Program spared from $11.5 million budget cuts, but future hinges on payroll tax
By Lucas Hellberg City News Reporter
The City of Eugene’s Youth Empowerment Program has gained traction over the past year with growing teen participation and programs that now include a waitlist. But despite its successes, the program’s long-term financial outlook remains uncertain.
City officials say YEP is safe from $11.5 million in annual general fund budget cuts in City Manager Sarah Medary’s proposed 2025-
The popularization of crash-out culture
By Lexi Smith Opinion Columnist
Ever feel like you are on the verge of tears because you forgot about that assignment due an hour ago, or your boss just asked you to pick up an extra shift after putting in a ton of hours? That, my friend, would warrant a crash out.
“Crash out” is a term being popularized by TikTok and Gen Z. The definition of the phrase varies, and when used, it could mean a mental breakdown, being upset or feeling like you are going insane.
University of Oregon sophomore Ash Dunteman said that they define crash out as “when all your emotions and everything you have been putting off finally surface to become a bit of a catastrophe.”
The term crash out is part of African American Vernacular English (AAVE). AAVE
United Academics passes sanctuary policy to protect faculty members
UOSW RECAP
STUDENT WORKERS LOOK BACK ON STRIKE
After the 10-day University of Oregon Student Workers Union strike, some student workers spoke out about why they chose or didn’t choose to strike
CAMPUS NEWS
United Academics passes sanctuary policy to protect faculty members
UA has passed a sanctuary policy to protect immigrant or noncitizen faculty amidst Trump administration’s “immigration crackdown”
By Reilly Norgren Campus News Reporter
The United Academics union of the University of Oregon has passed a sanctuary union policy to protect its non-citizen and naturalized members. The policy was passed by UA’s executive council on April 21.
A sanctuary union will protect both the employees represented by the union and their families, regardless of immigration status or national origin. The union will not voluntarily cooperate with federal agents in the arrest or attempted deportation of employees or their family members.
This is in direct response to the federal administration’s increasing effort to propose harsh immigration laws without due process, according to the policy. In its effort to protect employees, the union will push for university policy that strengthens workplace protections, facilitates trainings to inform faculty of their legal rights and creates a defense fund to assist employees who may be targets of unlawful conduct by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Ed Wolf, a professor in the School of Music and Dance and member of the UA executive council, said that because the federal government has targeted international faculty, the union felt it was important to be supportive of workers in case they find themselves in a situation where they are being threatened with deportation.
“We feel the importance of these workers who are non-citizen workers who might be here on H1-B visas. They’re fulfilling important functions that the university does,” Wolf said. “We felt it was important to let them know that they had a resource
in the union.”
Wolf said that he wishes the university would “come out with a more concrete stance” regarding issues of deportation and immigration and that the administration, the university Senate and the union should work together to “make sure everyone here at UO feels safe and protected.”
UO offers outside resources to immigrant or international students and faculty. According to its immigration resources website, the university cannot offer legal services or advice.
UA is currently working to appropriate funding as “bridge funding,” or short-term assistance that helps someone be supported in a legal situation until they are able to secure longer-term funding.
This funding primarily comes from union dues, but there is also support from national affiliates, according to Wolf. UA’s national affiliates include the American Federation of Teachers, the American Association of University Professors and the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations.
A committee would determine what kind of legal funds they would offer on a case-by-case basis, according to Wolf. The committee would not include members of the executive council.
“We feel like we needed to come out strong to help out in a moment of uncertainty,” Wolf said. “To help our members feel just a little more confident in being able to do their jobs here at the UO and be able to feel like they are supported at work.”
Currently, Wolf said that the union is working out the details for appropriating funding for the defense fund.
UO Grove Community Garden relocating due to East Campus Plan
Next spring, Grove Garden will move closer to campus with potential for more community involvement, according to garden organizers
By Sasha Love Campus News Reporter
On April 29, the University of Oregon Campus Planning Committee voted unanimously to move the UO Grove Community Garden in light of the East Campus development plans. The new site will be located between Moon Lee Lane and Moss Street and will border the Moss Children’s Center and the UO Northwest Indigenous Language Institute.
