmanship to survive and lead fulfilled lives. The nature of Moritz’s clothesmaking practice — designing for life as life transpired — resembled the eudaimonic ambition of the back-to-the-landers.
While living in the forest, her designs became more rugged and practical to withstand the conditions of the wilderness.
“I would just make things that were comfortable for where I was,” Moritz said. “I made clothing that was easy to wear in the woods, so you could climb over some branches if you needed to.”
When offered a ride to Oregon on the back of a motorcycle, Moritz agreed. “I wanted to meet people like me, who lived in the woods and just loved nature and lived simply,” she said. Moritz said she has stayed in Oregon ever since.
In 1971, Moritz brought approximately six of her designs to the Oregon Country Fair. “People just loved what I made,” she said.
“I think this year will be my 55th year. I keep making more and end up taking about 300 pieces there every year.”
Moritz entered the local fashion scene upon her discovery of “trashion” shows — runway fashion events where designers are challenged to create using solely discarded materials.
“The first Trashion Fashion show I saw was in Eugene hosted by St. Vincent’s, and it just triggered me,” Moritz said. “I just loved it.”
She made her debut at a Trashion Fashion show in Cottage Grove, featuring a collection of 11 looks sewn out of discarded materials. Most of the designs were constructed from shredded
and fading curtains or old bed spreads. One look featured a skirt made entirely from a plastic shower curtain, despite her preference to work with fabrics rather than plastics and synthetic materials.
“The looks just took their own life,” Moritz said. “Everybody loved what I made.” Moritz has shown her work at local trashion events ever since.
Moritz’s environmentally friendly practices are central to her work. “I think it’s really important to reuse and repurpose other things,” she said.
To a youth grappling with the pressures of habituating sustainable consumption, Moritz’s unique relationship with clothing has unintentionally become an inspiration to many.
“I didn’t know for a long time that I was an inspiration,” Moritz said. “But it’s inspiring to me that I might be inspiring others.” Although her designs regularly attract attention, Moritz reiterates that her work is simply a part of her life. “I just make them for me,” she said.
Moritz has witnessed people have intense emotional reactions to the designs she sells at the country fair. “Some women have come into my booth and were so shocked that they couldn’t even breathe,” she said. “They call it a vision, and I’ve been getting a lot of that kind of compliment through the years,” Moritz said. “Lately I’ve realized that this vision inside me might come from the way I live.”
Ever evolving according to the reality that surrounds her, Moritz’s relationship with clothes is harmonious and sustainable — in stark contrast to the tendency toward overconsumption that so often characterizes the fashion industry. More than just a pastime, Moritz’s work is a way of life.
“ I didn’t know for a long time that I was an inspiration. But it’s inspiring to me that I might be inspiring others. I just make them for me. “
- Cheri Moritz, Local fashion designer
Cheri Moritz talks to a model during the 2024 Cottage Grove Trashion Show.
(Photo by Jessica Klarr, courtesy of Cheri Moritz)
Spring is here, and you need to get outside!
We’ve survived winter term, and spending time outside is what your body needs
By Leo Heffron Opinion Columnist
Spring in Eugene is the perfect time to get outside. After months of rain, it’s finally time to take advantage of everything Eugene and the surrounding areas have to offer.
For many, winter term is a long, treacherous 10 weeks of torture. Limited sun and continuous downpours turn many University of Oregon students to indoor activities, and it takes a toll on mental health.
Since a good portion of our student body is from California or warmer climates, seasonal depression can hit hard.
According to data from the fall term of 2024, the UO’s Office of the Registrar says the university has 20,626 undergraduate students.
It’s hard to get through the winter term, even as someone who grew up in Oregon. This puts much more pressure on getting outside and spending time in the sun during the spring.
Hannah Dean is a freshman English major from the Big Island of Hawaii. She said she is looking forward to spring after her first rain-intensive winter in the Pacific Northwest.
“I didn’t realize how much the sun influences my happiness,” Dean said. “Waking up to gray and gloomy weather makes it hard to have motivation.”
While talking about her home, Hannah mentioned how much she missed swimming.
