The University of Oregon Senate held its first meeting of the year Wednesday Oct. 8. Lawrence 115 was filled with faculty and a handful of students gearing up for the 2014-2015 academic year.

“One that promises to be, I think, a most productive year.” University Senate president Robert Kyr said.

The two hour meeting outlined different goals of the University Senate for the upcoming year.

The subjects weighed heavily towards the student conduct code and sexual violence.

Also on the agenda was adopting the hundreds of Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) to the University of Oregon since its exit from the Oregon University System last year. Since leaving the OUS the University of Oregon switched to a Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees recently made temporary changes to the student conduct code, which some members of the University Senate criticized.

“The governing board, without explanation, decided that the student conduct code should be the board’s action.” UO law professor John Bonine said. In the past the student conduct code was decided by the faculty and president.

In the meeting Bonine said that he did not take issue with the changes made but with the process used by the board.

Bonine presented a motion to make changes to the student conduct code divided into nine separate amendments. The senate passed parts, one, two and four, which dealt mostly with changes to the rhetoric, redundancies and making implications explicit.

The third part of the motion however was tabled after much debate, and senate will vote on motion three during its November 5 meeting.

The potential amendment proposed that the statute of limitations be removed from sexual misconduct complaints.

There was some confusion during discussion about the potential punishment for sexual misconduct if the statute of limitations was removed or extended. Sandy Weintraub, director of Student Conduct and Community Standards clarified that university degrees can only be revoked for academic misconduct.

Interested members of faculty senate will meet before the Nov. 3 meeting to discuss and amend the amendment.

Part five of the motion was also postponed to Nov. 5 along with the other four motions that were not addressed in the meeting.

Interim President Scott Coltrane addressed the university senate for the first time since taking the position. Coltrane’s remarks touched on the upcoming review of the OARs, strategic planning and an upcoming capital campaign. In addition, Coltrane said that the university plans to partner with community colleges and other Oregon universities to ask the state to reinvest in higher education.

Coltrane emphasized the diversity of the freshman class, calling it the most diverse incoming class ever with 29% domestic minorities, 24% first generation college students and 37% Pell Grant eligible students.

University Senate will meet again on Oct. 22. The meeting will include a report from the Task Force to Address Sexual Violence and Sexual Assault.

Live coverage of Wednesday night’s ASUO Senate meeting:

Senate Agenda

The President’s Review Panel is holding public listening sessions to gather input on how UO handles sexual misconduct. The sessions will be held at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. this Tuesday, October 7 in the Global Scholars Great Hall.

Mary Deits is a the chair of the President’s Review Panel, currently charged with making a report with observations and recommendations on how the University of Oregon handles sexual assault allegations on campus. Deits is a native Oregonian who has worked in the Oregon Attorney General’s office and the Oregon Court of Appeals.

Could you tell us about your report?

“What we’ve been asked to do is just sort of look at what the university practices and policies are related to incidents of sexual misconduct and to make observations about them. Then to make recommendations about things that we think the university needs to look at. Particular suggestions or recommendations for action that we think would make sense based not only on what we’re seeing at the University of Oregon, but what we’re seeing at other universities. There’s a lot of experts on this sort of thing, a lot of writing on things that work and things that don’t so I think the report will be a combination of observations and recommendations.”

How are you different from the Task Force to Address Sexual Violence and Survivor Support?

“I think in some ways we’re the same, in some ways we’re different. I think we both have a goal of trying to find ways that the university can do a better job of protecting it’s campus community and dealing with issues of this nature. I think that the perspective of the senate task force is one of individuals that are very familiar with the university, all of them are insiders that have experience with the students. I think we come at it with a slightly different perspective. We have people from other universities who are vice presidents related to student affairs, we have judges and we have former university presidents. So I think our perspective is a little bit different and I think in fact, based on what I’ve seen of the senate task force recommendations there’s an awful lot of things we’ll end up agreeing on.”

