University of Oregon President Richard Lariviere issued the following statement Saturday, Sept. 25 to the news media concerning the civil disturbance near campus.

Statement from University of Oregon President Richard Lariviere regarding off campus incident

September 25, 2010

"I am deeply disappointed by the behavior displayed by young people, including UO students, in the neighborhood west of the University of Oregon campus last evening. The UO is committed to being a good neighbor and a positive member of the local community and the actions exhibited by those involved in the disturbance last night were completely unacceptable.

I want to personally thank the members of the Eugene Police Department and other law enforcement agencies who responded to the event. Their rapid action led to a quick resolution of the incident. I commend them for their professionalism.

The University of Oregon offers its students a wide array of fun and safe activities throughout the year to help our young people make positive choices about how to spend their free time. We also work hard to educate students about how to be respectful, positive members of the local community. In fact, University of Oregon and community leaders will welcome UO students living off campus back to school and to Eugene with door-to-door visits on Tuesday, Sept. 28. The intent of the second annual Community Welcome event is to share information with students about how to be good neighbors. The event also seeks to strengthen relationships between long-term residents and students in the Fairmount, South and West University neighborhoods."

Richard W. Lariviere
University of Oregon