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 September 13
UO's Chemical Safety Research With Zebrafish Gets A Boost
EarthFix: University of Oregon scientists got a financial boost today for their work with zebrafish to research better ways to test chemicals' toxic risks to people and the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency announced nearly $11 million in grants to eight universities, including the UO in Eugene, Ore., to advance chemical safety research. It's an issue EarthFix has been exploring this week as part of our series, Clean Water: The Next Act. The money will help university researchers develop models and methods to predict how exposure to chemicals may harm the public. The University of Oregon's EPA-funded research involves zebrafish testing. Scientists are trying to develop alternatives for existing toxicity tests. The university is home to the Zebrafish Information Network and six labs that rely on the zebrafish as their model organisms for research.
Smart Digital Origami Sunshades Shape The Light
EarthTechling: Oh, fickle humans! You love sunshine in the winter, when it helps to keep your buildings warm and toasty. But in the summer, you'd rather not have to deal with all that heat. Is there a way to have your cake and eat it too, without losing the advantages of natural daylighting? A recent report presented by the University of Oregon (U of O) at the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture's 2012 annual meeting says yes.
In The Capital: Are you a student who enjoys the nicotine edge, a puff of smoke every once in a while? Well with a new White House-backed initiative to ban your beloved stress relieving habit, pushing for tobacco-free policies on college campuses, looks like you better trade in those Marlboros for a package of patches for the withdrawal that's sure to rapidly follow. President Obama has already made the pledge to kick his smoking habit out of the White House and with him he will take the college student population of America ... In fact, bans have already been enacted on huge campuses like that of the ... University of Oregon.
Ducks slash prices on some season tickets
The Register-Guard: The University of Oregon will be reducing the prices for some of its men's basketball season tickets, which go on sale at 9 a.m. Friday. The effort to make more affordable seats available to Duck fans comes on the heels of the school receiving complaints about rising prices for football tickets this season, with the UO struggling to fill Autzen Stadium after years of sellouts. Oregon will sell basketball season tickets in Sections 207 and 208 -- about 1,000 seats -- for $150, 50 percent less than a year ago, with no donation requirement or construction fees as part of the price. The sections are in the upper level of Matthew Knight Arena, behind the basket.
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Late mentions for September 12
Oregon economic indicators weaken
Mail Tribune: Several economic indicators in Oregon, like building permits and consumer sentiment, weakened in July. Tim Duy at the University of Oregon compiles the monthly Oregon Index of Economic Indicators. He says July's figures were dragged down by a labor dispute at the Port of Portland. But he says, it's only temporary. "Over the last six months, the index is up 3.3 percent annualized. So it would be premature to get terribly worried about these numbers just yet." Duy says when the port dispute is accounted for, the state appears to be growing at close to the average rate for the last two decades.
Pacific-12 Conference looks to China for new fan base
San Francisco Business Times: The L.A. Times had an interesting piece about the Pacific-12 Conference's efforts to groom China as its next growth opportunity. The Times reports that, "the Pac-12 simply cannot match rivals such as the Southeastern and Big Ten when it comes to rabid fans. But with schools dotted along the Pacific Rim, it can pursue a different sort of consumer. Sport business experts say the conference and its new television network are well-situated to establish a foothold in China" ... Paul Swangard, who oversees sports marketing instruction at the University of Oregon, said thousands of Chinese students "attend Pac-12 universities, so people in the Far East are familiar with the schools."
The Oregonian:Terms of the signed contracts for University of Oregon associate athletic director Vin Lananna and head track & field/cross country coach Robert Johnson were released Wednesday in response to a public records request. Lananna stepped down as track coach and Johnson was promoted from associate head coach to head coach, the university announced Tuesday. According to the terms of Lananna's contract, he will be paid an annual salary of $289,855 for a job that is 69 percent of full time. He will receive an additional $234,105 annually in deferred compensation, receive the use as of a courtesy car and athletic club membership. Johnson will receive an annual base salary of $150,000 and a guaranteed supplemental salary of $125,000 annually. He could earn a number of additional performance-related bonuses. He will receive the use of a courtesy car, and the university will pay for a country club membership.
Matthew Knight Arena event calendar leaves fans wondering "where are the events?"KMTR: While Autzen Stadium is active for the football season, just across the river, the University of Oregon's other marquee venue, the Matthew Knight Arena has been pretty quiet, leaving many people wondering, "where are all of the events?" January 2013 officially marks the two year birthday for the Matthew Knight Arena. In that time, the arena has hosted some pretty big shows, including musicians Elton John ... sporting events like WWE Wrestling and the Monster Jam monster truck show, and entertainment events like Cirque du Soleil. While those events have come and gone with crowds and success, the arena's future event calendar is almost barren beyond the university's own sporting events.
Oregon billed more than $140,000 for law firm's investigation into possible NCAA violations
The Oregonian: The law firm Bond, Schoeneck & King billed the University of Oregon $140,836.78 for work done during a 17-month period through July 2012 as part of the school's internal investigation into possible NCAA violations committed by the football program. Invoices from the law firm were released Wednesday in response to an open records request by The Oregonian. The invoices were heavily redacted. In its initial contract with the law firm, the UO had a cap of $150,000 for compensation to the firm. Mike Glazier, the lead attorney in the case who has been called "the Cleaner" for his work with school's facing NCAA inquiries, makes $340 an hour.