Ducks who want to display school pride while keeping themselves and others safe from COVID-19 can now do so thanks to a new line of University of Oregon face coverings.
And the best part is, every purchase directly supports UO students.
When COVID-19 struck Oregon in March, thousands of jobs disappeared, leaving many students unable to afford rent, gas or groceries. Also, students whose parents claimed them as dependents were ineligible to receive stimulus checks that would have provided relief.
In March, UO President Michael Schill announced $1 million in donations would be allocated to the Students in Crisis Fund to support UO students who were struggling financially due to the pandemic. Typically, the fund received five or six requests for help a month. By late April, that number had surged to 600.
In addition to the face coverings, the Duck Store will donate proceeds from the sale of select items to the UO Student Health Advisory Committee. The committee promotes public health on campus and connects students with resources at the University Health Center, which remains open to serve the university community.
Aside from the officially licensed face coverings, visitors to campus may use their own. Face coverings are required at all UO locations. The university will be distributing reusable face coverings to members of the campus community, and disposable coverings will be made available at the EMU.
UO departments wishing to purchase face coverings for internal use can find approved vendors through the brand management website. Royalties are not collected on internal purchases, which therefore do not generate a crisis fund donation.
—By Abby Keep, University Communications