The University of Oregon School of Law recently named Lauren Charles to be assistant director of Admissions. She began her new position June 17.Charles is a 2011 graduate of the law school. She earned her undergraduate degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University and received her master's degree in historic preservation from Pratt Institute in New York.

Waste material: It may not seem glamorous, but finding sustainable ways to deal with it is one of the century's most pressing issues. Bulk Handling Systems has taken on this challenge. The Eugene-based company provides innovative turnkey systems for large-scale recycling of industrial and municipal waste. At the UO's SPRNG conference in Portland in May, UO president emeritus Dave Frohnmayer described Bulk Handling Systems as "one to watch."

The State Board of Higher Education granted permission at its June 21 meeting for the University of Oregon to equip its police officers with firearms. The board acted on the recommendation of UO President Michael Gottfredson, who reached the decision following a campus engagement process that considered input from many members of the campus community. In his recommendation, Gottfredson cited the safety and security of faculty, students, staff and the community as his primary consideration. 

The weekly AroundtheO photo gallery focuses on the people and places that make the University of Oregon special.