As a student, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of people on a large campus. It can also be hard to find a place where you fit in. Maybe you can’t afford Greek Life or don’t want to join one of the conventional groups or programs you’ve seen around. Here are some lesser-known student groups on campus.

1. Ahiru Daiko: This is the University of Oregon’s Japanese Drumming Ensemble. Founded in 2010, the group has worked to help integrate students into the musical world of taiko drumming. There are no requirements to join except a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.

2. UO Smash Club: This is a club revolving completely around playing a Nintendo favorite, Super Smash Bros. The Smash Club has competitive tournaments and keeps extensive and detailed records of the highest scores. Meetings are weekly on campus.

3. K.Aire: The UO’s very own K-Pop dance cover group. For K-Pop fans and dancers alike, this group is a mingling of the two as they learn and perform dances and occasionally hold open sessions for those who are interested in joining as well.

4. Cricket Team: It definitely doesn’t get the same amount of attention as football, but it’s still here. The UO has its own cricket team that plays regularly and is open to anyone with previous cricket experience or to those wanting to learn the game.

5. UO Poetry Slam: While you may have seen our school poets at recent events or in university news, they are still unknown to many on campus. Expressing themselves through the art of spoken word, this team is only a few years old and has already gone to compete at the national level multiple times. The team is kept small but open to new members during the year and frequently hosts events and showcases.

6. U R Awesome: The whole point of this student group is to promote happiness and kindness within the UO community. They do anything from offering free hugs to hosting workshops and meet weekly.

7. Forbidden Fruit: Love Rocky Horror Picture Show? This is the group that keeps the show going in Eugene from year to year and allows us all to get our Halloween fix. It is completely student run but receives help from others in the Eugene/Springfield area.

8. TAMID: Ever been interested about the inner workings of the Israeli economy? If you’re looking for a club to give you a little bit of a unique edge in the business field, or you’re just looking to learn more about international economics, this group is open to all.

9. UO Student Labor Action Project: If you’re looking to do something to make a bigger impact, this could be a good fit. This group works actively to influence decisions that will directly impact students like tuition increases, labor negotiations and fairness on campus.

10. Quidditch Club: Still can’t get over the fact that the Harry Potter legacy ended five years ago with the release of the final movie? If you dream of taking flight and being the best seeker of the century, look into this UO club. You won’t be flying, but you’ll still get a workout while fulfilling at least a bit of your lifelong dream of being a wizard.

It’s nearly graduation season, which means that (a) time to start pretending you’re an adult, except for (b) those times when your folks come to town and you don’t have to foot the bill for dinner.

Today, the Emerald recommends some of the best spots around town to have your parents take you, where you don’t have to carry the anxiety of paying.

Cafe 440 (440 Coburg Rd, Eugene, OR)

My favorite thing(s) to order:

• Loaded Pub Fries “Natural cut french fries with melted cheese, bacon and sour cream, served with slider sauce. “

Giant Burger (3760 Main St, Springfield, OR)

If a visit by Guy Fieri’s Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives isn’t enough to validate a pilgrimage to Springfield’s best burger joint, perhaps the gargantuan five-pound burger challenge is. For the hungry and the daring, Giant Burger’s signature challenge is to consume all five pounds of the burger, plus fries and hold it down for ten minutes. For non-competitive eaters, the burger is available to share as a group, just call at least 24 hours in advance.

Other burgers include the “Kitchen Sink” (grilled ham, bacon, grilled mushrooms, onions, Swiss and American cheese,; the “Tiki Nui” (grilled pineapple, grilled ham, teriyaki glaze and smoked cheddar), the “Bacon Bacon Bacon” (self-explanatory) and the “Phat Bubba” (a burger between two grilled cheese sandwiches).

In addition to burgers, there is also a wide variety of sandwiches, hot dogs, homemade shakes and fries. Located about a 15 minute drive from campus, Giant Burger is a choice destination if your parents enjoy greasy food and good burgers. – Craig Wright

My favorite thing(s) to order:

After years of taking place in off-campus venues, the sixteenth annual OUT/LOUD queer and trans women’s music festival will return on  campus to help kick off this Friday at 7 p.m at the University of Oregon’s memorial quad.

