June 13, 1997 Family and friends of graduates attending the University of Oregon Spring Commencement at Hayward Field on Saturday, June 14, will have one less worry--they won't have to feed the parking meters. As a goodwill gesture, the university on Saturday is renting from the City of Eugene about 350 parking meters on the perimeter of campus. The UO also is suspending its own campus meter enforcement for the day. "This is a small gesture to honor the graduates and show our appreciation to their families," says Rand Stamm, UO parking and transportation coordinator. "We want this day to be an all-around positive experience for everyone involved." The university will pay the city $2,040 to rent all city parking meters on Kincaid Street; along East 18th Avenue from Alder to Agate streets; on Agate Street from East 15th to East 19th avenues; and in one-block areas along East 15th and 13th avenues between Moss and Agate streets. None of the 500 parking meters in the university's jurisdiction will be ticketed, and all meters covered under the enforcement suspension will be posted with sticker signs indicating free parking. Graduates and their commencement guests also may park for free in all but designated reserved spaces in university lots at East 15th Avenue and Columbia Street, and East 14th Avenue and Kincaid Street. Because of expected heavy traffic, Stamm recommends that those attending commencement ceremonies arrive early. To assist commencement attendees, UO Office of Public Safety officers will be on hand, will staff various information booths and will staff the campus kiosk at East 13th Avenue and Agate Street. SOURCE: Rand Stamm, UO parking and transportation coordinator, (541) 346-5447. Reporters needing information or assistance can reach Gaye Vandermyn, Office of Communications, on Saturday on cellular phone, (541) 954-6402, or by pager, (541) 465-0349. -30- #T-1068/Day