“I honestly was really privileged to go to the beach and swim with my friends,” Dean said. In the spring, you can do that here in Eugene
Leo is an opinion columnist for the Daily Emerald. He is a third-year student studying journalism and Spanish. Leo enjoys writing about many topics, but fashion and social media are his favorites.
too! There are over 13 natural swimming holes in Lane County alone, with tons more in nearby counties.
The weather in spring is also warm enough to enjoy swimming holes, but there is no intense heat like in summer, making hiking much more doable.
Kemper Flood, a senior advertising major originally from the Portland area, said she agrees. She is finishing up her last year here in Eugene and knows how to make the most out of the warmer weather once spring comes.
She shared some of her favorite memories during spring in Eugene such as day trips to Dexter Reservoir and hiking Tamolitch Falls.
These spots aren’t as enjoyable when the weather is chilly or with intense heat. Spring offers that perfect happy medium.
Both spots offer gorgeous views and are great day trips if you have the means to get there and the chance to cool off in the water. Be careful with Tamolitch Falls though, the water remains at about 37 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
“The number one thing is to get outside. There are so many lakes and hikes,” Flood said. “Just leave the campus bubble. There’s a lot more fun things to do outside of campus.”
From Koosah Falls to Scott Lake, there are some incredible views and hikes to make the most of as the sun arrives.
If hiking and day trips aren’t your thing, there are still many activities to be done in the city.
There are a plethora of parks spread throughout the city, and the comfortable weather in Eugene offers the perfect time to go for a picnic, toss the frisbee or even just take a nap in the sun.
Some of my favorites are the Owen Rose Garden, Hendricks Park and the Rhododendron Garden.
The Eugene Saturday Market is also a hot commodity in spring, with various artisan goods and produce.
Once May and June arrive, the berries and fresh fruit are out of this world.
Eugene may be soggy and grey for a good portion of the year, but all that precipitation allows for insanely gorgeous scenery once the season turns. Get out there and enjoy it, but be sure to stock up on allergy medication if pollen gets you!
Daria Morris is an opinion columnist for the Daily Emerald. She is a second-year student at the University of Oregon majoring in journalism and communications with a minor in creative writing. Daria likes to write about feminist topics as well as deep topics that are related to students’ well-being on campus.
Instructor-provided textbooks are more efficient than students buying them
Textbooks are a major stress on the wallet for each UO student. Professors should provide readings, rather than making students pay for books they will never use again.
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(any student attending school after high school) spends between $1,212 annually for books and supplies as of the 2022-2023 academic year… Hard copy books can cost as much as $400, with an average price between $100 and $150.”
This same study shows us that there is an average of 6% increase in cost every year for textbooks, which doubles the price of a textbook every 11 years.
UO second-year Kaitlin McDaid agreed that textbooks are overpriced and, depending on the class, might rarely be used.
“My textbooks have never seemed outrageously expensive, but for how much I end up using them, they're not worth it. None of them have been related to my major either, so buying them seems pointless,” McDaid said.
“I never use them after the class is over,” McDaid said. “I barely even use them during the course. They just end up sitting on a shelf in my parents’ house and collecting dust.”
I had a similar experience to McDaid. I purchased ten books/ textbooks for my prerequisite classes that I haven’t opened since. It felt like a major waste of my money that could’ve been saved for other school expenses.
Nicholas Stepp, a UO sophomore, explained that many of his textbook purchases have left him stressed and frustrated, stressing the negative effects our current reading system may have on low-income students
Stepp said, “Everyone knows American colleges aren’t cheap and prioritize profit. Because of this, why aren’t there more discounts or resources to get low-income
students the materials they need?”
“In the case of materials needed for class, I would want classes/ professors to provide free readings, sections from textbooks or tools instead of making the student pay for those resources,” Stepp said.
There is a lot of truth in how stressful obligatory class purchases can be; buying textbooks is an inconvenience to some but can also be a major burden for others. Many students coming from low-income households and those who did not receive financial aid tend to struggle more with these high textbook prices.
The price of textbooks not only keeps college students from buying these materials and gaining their educational benefits but is another contributing factor to college debt and financial insecurity. Another issue is that not only are the prices of textbooks rising, but their resale value is dropping.
To ease the financial burden, students can resell old textbooks to stores like The Duck Store or wherever else they purchased them from, try to find cheaper options on Amazon or buy books that other students are reselling.
