Dear University of Oregon,

From the time I first started taking classes here as a senior in high school to my college graduation three years later, my life has changed dramatically. I dropped out of another school, transferred here, founded and let fade away an a cappella group, joined a journalism community, withdrew from a term, changed majors twice, lost a family member, and now, here I am: about to cross the finish line.

For many students, college graduation represents the start of a new phase of life — one in which they become part of “the real world.” This is where their lives start.

I used to think that way, but I don’t anymore. My life has already started and will continue throughout the next year I take off school before I move out of state to go to law school. For me, graduation does not represent a major change in my life. Instead, this major change has occurred over the two years I’ve spent here.

The University of Oregon has been instrumental in me becoming the person I am today. When I first got here, I had transferred from another school and was still planning to major in chemistry; however, I struggled in more advanced chemistry classes, and as a result, found myself without a major. The next term, I took a political science class and fell in love with the topic, declaring the major a term later.

I also auditioned for two a cappella groups when I first arrived, and I’m actually grateful I didn’t get in — the setback inspired me to create my own. My LGBTQ+ group was short-lived, but the experience allowed me to work on my leadership skills and work on music with people in my community.

Finally, I sought out the Emerald, hoping to find a place to work on my writing skills. I originally applied for the news desk but was placed on opinion. The placement was well-made, and I flourished with the opportunity to write about issues that were important to me. The Emerald also provided a variety of opportunities, giving me work experience as an editor, news writer and copy editor. When I first started, I didn’t realize writing was a skill, and now it’s one I’ll never take for granted.

Although I’m happy to be getting my undergraduate degree and preparing to leave Eugene behind, the University of Oregon helped me get back on my feet. The instructors I’ve learned from, the peers I’ve met and the friends I’ve made have influenced me immeasurably. The person I have become today would not be possible without the wide expanse of opportunities UO gave me.

To current students, enjoy the time you have here. Take this opportunity to learn seriously, but make sure you have some fun as well. Build relationships with fellow students and professors alike — you never know which connections might help you along later in life. Finally, acknowledge that you’ll probably leave this place a completely different person than when you started. I certainly did.

So, thank you, UO. For the good times and bad.

The post Marks: Farewell, University of Oregon appeared first on Emerald Media.

The narrative of the minority conservative has plagued the news lately. A recent article published by The Hill claims that reality TV star Roseanne Barr is bringing conservative women “out of the closet,” a phrase reserved for queer or trans people. Conservatives are considered “minorities” on many U.S. college campuses. But these stories have a misconstrued understanding of what a minority is, and inappropriately use language associated with marginalized communities.

According to Merriam-Webster, the word minority has three definitions: being underage, the smaller of two groups which constitute a whole, and “a part of a population differing from others in some characteristics and often subjected to differential treatment.”

While it would be technically accurate to say that conservatives are a minority on, for example, the University of Oregon campus, this narrative is often accompanied with words like “discrimination” and “oppression.” What these people really mean to imply is that they are marginalized.

By referring to themselves as minorities and taking the language reserved for marginalized communities, conservatives are drawing attention away from communities who actually experience discrimination, or prejudiced treatment, and oppression, or “unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power.”

These words and connotations bring to light the hardships that marginalized communities actually face and highlight the power dynamics involved. We face institutionalized discrimination at the hands of those in power, whether it comes to the pay gap, higher rates of incarceration or the right to marry (which was ruled on only three years ago). I have yet to hear any statistics about conservatives being faced with increased rates of police brutality or being tried and sentenced as adults in court despite being 16 years old.

As a conservative, you may be among the few rather than the many in some areas, such as college campuses. However, the Republican party currently has control of all three branches of government. Conservatives do not suffer at the hands of the government, because the government is on their side.

Most people do not like to be yelled at. But having slurs hurled at you because of the color of your skin or your sexuality — things you cannot change — is very different than being yelled at because you proudly align with a party or a candidate that has blatantly racist, sexist and elitist policies, to name a few issues.

This is not to say that I believe all republicans are the same or everyone who voted for Trump is a soulless heathen. But using self-victimization to paint yourselves as brave leaders is not an appealing narrative for a group that will most likely never experience marginalization. The only people who are going to buy that narrative is other conservatives, and that does nothing for the group as a whole.

Actual minorities are beaten to death for being gay or because a white girl made up a story that you wolf-whistled at her. This narrative does not apply to conservatives and I urge them to abandon it, as well as the connotative language that goes along with it. It’s never enjoyable to be yelled at for your political views, but if that qualified as discrimination, everyone could consider themselves discriminated against at one point or another. The consequences for minorities are much more severe than being yelled at.

The post Marks: The false narrative of the conservative minority appeared first on Emerald Media.

Across the United States, emotional support animals (ESAs) have become a trend. Recently, a story came out about a woman who tried to bring her “emotional support peacock” on a flight with her, resulting in airlines making stricter rules for allowing animals on flights. While it’s good that ESAs are being normalized, it’s gone too far — to the point of harming those who do rely on animals for emotional support.

