The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is due to vote in regards to net neutrality next month.

Currently, the Internet is in a state of net neutrality. Meaning, consumers pay providers a flat rate and can stream however much content they want. Associate Professor of Computer and Information Science at the University of Oregon, Reza Rejaie compares the current system to an all you can eat buffet.

Last year, the FCC had a proposal that would allow Internet service providers (ISPs), like Comcast, to charge in exchange for faster and more reliable service.  When this occurred, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden sent out a petition to prevent the plan, saying that only the big companies would receive benefits from the plan.

Once again Wyden has created another petition along with Senators Al Franken, Tom Udall and Ed Markey, in support of maintaining net neutrality.

“The big telecom corporations want to divide the Internet into toll lanes and charge big bucks for faster speeds. No big deal for big corporations that can pay the toll, but a terrible deal for the start-ups and small businesses that can’t,” Wyden said.

Rejaie says there are good points on both sides of the net neutrality debate. “I don’t think it is a black and white issue,” Rejaie said.

Currently, ISPs are left out of the market, and aren’t making the extra money for the service they are providing says Rejaie.

“They’re left in the middle, doing the extra work,” Rejaie said.

Rejaie did say that there is a clear possibility of the rich getting richer and the poor staying poor. Meaning, larger companies like Facebook, Netflix and YouTube would be able to pay potential fees for superior service, whereas smaller sites would get left behind. In addition, he sited the struggle that would lie in checking that sites are complying to the rules possibly put forth by the FCC.

According to Rejaie, currently there is not a clear plan as to what would happen if net neutrality went away, since it has never happened before.

“We really don’t know what’s going to happen,” Rejaie said. “Nothing is simple in this context, everything is complicated.”

As for the effect of net neutrality on students, it is really all up in the air depending on what the FCC decides to do. Rejaie says students off campus would probably feel the effect more than those who reside on campus.

Rejaie does think that there could be a solution somewhere in between the two extremes both for and against net neutrality, with a minimum impact. “I see a middle ground, there are so many forces at play.”

Forces like Google, Comcast, AT&T, Facebook and large entities are all vying for net neutrality or for some sort of regulation.

Last year, AT&T promised customers three years of continuing net neutrality practices if the FCC’s proposal had gone through.

“If this was a black and white issue, it would have been resolved by now,” said Rejaie. “It’s interesting and scary.”

Debt is a reality for many students in higher education.

By 2020, the White House estimates that 35 percent of job openings will require a bachelor’s degree and 30 percent will require some college or an associate’s degree.

In an attempt to make higher education more accessible across the nation, President Barack Obama announced a new plan, called America’s College Promise, on Jan. 9.

The program would provide two years of free community college for students. America’s College Promise is based on successful programs in Chicago and Tennessee, where Obama made his announcement.

“Our big issue is college affordability, so we’re happy,” Kenneth Sergienko, vice president of the University of Oregon College Democrats, said.

Sergienko said he knows a lot of students who already go to community colleges, like Lane Community College, for the first two years of their schooling to combat the high costs of university education.

“We’re thrilled about the idea,” Sergienko said.

The U.S. Congress, which is now Republican dominated, is now tasked with deciding whether or not to incorporate the plan.

“We’re hopeful for a serious look (from Congress),” Sergienko said.

“While I applaud the president for starting a discussion about making college a reality for more Americans, I often find that the devil is in the details,” Congressman Peter DeFazio said. “If tuition-free community college has a chance of becoming a reality, it will be important to make sure it’s a win-win-win-win: for students, community colleges, four-year universities and the states that will ultimately bear some of the cost.”

Should the plan pass, students are required to maintain a 2.5 grade point average and stay on a graduation track in order to be eligible. Students would have to either complete the number of credits required for a four year graduation track or a two-year certificate program.

The plan would also require community colleges to strengthen their programs and increase their graduation numbers, and require states to invest more in higher education and technical training.

States would use resources to improve the quality of community colleges within their state, help create affordability at four-year public universities, like the UO and provide outreach and early intervention to increase college readiness within their state.

