Five fire trucks responded to a fire that broke out at a one-structure building with three student apartments at East 23rd Avenue and Harris Street Wednesday afternoon at about 4:30 p.m.

Fire fighters cut a hole in the roof to access the fire. It is unclear how much damage was caused by the fire. None of the five occupants were injured.

“The fire started from the outside, and it looks like that went to the interior of the house and up the stairs,” said Randy DeWitt, deputy chief of the Eugene Fire Department. “We won’t know officially until the investigation.”

“There were no individuals in the apartment when we arrived,” he said, “but it was an occupant who smelled the smoke and made the call.”

Fire fighters appeared to have the blaze under control by 5 p.m.

Firefighters clean up the scene from the house that caught fire on East 23rd Avenue and Harris Street Wednesday afternoon. (Tess Freeman/Emerald)

For the 34th consecutive year, the ASUO’s Women Center, along with the Lane County Sexual Assault Support Service will be hosting a three-part event: Take Back the Night.

Started in 1976 in Belgium, Take Back the Night is a historic series of events demanding an end to sexual violence and assault, as well as giving the community a chance to recognize those who have survived it. It will return to the University of Oregon starting at 6 p.m. on April 25 as one of the most popular events during the UO’s Sexual Violence Prevention Week.

Various previewing events begin at 4 p.m. such as the KVAL Radio show and community tabling events at 5 p.m. The main event will begin with a rally, followed by a march and finally, a speak-out.

“The idea is to teach others who may not know about violence in general about what they can do to help and change the culture about how people view sexual assault,” said freshman Caitlin Corona, a member of the Take Back the Night planning committee. “We all have the right to feel safe in every aspect of our life and that includes being able to safely walk alone through the streets without worrying about being sexually assaulted at night. Every human being has the right to not be scared.”

The rally will allow the community to come together to promote sexual violence prevention as well as support those who have been personally affected.

“Everyone is responsible for making a difference,” said Jessica Linscott, sexual violence prevention and education coordinator graduate teaching fellow at the Women’s Center.

Special guest speakers in this year’s rally include Maure Smith-Benanti, the UO Assistant Director of LGBT Eduction and Support, and Patrick Lemmon, nonprofit co-founder of “Men Can Stop Rape” and the Radical Cheerleaders and the Sexual Wellness Advocacy Team.

“Take Back the Night is about providing a safe space for people to have their voice heard,” said Joanna Stewart, public relations officer for the ASUO’s women’s center.

The event will continue as students, faculty and devoted community members will march the streets of Eugene to demand an end to sexual violence and abuse. The march will unite the community as they walk to the beat of the UO’s drum line. To inspire and unite the march the Latino Youth Group Juventud Faceta, will lead chants in both English and Spanish.

The event will close with a “speak out” starting with a performance by Andrea Valderrama and followed by shared personal experiences surrounding sexual violence.

“I do not have a solution for the problem that our society has, but what we are here to do is stand up for our survivors, and support them for what has already happened,” said Candace Davis, a senior at the UO and volunteer at Sexual Assault Support Services. “Take Back the Night is an event we use to produce awareness that sexual violence is occurring and that as a community we will not tolerate it.”

Take Back the Night will unite the community together to fight and educate all about the reality of sexual violence and assault as well as provide survivors a place where they will be safe instead of victimized.

“Unfortunately, we live in a society that does tolerate sexual violence, for example through media and the language we continually use,” Davis said. “If you want to talk about perpetrators you need to go somewhere else, because I am here to talk about survivors.”

Founded by a University of Oregon graduate — training hundreds of students over the past two decades — the James H. Warsaw Sports Marketing Center has become one of the best sports business programs and is celebrating its 20 year anniversary this year.

In 1993 the Warsaw Center, part of the Lundquist College of Business, was the first program of its kind to offer a business degree with a concentration in sports marketing.

James H. Warshaw dedicated his time, money, ideas and efforts to make sure that the new program would be successful. Warsaw was dedicated to donating a lot of energy contacting people to spread the word about what they were doing and to build a good reputation for such a different idea.

During the past three years the Warsaw center, teaching more than 3,200 undergraduate and graduate students, has provided students with frequent guest speakers, international study tours as well as various successful internship opportunities.

“It was meant to bring and encourage students who were seeking a career in sports related fields into the business school,” said Paul Swangard, managing director at the Warsaw Center. “Recognizing the 20 year anniversary mark is a good time to reflect and appreciate all of the success we have had and challenges us to make the 20 years to come even better.”

The reputation of the UO business school has influenced research in various topics from stadium finances and consumer behavior to sponsorship, all of which is published through the sports marketing program and often be referenced for perspectives and insights on important stories in the sports industry.

