My current lease ends in August and after having constant roommate problems, I’m ready to live by myself. 

However, I’ve noticed how difficult it is to find a one-bedroom apartment or even a studio here that has a lower monthly rate than at least $1,000. On top of this, I have a cat and it’s been difficult to find somewhere in Eugene that allows pets unless I get her ESA approved. 

Has it always been this difficult to find student housing in Eugene that accommodates certain lifestyles?

In an interview with KVAL-TV, Jacob Fox, executive director of Homes for Good Housing Agency urged for more low to middle income housing to be built in Lane County.

“A recent study that was commissioned by the Eugene Chamber of Commerce shows that rents have actually gone up by 37% in three years,” Fox said.

Economic uncertainty in Eugene seems to be a big influence in how the market affects local residents. Additionally, it doesn’t help that the evident housing crisis and shortage of available units adds to the difficulty of finding a home.

UO junior Izzy Jurien on this matter discussed the high prices’ intertwined with the notion that housing near campus will often be pricier than housing in different areas of Eugene.

“I don’t think rent should be this expensive, and I know housing prices are much more expensive the closer you get to campus. It’s difficult to find somewhere cheap with the right utilities or even nearby resources like a laundromat if you don’t have an easy means of transportation,” Jurien said.

Some housing properties will charge for utilities even without providing expected amenities like in-unit laundry. Instead, they will offer coin operated shared-laundry that adds more to costs while also still charging for electricity, water and other utilities. The apartments that I have seen so far that are my best options seem to align with these practices including those under AG Campus Housing and Emerald Property Management. At the end of the day, these costs add up and make it much more difficult to find affordable housing.

UO junior Myka Briggs discussed her struggle in navigating the constant increase in rent over the years. 

“I’ve moved every year of college because of annual rent increases. Every year it becomes more challenging to find an affordable place to live,” Briggs said. 

According to Zillow, the average rent price in Eugene is $1,660. This suggests that more likely or not, a renter in Eugene will have to pay this price. Briggs went on to discuss having to share a bathroom in a four or five bedroom accommodation with rent still being over $900, below the average rent price.

“With these rates, anything affordable is signed right when it’s put on the market, making it really challenging to find apartments or houses within a reasonable price range,” Briggs said.

As the trend of increasing rent continues in Eugene, students will have to keep up with the rising costs put in place by an expensive housing market.

The post Ortega: The search for affordable housing in Eugene appeared first on Daily Emerald.

On May 12, UO alumni  Sabrina Ionescu and Nyara Sabally took to the Kilkenny Court with the rest of the New York Liberty to defeat Japan’s Toyota Antelopes in a preseason exhibition game hosted at Matthew Knight Arena. With over 12,000 fans attending, the Liberty won in an 84-61 victory in Eugene.

So, what could this event entail for the future of WNBA and other professional women’s sports leagues? Perhaps the many state-of-the-art facilities that UO has funded with much of its money can also be used to promote women’s sports.

Patrick Pierce, UO visiting professor, discussed with me the university’s potential to provide further promotional opportunities for female sports.

“The University of Oregon has perhaps the most genuine and longstanding commitment to women’s athletics. I think the foundations are here to invite more professional leagues and teams to take advantage of the venues, infrastructure, fan base, weather and innovation in ways that perhaps no other university could,” Pierce said.

With Papé Field, women’s soccer leagues like the National Women’s Soccer League and the newly developing USL W League can utilize this space to integrate with college athletics and the professional sphere. The Kilkenny Court can also be utilized for the new indoor volleyball league, League One Volleyball Pro, that is gaining traction in the country. 

UO senior Aiyana Fong attended the game and spoke about the exciting opportunities that this specific event presents.

“Hosting the WNBA exhibition at Matthew Knight Arena was not only an incredible event and a celebration of former UO athletes, but also a powerful reminder of what’s possible when universities invest in women’s sports,” Fong said. “Seeing young girls in the crowd excited and inspired, watching stars like Sabrina Ionescu and Nyara Sabally return home with full support and love was unforgettable.” 

Not only can UO help pave the way for the future success of women’s sports, but the university can inspire generations to come, especially with young female athletes.

“The energy, turnout and visibility all prove that women’s sports are in high demand. This event should just be the beginning, and I can’t wait to see what UO continues to do for women’s sports,” Fong said.

Indeed, this is just the beginning of what the university can execute in the realm of women’s professional sports and entertainment.

The post Ortega: UO’s unique opportunity in elevating women’s sports appeared first on Daily Emerald.