Sergienko doesn’t think the plan will largely affect the enrollment in four-year universities like the UO.

“I think it will create an increase in the number of people who take technical training,” Sergienko said.

If all states across the nation participate in America’s College Promise, the White House estimates nine million students would benefit. If those students attend school full-time, they would save $3,800 each year.

However, critics say that the plan doesn’t cover substantial costs of college, like books and fees, and that it doesn’t serve the students who need it the most, like low income students who are already covered by Pell Grants and other financial aid.

The cost for the federal government to implement America’s College Promise is estimated at $60 billion in 10 years.

Federal funding would account for three quarters of the cost of tuition and participating states would have to come up with the remaining money.

Martin Luther King Day offers more than just a day off of school. On Jan.19, Eugene is has a myriad of activities to take part in, from marches to community service.

The Holden Center at the University of Oregon has approximately 170 students signed up to volunteer in the two programs they have planned for the day.

The center partners with Willamette High School, enabling volunteers to perform helpful activities at WHS, Cascade Middle School and Shasta Middle School like landscaping, organizing and painting. This is the third year the Holden Center and WHS have partnered with each other.

The Holden Center also linked UO student volunteers with the Arc of Lane County. On MLK Day, volunteers will be paired with a child with a disability such as autism, down syndrome or cerebral palsy and spend the day bonding and bowling.

“It is a great way for (students) to be plugged into the community,” Suzy Kropf, Community Program Assistant for the Holden Center said.

Both events are now full.

The 2015 MLK Community MARCH will take place from 9 a.m until noon. The event begins at PK Park with a short opening program. The march concludes at the Shedd Institute, followed by a short program of speakers.

At 6:30 p.m, Holly Robinson-Peete, actress and activist, will be a key note speaker. The speech in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. will take place at the Lane Community College Center for Meeting and Learning.

As Ohio State students celebrating their national championship win against the Ducks grew out of control, police donned riot gear and released pepper spray and tear gas on the crowds.

The Buckeyes beat the Oregon Ducks 42-20 in the first College Football Playoff National Championship, and students in Ohio hit the streets to celebrate.

Just after the game concluded, there were reports of gunfire in the Ohio State campus area. CBS Sports reported that Ohio State students tore down a goal post in their football stadium, which is known as The Horseshoe.

The Columbus Fire Department reported a total of 89 small fires near campus. Three of the reports of fire were couches, many were trash fires and none were reported as serious.

Around midnight, police began using pepper spray on the crowds, according to The Columbus Dispatch. In a failed attempt to keep the riot from closing one of the main roads, fire fighters and the police parked cars to block rioters and fought to disperse the crowd.

At 1:15 a.m. in front of the Ohio Union, police released three canisters of tear gas.

At 1:30 a.m. it was reported that one person was submitted to the hospital because of the riot.

The Columbus Dispatch also has video.

On Friday, Jan. 7, President Barack Obama announced a proposal created to provide two free years of community college to students.

The proposal, named America’s College Promise, enables students to begin a four year degree with two free years at community college, as long as they maintain a 2.5 grade point average and continue productivity towards a degree.

If all states participate, according to a White House press release, 9 million students would benefit and, as full time students, would save $3,800 in tuition each year. The plan is patterned after current programs in place in Tennessee and Chicago.

The program still needs to get through the Republican-dominated congress. Some in congress have expressed the opinion that the program, while successful in Tennessee, is best kept at the state and local level, rather than federal.

“Unless the president has a responsible plan to meet our existing commitments, he shouldn’t be making new promises the American people can’t afford,” Republican congressman for Minnesota, John Kline, said to USA Today.

The cost posed to the federal government is estimated at $60 billion in 10 years.

If the program is passed, community colleges would have to then meet requirements regarding the strength of their programs and the need to increase their graduation numbers.

Wednesday, Nov. 19 veteran reporter and Middle East correspondent Reese Erlich will come to the University of Oregon.

Erlich has been traveling to the Middle East since the eighties and Syria since 2002. He is coming to campus as part of a tour to promote his new book, “Inside Syria: The Backstory of their Civil War and What the World can Expect,” and speak about issues in Syria.