“When we started it was a radical idea to have a sports marketing center in a business school,” said Lynn Kahle, professor of sports marketing. “It’s exciting that its done so much. It’s good for us and our students and certain doors are open to us because of our reputation.”

After 10 years of negotiating and petitioning, the University of Oregon and the Eugene Sakya Center succeed in welcoming the Dalai Lama to the UO campus presenting a lecture entitled “The Path to Peace and Happiness in the Global Society” on May 10 at 1:30 p.m. in the UO’s Matthew Knight Arena.

Ten years ago, Tibetan Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo — teacher and founder of the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in Himachal Pradesh, India — started a letter writing campaign contacting the Dalai Lama once a month, as well as taking various trips to India suggesting that he visit the state of Oregon. Finally he agreed to come.

In 2002, Mark Unno, associate professor and department head of religious studies, presented the campaign to former UO President Dave Frohnmayer, to bring His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, Tenzin Gyatso to the UO.

“The Dalai Lama is one of the most prominent figures in the world, known as a spiritual teacher and leader but also as a great scholar and intellectual whose work focuses on many areas that are strength for the UO,” Mark Unno said. “Coming to the UO is a great honor and the UO wishes to express its deep appreciation for the remarkable cooperative effort between the UO and Sakya center.”

The Dalai Lama has traveled to more than 60 countries as well as written 70 books and is internationally recognized for his non-violent struggle for the liberation of Tibet and addressing global environmental concerns.

“I’m excited to see such a noble figure in-person and just to be able to say I saw the Dalai Lama,” said Gwen Cummings, UO undergraduate student. “I think it’s bringing some notoriety to UO and I think it’ll be a positive impact on students because most of what he says is very inspirational.”

Through bake sales, panel discussions and community events, the University of Oregon Women’s Center, The Wesley Center, the UO’s Men’s Center and Lane County Sexual Assault Support Services are all contributing to spread awareness on campus during Sexual Violence Prevention Week.

April is nationally recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and known as an annual campaign to observe and educate about sexual assault, and how to prevent sexual violence. During the last week of April the University of Oregon is committed to educate the community about the reality of sexual violence, and to promote that whether you are an advocate to prevent sexual violence or have been personally affected.

“Everyone has a safe place here,” said Joanna Stewart, public relations officer at the ASUO Women’s Center.

Events began Sunday, April 21, with the Consent is Sexy 5k run sponsored by Sexual Assault Support Services as well as the UO Men’s Center.

There are many events throughout the course of the week open to the community. Sponsored by the Women’s Center, a film screening of “The Invisible War” will be taking place on Monday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the UO School of Law in room 175.

“The inspiration these days and something we have been working on for a long time is really shifting the cultural lens with which we look at the issue in the first place,” said Jessica Linscott, sexual violence prevention and education coordinator graduate teaching fellow at the Women’s Center.

Also taking place will be a panel discussion to recognize advocacy, activism and civil disobedience in sexual violence on Tuesday April 23 in the Wesley Center at 7 p.m.

“We are working for justice and creating a better community. We are calling on everyone to be a part of it,” said Warren Light, director of the Wesley Center.

There will also be a keynote speech from Dr. Jackson Katz, entitled “Bad Boys and Bystanders: Silence and Violence in Male Culture” Wednesday, April 24 in PLC 180.

“Sexual Violence Prevention Week is a chance for the community to create a safer place for everyone,” said Candace Davis, a senior at the University of Oregon and volunteer at Sexual Assault Support Services. “We know that these things are going on. We’re not OK with it. So we are taking a stand.”

The most prominent and popular three part event at UO is Take Back the Night. The event includes a rally, a march and a speak out that is sponsored by the UO Women’s Center and Sexual Assault Support Services. Stewart hopes the event will help people understand the severity of these issues, and allow students to share their experiences in an appropriate venue.

“Take Back the Night is an event to educate people about what consent is and to provide a space for people to have their voice heard,” Stewart said.

Sexual Violence Prevention Week gives all students a chance to understand the realities of sexual violence and assault, to support those who have been affected and to learn ways to prevent them from happening again.

“Sexual Violence Prevention Week is an opportunity to raise awareness around an issue that affects the entire campus population,” said Abigail Leeder, director of sexual violence prevention and education. “The events are intended to bring us together to talk about these important issues as a community and take collective responsibility for ending sexual assault on our campus.”

The University of Oregon has invited all students and faculty to attend the investiture of the UO President Micheal Gottfredson.

The investiture of the UO’s 17th president will take place at Matthew Knight Arena on May 30 at 2 p.m., followed by a reception at the Ford Alumni Center. Professors and other faculty members will be participating, giving them a chance to wear full academic regalia.

Gottfredson arrived on campus Aug. 1, 2012 and has since traveled Oregon to meet with alumni, business leaders, legislators and peers within the Oregon University System, working to face problems that have arisen in the higher education system.