Another resource worth mentioning, is the Basic Needs Program’s textbook subsidy. This subsidy supports students at the University of Oregon with textbook purchases along with other academic materials needed for their classes during each academic term. This program can cover up to about $150 in textbook costs.
(LEFT)
(Carson Colville/Emerald)
Also, the Women's Center Aid Program, which is open to every student on campus, offers book aid up to $50, as long as they are returned by the end of the term. Students can also check the UO library before making any textbook purchases. At the end of the day, the best option is for professors to post sections of required readings on Canvas. This in itself would make a major difference for students who are struggling to pay these high prices. Some textbooks must be bought, but instructors should prioritize offering free resources for students.
(Noa Schwartz/Emerald)
(ABOVE) Aaron Maxwell, a groundskeeper for the university, plants flowers in a bed outside Lillis. University Day is a campus beautifying tradition that dates back to 1905. (Molly McPherson/Emerald)
Welcome
ARTS & CULTURE
A bookworm and a beer lover walk into a bar…
Step inside Sophie and Stuart Raymond’s Hodgepodge Books and Taproom, a cozy haunt where books and brews collide
By Bella Graham Arts & Culture Writer
Sophie and Stuart Raymond don’t have typical work days at Hodgepodge Books and Taproom, a book bar set to open this spring. Some days, they call their architect to make construction decisions, go back and forth with the City of Eugene for permits and rip up decades-old carpeting. Other days, they are left twiddling their thumbs and wishing there was more to do.
Sophie and Stuart met in Portland and lived there until 2021 when they moved to Eugene for Stuart to go to law school. He dropped out after a few weeks. Between then and February of 2024, when they came up with the idea for the bookbar, Sophie briefly worked as a teacher online.
“I don’t think I’m built for it,” Sophie said, laughing. She then worked at a bookstore in Eugene, which was their first foray into the book industry.
Sophie loves books and Stuart loves beer. Combine the two, and you have a book bar — think Rennie’s meets the Eugene Public Library. When the renovation dust settles, the book bar will have a variety of books (highlighting translated works), a 10 tap kegerator with handpicked brews and two enthusiastic owners reminding you to “read, ya dingus!”
“We saw this property and were like, ‘that’s exactly what we had in mind for this,’” Stuart said, referring to the gray-sided house on E. 14th Ave. that will become Hodgepodge. The accented red chimney sticks out from down the street. “It’s in a good location. It was zoned properly, which is rare for a house like that.”
Although they aimed to open in September of 2024, the process went slower than they would’ve hoped, with the new anticipated opening date being April 19th. They began renovations in October, nearly eight months after initially finding the building. The reason for the lengthy process?
“The first part was permits,” Stuart said, looking at Sophie. The delay makes sense — the house is 124 years old. “We had to go back and forth with the city twice, and each time was like a four week
thing. Then it was just random stuff, like, ‘Oh, we need the second floor exit.’”
Construction has still been a fulfilling process. Seeing their vision come to life with the original hardwood floors, colonial-style windows that look out toward Spencer’s Butte and the library room has kept the pair motivated amidst setbacks.
“I’d say the vibe we’re going for is like, cozy library, but practical,” Sophie said.
Sophie and Stuart have also been able to connect with the community in the meantime — hosting a literature competition to connect with local authors, popups at breweries and tile painting.
“For two days, people could just come in and paint tiles. Then we’re going to make it into some type of mural, and we’ll hang it up,” Stuart said. “That was just super fun to get to talk to real people face to face who are excited.”
Working together has also been a big part of the process, and an enjoyable one — which is obvious if you meet Sophie and Stuart.
“We’ve been learning a lot about each other. It’s been really awesome creating this thing together,” Sophie said. “You’ve always got someone in your court, so if I’m stressed out he can feel and empathize with it.”
It’s nearly impossible not to share the excitement they have for the book bar. While Sophie lights up talking about books, Stuart beams when the prospective drink menu options (local beer, ciders, kombucha and cocktails) come up.
“It’s fun to share this,” Sophie said. “So it’s been so fun for the community to interact and participate, and it makes us feel amazing.”
