UO E-Clips is a daily report prepared by the Office of Communications (http://comm.uoregon.edu) summarizing current news coverage of the University of Oregon.
Media mentions for October 4
Drug test hearing at UO draws few
The Register-Guard: University of Oregon tennis player Lena Macomson listened intently Wednesday at a sparsely attended public hearing on the university’s new policy to require drug tests on a random basis from student athletes. And though she appeared to be the only athlete in the room -- and so the only one potentially subject to the proposed requirement to give a urine sample -- she didn’t take the floor to testify as to how she felt about the matter. Macomson said afterward that she could not speak to a reporter without first getting the permission of Andy McNamara, assistant athletic director for media relations ... Thomas Bivins, a UO journalism ethics professor, said it’s understandable that a corporation would want to protect its image.
Among UO audience, no real winner
The Register-Guard: University of Oregon graduate students Meghan Burke and Cat Bradley were of the same opinion Wednesday night about who prevailed in the first presidential debate between President Obama and former Gov. Mitt Romney: Neither. “Both were just talking in circles and interrupting each other,” said Burke, one of about 30 students who gathered to watch the debate on TV screens in the Erb Memorial Union Fishbowl on campus ... Several students watching the debate said they feel that their peers should care about this election -- but that not enough do. The 2012 campaign, said Burke, is “not like 2008” ... “2008 got people excited; it made youth believe their vote counts,” she said. “They (candidates and the media) haven’t focused on them this year.”
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Late mentions for October 3
Students protest tuition increases at UO
KVAL: Dana Rognlie is fed up with high tuition costs ... And the University of Oregon graduate student said she's not alone: Dozens of students and faculty rallied at the University of Oregon's EMU Amphitheater Wednesday over high tuition costs ... Congressman Peter Defazio also made an appearance ... According to University of Oregon Senior Vice President and Provost Jim Bean ... “We're doing very well for the lower, less advantaged socio-economic groups and of course wealthy students can afford to pay the tuition, the middle class is under great pressure,” said Bean. “That's why this year we introduced the Solari scholarships that are aimed precisely at that middle class.”
Seasonal Affective Disorder in Eugene
Eugene Daily News: Though Eugene has been marvelously scenic these past couple of weeks, it’s sure to return to its usual downpours by the end of the Fall ... While many people from the Northwest are able to find beauty in the regions seemingly bleak climate, others suffer from seasonal depression. Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD) is a specific kind of depression and is especially prevalent in northern states, where winters are darker than other regions of the United States ... University of Oregon psychology professor Don Tucker believes there are alternatives to prescription drugs when dealing with SAD. “Drugs (like) Prozac are often effective in treating depression, but their long term effectiveness is often disappointing,” said Professor Tucker.
University of Oregon Smoking Ban Update
Eugene Daily News: The University of Oregon was the first of the Pac-12 to pronounce its campus smoke-free ... Information about the new ban was published in nine languages for the international student population. Literature about being healthy and how to quit using tobacco products was also provided by UO ... The goal of the program and its resources is to provide education and awareness of the health issues of tobacco use. The school is providing free programs, patches, and gum for those wishing to quit ... The Univeristy of Oregon and its DPS department will begin handing out penalties and fees beginning Winter of 2013. These fees will help pay for the provided tobacco cessation programs, programs that are also being helped by the administration office at the University of Oregon.
Having problems with UO Secure? Tech professionals share some tips
The Daily Emerald: Upon returning to campus, students and faculty noticed some issues with the University of Oregon’s reliable wireless network, UO Secure. According to Patrick Chinn, UO’s interim communications manager, network capacity, the Wi-Fi network’s age and the gear connecting to wireless are responsible for the connection failure during the last several weeks. With regard to the latter, excessive use of smartphones, laptops and tablets on campus pushed the wireless network’s capacity ... For Wi-Fi-only devices, using the “uowireless” network is a good short term workaround. Update the software on your phone, tablet or laptop when possible. Updated software often fixes bugs that may cause Wi-Fi problems.
As the leaves fall, the Undead Oregon begins to rise
The Daily Emerald: The gun’s name is Veera. Its caretaker says weapons should always have feminine names. Four multicolored bandanas adorn the orange-and-yellow futuristic-looking Nerf blaster, each one a trophy signifying a past victory over the forces of the undead in the twice-annual University of Oregon presentation of the international Humans vs. Zombies (HvZ) seasons. The paint is chipped and faded in places, showing history, but it speaks of reliability and fictional lethality as well.