Working at an indoor soccer place has been a sanctuary for me. I love sports. I grew up playing soccer and am a multi-sports fan. I’m forever grateful that there were people who looked like me — women — who fought hard to gain attraction to women’s sports. 

Every now and then, I’ll take a look at the sports memorabilia that decorate a building. More often, I find men’s professional sports teams littered with support. However, I always see a lack of women’s teams filled with the same support, even through the rise in the popularity of women’s sports. 

The National Women’s Soccer League was established in 2012 and has grown in viewership over the past few years. The league is the equivalent league of the men’s side, Major League Soccer. 

Additionally, the rise of Caitlin Clark brought great attention to the Women’s National Basketball Association, and the increase in recognition made a major impact on the industry. But when are we going to see endorsements and recognition as an effect of the equality for which women athletes have continued to advocate? 

University of Oregon freshman Sarina Stone discussed Clark’s effect on the legacy of women’s sports.

“I think after Caitlin Clark had a massive effect on viewership of both college and professional basketball, women’s basketball has definitely been advertised more,” Stone said. “But I don’t think that applies to all women’s sports, and I believe that this is only happening because of Caitlin’s success.” 

It was interesting to hear from Stone that Clark’s effect is built on her popularity, which I partly agree with. I think it’s important to highlight the history of players before Clark, such as Sue Bird and Candace Parker, who fought from nothing and made it into opportunities that Clark now has. 

Another UO student, senior Greta Lips, discussed her own experience witnessing the growth of women’s sports. 

“Since women’s sports have increased in popularity, I’ve noticed female athletes getting more recognition. But I haven’t noticed more promotion of women’s sports, nor have I noticed them playing women’s sports in restaurants or pubs. Additionally, men’s sports posters and merchandise are still the majority displayed,” Lips said.

The recognition of women’s sports has grown, but not enough.

Located in Portland, The Sports Bra is one of the most exciting sports bars established in the past couple of years. The doors opened in April 2022, and “the front door is plastered with a mural of women athletes.”  

Paving the way for women’s sports doesn’t just happen within the game but with the help of supporters. 

If we begin to create and open up more spaces for women’s sports, this change may help increase the opportunities for women’s sports. Everyone is aware that women’s sports are finally on the map, but what will it do to honor and cement the legacies of women of the past just as it has been done for the men’s side?

Though we’ll probably wonder at this question for a long time within this society, for now, I’ll have to support The Sports Bra to experience an atmosphere full of sports fanatics just like me. I want to encourage that we must support these spaces to create an enthusiastic culture for the growing industry of women’s sports. 

Female athletes deserve the recognition they have fought for and continue to fight for. As supporters, engaging and solidifying the impact of women’s sports can help drive this change to something beneficial for everyone.

The post Ortega: The progress of women’s sports still lacks in some areas appeared first on Daily Emerald.

I’ve always admired Eugene’s simplicity and college town familiarity. Everything feels close and the area has been one of the easiest to get accustomed to. One of the things that has greatly impacted my happiness in attending the University of Oregon is the strong sense of community. 

Every place you go in Eugene will certainly have some Duck decor lingering around, leading to a close feeling of community for UO students and fans alike. UO senior Cole Phillips has also experienced this deep sense of community. 

“Because the town is relatively small, you get to know everyone around you while you’re here and you see people you know all around,” Phillips said. 

Phillips also brought up a downside of living in Eugene. 

“There’s a lack of new things to do. After a few years living here you can check off pretty much anything there is to do in the city,” Phillips said.

Although there is little to do once everything is checked off your Eugene bucket list, one important upside to the town is its large amount of resources that are provided, such as the Student Food Pantry, vast networking opportunities among alumni and plenty of Eugene events listed under the website: https://www.eugene-or.gov/.

Payton Peters, UO junior, is aware of the community’s resources for the general public. 

“There’s a lot of resources even if you’re a non-student. I think of the EmX and the fact that students can ride for free until Springfield all the way to the end of Eugene. It’s really impressive for a country that doesn’t have a lot of public transportation,” Peters said.

Peters also brought up one particular downside.

“The lack of law enforcement here kind of sucks. I don’t think they do a lot in terms of poverty reduction. Someone might be having issues and the police will ask if they are okay and if they need water, but then will just drive away,” Peters said. 

If you or anyone you know is experiencing poverty or is in crisis, resources like New Roads and White Bird Clinic can help provide services. CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets) is available in Eugene and Springfield if immediate assistance is needed.

This happens more often in college towns than we expect. The neglect of the safety of others, especially those in poverty, is undermined, and this issue goes beyond the environment of a college town.

