To start the year off with a warm welcome to the community, students and city members, city officials hit the streets of Eugene to promote the annual “Your Neighbors and U” tips for the people of Eugene. The “Your Neighbors and U” gathering started in 2009, and this year Michael Gottfredson, president of the University of Oregon, was able to join along and help promote key points to people living off campus and reminding them this is a community that consists of more than just students. Seventy-five people dedicated time to go around neighborhoods in Eugene.

“This event turned out to be a great success. We got to meet new people and talk to students and I really enjoyed being part of this program. I felt very privileged to have been able to work with the mayor of Eugene and Sam, and all these wonderful people that are making this possible,” Gottfredson said.

Along with Gottfredson, Mayor Kitty Piercy and ASUO President Sam Dotters-Katz walked six blocks of student and community neighborhoods to explain the importance of respecting your fellow neighbors but also to remind students of the Ordinance on Unruly Gatherings that became effective in April of 2013. The new law holds individuals criminally and civilly responsible for hosting or allowing an unruly gathering at which alcohol is consumed and least two or more violations occur.

This was the fourth year that Chief of Police of the University of Oregon Police Department Carolyn McDermed was able to help out with this event. UOPD and the Eugene Police Department also helped out.

“I think this is a great program and for people to know we’re all neighbors and we all live together. We’re trying to promote respect for everyone,” McDermed said.

The volunteers were split into groups of three or five and each group had brochures with helpful tips and information regarding the purpose of the event. Some groups went to apartments while others went to fraternities and sororities.