The UO Grove Garden, operated through the Student Sustainability Center, has been in its current location on Moss Street between 17th Avenue and 19th Avenue since 2012 and gives students the opportunity to learn about growing food without being in a designated class.
“Growing food for students is the main thing that holds us together to this day and since I have been here it has been also that we want to teach people… to grow food now and in the future and point to why food needs aren’t met and work to mobilize them to build a better world,” Valentine Bentz, a co-organizer for the Grove Garden, said.
The new site and the previous site are both 8,736 square feet. The relocation will start at the end of fall 2025 and end during the “Spring 2026 growing season,” according to UO.
“It (the move) is going to be a hard process. We are grateful we have been given a place to move to, but there is a lot of ‘us’ (garden) that will be hard to move,” Bentz said. “We’re going to grow as much food as possible this summer to celebrate this land and what it has given us, and then as that summer season comes to an end, we are going to be getting ready to move.”
Unlike the last location, which was always slated for “temporary usage,” the new location is more permanent, according to UO. Bentz said he is taking these claims of “permanence” with a grain of salt.
“Another 10 years would be epic. Permanence is not in the discussion,” Bentz said.
The current Grove Garden hosts a composting system, garden sheds and bee hives. According to UO, these same “elements” could be available in the new site. Fruit trees are also present in both sites.
Bentz also sees an opportunity for developing infrastructure for more garden education and food harvesting at the garden.
“I’m excited to see how we can build a little more towards food production, like food harvesting infrastructure, because it’s hard to wash produce and get it to students who are not coming to this space,” Bentz said.
During the East Campus developments, the area surrounding the garden will remain open space for at least several years, according to the
East Campus development plans. However, concerns about construction debris and noise were brought up at the April meeting.
Emily Eng, director of Campus Planning, said UO would “work with the contractor to help mitigate impacts” of construction debris. Eng mentioned that the staging for the construction of the new residential halls could be moved away from the site.
One reason why this site was chosen for relocation revolves around community connections. The Children’s Center, Native Indigenous Language Institute, the Longhouse and the Black Cultural Center are all within a block.
Taylor McHolm, the program director of the Student Sustainability Center, and Bentz said the garden hopes to broaden its community reach and connect with these neighbors.
“We heard from many students that what makes the Grove (Garden) special is that it is set off from campus, and we took that into consideration, and we can’t be connected and respite at the same time, so we reached out to cultural centers,” McHolm said. “There is the opportunity to strengthen these connections with the community benefit(ting) this as a whole.”
Bentz shared a similar opinion.
“I think part of being close to these other campus programs is (that) maybe we can have more resources to provide more structured education and maybe there would be more collaboration with other groups as opposed to us trying to take everything on ourselves,” Bentz said.
McHolm compared the garden’s relocation to a move from a childhood home.
“There is an undeniable sense of loss… as much as we are looking forward to moving forward,” McHolm said.
(ABOVE) In the University of Oregon Community Garden, there is a place for bees to go, such as carpenter bees, which have been spotted around this area in the past couple of weeks.
(BELOW) Freshman Political Science student, Dak Steinback, holds a bee colony that is currently empty.
(Alex Hernandez/Emerald)
Ed Wolf, vice president of diversity and equity for United Academics, leads demonstrators in songs at a rally at Johnson Hall in support of the University of Oregon United Academics on Nov. 13, 2024. After the rally, demonstrators marched to Chiles Hall, where UO and UA teams met for a bargaining session.
(Anna Liv Myklebust/Emerald)
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“We’re always playing defense”: Local conservation groups struggle amid federal rollbacks
As federal funding and environmental protections shrink under the Trump administration, environmental advocates like Britney VanCitters are left scrambling
By Ceci Cronin City News Reporter
For Britney VanCitters, political and organizing director at the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, the last few years have felt like an uphill battle. She’s one of many environmental advocates in Oregon who’ve been trying to hold the line while federal protections are scaled back and funding dries up.