Why should students come to the open forums?

“Well I think this is a really serious issue that affects students more than anyone. I think students are able to offer a perspective that we don’t have. They’re living the student life, they’re subjected to some of these behaviors and it’s really critical that when we hear what they think the university can do different, what they can do to protect students better, what they can do to process complaints related to sexual misconduct. I just think it’s an incredible, invaluable perspective that none of the rest of us have and we very much want to reach out to students.”

Will the report be the end of this panel?

“Right now our charge is to prepare a report. Part of our report is going to include a recommendation that there be some mechanisms for assessing the effectiveness of the particular measures that the university takes. I don’t know whether we will go on or not, at this point I don’t think so but we think it’s not the sort of thing that somebody ought to write a report or make recommendations and just sort of drop out there and nobody takes another look at it. I think it’s really important that the university take it seriously and follow up on those recommendations and make sure that they’re really effective.”

 Follow Alexandra Wallachy on Twitter at @wall2wallachy

It’s never been a better time to be president of the University of Oregon. That’s what Connie Ballmer thinks.

Ballmer is the head of the Presidential Search Committee, which is tasked with replacing former President Michael Gottfredson, who resigned suddenly in early August.

“The university is really on track to know where it wants to go, what it’s going to take what the obstacles are and how to get there,” Ballmer said. “When a president comes in, he or she should be really excited to see that kind of preparation and foundation.”

Gottfredson’s tenure coincided with a series of recent events that put the University of Oregon in the national spotlight — sexual assault allegations against members of the men’s basketball team, a viral video of students dumping snow on a retired professor — and only lasted two years. And that’s not unusual at the UO. The last five years have seen five different people in the president’s office.

This year’s search has the potential to break the pattern.

In past years, presidential searches were conducted by the Oregon University System. This year, the UO’s on its own. With the formation of a new governing board on July 1, the Board of Trustees took the future of the UO into its own hands and assumed the responsibility to hire and fire presidents.

This could be attractive to potential presidential candidates.

“The president who is designated or who is being ‘romanced’ will know that he or she has the undivided attention of a single governing board,” said former UO president David Frohnmayer.“That should give a whole lot more confidence than the governing board when I was president that had seven universities for which it was responsible.”

Frohnmayer is the University’s last president to be in office more than two years. He had the position for 15 years from 1994 to 2009. He thinks the independent governing board is an attraction to potential presidents because the board won’t be distracted by six other universities and can focus solely on the University of Oregon.

Board chair Chuck Lillis appointed Connie Ballmer to lead the search. Ballmer is a UO Alumni, she currently lives in Washington with her husband, Steve, the former CEO of Microsoft.

Attemps to contact Lillis were declined.

The presidential search committee includes four board of trustee members representing entities such as Nike, Columbia Sportswear and the Timber Products Company in Springfield. The committee also holds the dean of the law school and several high up UO faculty.

The presidential search committee works with a search firm to identify strong candidates.

“The search committee’s charge is to identify and recommend the top candidates. So they’re not selecting the next president,” said Angela Wilhelms, secretary to the university. “They’ll do all this vetting, weed through all those people who aren’t the right candidate, the right fit, and identify those handful that are.”

The search committee is also aided by an advisory committee “that represents the breadth of UO stakeholders both on campus and in the greater community,” UO Spokesperson Julie Brown said in an e-mail.

The advisory committee includes two undergraduates, one graduate student and several faculty members from various departments.

The search committee and the advisory committee report to the Board of Trustees, which votes to hire the president.

The current search is similar to the past searches. In typical OUS searches a committee of faculty, students and stakeholders specific to the university works with a search firm to vet presidential candidates.

“That search committee narrows the candidates down,” said Ryan Hagemann, Vice Chancellor and general counsel to the OUS “And gives those candidates to the Chancellor. The Chancellor then interviews and does his or her work before they get to the board.”

