Kirk Bailey ordinarily doesn't like to use sports metaphors, but the UO Legislative Relations director says a football reference seems particularly apropos this year in describing higher education's chances with the Oregon Legislature.

"For the university and the state system, it's kind of like being inside the 20-yard line in football, where scoring a touchdown is within our grasp, the stakes are high and we need to put some points on the board," says Bailey. The 69th Legislative Assembly convened Jan. 13 in Salem.

During the next six months, Bailey and assistant director Jayne Mickles will spend most of their waking hours trying to influence action on the legislative field. They'll become intimately familiar with I-5 scenery between campus and the Capitol.

"The governor's budget [see Dec. 10 News & Views] is looking pretty good, but it depends on new revenue and using the two-percent kicker, which is no small matter because what should be done about the kicker is split along party lines," Bailey says.

Bailey says the legislative leadership agrees generally that education, broadly defined to include higher education, is a priority this session. He says recent informal polls of legislators show overwhelming support for freezing tuition and only slightly less support for boosting faculty salaries.

"I think most legislators are convinced of the need to support higher education, and so I guess I'm guardedly optimistic about the session," he says.

Bailey, Mickles and others have worked diligently in preparation for this year's legislative session, providing background materials to lawmakers about the vital need to reinvest in higher education after more than a decade of disinvestment. With a new squad of rookie legislators taking the field--and veteran legislators losing their eligibility because of voter-passed term limits, Bailey says legislators no longer have the luxury of taking time to get educated about the complex issues before them in this session.

"While the university is not supported by property taxes and therefore is not directly subject to Measure 47's property-tax capping and cutting, we nonetheless are indirectly affected," he explains. "What legislators do to help meet budgetary needs for schools and other entities directly affected by Measure 47 will affect how much income tax is available in the General Fund for higher ed and other state programs."

Bailey says Measure 47 is so complex that legislators and other government officials will need to spend time sorting out its meaning. How they will react is unknown.

"What we do know with certainty is that we will have to fight for every dollar in the current legislative session," he says.

The university's top three legislative priorities for investment are:

To freeze its comparatively high tuition and protect college access for Oregon's moderate- and low-income families;

To develop and support top-quality programs to help recruit and retain the best faculty, whose salaries are increasingly less competitive; and

To invest in technology so improvements in efficiency and computer upgrades can continue, enabling the university to give Oregon's youth true value for their tuition dollars.

As legislators begin work, Legislative Relations will monitor developments, paying particular attention to the three core issues. Bailey and Mickles are developing or updating background materials on these key topics, and they expect to call on faculty, staff, students and alumni to assist in informing legislators throughout the session.

"We also will track legislative activities to stay on top of issues affecting us that arise unexpectedly, and if expert testimony or background information are needed, we'll alert the campus community," Bailey says.

Mickles is helping the UO Alumni Association organize this year's Lobby Day at the State Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 11. UOAA has invited alumni and other supporters of publicly funded higher education to participate in legislative training, a tailgate-style lunch and appointments with legislators.

"The main message we expect participants to share with legislators is the importance of reinvesting in higher education," she says.

To register for the free activities or for more information, call the Alumni Association, 6-5656.

In addition, Bailey and Mickles will consult regularly with senior UO administrators as well as with various campus constituencies.

Every Friday, Bailey plans to distribute electronically a legislative update newsletter to deans and other key administrators. A copy also likely will be posted on the soon-to-be-updated Legislative Relations Web page.

"You can help us in the ongoing task of telling higher education's story to this new crop of legislators," he says. "It behooves every citizen to help legislators make good choices for the state's future by providing information, expectations and feedback to representatives."

To leave a message for a legislator or committee, obtain a copy of a bill, track the status of a measure or determine committee meeting schedules, call the toll-free Legislative Information Access Line, 1 (800) 332-2313. The line operates from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For that information and more, browse the Oregon Legislature's homepage at http://www.leg.state.or.us. You also can learn about legislative matters on the Oregon State System of Higher Education's homepage at http://www.osshe.edu/.

"We are standing at the brink of what could be a very successful session for the university in particular and higher ed in general, but it all depends on everyone--legislators, the governor, higher ed officials, faculty, staff, students, alumni and other supporters--doing their part," Bailey says.

To contact Legislative Relations, call 6-5020. Bailey's e-mail address is kbailey@oregon.uoregon.edu, while Mickles' e-mail address is jayne@oregon.uoregon.edu.

Giving back to the community is not a cliché for Randy Choy.

"You hear that phrase a lot, or `Making a difference.' But, as trite as that may sound, it was one of my motivating factors to come back in `92," Choy says.

Now in his fifth year as Multicultural Affairs program coordinator, Choy also is enrolled in the Planning, Public Policy and Management master's degree program. After graduating from the university in 1986, he returned for the opportunity to work in an environment that promotes racial diversity and multicultural education.