“We’re always playing defense,” VanCitters said. “We’re trying to stop bad things from happening when really we need to be making progress.”
Since the beginning of the second Trump administration, key environmental agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have seen budget cuts and policy rollbacks that are starting to hit home in real ways—including here in Eugene. And for local conservation groups, it’s becoming harder to do their work with fewer resources and less federal support.
VanCitters pointed to the Trump administration’s attempt to shrink the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument south of Ashland Oregon—an expansion made by President Obama in 2017—as just one example of how fragile environmental protections can be when political tides shift.
“A president can’t undo (a national park) or shrink it,” VanCitters said. “But with national monuments, we’ve seen that happen. The Trump administration tried to shrink it almost immediately. Luckily, the courts upheld Obama’s expansion—but that kind of thing is always a threat.”
And it’s not just about land. VanCitters pointed out that agencies like NOAA provide the data that powers weather apps and storm alerts—something most people rely on without even realizing it.
“Any lapse in that data can be literally life-threatening,” she said. “For people out in the fisheries, it saves lives. It
Eugene Youth Empowerment Program spared from $11.5 million budget cuts, but future hinges on payroll tax
The Youth Empowerment Program is transforming teen lives with waitlisted programs and job training, but its future is uncertain. Some city officials warn that the tax that funds YEP could be at risk.
2027 biennial budget, which begins in July. That’s because the program is funded entirely through the Community Safety Payroll Tax, a city council-approved revenue measure.
However, some city officials warn that public trust in the payroll tax could potentially erode, putting funding for programs like YEP at risk.
Program sees growing demand
YEP Program Supervisor Alison Willis said the aim of YEP is “to help improve youth safety outcomes.” She described YEP, which launched in 2022, as a proactive public safety tool.
“Not having ways to be positively engaged can lead teens
helps them know when to leave the ocean or prepare for storms.”
VanCitters also mentioned that one tsunami-tracking buoy off the coast of Oregon is currently offline. “We live on a fault line. That is really terrifying,” VanCitters said.
With federal support waning, the pressure is falling on states to fill the gap. But unlike the federal government, Oregon can’t run on a deficit—and that makes things complicated.
“Our state doesn’t have the same kind of funding,” VanCitters said. “Reduced spending means states are trying to do more with less, and at some point, something needs to give.”
That’s where coalitions like Protect Oregon Now come in. The group, made up of environmental and justice organizations, is trying to protect basic public services and programs that people depend on—things like Medicaid, clean energy incentives, and funding for home care workers.
“These programs are a lifeline, not a luxury,” VanCitters said. “People shouldn’t have to decide between turning on the AC when it’s 105 degrees and paying rent. These programs let people live with dignity.”
The past few years have also pushed organizations like OLCV to get involved in issues they haven’t traditionally focused on—like immigration and environmental justice.
“Everyone deserves access to clean air, clean water, and public lands, no matter where they were born or what they look like,” VanCitters said. “We have to protect all our communities.”
Right now, OLCV and its partners are also working on legislation to make energy more affordable and utilities more accountable. Their goal is to make sure consumers aren’t footing the bill for excessive charges or corporate shortcuts—especially as costs continue to rise.
Senator Ron Wyden has recently stepped in with a few
to activities that are not healthy for them and get them in trouble,” Willis said.
Last year, YEP opened a Teen Center in Washington Park. The program has also transitioned from primarily drop-in programs to regular clubs and programs.
“In the past year, we’ve really hit our stride,” Willis said. “Now we have waitlists for our programs … which we couldn’t have dreamed of last year.”
YEP activities include rock climbing, cooking, jewelry-making clubs, resume workshops, food handlers certification and lifeguard training. YEP also offers summer apprenticeships that place teens in places like summer camps and preschools. The city now employs one teen who graduated from the lifeguard program.