The all-ages event, hosted by the ASUO Women’s Center, offers performance art, comedy, and music. This festival will showcase music and performances by and for queer and trans women. This will include performances from big names like Puerto Rican singer Taina Asili and her backing group la Banda Rebelde and Evan Greer, a trans/genderqueer activist and singer-songwriter. (Both acts are traveling from Albany, NY and Boston for the festival, respectively.)

Local acts in the lineup include Mischief Mistress Jane – a 23-year-old Eugene-based queer and trans feminist producer – as well as Eugene’s Saffron, a grunge outfit composed of guitarist/singer Alex Jackson, Graham Thirkil on bass and Matt Kaplowitz on drums.

Poetry, dance, community musicians and a few skits put on by the campus Sexual Wellness Advocacy Team (S.W.A.T.) surrounding the topic of healthy sexuality for queer and trans people are also part of this year’s OUT/Loud package.

“A lot of the other women’s center events are bringing up a cause or addressing an issue, but what’s wonderful about OUTloud is that it’s a celebration,” said Brynn Powell, LGBTQA Coordinator for Women’s Center. “We further an agenda that includes the voices of trans and queer women artists, but it’s mostly a celebration of what we do.”

The ASUO Women’s Center is hosting the event, which it claims to be “the Pacific Northwest’s largest queer and trans women’s music festival,

But while it’s a celebration, it’s a celebration with a purpose to encourage community and activism.

The event description points out that, “In the wake of political unrest around Mississippi’s and North Carolina’s homophobic and transphobic policies, and concerning the reality of female queer and trans women artists being paid historically less than their cisgender and/or male/masculine counterparts, supporting events like OUT/LOUD is fundamental to helping queer and trans women safely express their personhood.”

OUT/LOUD is meant to be a safe and fun place for people to come and enjoy music, and form a stronger bond in the community.

In order to keep a peaceful and safe environment for people to express themselves, Powell says there will also be response teams and LGBT Education Support there due to the nature of the event. It is also open to any and all people.

“I want there to be rad music first of all,” said Powell, “but we want to make it accessible. We want allies or potential allies to feel a sense of kinship and togetherness with trans women and people in queer and trans spectrum in general.”

While the event serves as an important platform for positive dialogue around queer and trans women and the stories they have to tell, it is first and foremost a lively way for people in the community to enjoy themselves and feel recognized.

“Everyone’s gonna walk away with something different,” said Powell. “But I hope they come away feeling supported and see that people on campus and community have your interests at heart.”

Tickets are $8 for general admission; $6 for UO students; $3 for those under 18 (although no one will be turned away). Tickets can be purchased here, as well as on the day of the event.

Listen to “Freedom (ft. Michael Reyes)” by Taína Asili below.

Out of all of the character’s on Bob’s Burgers, Linda Belcher is the one that often steals the show. While you may not want to admit to yourself right away that you are basically a spitting image of this quirky mom in the show, after reading this, you may reconsider. Here are 11 times Linda understood you on a deep emotional level.

1. When she tried a fad diet… and failed.

Like so many of us, Linda did her best to get that sexy bod she’s always wanted, and went to lengths to stay on track. We felt her pain when she came face to face with sweet birthday cake and gave in.

2. When she just desperately wanted a drink.

Linda’s a mother of three child hellions working in a restaurant all day. While we may not all have this same dilemma, we get the sentiment of just wanting that glass of wine at the end of the day.

3. And when she wasn’t willing to sacrifice that drink for anything.

That one episode where Linda was getting hit on by a creep and ruthlessly head-butted him… all to save the wine. Nobody is worth spilling wine over.

4. When she just couldn’t help but make a stupid pun.

All of our friends and family groan every time we do it, but sometimes it just feels right to make a stupid pun.

5. When she got a little bit of road rage.

We all have those moments of boiling frustration on the road sometimes. When Linda does, she puts it all out there unapologetically, and throws in another pun.