His talk is titled “A Reporters Firsthand Report: Assad, Obama and US Middle East Policy.”

Erlich’s book tour has taken him to a number of universities in the states. Erlich finds universities audiences more receptive and said they grant him more of a chance to see how his writing is perceived.

He has spoken at the UO before.

“I enjoy meeting with the students in Eugene…the students and faculty are more down to earth,” Erlich said.

In the sixties, Erlich attended Berkley and with six other students coordinate an “Anti-Draft Week” in protest of the Vietnam war. They became known as the Oakland Seven and were tried and acquitted for conspiracy to trespass, to commit a public nuisance, to resist, delay and obstruct police officers.

“In the sixties, we were formed by the conditions that existed,” said Erlich. “The civil rights movement was in full swing. When I arrived, it was like being thrown into a boiling cauldron of political ideas.”

Erlich will speak at the UO Law School in room 175  at 12:30 p.m. and again at the Tsunami Bookstore on 2585 Willamette at 7 p.m.

By now, everyone knows that Oregon legalized marijuana in the recent election.

Here are some answers to the questions you’ve been asking.

When will Measure 91 actually be enacted?

You can legally possess marijuana as of July 1, 2015. Until that date, possession under 4 ounces is still considered a misdemeanor and over 4 ounces is considered a felony.

How much marijuana am I allowed to have on me at home?

Individuals 21 years of age and older are allowed to have one ounce on their person and eight ounces at home. Four plants are allowed per household as well.

Is that it?

No. You can also have one pound of solid edibles, or around 10 bars of chocolate, or marijuana infused liquid – 72 ounces of it. Or a six pack of 12 ounce sodas and up to an ounce of marijuana extract.

Is the marijuana I have now legal?

Nope. Not until the first of July. Really.

Where can I go for all my cannabis needs?

As of July 1, if you are 21 or older, you can legally purchase marijuana at your friendly neighborhood dispensaries that will be popping up in the state very soon.

Can I smoke anywhere? Like on campus?

No. You cannot now, nor can you after July 1.

What about vapor pens? Can I smoke in public with those?

Nope, that’s still illegal.

So I’m having a party, but would rather people smoke not inside my house. Am I allowed to shoo them to the porch?

The measure is a little hazy on whether or not a porch is a public place. You’re going to have a less likely chance of your party getting busted if you keep it inside or in a backyard.

Now that weed is legal, if I fail my drug test, can I keep my job?

That really depends on your employer, but probably not. Measure 91 does not alter Oregon employment laws at all. So, if you work for a drug-free company they can still order drug tests and expect you to follow its policies.

I just go to school here, so I am not an Oregon resident, and my friends and family are not either. Can we all get high legally?

Yep. Just as long as you’re in Oregon and do not take it across state lines, either way.

You can find further information about the ballot here.

Editor’s Note: The printed version of this article incorrectly stated that the possession of any marijuana is considered a felony. Only possession of over four ounces of marijuana is considered a felony. The Emerald apologizes for the error.

Oregon is coming out on top in the preliminary count for voter turnout.

Currently, Oregon’s turnout for midterm elections is 69.5 percent, according to the Bend Bulletin, which is the highest in the nation. States have up to a month before they are required to complete and certify their turnout results.

The preliminary results show that there was low turnout nationally.

Oregon, along with Washington and Colorado, use a mail in ballot system, first introduced in 2000.

The Oregon ballot had a number of controversial measures on the ballot including legalizing marijuana, which passed, as well as GMO labeling on all food and driver identification cards for illegal immigrants. Both of which, failed.

The measure which would have allowed independent voters to vote in the primaries, failed as well.

The large voter turn out in Oregon is not new. Oregon has shown consistently high turnout in midterm elections.

Secretary of State Kate Brown released a written statement regarding state turnout saying, “I’m very pleased that Oregon continues to be among the national leaders in voter turnout. It’s a testament to the engagement of Oregon voters who care about the issues.”

Currently, Oregon is ranking eighth in the nation for overall voter turnout.