“She loves her job,” Willis said. “This is her passion, and something she wants to pursue as an adult that was not available to her before.”
Community Safety Payroll Tax at Risk
In addition to funding YEP, the Community Safety Payroll Tax also funds enhanced police, fire and social services. To extend funding for the tax past December 30, 2028, the council must vote by June 30, 2027 to place the measure on the ballot.
Some city councilors are concerned that public support for the payroll tax may be weakening.
Speaking at a city council work session late last year, City Councilor Mike Clark cautioned that there is a risk of losing community trust over the fire service fee. Only $2 million from the fee would directly fund fire services, with the remainder used to cover other general fund budget shortfalls.
“We’re taking $8 million of general fund money currently paying for fire out to go and spend on other things,” Clark said at the work session. “And I think that’s the part where we are going to risk losing community trust.”
federal proposals too. One is the Heating and Cooling Relief Act, aimed at helping low-income families reduce energy costs. Another is the Honor Farmworker Contracts Act, which would make sure federal money meant for farmworker support actually gets to the people who need it.
Even though it’s easy to focus on the big-name politicians making headlines in Washington, VanCitters stressed that a lot of the important work is done by lesser-known public servants—people running programs, overseeing regulations, and making sure communities stay safe.
“There’s a disconnect between the politicians and the people doing the real work,” she said. “These are folks working for not very much money to keep our communities running and safe.”
For VanCitters and many others in Oregon’s conservation community, the message is clear: the fight to protect the environment is far from over—and it’s getting harder. But it’s also becoming more essential than ever.
Clark warned that losing that trust could jeopardize the payroll tax’s future.
“I think the consequences could be failure of the public safety levy in a year and half (and) losing $23 million … to pay for police and public safety,” Clark said at the time.
YEP eyes expansion
Looking ahead, Willis hopes that YEP can expand into areas like West Eugene and Bethel, where she says youth often face barriers to accessing programs like YEP.
“That would be my dream,” Willis said.
But whether Willis’ vision can be realized may depend less on growing demand and more on voters’ willingness to renew the Community Safety Payroll Tax in the future.
(Alyssa Garcia/ Emerald)
City of Eugene Recreation offers multiple programs including the Youth Empowerment Program which takes place at the Teen Center at Washington Park Center. The Youth Empowerment Program provides activities and recreation during after school hours.
(Taylor Grace/Emerald)
ON THE COVER
Striking RAs charged minimum
of $2,400 for housing
According to the University of Oregon Student Workers Union, UO charged resident assistants who chose to strike $2,400 to $5,000 for occupying their rooms while on strike.
According to RA and bargaining team member Ryan Campbell, this amount represented the price for their rooms for the entire term. According to UOSW media liaison Carolyn Roderique, these charges were rescinded to only include the days striking RAs are on strike following what Roderique called “sustained public outcry.”
UO confirmed it charged RAs for the entire term and then rescinded these charges. UO said RAs were also given the opportunity to move to “lower-cost room(s).”
“Resident assistant compensation includes room and board in addition to a stipend. The RAs who choose to withhold labor are responsible for the costs of their meals while on strike. The union and RAs were notified of these changes prior to the strike,” UO spokesperson Eric Howald said.
According to UO, RAs could also avoid charges by fully moving out of their rooms. But for many residents, this is easier said than done.
“I didn’t want to be a burden to my friends sleeping on the couch or anything, so I wanted to ensure that I had ample space to still be a student, which is my first priority,” a Global Scholars Hall RA said. “It was a hard decision, but I needed to continue studying and doing my thing, so I ultimately have to choose to stay where I can where I have all my stuff.”
For the last several months, the university has proposed dividing RA roles into Community Builder, Community Coordinator and Community Safety Assistant positions instead of the current all-encompassing RA role.