6. When she just let the music move her.

Everybody has that one song they can’t help but dance to. For Linda that just so happens to be every song.

7. And then she made her own music just for the hell of it.

If you’ve ever had a moment singing alone in your kitchen about washing the dishes, you’re not alone. One of the best things about Linda is she’s always got a song to spice up any occasion.

8. When she didn’t care what anyone thought about her sex life.

Linda is always down for a little tango in the sheets, and speaks about it openly and freely. And that’s pretty cool.

9. …Even if it was a little weird.

10. When she was supportive of her family, no matter how strange.

Whether it’s a friend’s weird obsession with a TV character, or a family member’s hobby of writing Freaky Friend Fiction all about butts… we all want to be as supportive as Linda.

11. When she spoke her mind to people who wronged her.

Who hasn’t wanted to tell someone rude to shove it? Linda does every time, and damn we love that about her because no matter what you can count on Linda to just be herself.

 And who doesn’t want that in their life? 

Bring yourself back to those sunny days you spent as a child outside, gripping a large hunk of bright blue chalk and scribbling on the ground, leaving no bit of sidewalk untouched by your free-flowing artistry.

This Thursday you’ll get the chance to relive those childhood memories at the Fifth Annual Chalk It Up event hosted by the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Memorial Quad, anybody can be an artist. There will be cups of chalk available for people to cover the sidewalks with whatever their creative minds desire, along with free lemonade and popsicles in the spirit of spring.

“It’s a fun way for people to pause and take a mental break in the middle of the term and encourage people to use their artistic skills on any level,” said Debbie Williamson, the communications manager for the museum. “We love to have it in the quad as more of a central gallery. [It’s] just a way to start sharing the word about student membership [to JSMA] and encourage people to participate in the art.”

This event is usually one of the campus museum’s biggest outreach opportunities for student memberships. Student memberships are free and include consistent benefits like ten percent off anything at the Cafe Marche and the museum store. It also allows exclusive access to certain events and one year of free museum membership after graduation. Last year they set a record with 156 new student memberships.

“There are a lot of opportunities for students at the JSMA, but it’s hard to find them,” said Sarah Wyer, president of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum Advisory Council.

Chalk It Up is one of the main events JSMA holds every year to increase engagement with the student body; however, it’s about more than just exposure for the museum. It’s a chance for students to express themselves in whatever way they feel, whether it be drawings, quotes, or whatever comes to mind. 

“We had a group of people create this beautiful big memorial for someone they knew that passed away and it was deeply touching to walk by and read it,” said Wyer. “They took up a huge square and they drew flowers and wrote ‘We miss you,’ and it was beautiful… We never really know what to expect.”

This event allows the quad to become a canvas of the university, and a chance to display and participate in art in a way that is often overlooked in the stress of spring term. People have taken to it in the past, and are expected to express themselves through art again this year.

“It’s really to just stop, breathe and get creative,” said Williamson. “Either by participating and creating chalk drawings or picking up an artistic publication or to just take the time to look at art. It’s so much fun to just sit down with chalk and take that moment to relax.”

Imagine pulling up the list of the highest-grossing box office films of the week, or even the year, and seeing a title like Deep Throat in the top 20. Imagine that the first ever VHS tape your parents owned (and that was ever created) was of an adult film. This is exactly how the world was in 1970’s, when the adult film industry was alive and well, moving away from theaters and into homes where it would grow to be a multi-billion dollar dirty little secret.

How exactly did we go from the puritanical, black and white movies of the past being strung through a series of censorships, to now having full access to obscure and specific genres of on-screen sex having to do with things like dominatrixes and digital octopuses touching women with their tentacles? (Yes, there is a genre for tentacle porn). When and how did this shift occur?

These questions will be answered on Friday, May 6, when the School of Journalism and Communications will host its latest Research Presentation Series, “Smutty Little Movies: The Creation and Regulation of Adult Video.” Presented by Assistant Professor Dr. Peter Alilunas, this event will begin at noon in Allen Hall and will cover the evolution of pornography from the visual jukebox in the 1940s to 1960s peep show booths and the early adult videos of the ‘70s.

