Campus and Community

A bill recently passed by the Oregon Legislature and awaiting the signature of Gov. John Kitzhaber will make money available to the University of Oregon and Oregon State University that was originally set aside for the two institutions more than 150 years ago.

Under House Bill 2033, the State Treasury will turn over to the Oregon University System $109,877 from funding earmarked for UO purposes in 1859, and another $326,543 from a fund designated for OSU in 1862.

If approved as proposed, a public institutional board for the University of Oregon would provide a springboard for “astonishing” successes, university President Michael Gottfredson said May 14, at a campus gathering with faculty and staff.

During an informal meeting in Gerlinger Alumni Lounge, the president provided an update and answered questions regarding two bills in the Oregon Legislature that would reorganize higher education governance and create boards for the UO and other public universities in Oregon that request them.

Until recently, perhaps the most noticeable tribute on campus to computer genius Alan Turing was the gargoyle high on one side of Deschutes Hall. That’s changing.

Oregon Law graduate Darrell Doss has found his center in a world of constant flux: Capitol Hill.

Doss works as Economic Policy Counsel for Texas Congresswoman Sheila Lee Jackson, writing legislation, interpreting court rulings and advising her on legal matters affecting the economy, housing and taxation. Under one of the “toughest bosses on capitol hill,” Doss enjoys navigating the complex challenges and unpredictability his job brings him.

“You don’t grasp it until you talk with people,” said Doss. “It dawns on you that, “Hey, this is a really neat career.” 

The University of Oregon’s Community Service Center will receive the 2013 Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association’s Special Achievement in Planning Award at the OAPA conference in Portland on May 30.

An exhibit titled “Russia Inside Out: Voices and Faces” is on display in front of the Knight Library Browsing Room.

The exhibit features books about the Russian language, as well as a cookbook “accordion” with various ethnic dishes that were popularized and discovered via the Russian language in the former Soviet Union.

A map illustrates the diversity of ethnicities in 21st-century Russia, where many ethnic peoples had settled long before the Slavs. Images of national costumes are featured for some of the representatives from 185 ethnic groups living in Russia.

Smoke alarms in the Hamilton Housing Complex went off just before 11 a.m. this morning.

UOPD officers immediately began evacuating the complex while the Eugene Fire Department responded to the call.  A small fire was discovered in a janitor's closet in the basement of the Dunn Residence Hall (Dunn is one of ten residence halls that make up the Hamilton Complex).  Firefighters were on the scene at 10:57 and they had the fire extinguished by 11:13 a.m.  The fire was confined to a custodial storage area although smoke filled the stairwell of Dunn.

The campus community is invited to comment on plans to transform Straub and Earl halls with state-of-the-art classrooms, a 500-seat auditorium and more.

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art will take families on a safari to explore “Artful Animals,” a free event for all ages from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. Visitors will get admission to the museum, a day full of family-friendly performances, art activities and the company of live animals – thanks to the sponsorship of Kendall Auto Group.