UO proposed 50% room and board compensation for the Community Builder role, 75% compensation for the Community Safety Assistant’s room and board and 100% of the Community Coordinator’s room and board, whereas UOSW’s proposal compensated 100% of room and board for all three positions.
On May 1, UOSW agreed to split the RA roles with modifications to allow for full compensation in certain scenarios.
“That (UOSW’s modifications) essentially allow a RA to make the choice if they didn’t want to work with one or the other of the split roles, the on-call one or the community builder one, but if they want to work both of those roles together and still find a 100% compensation, they can,” Campbell said.
STUDENT WORKERS LOOK BACK ON STRIKE
By Angelina Handris & Corey Hoffman Campus News Reporters
Following 10 days of striking for pay increases, resident assistant benefits, grievances and more, the University of Oregon Student Workers Union ended its strike late on May 7 when it reached a tentative agreement with UO administration.
Both bargaining teams agreed to a $16 per hour base pay, increased benefits for RAs, and arbitration for student workers, among several other articles in their contract.
Previously, UOSW proposed an $18.50 hourly base wage while UO proposed a $15.44 hourly base wage. The current base pay offered to student workers is $14.70.
Student workers will be able to vote on contract ratification from May 9 at 10:00 a.m. until May 14 at 5:00 p.m.
Ryan Campbell, a member of UOSW’s bargaining team, said the RA roles were split into three roles with 65% room and board compensation for the “community builder” role, and 85% compensation for the “community safety assistant” role. The third role, “community coordinator,” will provide 100% compensation. The changes would not occur until the 2026-2027 academic year.
The safety assistant role will not have roommates, while the community builder role will be assigned a roommate after a selection process.
Arbitration for harassment and discrimination grievances was added to the contract. Campbell said the “main stipulation” is that arbitrators are not in any union and have the designated training.
Why some student workers went on strike, and some didn’t
During the strike, some services on campus were not operational, including the Jordan Schnitzer Art Museum, service desks and several on-campus cafes. Some dining halls were also operating with limited menus for the duration of the strike.
Students who were both on the picket line and back at work shared the motivations behind their choices.
Mara Hindery-Glasinovic, a sophomore, said she was in support of the strike.
“I think it’s really important, and I’m glad there’s a lot of dedication on campus,” Hindery-Glasinovic said. “I’m not a student worker, but I have a lot of friends that are, so I support them.”
Sofia Cervantes, another UO student, also expressed her support for the striking student workers.
“I think it’s amazing that they’re able to have the right to fight for what they want and what they know that they deserve,” Cer-
vantes said.
Cervantes also said she was impressed by the student workers’ ability to picket for extended periods of time.
“I’ve seen them out there at like 8 a.m., I get out of class at like 6 (p.m.), and they’re still out there,” Cervantes said. “It hasn’t had any negative, nor would I say positive effect, I’m just very aware of what’s going on.”
“I think it’s amazing that they’re able to have the right to fight for what they want and what they know that they deserve.” - Sofia Cervantes, UO Student
One student who works at the Output Room in Lawrence Hall and wanted to remain anonymous, said she chose not to strike because she “couldn’t afford to.”
“I know that you can get money from picketing, but that’s only if you work for 15 hours and I don’t have time in my schedule to picket for 15 hours because right now, I work 10 and a half hours and that’s squeezing the absolute max out of my schedule,” she said.
The student said that even though she didn’t strike, she’s supportive and sympathetic of the students who did strike.
“I’m very supportive of the cause and I have been reposting things on my social media and I watch the picket lines and everything, so I kind of just support from a bystander perspective,” she said.
The student said she didn’t experience any hard feelings from the union about not striking, but felt pressured when the union was deciding whether to strike or not.
“Some of our workers (went on) strike and so our hours are a little bit different now and it really just messes with the whole way of students’ everyday lives,” she said. “For example, here, we have a lot of midterm reviews going on right now because we opened at an earlier hour, more students were stressed out, setting up everything.”
A student who works at the Passport Office and wished to remain anonymous chose not to strike because of the limited number of employees at the office.