"I was looking for a career change," he explains, "and my experience here as a student was great. Based on my own personal and professional experiences, I thought there was something I could offer not only to students of my own racial group, Chinese American, but also to other students of color from other racial groups," Choy says.

"I firmly believe that people who have achieved and gained something of significance, such as an education or a solid job, should give back to those who are trying to achieve the same success. That is especially important if those people have come from backgrounds or situations where they have had to deal with a lot of obstacles," he says.

One of the programs Choy helps put on, and is most proud of, stays true to this belief. Reach for Success is a one-day UO visitation program for 200 middle school students of color and their parents.

"It is really important to get information that encourages higher education to these kids and their parents, who often are not in the traditional `information' pipeline at their schools, either because of cultural or language barriers.

"My parents," he says, "didn't go to PTA meetings or things of that nature because they worked so much and struggled with the language barrier. So, I think the earlier both the kids and the parents can get this information, the better."

Choy considers this go-around with the university a "second chance" that allows him to succeed in his own right, but also to give back.

"When I left in `86, there were a lot of things I did not get a chance to participate in or take advantage of. By doing the work I do, and receiving the education I am getting now, it is my second chance to do what I may have missed the first time around. I am very lucky because a lot of people never get second chances in life, and mine only came six years later.

"There are opportunities for second chances," he continues, "except you cannot plan it that way. When it happens, you have to take advantage of it. I like to think that is what I am doing, and helping people in the process."

Feb. 1 is the last day to submit applications for Stanley B. Greenfield Faculty Grant Awards. The endowed program provides UO faculty an opportunity to request funding for library research materials beyond the library's regular acquisitions budget. In the past 16 years, more than $60,000 in materials have been purchased. Grant awards will be announced in March. For information, call 6-3056.

Feb. 7 is the deadline for nominating outstanding classified and former management service employees for Recognition Awards. Recognition is given for work-related achievements and/or community activities. Recipients will be honored during a University Recognition Reception on April 3. Submit nominations to Helen Stoop, Human Resources, 6-2967.

Feb. 14 is the deadline for nominating individuals to receive one of the university's highest honors, the Distinguished Service Award. Up to three awards are presented at June Commencement to persons "who by their knowledge and skills have made a significant contribution to the cultural development of Oregon or society as a whole." Submit nominations to Dave Hubin in the President's Office, 6-3036.

Four employees will receive 1997 Martin Luther King Jr. Awards in a special ceremony Jan. 22 that caps the university's 1997 celebration of the life of Martin Luther King Jr.

The ceremony, including an hors d'oeuvres buffet, is scheduled from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge at Gerlinger Hall. President Dave Frohnmayer will make a special presentation to the recipients at noon.

This year's Officers of Administration recipients are Marshall Sauceda and Lyllye Parker, both of Multicultural Affairs.

Honored classified employees are Chris Silva of Facilities Services and Lara Moore of University Computing.

King dreamed of building a society in which justice and human rights are freely available to all citizens. This year's focus is on efforts to realize King's vision on campus and in the larger community.

The three-day celebration began Jan. 14 with a candlelight vigil and a reading of King's "I Have a Dream" speech. The vigil was organized by the Black Student Union.

A panel discussion and workshops on Jan. 15 will explore issues surrounding affirmative action, equal opportunity in education and social issues. The group will write an action plan identifying critical issues and recommending changes for the UO community. The 1998 UO Martin Luther King Committee will receive a copy of the action plan.

From 10:00-11:30 a.m., assistant vice president Jan Oliver, Administration, will moderate a panel presentation, "Realizing the Dream: How Far Have We Come?" in the EMU Ballroom. Panelists include Alidees Beckham, pastor, St. Mark's Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Eugene; Raleigh Lewis, affirmative action director, Office of the Governor; and Shirley Clark, OSSHE vice chancellor for academic affairs.

From 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., workshop and discussion breakout groups will meet in EMU Cedar Rooms A-F. Topics include "Social Issues, Brotherhood and the Community," "Affirmative Action, Proposition 209: What Does It Mean For Oregonians?" and "Equal Opportunity in Education: A System Perspective."

A reception is planned from 12:30-1:00 p.m. in the EMU Gumwood Room.

On Thursday from 1:00-2:00 p.m., a faculty panel will examine "Jazz, Gospel and Pop: Sharing or Exploitation--A Dialogue and Performance." Panelists will be Ed Coleman, English, and John Gainer and Steve Valdez, both Music.

The university will observe the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, Jan. 20, when classes are canceled and many employees will have the day off.

Work continues on the university self-study that will conclude in April with the on-site visit by an accreditation team from the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.

Steering committee members have been gathering and analyzing information from many parts of the campus concerning the standards used as the basis for the study. Now, they are meeting in weekly sessions to hammer out details for the draft report.

As the steering committee continues to develop its initial drafts, committee members may be consulting further with offices and departments that earlier provided materials for the self-study.