Like many searches, the preliminary stages will be conducted behind closed doors. Final candidates are announced to the public and brought to campus to speak. This is done to protect the privacy of presidential candidates, said Ballmer.

Most candidates are employed elsewhere and a completely public search may dissuade qualified candidates from applying and risking their current employment.

“Confidentiality is so important,” said Ballmer. “It’s not that unique. It’s a key factor in any high profile search.”

Other searches at the UO are similarly closed including the searches for the Library Dean and College of Education Dean, said Tobin Klinger, senior director of Public Affairs Communication.

The hope is that this search produces a longer-lasting president.

“It’s really hard to focus on long term goals if you have rapid turnover.” Frohnmayer said. “Whether that’s cultivation and stewardship of philanthropy or some academic reform, three or four years are not enough time.”

There have been three presidents and two interim presidents in the past five years.

The Board of Trustees has made it clear that Coltrane should make himself at home while the search is still active.

“We’re hard pressed to give anyone a timeline,” said Ballmer. “We’re committed to finding the right candidate.”

It’s not just the timeline that’s uncertain, but also the qualities that they’re looking for.

“We’re trying to reach out to all the different people who care about the U of O,” said Ballmer. “To invite their thoughts on what’s most important. Eventually we need to get down to three to four key characteristics. We’re not there yet.”

Live coverage of Wednesday night’s ASUO Senate meeting:

Senate Agenda

It’s on every freshman’s to-do list. In between their tearing open of an acceptance letter and ordering of an extra long twin sheet, incoming students read the student code of conduct, right? Well, if it isn’t on their agenda, the new updates should put it there.

The University of Oregon’s student conduct code sets standards for its students, and it’s currently changing.

The sexual misconduct section of the student code of conduct was referenced frequently after the alleged sexual assault involving members of the UO basketball team last spring. In former president Michael Gottfredson’s May 9 statement to the media, he referred to the university’s “rigorous internal conduct processes,” but for many students, these processes are unclear.

In spring, the UO Board of Trustees made changes to the student code of conduct and continue to revise it. Some changes include adding the word “explicit” to the terms of consent in two sections and removing the option for students to be disciplined through a panel hearing. Few students opted for panel hearings in the past.

According to the university’s Senior Director of Communications Julie Brown, over the last three years only 4 percent of all student conduct cases were scheduled for panel hearings. With the new changes, all students accused of violating the student conduct code will now go through an administrative conference.

The sanctions that students can receive from administrative conferences vary case by case. Sophomore Thomas Tullis received two conduct code sanctions last year for downloading movies through a peer-to-peer sharing site. Tullis was assigned to write a 1,000 word essay about the dangers of illegal downloading and peer to peer sharing.

Another change to the code is its jurisdiction.

“The jurisdiction has been changed so that it’s not just what you do on campus,” said ASUO President Beatriz Gutierrez. “You can get in trouble for something that you did at home or in Eugene if it has affects to the educational environment of the university.”

As president, Gutierrez sits on the Board of Trustees and was present when the changes were adopted. The UO Board of Trustees passed a resolution during its Sept. 11 session to make temporary changes to the student conduct code. Those changes expanded the role to the Board of Trustees, specifically with regard to establishing and amending the code.

The University Senate previously established the student conduct code, but in the new red-marked version, that job goes to the Board of Trustees. At the moment, the Board of Trustees can also amend the code upon consultation with the president, faculty and students.

There are several ways for students to get their voices heard and contribute to a dialogue. One avenue is the ASUO. Gutierrez and her staff are planning to hold a public forum during winter term and to reach out to educate students about the code.

“It’s important because it tells you what you can and cannot do on campus,” Gutierrez said. “It’s the guidelines that you have to live by on this campus. It’s our university. There are around 25,000 students here and we should be able to have a say in what kind of options we have when we do something bad.”

