EUGENE, Ore. -- (Sept. 23, 2011) -- To celebrate the start of the academic year and to welcome back University of Oregon students to Eugene, university and City officials will visit residents door to door from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 27.
Started in 2009, the Community Welcome event is an opportunity to create neighborhood relationships and to provide information about respectful and safe off-campus living experiences. 
"University of Oregon students are valued members of our community and the City is happy to join with our university partners to warmly welcome them to Eugene," said Mayor Kitty Piercy. "Students can have a real impact in many ways and we want to help make sure they are successful here."
Approximately 75 people in small groups will distribute approximately 2,000 packets of information during the evening event that will cover more than 70 city blocks. In addition, extra materials are available for neighbors and complex managers to connect with residents in the days and weeks to come.
"Our students are joining the University of Oregon community, but they are also joining the Eugene/Springfield community," said UO President Richard Lariviere. "I hope students take the time to meet their neighbors and treat them as the friends they can be. They will have a more enriched experience if they take some time to learn about this community, and to learn from this community."
This year's Community Welcome walk includes the addition of the Eugene Police Department's crime prevention team. Officers will join efforts with the event to inform residents in the West and South University neighborhoods -- many of whom are UO students -- about the expectations for lawful behavior.
"EPD's Crime Prevention Unit looks at the Welcome Walk as a great opportunity to share information with UO students about how to protect their property," said EPD Sergeant Lisa Barrong.
Mayor Piercy and President Lariviere will be joined by Oregon State Representative Phil Barnhart, City Councilor Alan Zelenka and other leaders for the walking tour including: Associated Students of the University of Oregon (ASUO) President Ben Eckstein; City Manager Jon Ruiz; Assistant City Manager Sarah Medary; Eugene Police Department Chief Pete Kerns; UO Department of Public Safety Chief Doug Tripp; UO Vice President for Student Affairs Robin Holmes; UO Dean of Students Paul Shang; and neighborhood association leaders.
Following the Community Welcome, a block party, "Flock the Block," will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on 13th Avenue between Alder Street and Kincaid Street. The free, public event will welcome students to the University District, which includes a number of recently completed street and transit improvements. "Flock the Block" is hosted by The Duck Store in cooperation with other University District businesses. Attendees will enjoy entertainment, a scavenger hunt with prize opportunities and more.
Contacts: Julie Brown, UO media relations, 541-346-3185 (office), 541-743-1038 (mobile), julbrown@uoregon.edu; Jan Bohman, City of Eugene communications, 541-968-2829 (mobile), Jan.L.BOHMAN@ci.eugene.or.us
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