"The report itself will be available from the UO homepage, http://www.uoregon.edu, by early- to mid-February, and all campus faculty and staff are encouraged to view it with a mind to changes necessary for the final version that will be published prior to the on-site visit," says committee co-chair Susan Plass, International Affairs.

A campus-wide forum for discussion of the self-study draft report is scheduled for 2:00-4:00 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, in the EMU Walnut Room. All interested university faculty and staff are encouraged to attend.

The accreditation process, which takes place every 10 years, is intended to assure that the UO and other NASC-member colleges and universities meet self-regulated standards. These are in institutional mission and objectives, finance, physical plant, library and information resources, educational programs, continuing education and special instructional activities, instructional staff and faculty evaluation, administration, students, scholarship and research, and graduate programs.

For more information, contact Plass, 6-2166. Other steering committee members are co-chair Bob Mazo, Chemistry emeritus, 6-5224; Anne Leavitt, Student Academic Affairs, 6-1229; and Dave Hubin, 6-3036, or Jim McChesney, 6-3007, both President's Office.

In the spotlight

Peter Sercel, Physics and Materials Science, received a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in a White House ceremony Dec. 16. The $500,000 grant will help fund his research on techniques for fabricating nanoscale devices such as semiconductor microlasers one-tenth the width of a human hair.

Former dean Eugene Scoles, Law emeritus, is recipient of the 1996 Treat Award for Excellence given by the National College of Probate Judges in recognition of significant contributions to the improvement of the law of judicial administration in probate and related fields. Scoles, who retired in 1982, was law dean from 1968-74 and is the author of numerous legal books and articles.

Three of the 10 recipients of 1997 Individual Artist Fellowships from the Oregon Arts Commission are UO faculty members. Robert Hill Long, Creative Writing, Victor Steinhardt, Music, and Jerry Williams, Theater Arts, each received $3,000 grants.

Head football coach Mike Bellotti oversaw the defensive unit for the game-winning Blue team in the 59th annual Kelly Tires Blue-Gray All-Star Classic on Dec. 25 in Montgomery, Ala. Oregon defensive coordinator Rich Stubler assisted.

PC Computing magazine's December 1996 issue listed the Department of Physics website at http://zebu.uoregon.edu/ among 15 U.S. university entries in its listing of 1,001 best websites.

On the move

Gary Martin, Music, is acting dean while Anne Dhu McLucas is on a research leave to England and several U.S. locales during winter term.

Neill Archer Roan, Oregon Bach Festival executive director, began a medical leave of absence Jan. 13. The leave is expected to last six months. Royce Saltzman, co-founder of the festival and its executive director emeritus, will be acting executive director during Roan's absence. The 28th Oregon Bach Festival takes place June 27-July 13, with the theme "Bach and the Romantics." Helmuth Rilling returns as artistic director and conductor.

Joan Saylor and Paige Lawlor have joined Public Safety. Saylor, lieutenant for patrol operations, was an OPS patrol officer from 1985-91 and has been a Eugene Police Department reserve officer and a Lane County Victim's Services caseworker. She fills the post held by Marjorie Bigelow who retired in December. Lawlor, a former Oregon State Police dispatcher in Bend and Cottage Grove, left Athletics where she was band administrative coordinator to become OPS office manager. She replaces T.K. McDonald, who transferred to ERIC as office specialist. Replacing Lawlor in the band office is Dana Martin who was graduate administrative assistant to Associate Dean Gary Martin.

Wendy Mitchell, former MBA program director in Business, has been promoted to Masters Programs assistant dean. 1996 Lundquist MBA graduate Dan Poston fills the new post of director of marketing and graduate admissions. Heather Bradbury is receptionist for the Masters Programs office, and Chelene Christensen is data entry operator.

In Print

Sean S. Kohles, Exercise and Movement Science, is the lead author of "Effect of a hypergravity environment on cortical bone elasticity in rats" in Calcified Tissue International, 59:214-217, 1996, and in "Cortical elasticity in aging rats with and without growth hormone treatments" in the Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology, 20:157-163, 1996.

On the podium/stage

Joanne Hugi, University Computing, and George Shipman, Knight Library, spoke on "Information Technology: Transcending National Boundaries" at the EDUCOM `96 conference Oct. 9 in Philadelphia.

Madonna Moss, Anthropology, presented a paper, "George Catlin among the Nayas: Understanding the Practice of Labret Wearing on the Northwest Coast," at the 1996 annual meeting of the American Society for Ethnohistory on Nov. 7-9 in Portland.

In memoriam

Carl C. Webb, Journalism and Communication emeritus, died Dec. 15 in Eugene. Webb, 91, was a 28-year journalism professor and manager of the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association. A memorial service was held Dec. 26. Remembrances may be made to the Congregational Church foundation, the Eugene Rotary Club or a charity of the donor's choice.