Living in a college town with a poverty rate exceeding both the state and national average is something I never considered when I talked to Peters. 

The desensitization of these environments causes me to unknowingly become unaware of the safety of mine and the greater Eugene community — showcasing the lack of care in the city’s law enforcement and indicating great safety risk.

If the Eugene Police Department continues to do the bare minimum when called upon, the community begins to lose faith that they will fulfill their duties in ensuring the safety of those not in poverty. This may result in marginalized communities having deep distrust of their law enforcement. EPD also strains hospitals, shelters and other social services when it refuses to help the community it swears to protect.

Eugene’s beauty only extends to the charm of college town essence, though I’m not completely cynical about living in this town. Eugene’s close community and Duck culture helps elevate a sense of belonging that many college students aspire to feel.

Resources:

Eugene CAHOOTS: 541-682-5111

Springfield CAHOOTS: 541-726-3714

White Bird Clinic: https://whitebirdclinic.org

New Roads: https://www.lookingglass.us/new-roads

The post Ortega: Do the downsides of Eugene’s college town status outweigh the upsides? appeared first on Daily Emerald.

The Friday before winter term started, I flew from my hometown with my newly-adopted cat. Before flying, I purchased a small soft carrier to abide by United Airlines’ 18 x 11 x 11 carrier restriction. Despite my efforts, after boarding the plane, I was told that since my carrier didn’t fit underneath the seat in front of me, and I needed to deboard the plane. 

I kept asking why they were making me get off without any further explanation. Instead of answering any questions, I began to get threatened that if I didn’t get off the plane immediately – I would never be able to fly United again.

Before boarding, No employee mentioned that my carrier wouldn’t be able to fit under the seat. After realizing I was being thrown out, I was sent into a panic attack from this harsh display of authority as I tried to stay calm.

At one point, an employee grabbed my suitcase and refused to let me go back to my seat to retrieve my wallet until I asked him hysterically if he was serious. None of my questions were being answered until I left the aircraft. I ask the question now: why did they let me on with no warning whatsoever?

This event traumatized me and influenced me to avoid flying with United from now on. Many others have experienced similar issues while traveling with their pets. University of Oregon junior Taylor Neff shared her experience traveling with her own cat. 

“My cat, Ozzy, and I have flown several times together with American Airlines. The most daunting part for me is dealing with TSA agents and security. The cat has to come out of the carrier to go through the screening process, and I’m pretty sure I would never see Ozzy again if I tried to take him out in the security line. I ask for a private screening room; most agents are nice, but some treat me like I’m ruining their day while causing my cat and I more stress through such a scary part of the flying process,” Neff said.

The environment of airports and the plane ride itself is daunting for both the passenger and the pet. 

“As for actually getting on the plane, it’s definitely a little stressful for both of us. Ozzy doesn’t know where he is and screams under the seat until after take off. He is always given anxiety meds to cope. But that in itself is stress inducing as we always have a connection, and I have to quickly find a bathroom or somewhere private to give him his second dose before we leave for our second flight of the day,” Neff continued.

United specifically states in their “Traveling with pets” section that “some of our planes have limited space under the middle seat.” There is no list specifying which aircrafts may not fit a carrier – highlighting their negligence for passengers who may need to fly with their pet. 

When I boarded the plane, a passenger in front of me had a cat travelling with her and was asked to leave the aircraft as well. I remember her telling me that this had never happened to her before flying on United. Is this a new issue or was my experience just a misfortune?

Another junior attending UO, Lexi Kummer, said,“I’ve had a few interesting experiences flying with my kitties. I’ve always flown  Southwest and originally bought a carrier that the airline sold because I knew it would fit under the seat, but when I got it, it was so small my cat  couldn’t really fit in it comfortably. Then I ended up having to buy another one that was a bit bigger, but it barely fit under the seat while still being super cramped for my kitty.”

Kummer also stated that Southwest Airlines does not allow you to pay for a pet plane ticket until arriving at the airport. This creates even more problems with airports being busy and contributes to greater stress to travelling with pets. 

Overall, it seems United Airlines isn’t the only airline at fault for creating high stress for people traveling with pets. Flying is anxiety-inducing enough, and it’s  up to the airline industry to take care of its passengers — and that means all passengers.

The post Ortega: It’s Time to Hold Airlines Accountable appeared first on Daily Emerald.

Are you part of the 60% of Americans with an unhealthy work-life balance? Well, you’re in luck —  I’m here to discuss the difficulties of maintaining a healthy balance between work, school and life. I’ll also give some input on how you can create a work-life balance that sets you up for success next term.