“We have (a) staff of like less than 10 people, and this is a
ASUO SPRING STREET FAIRE CANCELLED AMIDST STRIKE
The bi-annual Street Faire, held in both the fall and spring and organized by the Associated Students of the University of Oregon, was cancelled on May 6 due to the strike.
“This choice was made with safety in mind, following recent disruptions related to the ongoing (UOSW) strike that have included reported vandalism, obstruction and safety concerns regarding the Street Faire specifically,” an email statement from the Vice President of Student Life and ASUO read.
The email also stated that ASUO and the university have attempted to explore other alternatives, but ultimately made the decision to cancel the event. The email also clarified that vendors would be refunded in full.
UOSW bargaining team member Izzie Marshall said UOSW said they are being unfairly blamed for the cancellation of the event and that if their demands are met, there would be no reason for the event to be cancelled.
“The university’s decision to cancel the Street Faire is disappointing — and blaming student workers for it is disingenuous. Our strike is a legal effort to win basic protections against harassment and discrimination,” Marshall said.
(Alyssa Garcia/Emerald) Associated Students of The University of Oregon hosts their bi-annual Street Faire on Oct. 16-18, 2024.
government job, and we’re government trained, and it’s hard to leave. Our staff members deal with a large crowd of people, handling one customer takes like 30 minutes. So when that adds up, it gets really stressful and I feel really bad putting that burden on my staff and my co-workers and my supervisor because they don’t deserve that,” she said.
Isabella Bartocci, a sophomore student, said she was glad about the agreement, but had concerns about how UO was treating its student workers.
“I feel really bad putting that burden on my staff and my co-workers and my supervisor because they don’t deserve that.” - Student
“I think the school is f***ed up for how they’re treating student workers and RAs and everything,” Bartocci said. “It hasn’t been necessarily affecting me, except for everything that’s been shut down.”
Despite her disappointment with the lack of resources around campus, Bartocci also expressed support for the strike.
“I think it’s good that people are getting involved with stuff they care about,” Bartocci said.
Editor’s Note: This article is as of 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 9, due to The Daily Emerald’s print production process. Any updates or changes in relation to the tentative agreement and ratification vote can be found on The Emerald’s website.
Event “disruptions” by striking student workers led to possible disciplinary and legal action
In an email sent to the UO community on May 2, Provost and Senior Vice President Christopher Long and Mark Schmelz, vice president and chief human resource officer, said that protest activities by the University of Oregon Student Workers union, “disrupted three important university events,” including two private and one public event. These events were held between April 29 to May 2 — during the first week of UOSW’s strike.
As a result, Long said that UO is actively reviewing these disruptions and could take “possible legal and disciplinary action.”
According to the email, the “disruptions” created “a threat to health and safety by exceeding fire marshal occupancy limits, blocking exits and intimidating participants.”
The email also stated that protesters also “interfered with the delivery of food and essential medication, affecting fellow students who depend on these deliveries.”
UOPD, EPD arrive during UOSW Johnson Hall occupation
Around 10:00 p.m. on May 5, roughly 60 striking student workers from the University of Oregon Student Workers Union occupied Johnson Hall, UO’s administrative building.
The occupation followed a study-in that began around 1:00 p.m. in Johnson Hall. At the same time, UOSW was in their third bargaining session with UO since the strike.
After several hours of occupying Johnson Hall, around 10 University of Oregon Police Department and Eugene Police Department officers arrived at 10:30 p.m. at the south entrance of the building, dressed in riot gear and wielding batons.
Once all striking workers left the inside of the building around 10:40 p.m., police officers and cars soon left the scene without making a single arrest.
Victoria Robison, a media liaison for UOSW, told The Daily Emerald that the striking workers weren’t expected to leave Johnson Hall after “until their demands (were) met.” The demands included a revised arbitration section for harassment and discrimination — topics that were discussed at the bargaining session. According to UO Spokesperson Angela Seydel, UOPD entered the building to “ensure the safety of those inside and secure university facilities.”