At 15, I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I tried therapy, then medication, and eventually improved with a combination of the two. Despite this, my quality of life wasn’t more than mediocre. Then I adopted Mia.

Mia is a chihuahua miniature pinscher mix who I met visiting a rescue shelter near my old college. I had thought about the idea of adopting an emotional support animal for a while, and she was the perfect candidate.

Mia in the garden. (Jadyn Marks/Emerald)

Shortly after adopting Mia, I left that school and returned home — my mental health had taken a steep descent, and Mia alone couldn’t help it.

However, after that, things began to improve dramatically. Having Mia around helped me a lot — she was a comfort when I was upset or anxious and made me feel protected and safe. As someone who was often too depressed to leave my apartment, I was usually alone and lonely, but Mia changed that. Having a constant companion made a huge difference, even in my general, everyday mood.

Without Mia, I would still be a functional student. But having her around has greatly improved my quality of life. I don’t have anxiety attacks nearly as often, and my depressive episodes are few and far between. And she’s better off as well — the rescue shelter staff members told me they presumed she had been used for breeding and then released on the streets.

Hearing about the woman claiming her peacock was an emotional support animal to cheat the system angered and worried me. Soon after, the New York Times came out with an op-ed about how emotional support animals are essentially a scam.

This is exactly what I was afraid of. This woman, and others like her, are using people with disabilities to cheat the system, discrediting those who actually need emotional support animals. Apparently, you can find a remote therapist online and qualify for an emotional support animal in under 15 minutes; “qualify” in the broadest sense of the word. No good (or licensed) therapist will diagnose you in just 15 minutes, much less online.

I was treated by the same psychiatrist for years. She diagnosed me, started me on medication, counseled me and eventually approved me for an emotional support animal. I didn’t cheat the system. Like therapy and medication, Mia became part of my treatment plan.

Because of stories like this woman’s and responses like that of the New York Times, I’m anticipating more difficulty in being accommodated. Will I have to jump through more hoops to rent an apartment? To take my 10-pound dog on a flight? If I do, it will be because of people who take advantage of the system.

If you’re one of those people, I urge you to stop. You’re stealing a method of treatment that wasn’t designed for you and making it less accessible for people with diagnosed mental illnesses. Yeah, you may really love your pet peacock, but has it helped your depression? Your anxiety? Does it calm your panic attacks? Does it substantially improve your quality of life? If you can’t say yes to any of these questions, you’re selfish and undeserving. Emotional support animals weren’t designed for you. Leave our treatment alone.

As for those of you who use an emotional support animal as part of your treatment plan, try not to let it get to you. Know your rights and the regulations you may have to follow, but assert them — if you’re abiding by regulations, there is no legal reason for you to be denied housing, or to have to leave your pet at home when you’re taking a flight. You are not the problem – those who abuse the system are. And the truth always comes out.

The post Marks: Emotional support animals are treatment, not toys appeared first on Emerald Media.

Tom’s Market on East 19th Avenue and Agate Street was robbed at gunpoint around 9:30 p.m. Police responded quickly. At least seven police cars were on the scene with weapons and a police dog — five cars parked on the street by the market and more patrolling, headed south on Agate Street.

There have been several robberies involving guns in the campus area in the past few days including Neighborhood Market on Hilyard Street, Subway on 18th Avenue, Dutch Brothers Coffee on West 11th Avenue and a student near East 16th Ave. and Hillyard Street.

Police officers from the Eugene Police Department and UOPD were searching the area with police dogs until approximately 11 p.m. 

According to a Campus Crime Alert, the two suspects involved were described similarly to the suspects in the other recent robberies.

One was described as a black male, in his 20s, between 6′ and 6’2″, with a large build. He was wearing a beanie hat and a black mask covering the lower part of his face. He was wearing a black long-sleeved jacket and black pants.

The second suspect was described as a white male, medium build, wearing a dark blue beanie. He was wearing a dark blue sweatshirt with a gray hood and a logo, black pants, and black shoes.

The Crime Alert said that the suspects should be considered armed and dangerous, and they should not be approached.

Anyone with information about the suspects should call the Eugene Police at 541-682-5111 or UOPD at 541-346-2919.

This story is developing.

The post Tom’s Market near campus robbed at gunpoint appeared first on Emerald Media.

Two main causes are at the root of many of the sexual assault and harassment allegations littering the news. One of them, more difficult to control, is people not listening to “no.” The other, which everyone has perpetuated, is miscommunication.

The latest story that’s been circulating is of a young woman’s encounter with comedian Aziz Ansari. Grace, whose name was changed to protect her identity, went on a date with Ansari. After rushing her home, Ansari repeatedly tried to initiate sexual contact with her. Grace used both verbal and nonverbal cues to indicate discomfort, asking if they could just hang out. After Ansari kept pushing Grace, she left.

The vast majority of the replies to the article on Twitter, which called Ansari’s actions “sexual misconduct,” argue that Ansari never did anything nonconsensual and that Grace was sending “mixed signals.” Men, women and sexual assault survivors alike agree that this situation is just bad sex and a misrepresentation of what sexual assault actually is.