When they do open, Sophie and Stuart want the book bar to be a place for everyone — whether you want a place to read quietly or have a conversation about books over a pint.
While it’s been a big learning process, from getting permits to picking out paint shades, the couple has enjoyed the journey, and they look forward to when they can open the book bar to conversation, hand-picked books and local beers.
Four decades of cards and collectibles at Hooker’s Sports Cards
Sports card shop owner Dennis Hooker has traded sports cards and memorabilia in Eugene since 1985. Monthly giveaways and daily restocks of trading cards have kept Eugene actively trading for decades.
By Andres Baisch Arts & Culture Writer
Dennis Hooker had always enjoyed trading sports cards, but it wasn’t until he quit his job doing deliveries for Hirons that he realized he could make his hobby his full-time career.
Just after Hooker left Hirons, the location on East 18th Avenue unfortunately burned down. Hooker said he saw that as a little bit of a sign that he made the right choice to make a career trading sports cards and memorabilia. He then opened Hooker’s Sports Cards in 1985.
While Hooker’s card shop primarily supplies sports cards to trade, Hooker does giveaways of various autographed jerseys or posters. The shop also carries other trading cards from Pokemon to limited edition Star Wars cards.
The shop hosted a card and jersey raffle on Feb. 22, something that Hooker says they try to do once a month.
“The giveaways have been building my customer base,” Hooker said. “I’ve given away a Dak Prescott autographed helmet and Pete Rose rookie cards; I could go on for hours.”
University of Oregon junior and avid sports card trader Thomas Rainey says the prices at Hooker’s are some of the best prices collectors in Eugene can find. Rainey also says that the location being relatively close to campus is a benefit for collectors who go to UO.
A skill that most avid trading card collectors learn is how to determine card value. Flipping and selling cards at different shops and card shows is a skill that card traders strive to perfect.
Rainey explains that the most common
way to find card values online is by checking “comps” on eBay. This refers to the value cards sold for on eBay, allowing card collectors to better know a card’s true value.
“If a card shop has good pricing around market value or under, and has informed employees it makes for a great experience,” Rainey said.
Hooker has seen hundreds of pack openings and recently has seen autographed rookie cards of NFL rookies Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels. He said the coolest card he has seen is a Mike Trout one-of-one autographed card, which is estimated to be worth $10,000. Hookers said the price is worth it.
In addition to eBay, Hooker uses the site 130 Point to help customers find the value of pulled cards.
Knowing that sports cards are available anywhere in town, Hooker does raffles for autographed jerseys and cards as a way to stay connected to card lovers.
“I’ve been open for so long that people that are 30 years old, I first saw them come in when they were kids,” Hooker said.
Trading sports cards has also become a way to connect with other card enthusiasts. Posting on Facebook and Instagram has connected Hooker to card traders of all interest levels.
“In the old days, you could be sitting on a case of product to sell for two weeks,” Hooker said. “Now I get stuff in and it goes in two hours, and I order supplies every day.”
(Alyssa Garcia/Emerald)
Hooker’s Sports Cards is a collectables shop in Eugene that sells various trading cards and comic books.
(Alyssa Garcia/Emerald) Sophie and Stuart Raymond, co-owners of Hodgepodge Books and Taps. The two will be sharing their love of books and beer with their new small business, which is set to open in April 2025.
(Alyssa Garcia/Emerald) Dennis Hooker, owner of Hooker’s Sports Cards shop in Eugene.
Crossword
Sketch out
Referenced
Modernist with a memorable mustache 57 “Only window shopping,” and what one might say when using the starts of 20-, 31-, and 46-Across
Spanish 4-Down
“One True Thing” novelist Quindlen
__ and tonic
Malign, as a reputation
Soaks up the sun
Binary code digit
“I’d like a lawn mower and maybe
“I’d like sun protection in the Serengeti, such as a ... ”
Thwack
Quietly agree
1 Panza of “Don Quixote” 2 Kona greetings 3 Like milligrams and milliliters 4 Title said with the tip of a hat, perhaps 5 Tiny hooter
6 Side wager on a sporting event, informally
7 Blinking body part
8 Infomercial exhortation
9 Dueler’s implement 10 Wasn’t honest with 11 “Your point is?”