(Saj Sundaram/Emerald)
Striking student worker Bleu Jones receives a giant inflatable duck after winning the theatrical boxing match. Jones represented ‘UOSW’s Contract’.
(RIGHT) After the theatrical boxing match, roughly 375 people attended
at the front steps of Johnson Hall, the administrative building on the University of Oregon campus.
(Saj Sundaram/ Emerald)
ARTS & CULTURE
Amy Page, the district librarian for the Eugene School District, has worked with librarians across the district to quietly reshape the library program. Page, along with the team behind her, is turning once quiet and empty spaces into hubs for learning and discovery.
By Bella Graham Arts & Culture Writer
A librarian plays a pivotal role in any child’s life, curating the selection of books in their libraries, organizing book fairs and making displays.
District Librarian Amy Page has a slightly different role, working behind the scenes to support librarians across Eugene.
Behind the shelves and into the office of a district librarian Show Stopping Eugene’s Best Seasonal Eats Spring Menus:
Page is the district librarian for the Eugene School District 4J, which includes most schools in Eugene. A district librarian has many jobs — consulting with the various schools, providing extra resources and providing support where needed throughout the district. In a district like 4J, where some schools still don’t have full-time librarians, this role is crucial.
“I kind of think of myself as somebody who’s trying to remove roadblocks for them and make their jobs easier,” Page said.
Page started out as a classroom teacher in Springfield before a library position opened up at her school. In that role, she navigated a whirlwind of back-to-back classes and prepared lessons on top of growing the library’s collection.
“It was very eye-opening because until you’re in this space and actually doing the work, you don’t really realize all that’s involved there,” Page said. “You’re planning lessons and doing all the kid stuff, but then you also have this huge space to develop and maintain and build a collection for.”
She began her role as the Eugene district librarian in January 2020, when 4J libraries looked much different than they do today, as schools relied on volunteers to work in the libraries. Although the pandemic threw a wrench into that system, it was an opportunity.
Page and her dedicated team of high school librarians worked with the district and built the program up. In the past few years, they have done just that — adding elementary school librarians to their team, among other incredible strides.
Page’s experience as a librarian gave her a valuable perspective on the job these librarians are going into and what they have to manage. It’s that
perspective that puts her in a position to succeed.
“It takes a lot of getting to know the culture and the needs of the school and what they would really benefit from. You want books that will enhance that, so students can further their learning on particular topics that tie into the curriculum,” Page said, emphasizing the importance of the individual librarians in each school.
This hard work translates into tangible moments — seeing the transformation of libraries across the districts into places kids respond to and look forward to learning in. The beginning of this school year was one of those moments for Page, and she got to see her hard work pay off.
“When I held our back-to-school professional development, instead of just having four high school certified librarians and myself there, I had 18 certified librarians in the room,” Page said. “Knowing the work that they were going to be doing in these libraries — it’s just been so cool throughout this year to see the transformation and the care that’s been put in them.”
Despite the slow start, the district is putting countless resources towards the library program, supporting libraries and recognizing the value in them.
At the end of the day, that investment pays off with kids responding to the libraries: requesting new books in a series, participating in events or even just getting excited about reading. The library program will continue to evolve — with Page at the helm of a hardworking team, it’s a guarantee.
As spring blooms into full swing, these three Eugene restaurants feature seasonal ingredients and dishes inspired by the season. From high-end Marché to casual and affordable Acorn Community Cafe, there is a spring meal for everyone to enjoy.
By Fern Peva Arts & Culture Writer
Spring is in full swing in Eugene. The flowers have bloomed, the sun has retreated from its winter hibernation and the city’s restaurants have refreshed their menus with delightful spring-inspired dishes. Enjoy what the season brings to the table with these rotating menus.
Marché
One of Eugene’s favorite French restaurants is offering a selection of classic spring dishes this season. Start your meal with fresh and delicious radishes and butter. This French staple delivers a fresh and peppery bite with fresh radishes and is complemented by a salty punch from the French butter; it’s flavorful and quintessentially spring.