Follow Alex Wallachy on Twitter @wall2wallachy

Update: A previous version of this article stated that University administration could not be reached for a statement regarding this article. Below is an updated response from interim president Scott Coltrane. 

One in 10 female students have experienced rape at the University of Oregon, a study conducted by a University of Oregon psychology professor published on Tuesday found. The Campus Climate survey was the work of Jennifer Freyd and doctoral students Marina N. Rosenthal and Carly Parnitzke Smith.

Of the 982 students in the study, only one in seven of the females who reported that they experienced rape also said that they contacted the University of Oregon Police Department to pursue charges.

Seventy-three percent of participants admitted to knowing their assailant, with 87 percent of those assailants being male.

Four in 1o of the students who experienced sexual assault felt they were subjected to institutional betrayal and believed the UO made the reporting process difficult or that the university fostered an environment where sexual assault seemed common.

The UO administration disapproved Freyd’s idea to conduct the survey, and initially rejected her request for funding. Administrators were worried that the survey would be biased.

Interim president Scott Coltrane released a statement thanking Freyd, Rosenthal and Smith for their contribution on the same day the results were released.

Interim UO President Scott Coltrane released a statement regarding the survey results:

“These survey results shine a light on a terrible, unacceptable problem. It shows us we have a lot of work to do. We appreciate Professor Freyd’s research and will use this information to help us improve our prevention and response efforts.”

UOPD communications director Kelly McIver said that he was not aware of the study’s results and therefore could not comment.

Administrators eventually funded the $20,000 survey, which was supported by the Center for the Study for Women in Society and private donors. The funds were dispersed among participants for completing the survey.

Follow Alex Wallachy on Twitter: @wall2wallachy

Starting a student group is no small feat. Getting a group recognized by the ASUO is an even bigger one. The ASUO gives out more than $15 million in funding to different departments and programs every year, but before groups are able to apply for funding they must fill out an extensive application.

The University of Oregon has no shortage of programs, clubs and student organizations. ASUO recognized organizations include groups like the Blood Drive Association and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Student political groups such as College Republicans and College Democrats are also recognized by the ASUO.

According to the ASUO website, students interested in becoming recognized by the ASUO should:

• Fill out the application.
• Complete and upload the program by-laws template.
• Hold a minimum of two meetings per month over six academic months.
• Upload at least three detailed meeting minutes including the name of the group, name and student ID number of members present, the date and location and a detailed outline of the discussion.

The Programs Review and Recognition Committee, currently headed by Luis Armenta, reads applications and decides which student groups will be recognized. The application asks a series of questions about group meetings, members, services and more.

Once an application has been filed, the PRRC recognition process, as it appears on the PRRC website, is as follows:

• The PRRC will review the application for completeness and accuracy.
• Program representatives will be contacted for a hearing with committee members for PRRC recommendation.
• If approved, the application will then seek recommendation for University President or designee.
• The application will be reviewed and approved by the ASUO President.
• Approved student organizations will need to schedule an orientation with the ASUO Programs Director.

One advantage to being an ASUO recognized group is meeting space. Groups need meeting spaces and that can get expensive, fast. ASUO recognized groups don’t have to pay for classrooms and meeting spaces through Scheduling and Event Services. Groups recognized by the ASUO can also apply for I-fee funding.

For many groups, getting recognized by the ASUO is a long process. Camp Kesem, which provides summer camps to children who have parents with cancer, has tried to get ASUO recognition since it was started on campus in 2011.

Camp Kesem’s current directors, Haley Wilson and Christie Webb, are optimistic that this year, Camp Kesem will be recognized in order to reach its full potential.

“Camp has grown exponentially since its first year both in volunteers as well as the number of community members that we serve,” said Wilson. “Unfortunately the need for our camp is large, so expansion and support from our university would allow Camp Kesem to grow to its full potential.”

If getting your student group recognized would better serve the UO community, then go on and join the club.