As of July 1, 2015 Measure 91 will go into effect.

On that date, citizens of Oregon that are 21 and older will be able to legally purchase marijuana and posses an ounce of marijuana in public, have eight ounces at home and four plants per household.

University of Oregon graduate Nic Adenau explored the measure and the possibility of legalization in Oregon through video form in his documentary Marijuana in Oregon.

Adenau graduated from the UO in 2013 with a degree in Digital Arts. He decided to create the documentary because the topic was becoming much more serious, and he saw the need to inform the younger voters, between the ages of 18-25 about the measure.

“Oregon is going to set the standard (for legalized marijuana) from here on out,” Adenau said. “Oregon is going to start becoming the poster child”

Adenau said he doesn’t think the measure is going to eliminate use from underage youth, but it will increase responsibility and accountability.

“It’s going to put a lot of dealers out of business,” Adenau said.

The turn out of youth voters made a difference in the passing of the measure according to Adenau.

“There is no other explanation other than the youth,” Adenau said.

Adenau said that polls showed a close rate because the youth voters aged 18-25, tend to come out to the polls at the last minute.

“I don’t think (the youth) coming out late is lazy,” Adenau said. “I think they just take time to think it through.”

While working on the documentary, Adenau came in contact with the Drug Policy Alliance and made some positive Measure 91 advertisements geared at the youth age group.

“The youth can call bull shit really fast,” Adenau said. “The goal was to create a video campaign that call out all the strategies you hate, while also being funny.”

The videos center around “shirtless Ryan.” A spokesperson who urges the audience to vote for the measure.

Follow Jennifer Fleck on Twitter @jenniferfleck

From signs in yards, articles and debates, everyone has heard about marijuana legalization in the form of Measure 91 in Oregon.

University of Oregon graduate Nic Adenau explored the measure and the possibility of legalization through video form in his documentary Marijuana in Oregon.

Adenau graduated from UO in 2013 with a degree in digital arts. He decided to create the documentary because the topic was becoming much more serious and he saw the need to inform the younger voters, between the ages of 18-25, about the measure.

The documentary holds many different interviews ranging from political consultants speaking in favor of the measure to the District Attorney from Clatsop County, who spoke out against the measure.

Adenau did not come across many people who were hesitant to speak in front of a camera about the subject, though there were some.

“You see a lot of people uncomfortable,” Adenau said. “Paranoid for good reasons. Once you get into this industry, you realize there is a lot of fear, for good reason.”

Measure 91 is not the first attempt at legalization in Oregon. In 2012, Measure 80 failed to pass on the November ballot.

UO graduate and co-founder of New Economy Consulting, a business which consults with medical marijuana dispensaries and lobbying, Sam Chapman says a lot of the reason Measure 80 did not pass is due to its poorly written nature and allowances of things like unlimited marijuana growth.

Adenau finds Measure 91 superior to its failed counterpart, due to the differences in policy between the two and the professionalism of the campaign for Measure 91.

With the more professional campaign, Adenau found that a key target group of voters were left out: the youth.

Adenau thinks that the measure will pass, but very closely, unless the age group of 18-25 make it to the polls.

“Polls show that younger people want it legalized,” Adenau said. “I think the older generation is really on the fence about it. If the youth comes out and votes, I think it will pass.”

“In Eugene, we’ve pretty much heard every pro-legalization argument there is. I am in favor of all of them,” said UO student Sam Brazil.

While working on the documentary, Adenau came in contact with the Drug Policy Alliance and made some positive Measure 91 advertisements geared at the younger age group.

“The youth can call bull shit really fast,” Adenau said. “The goal was to create a video campaign that call out all the strategies you hate, while also being funny.”

The videos center around “shirtless Ryan,” a spokesperson who urges the audience to vote for the measure.

Adenau began his venture wanting to not share his opinion on the topic, but changed his mind.

“The war on drugs is one of the biggest issues in this country,” Adenau said. “Millions of dollars are not going back to the state…This is a drug that is being regulated by the black market. (Measure 91) is going to be a better system to hold people accountable.”