The good news is that about 200 parking spaces have been added to the university's inventory since 1987, and UO employees have received a free bus pass program to encourage more reliance on this alternative mode of getting to and from campus.

The bad news is that, come July 1, the cost of UO parking permits--which haven't increased since 1988--are due to climb 25 percent for faculty, staff and students who want to use the 2,820 parking spaces currently available on campus.

George Hecht, Campus Operations director, says the proposed increase would boost faculty/staff permits from $108 to $135 per year, and students would pay $75 a year, up from $60.

At the same time, administrators propose to offer a reduced-rate, off-site parking plan, possibly at Autzen Stadium, and car-pooling permit prices would not change from the current $63 annual rate. In response to employee suggestions, officials also will re-examine the parking fines program.

"We're trying to offer lots of ways for employees and students to get to and from campus because we realize that a variety of alternatives will better serve members of our campus community, each of whom has different transportation needs," Hecht says.

A hearing on the proposed parking rates and other special fees, fines, penalties and service charges is set for 1:30 p.m. Feb. 29 in the EMU Fir Room.

Hecht explains that the parking permit increases are needed to bring the university parking reserve fund back into balance after drawing it down over several years to pay for the increased costs of parking and transportation improvements. At the end of the 1994-95 fiscal year, expenditures exceeded revenues by about $295,000.

The self-supporting fund gets most of its revenue from faculty/staff parking permit fees (34 percent), parking fines (30 percent), metered parking (18 percent) and student permits (16 percent).

Expenditures are for security services, including the Eugene Police Department contract and Public Safety officers (51 percent), miscellaneous fees and charges, including the LTD bus pass contract and storm water fees (17 percent), administrative assessment (16 percent), debt service (9 percent) and administrative salaries and OPE (7 percent).

Much of the shortfall can be attributed to the university's need to support academic programs.

"To accommodate Measure 5 revenue cutbacks while protecting employee jobs, the university assessed all auxiliaries, including the parking fund, for indirect costs," Hecht says. "At $209,000, this administrative assessment accounts for about 70 percent of the over expenditure that we're trying to correct with the increased parking fees."

He explained that loans previously made from the parking fund to Athletics ($170,000) and to Telecommunications Services ($410,000) have been brought current and are being paid back.

Hecht, who met last month with OPEU employees concerned about rumored changes in the campus parking program, says the proposed increase in parking permit fees is substantially less than the 175 percent boost in 1988 when faculty/staff permits jumped from $39 to the current $108 a year.

"At the time, we explained the big increase was needed to help pay for a parking structure, which we believed to be our best and only choice to increase the number of parking spaces on campus," he says. "Later developments, including community opposition to a parking structure and a higher-than-expected cost-per-space, eventually argued against proceeding with the parking structure plans."

However, he explains, the university used the added income to add more parking spaces while implementing the innovative free Lane Transit District bus pass program for UO employees.

"The net effect was that we added a couple hundred parking spaces to our campus-wide inventory, and so I would argue that we achieved our goal, but we did it differently than we started out to do," Hecht says. "We continue to explore additional alternatives with Sacred Heart and others that would provide even more cost-efficient parking for our employees."

Crimes against people declined or held steady, while property crimes climbed, according to the latest campus safety report published and distributed under the federal Campus Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act.

During 1994, no criminal homicides, forcible rapes, non-forcible rapes or forcible other sex crimes were reported to Public Safety. In addition, there were three robbery cases, 12 assaults, three non-forcible other sex crimes and two bias crimes.

These latest statistics compare with two forcible rapes, two forcible other sex crimes, three robberies, 15 assaults, two non-forcible other sex crimes and six bias crimes reported during 1993.

Copies of this year's brochure, "Committed to Your Safety," will be distributed to all UO employees with their January paycheck stubs. They also are available from Public Safety and other offices listed in the Schedule of Classes.

"The number of reported arson cases increased significantly in 1994, primarily because more cases were charged as `arson' rather than as `reckless burning,' which is not reportable under the act," says Tom Hicks, Public Safety acting director. Thirteen arson cases occurred in 1994, up from one in 1993.

Likewise, the number of reported criminal mischief cases increased substantially, jumping to 242 from an average of 170 cases during the previous two years.

"We attribute much of this increase to a greater willingness of victims to report crimes," Hicks says. "Over the last few years, one of our messages has been that members of the campus community should report any crime, no matter how minor it may seem, and it appears that message is getting through."

Thefts of bicycles numbered 170, up from 160 the year before, but thefts from buildings ballooned to 252 from 182 during 1993. Thefts from vehicles dropped to 54 from 75, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle increased to three cases from one the year before.

To help reduce campus thefts, Hicks advises faculty, staff and students to protect their belongings by always locking office, residence and motor vehicle doors and by registering and securing bicycles.