What Ansari did was not okay. But some of the “mixed signals” that readers indicated could have been perceived in a different light from his point of view. In fact, he released a statement a few days later, claiming that the sexual activity they engaged in was “by all indications. … completely consensual.”

What happened to Grace was sexual misconduct, and she is not to blame. She was not playing coy, she repeatedly gave both verbal and nonverbal cues of discomfort, and she was met with unwanted sexual contact. Luckily, she was able to get out of the situation without something worse happening.

But the “mixed signals” that readers interpreted is a symptom of a much larger issue that persists in mainstream media and influences everyone. Think about sex scenes you’ve seen in a movie or a TV show. One person kisses the other suddenly, passionately — they rush to the nearest place available to have sex, tearing off each others’ clothes, often not saying a word. This is what we as a society consider sexy.

Mainstream media never taught me about consent. Asking somebody if you could kiss them was awkward and unromantic. We are being influenced from a very young age to not ask about these things — and that it’s never needed.

I can think of plenty of personal situations where communication would have made things a lot easier and more comfortable for everyone involved, and I know I’m not the only one. At times, I’ve been nervous and reluctant to communicate, and I was lucky enough be with someone who was attuned to what I was feeling and checked in. That’s not always the case. Some people ignore signals and others are merely unaware.

We all have a responsibility to stop perpetuating these TV and movie tropes. Pay attention to your partner’s body language and attitude. If they seem uncomfortable or say no, then stop. In fact, ask about initiating sexual contact beforehand. It’s not going to ruin the moment; it’s going to make everyone involved a lot more comfortable. It goes the other way, too. Be sure that you want to do what you’re doing. If you change your mind, say something. If everyone communicates effectively in situations where they were not in danger, I doubt there would be as many #MeToo stories.

The post Marks: Why can’t we figure out consent? appeared first on Emerald Media.

Two main causes are at the root of many of the sexual assault and harassment allegations littering the news. One of them, more difficult to control, is people not listening to “no.” The other, which everyone has perpetuated, is miscommunication.

The latest story that’s been circulating is of a young woman’s encounter with comedian Aziz Ansari. Grace, whose name was changed to protect her identity, went on a date with Ansari. After rushing her home, Ansari repeatedly tried to initiate sexual contact with her. Grace used both verbal and nonverbal cues to indicate discomfort, asking if they could just hang out. After Ansari kept pushing Grace, she left.

The vast majority of the replies to the article on Twitter, which called Ansari’s actions “sexual misconduct,” argue that Ansari never did anything nonconsensual and that Grace was sending “mixed signals.” Men, women and sexual assault survivors alike agree that this situation is just bad sex and a misrepresentation of what sexual assault actually is.

What Ansari did was not okay. But some of the “mixed signals” that readers indicated could have been perceived in a different light from his point of view. In fact, he released a statement a few days later, claiming that the sexual activity they engaged in was “by all indications. … completely consensual.”

What happened to Grace was sexual misconduct, and she is not to blame. She was not playing coy, she repeatedly gave both verbal and nonverbal cues of discomfort, and she was met with unwanted sexual contact. Luckily, she was able to get out of the situation without something worse happening.

But the “mixed signals” that readers interpreted is a symptom of a much larger issue that persists in mainstream media and influences everyone. Think about sex scenes you’ve seen in a movie or a TV show. One person kisses the other suddenly, passionately — they rush to the nearest place available to have sex, tearing off each others’ clothes, often not saying a word. This is what we as a society consider sexy.

Mainstream media never taught me about consent. Asking somebody if you could kiss them was awkward and unromantic. We are being influenced from a very young age to not ask about these things — and that it’s never needed.

I can think of plenty of personal situations where communication would have made things a lot easier and more comfortable for everyone involved, and I know I’m not the only one. At times, I’ve been nervous and reluctant to communicate, and I was lucky enough be with someone who was attuned to what I was feeling and checked in. That’s not always the case. Some people ignore signals and others are merely unaware.

We all have a responsibility to stop perpetuating these TV and movie tropes. Pay attention to your partner’s body language and attitude. If they seem uncomfortable or say no, then stop. In fact, ask about initiating sexual contact beforehand. It’s not going to ruin the moment; it’s going to make everyone involved a lot more comfortable. It goes the other way, too. Be sure that you want to do what you’re doing. If you change your mind, say something. If everyone communicates effectively in situations where they were not in danger, I doubt there would be as many #MeToo stories.

The post Marks: Why can’t we figure out consent? appeared first on Emerald Media.

Jacob “Jay” Timothy Richter-Shea and Cody Duk-Woo Moore, the suspects sought by Eugene police for multiple violent crimes, including a shooting near campus, were found dead in a southwest Washington apartment on Dec. 21, according to KEZI.

Clark County deputies said they received a tip that the suspects were at the apartment complex and sent out a SWAT team. After hearing two muffled gunshots from inside the apartment, they used a robot to enter the room and found that the suspects had died of apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds, officials said.

Read the original Emerald story here.

The post Update: Suspects in campus area shooting found dead appeared first on Emerald Media.