The seasonal entrée spotlight is on poulet aux artichauts, a braised chicken dish with artichokes. This dish is herbaceous and filling while still maintaining a lightness with the artichokes. Marché is the place to be this spring for French classics that will satisfy your cravings.
Acorn Community Cafe
This small vegan cafe in the Whiteaker neighborhood is committed to helping hungry people and making flavorful seasonal food. Acorn Community Cafe is always delicious and fresh, but its spring menu items highlight the best spring flavors.
Using in season ingredients to create a unique and fresh flavor profile, Acorn Community Cafe pairs nettles and turnips with crispy potatoes and dill aioli. Nettles, when in season, taste like slightly spicy spinach, and while they are often overlooked, they bring
this hash to life with a unique spring flavor. For those looking for something more comforting, the spring carrot and dill soup is full of earthy and herbal flavors, making it the ideal order for one of Eugene’s chillier spring days.
“I like coming to Acorn because the food is amazing, and I feel like I am also giving back to the Eugene community,” Talia McCormick, a Eugene native, said.
Lion
and Owl
With graduation coming, you should save this special occasion restaurant to your list. Lion and Owl boasts one of Eugene’s most impressive spring menus this season. The menu is extensive and sure to satisfy, but a must pick is the savory macarons stuffed with fresh spring peas and triple cream cheese. This unique creation is sure to put a smile on your face as soon as you taste it.
“I am always trying something new when I come here (Lion and Owl). They make the most unique ingredients look so good, I must try them,” David Jackson, a Eugene local, said.
On the entrée side, The house potato gnocchi is a show-stopper. Featuring nettle-hazelnut pesto, spring raab and house-made ricotta, this dish is filling yet fresh and brimming with flavor. Whether you’re celebrating or just enjoying a meal, Lion and Owl’s spring menu is a don’t-miss.
If you’re looking for exciting menus using in season ingredients, Eugene is the place to be! If you haven’t tried any of these restaurants yet, make sure you add them to your list and start enjoying the foods spring has to offer.
(ABOVE) Marché is a French-inspired restaurant located in Eugene's 5th Street Market.
(Molly McPherson/Emerald)
(Molly McPherson/Emerald)
Librarian Amy Page poses for a photo at the University of Oregon campus.
Crossword
45 Home of Tulane University, for short
Overwhelming feeling
“__ it or lose it” 50 Winter hrs. in Las Cruces
Domino dimple
Mock mercilessly
Unlace, say
Bestowed upon
Signify approval of, as a Reddit post
Foil alternative
Alma __
Slanted type: Abbr.
of
__ Bach: fictional “forgotten son” of
Fashion magazine that went digitalonly in 2022
Stephanie’s “Brooklyn NineNine” role
San Diego State athlete
Six years for a U.S. senator, e.g.
Docs who perform tonsillectomies
Disappointing turnout
Nile vipers
1 Abbr. before a summary
2 Mystical glow
3 *Neighborhood where the Brooklyn Dodgers played
4 Solo scholar
5 *ZZ Top hit with the lyric “Silk suit, black tie”
6 Cacao container
7 Old Pan Am rival
8 Union agts.
9 *Soil, water, or wind, e.g. 10 Electric toothbrush brand
11 Date night flick
12 Italian fashion house
13 Conked with a curveball
21 Opp. of withdrawal
23 Fury
25 Treat as the same
27 To the __ degree
28 Word of support
30 Patron of sailors
33 Mai __: cocktail
35 Foul territory?
36 Cacophony
40 Initial perfume scents, or what can be found in the answers to the starred clues
41 Yale grad
42 Hiker’s graphic
Sudoku
44 Wearing nothing
46 Stick fast
47 Clue category
48 Novelist Hemingway
51 Amt. that may be “heaping” 54 Mental flashes 55 State-run game