In addition, there were 30 alcohol incidents and 38 drug incidents, up from 28 and 11, respectively, during 1993. Trespass cases numbered 67, compared with 63 a year before. No bomb threats were reported during 1994 after one in 1993.

"This campus safety record reflects the circumstances in which we live, work and play," Hicks says, noting the university is a community of 20,000 students, faculty and staff in a metropolitan area of 250,000 people. "Our Public Safety staff, in partnership with Eugene Police, are on the front lines around the clock, but we can only achieve a truly safe environment through the continued cooperation, help and support of the entire university community."

On-the-job stress for University Recycling manager Karyn Kaplan differs from that of a regular job.

"This job is trying to get people to change what is familiar to them, and it is always a challenge to get people to change their habits," she says.

In her fifth year with the recycling program, Kaplan enjoys empowering other people to help them see they make a difference.

"Recycling is just one step away from the garbage can," she says. "By creating the world of recycling, we're getting people to think critically about what they're doing and we're instilling a different sense of ethical and personal responsibility in them."

Although Kaplan's job is a lot of hard work, it is worth it. "There are days I want to turn around and go home. But, all my struggles are worth it because I get to do something that really matters and makes people feel good about themselves," she says.

In her spare time, Kaplan is an avid knitter. She also boats, hikes, skis, gardens and likes to travel. She's been to Africa and would like to visit the Seven Wonders of the World.

Meanwhile, she says, "Dance like no one is watching, spend money like you do not need it, and love like you will never get hurt. Or just live life to the fullest and take your opportunities as they come."

--COURTNEY HEDBERG, COMMUNICATIONS INTERN

Helen Stoop, Human Resources, reports that appeals of Measure 8, also known as the PERS initiative, still await rulings by the Oregon Supreme Court.

At the earliest, she says, the wait could last two or three months, but Supreme Court decisions "often take longer than expected. However long it takes, we're hoping for a positive outcome."

Three of the four cases--two from Marion County and one from Multnomah County, but all dealing with claimed impairment of contracts--were consolidated for briefing. The fourth case, from Lane County, challenges the constitutionality of the measure on the grounds that it revised rather than amended the Oregon Constitution, and so it was treated separately.

Briefs were filed in late summer and early fall, and the court heard oral arguments in all four cases on Oct. 25.

Any ruling by Oregon's highest court on the three consolidated cases could be appealed to federal court because a Marion County Circuit Court judge ruled earlier that the measure violates the U.S. Constitution's provision forbidding impairment of contracts.

A federal court appeal of the Lane County case also is possible, as attorneys argued that uses of the initiative process such as Measure 8 violate the republican form of government guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

While the state is appealing the lower courts' rulings on Measure 8, the university will continue to pay into each employee's retirement account, Stoop says. If upheld, the constitutional amendment approved by voters in November 1994 would force UO and other state and local government employees to contribute 6 percent of their pay into their Public Employee Retirement System accounts.

On a related topic, Stoop notes that a new two-tier retirement plan, approved by the 1995 Oregon Legislature, recently kicked in for all employees covered by PERS who were hired on Jan. 1 or later. The new plan requires most employees hired in 1996 and later to work until age 60 for full retirement benefits. Most current employees may continue to retire at age 58. Retirement benefit computation will not change for either current or new employees.

Documenting and honoring the diversity of people that comprise the local community is the focus of the month-long Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration which continues through Feb. 2 on campus.

"The dream of Martin Luther King Jr. was that people of all backgrounds could live and work together in harmony and with respect for one another while appreciating the contributions that our individual differences make to the rich tapestry of our lives," says event coordinator Faye Chadwell, Knight Library. "That's why we chose documenting diversity as the guiding principle for this year's many activities."

The UO Library System organized this year's campus Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in cooperation with various student and academic groups, including the School of Music. Most events are free and open to the public.

"We solicited ideas for activities from groups and individuals throughout campus and in the community," says Chadwell. "The coordinating committee is pleased with the good response."

Consult the CALENDAR in this issue of News & Views for details about individual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration events and activities under the boldfaced subheading, MLK Celebration. For more information, including an MLK Celebration program, call 6-1819 or 6-3056.

Shutdown may delay international students

The temporary suspension of visa services at U.S. consulates abroad during the current shutdown of the U.S. government may delay the arrival of some new international students and the return of some currently enrolled international students for winter term. International Education and Exchange asks faculty and staff to keep this special situation in mind as they advise and work with affected students. For information, call 6-3206.

Deadlines set for grants, awards

Feb. 15 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.

April 8 is the deadline for faculty and graduate students to apply for CSWS research support grants worth $100-$2,000 each to fund individual research on gender, feminist theory or any aspect of women's experiences.