Follow Alexandra Wallachy on Twitter @wall2wallachy

Interim President Scott Coltrane announced on Tuesday that the University of Oregon will establish a $15,000 discretionary fund for sexual assault prevention in response to recommendations from a senate task force.

The fund will be $5,000 more than what the Senate Task Force to Address Sexual Violence and Survivor Support recommended on Sept. 19.

Task force co-chairs Carol Stabile and Randy Sullivan recommended the institution of a good Samaritan policy, which prevents students who report sexual assault from being charged with drug or drinking charges. Coltrane directed the Division of Student Life to review the draft submitted by the task force.

The task force, which former UO President Michael Gottfredson put together in response to the sexual assault case against three men’s basketball players, also asked that the president’s office send a list of Title IX resources and responsibilities to all UO employees by the start of each fall term. Coltrane agreed and also directed the Division of Student Life to work to improve communications.

Coltrane sent the task force’s proposed syllabi to the provost’s office for review. The task force recommended that the proposed syllabi be implemented no later than Sept. 22, the day before Coltrane’s email was released.

The task force also asked the University of Oregon Police Department to stop tracking the IP addresses of anonymous reporters no later than Sept. 29. Coltrane said that the UOPD does not actively store or track IP addresses and will communicate further with the president’s office to address technical issues.

It is currently unclear if the president will implement the bulk of the task force’s recommendations before fall term begins on Sept. 29.

Follow Alex Wallachy on Twitter: @wall2wallachy

$215.25 per term could buy a significant amount of Taco Bell, or pay the student incidental fee. What could amount to 180 tacos makes every I-fee paying student a member of the Associated Students of the University of Oregon. The ASUO isn’t just any student government, it’s a student government with over $15 million to spend.

The ASUO is comprised of the executive branch, senate branch and constitution court branch that interact to govern and spend incidental funds. The I-fee pays for students to use LTD, clubs, pays classified staff and much more, all outlined in its 19 page budget.

The ASUO elections, held in the spring, determine who spends incidental fee funds and makes decisions on behalf of students. Student groups and programs alike apply for funding annually through different ASUO committees such as the PFC, the DFC and the ACFC. Committees set budgets with a series of checks and balances from the ASUO Senate and Executive.

ASUO President Beatriz Gutierrez leads the executive branch with vice presidents Tran Dinh and Patrick Kindred. The executive staff also includes positions focused on student advocacy, accessibility finance and more. The ASUO president and vice presidents were elected under the Ducks Like You campaign. In last year’s election the majority of the senate seats went to candidates from the Mighty Oregon campaign, creating a perceived divide between the executive and senate branches. In a past interview Gutierrez was optimistic about the future relationship between the two groups. Stay tuned to see the interaction between both branches after last year’s heated election.

The ASUO Senate, comprised of 20 elected senators and one non-voting freshman representative, meet weekly to hear special requests, budget submissions and student politics. Groups can apply for money from the surplus, money left over from the previous year’s incidental fee budget, by filling out a special request form.

Students can air grievances or concerns during the public forum portion of senate meetings. The senate can make resolutions on behalf of the students of the University of Oregon. A resolution is non-binding and can lend support to groups or causes. Resolutions can be benign or controversial, like the Quack Pac resolution passed last winter affirming Israel’s right to exist.

The ASUO has had a fairly dramatic history. In last year’s election several grievances were filed, one campaign’s candidate switched mid-election and a presidential candidate was arrested. ASUO campaigns spent more than $16,000 combined to win a student government election. It’s fair to say that the ASUO takes itself very seriously.

After last year’s rocky election an elections reform working group was created to discuss and plan potential changes to ASUO elections. If the current schedule remains elections will be held spring term and students should prepare to be swarmed by campaigns all over campus.

Students interested in learning more about the ASUO can attend weekly senate meetings, follow the Emerald’s live senate coverage and visit the McArthur Court ASUO office too see where 180 tacos go.