Those wishing to attend must reply by May 10.

With purity and beauty University of Oregon’s graduate student Torrey Newhart has crafted his first professional jazz album.

The new album entitled “Marmara” consists of six original compositions by Newhart as well as an original arrangement of the single Optimistic by English Rock Band Radiohead. The album strives to combine two of Newhart’s interests: art and philosophy. By corresponding a painting to each composition as well as related his correlations with philosophy, Newhart strives to create an experience that is “both complex and approachable for the average listener.”

The inland sea of Marmara, which Newhart visited in high school, also motivated him and soon became the inspiration of the album’s title track.

“It gives me an opportunity to show people what I have been doing,”  Newhart said. ” I have got a lot of community support and this is my way of thanking them, by giving them a final product.”

Newhart began his professional music career his sophomore year of high school, performing at local events including the Be-Bop Biscotti coffee house in Bend, Oregon. It was there he got his first official start performing for live audiences.

Newhart continued his dream of music and is now a masters student in the Jazz Studies program at the University of Oregon studying both composition and arrangement.

He believes that “music has the potential and power to remove people from themselves and take a step back from everyday issues in life, allowing one to reflect on and fully experience the diversity of humanity.”

Newhart was able to embrace these beliefs and present them through his album with the help of fellow musicians Eddie Bond on guitar, Adam Harris on the saxophone, Tony Glausi on the trumpet, Adam Carison on the drums and Sean Peterson on Bass.

“It is cool to be a part of something that is completely original,” Carison said. The two have played music together since before they came to the University of Oregon.

The album — set to release in June 2013 — is an exciting stepping stone in Newhart’s music career and a wonderful representation of the successes that arise from his inspiration.

For the 12^th consecutive year, the University of Oregon’s School of Music and Dance will be participating in the many events of Jazz Appreciation Month.

Jazz Appreciation Month — founded in 2001 by music historian John Edward Hasse — is designed to educate students about the style of music and celebrate the living American art form with a variety of performances and special guests.

The most notable events include the annual birthday bash of outstanding American composer and pianist Duke Ellington, on Sunday April 14^th at The Jazz Station in West Eugene, followed by a community jazz concert featuring members from UO’s faculty and student body as well as performers from around the area on Wednesday April 24^th in Bend, Oregon.

“It will be an absolute hoot!” said Steve Owen, professor of music and director of jazz studies. “Duke Ellington’s Birthday Bash gives us a chance to go back and explore compositions out of his many wonderful pieces.”

The events wrap up  in Eugene with a show featuring honored artistic guest Stephen K. Kelly, Dye Family Professor of Music Emeritus at Carleton College, on Tuesday May 7^th at the Collier House.

Jazz Appreciation Month not only gives faculty members but also students the chance to be a part of many events and performances to show off their special talents.

“The performances show that there is a vibrant jazz scene here at the University of Oregon and that it still has support” said Torrey Newhart a graduate student and Jazz pianist at the UO school of Music and Dance. “I think University of Oregon is unique in that younger people are involved in the jazz program which is stereo-typically not the case in other places. Jazz is viewed as an older style of music so it is very important that younger people are involved.”

For more events, dates and locations check out the UO School of Music and Dance website at: http://music.uoregon.edu/jazzmonth and download a jazzy tune to keep in the spirit of Jazz Appreciation Month.

The University of Oregon’s 400,000-square-foot Matthew Knight Arena is home to a variety of award-winning athletic programs. However, recently, it has received recognition for a much different feat: becoming the Eugene-located UO’s first LEED gold certified building.

“Matthew Knight Arena is a building that was designed with the certification in mind, and it was important to everyone” said Mike Duncan, the senior associate for athletic department operations and events. “Their goal was to bring a lot of notary to the building for the university and the town of Eugene.”

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and awards buildings on their environmentally friendly construction and operations. The LEED award was granted by the U.S. Green Buildings Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute. Both organizations certify programs related to green buildings and award buildings for their superior awareness of the environment.

“Winning the LEED Gold certification is fantastic evidence of the University of Oregon’s commitment to sustainability,” said Steve Mital, the UO’s sustainability director. ” We now have a new policy on file that all new constructions will be built to be Gold certified or better.”

Many buildings at the UO have been awarded LEED Silver certification, such as the Lillis Business Complex and the Ford Alumni Center. However, Matthew Knight Arena is the first UO building to be awarded Gold certification, joining the White Stag Block located at UO Portland. Matthew Knight Arena was awarded Gold certification for their superior efficiency in both electrical and water efficiency, as well as their use of recycled and regional materials.

With this most recent award among the UO’s long list of sustainability accolades, the state of Oregon’s flagship university takes yet another step toward becoming the nation’s foremost environmentally friendly campus.