April 29 is the deadline for faculty and graduate students to apply for CSWS travel grants to provide partial support for presenting papers, participating on a panel, accessing special collections or engaging in approved professional activities (faculty only).

For CSWS applications and more information, visit the center's main office in 340 Hendricks Hall or call 6-5015.

Women in Higher Ed Conference is Jan. 26

Jan. 18 is the postmark deadline to register for the 15th annual Oregon Women in Higher Education Conference, set Jan. 26 at the Governor Hotel in Portland. For a brochure and registration information, call Millie May, University of Portland, (503) 283-7425, or email: may@uofport.edu.

The Efficiency Update published

The first in a series of newsletters devoted to answering questions about, and discussing issues related to, implementation of SB 271, the Higher Education Administrative Efficiency Act, was published in November. To submit questions and comments, email Susan Johnese in the OSSHE Office of Finance and Administration at johneses@osshe.edu.

In the spotlight

Joe St. Sauver, University Computing, reports the university's World Wide Web home page has been rated among the top 5 percent of all sites on the Internet by Point Survey, a service that rates and reviews the best Web sites. The URL is http://www.uoregon.edu.

Interior Design Magazine reports the university's Interior Architecture program is rated among the top three in the nation by an informal poll of design school administrators. Director Lyman Johnson says the magazine's admittedly unscientific survey validates the university's belief that it offers a well-rounded program, especially in furniture design and fabrication, that turns out fine designers.

John Witte, Northwest Review, is among five Eugene area writers and two Eugene publishers who have been awarded fellowships worth $500 to $3,000 each from Literary Arts Inc. of Portland. Witte received his fellowship in poetry.

In memoriam

Willis "Bill" Leslie Winter Jr., Journalism emeritus, died Dec. 14 at age 69 in Eugene. One of the nation's best-known advertising teachers, Winter earned heartfelt praise from his many students, culminating in the Burlington Northern Outstanding Teacher Award in 1987. He also won the Jerry Schmidt Excellence in Advertising Award from the Mid-Oregon Ad Club in 1994 and was voted Advertising Man of the Year by the American Advertising Federation in 1972. Memorial contributions may be made to the Willis L. Winter Memorial Trust, in care of U.S. Bank in Eugene.

A memorial service was held Jan. 6 for John P. "Jack" Clark, Sociology, who died Dec. 30 at age 67 in Eugene. A scholar on measurement of deviance, police behavior, white-collar crime and related topics, he had been a Fulbright scholar in Japan in 1966-67. Memorial contributions may be made to the UO Foundation.

In the spotlight

Frank Geltner, EMU, has been named to the National Association of Parliamentarians 1993-95 Membership Achievement Award Honor Roll of Teachers in appreciation for serving as the primary instructor for 10 or more new NAP members.

A six-minute documentary on the life and times of Oregon's foremost suffragette, "Yours for Liberty: Abigail Scott Duniway," aired Dec. 23 on Oregon Public Broadcasting stations statewide. Five students in the fall term Documentary Production class of Daniel Miller, Journalism and Communication, produced the tape, with post-production consultation and re-editing by Michael Majdic, Knight Library Instructional Media Center. Majdic also recently arranged a live network uplink to the "Larry King Live" show for an interview with Ray Hyman, Psychology, on his recent research questioning the value of on-going federal studies of paranormal powers.

On the move

Cyndi Jones has joined Environmental Health and Safety as an environmental specialist. Among her duties are ensuring that the campus complies with local, state and federal environmental regulations, and submitting reports on campus waste activities.

Three faculty--Marvin Girardeau and David McDaniels, both Physics; and Arnulf Zweig, Philosophy--have been given emeritus status by Provost John Moseley. Girardeau and McDaniels each have 32 years of service, while Zweig has been a UO faculty member for 39 years.

In print

Bill Orr, Geological Sciences, and his wife Elizabeth Orr, Condon State Museum of Fossils, are the authors and illustrators of "Geology of the Pacific Northwest" (McGraw-Hill 1995).

Richard Bear, Admissions, has published a new edition of John Gay's "The Beggar's Opera" at http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~rbear/beggar.html.

Ross West, Communications, wrote and edited INQUIRY, an insert highlighting UO research which appeared in the Nov. 10 Portland Business Journal. Produced in conjunction with the Provost's Office, the issue featured the work of Stephen Fickas, Computer and Information Science; Judith Eisen, Biology; Thomas Mossberg, Physics; Hill Walker, Special Education and Rehabilitation; and Marianne Koch, Management. Copyeditor was Nan Coppock-Bland and graphic designer was Connie Morehouse, both University Publications. INQUIRY is now available at http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~uocomm/inq/cover.html