This term, I have struggled to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Something about having two jobs, working for the Daily Emerald and taking 20 credits didn’t seem too ambitious for me yet here we are. At Week 6, I remember having to work 20 hours over the weekend and being on the verge of tears because I felt so exhausted. I didn’t eat much that week, and it felt like I was never going to get to rest. 

I sometimes have to do homework on my breaks at one of my jobs when school work piles up. I expressed my concerns to my co-workers, and one of them named Domonique responded, “I’m glad that I’m not doing school anymore, f**k that.” 

Trying to maintain a healthy work-life and school balance can be arduous — leading to immense stress. To deal with all the chaos, try developing strategies to maintain a balance apart from school. OCC Coast Report Newspaper discussed ways their school counselors offer help to students struggling with mental health. Luna Reid’s report called “An impossible balance: Juggling school, work and mental health,” relayed a conversation with their Director of Mental Health Services Larry Valentine on mental health and work-life balance.

“I love good orientation and drive, but students who work full-time or those who have other obligations tend to be busier and forget the parts that make them who they are and what they enjoy. I like to ask students what their activities mean to them and why they do them,” Valentine said. 

A student from OCC also suggested creating personalized schedules for each week and preparing yourself for a work shift after school.

Asking other students about their input, Zoe Thomas, a sophomore attending the UO speaks on her work-life balance. “It took me a while to figure out how to balance work and school with my personal life and taking care of myself, and it’s something I still struggle with sometimes,” Thomas said. 

“I wasn’t involved that much in high school so coming to college and suddenly having to balance volunteer work, clubs and classes has been a lot. I’ve learned that it’s really important to take care of myself and spend time doing things I love with people I love so that I could do better when it comes to working instead of feeling burnt out,” Thomas said. 

Finding things that work for you is I believe – the single most important thing in ensuring that you are taking care of your priorities including yourself. I’ve noticed that creating a to-do list every day has helped me plan out my week. I usually write in my planner assignment due dates, when I work and other activities I have planned. 

Spacing out what I need to accomplish helps me calculate how busy a day will be. Knowing that my workload this term has been tremendously tiring, I decided to lighten my credit load next term and will only be working one job instead of two, making necessary accommodations to find the perfect work-life balance for myself. 

As a human being, I hate being stressed 24/7. I feel like I’ve lost control of my own life. Maintaining a good relationship between your responsibilites and work-life balance is crucial to ensuring your needs are fulfilled. I personally love filling out a planner to guarantee I don’t miss anything important and don’t forget deadlines. Planners have always given me a sort of safety net that enables me to stay on track. It’s important to listen to your body when it needs its rest. 

By organizing your schedule, talking to a therapist and making to-do lists, you can create a healthier work-life balance.

In my senior year of high school, nearly three years ago, I took a class on the U.S. government. I learned about the political spectrum and how America has gone from moderate to two opposite sides of the spectrum. l saw the split between Republicans and Democrats, and observed how especially after Trump’s presidency this gap became increasingly large. 

The growing hatred that stems from both Democrats and Republicans has surged. Now, both sides see each other as threats to America’s well-being. 

A 2014 study from the Pew Research Center, which informs the public on social issues, public opinions and trends that shape America and the world, states, “ideological overlap between the two parties has diminished: Today, 92% of Republicans are to the right of the median Democrat, and 94% of Democrats are to the left of the median Republican.” 

Within our society, this split has been a growing influence on political views. 

University of Oregon Business Law professor Farhad Malekafzali considered this polarization and how it has impacted political decisions over the past years.

 Malekafzali said, “If we look at policy-making, it has become more polarized, and political scientists have not been able to answer the reasons behind it.” 

It seems that this polarization is a conflicting topic with no right answers.

Brookings Institution is a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit organization that researches improvement for policy and governance. In a commentary, “The polarization paradox: Elected officials and voters have shifted in opposite directions” by William A. Galston, the lens of ideology is highlighted to be a key factor in studying why this polarization might be occurring. 

Galston writes, “Almost all liberals will vote for Democrats and conservatives for Republicans, while moderates are more likely to shift between parties based on the specific choices they confront.” 

When we look at recent social issues such as abortion, global warming and immigration, the stances indicate whether an individual is more liberal or conservative. 

Polarization continues to have a strong effect on political outcomes. It seems as the growing split increases, there is less success in agreeing on a candidate that fits all of our needs.

The post Ortega: The increase of political polarization and its impacts appeared first on Daily Emerald.