“As a rule, pornography is a topic people think should be private,” Alilunas said. “There’s a difference between people’s private behaviors, and studying cultural phenomenon. I’m not in the interest of peeking into people’s bedrooms, that doesn’t interest me. But we’re talking about a multi-billion dollar industry. That’s not private. People’s pleasures are private, but not how they acquire them.”

It’s an area of film that had yet to be explored before Dr. Alilunas set out for eight years to find the answers as to how exactly this booming industry came to be. From hours of research to tracking down the maker of the first adult film, Alilunas has been working to be the first to link all the pieces together and address this phenomenon in American history.

“I can’t just go to my shelf and say ‘here’s the first adult video and here’s who made it.’ Why?” Alilunas said. “There are only like two or three of us in the whole world who are doing this.”

Like many professors, his work is very specifically focused. This presentation and findings are all on the important transitional years of 1976 through 1986. While he is not in the business of showing any X-rated material, he insists that as a cultural phenomenon we cannot simply ignore it.

“There are at least 10,000 adult films released every year,” he said. “At least. Hollywood might release 300 movies a year. So, it’s not even close and yet it makes everyone nervous.” Dr. Alilunas sits back in his office chair as old books and famous adult videos line his bookshelf in the corner. The spines face out with titles like The Devil in Miss Jones and Deep Throat demanding attention.

“We have to move away from this paradigm that something is too private or embarrassing or shameful to talk about. It just exists, so we should study it,” Alilunas said.

All of this will be found in his book, Smutty Little Movies: The Creation and Regulation of Adult Video set to come out in September.

Listen to the full audio interview with assistant stage manager Ben Jones while you read about University Theatre’s latest play. 

One scene of the latest University Theatre play has over 25 technical cues in a matter of 120 seconds.

In the stage’s wings, dressed head to toe in black, armed with headsets and scripts full of notes, and racing around in the dark are the crew members who will be working behind the curtain. By opening night, they’ll be ready for people to file into Robinson Theatre on the University of Oregon campus for the April 22 opener of Stage Kiss.

They attempt to blend in with the set while also rushing to get things in place — ready to execute quick set changes, blackouts and fire off the sound effects that will bring the show to life.

They operate in the dark, as the silent puppet masters of the show.

This will be the reality for those working on Stage Kiss, which is opening this weekend and running through May 7. This week marks the show’s final dress rehearsals. This means the show’s seven crew members have spent hours in the theater perfecting everything from lighting and set changes, until the final curtain drops.

The show’s plot follows an actress who is reentering the business after a sabbatical from the acting world and ironically lands the lead alongside her estranged lover. While they now both lead different lives, the play shows how one onstage kiss can ignite emotions in people on and off the stage.

“If their [crew] call is about 6 p.m., on a good night during tech rehearsal you get to leave at 10. Often it goes until about 11,” said Zeina Salame, who is the show’s director and a PhD student at UO. “And depending on the run of the show, sometimes later. It’s a long night, and we will be busy for every second of it.”

While the goal of any crew is to go unnoticed by audience members, this time it’s a little different.

Watching this show, audiences will get a taste of each aspect of the theater — including what’s happening backstage. The show is what many would refer to as meta: It’s a play all about how to create a play. Audiences will see things they normally do, like the actors, but will also get a taste of what the crew does and how things are built for a show.

“Something that people can easily forget [is that] those who decide to work on crew are extremely dedicated to the process, and absolutely integral to its success,” said Salame.

A summary of Stage Kiss says that the show blurs “the line between off-stage and on-stage.”

To give another hint of what to expect, a review by NBC New York said: “The play both spoofs and honors actors, with the idea that their actions in real life could be easily affected by their roles on stage.” This has proven to be a popular show for this reason, and should especially appeal to theater buffs.

The crew members have to work to bring together every component of the show. This includes props, staging and up to six changes of three large sets that take up the entire stage.

At first, the crew members practice all of the technical aspects of the show without the actors present, then the actors are integrated. This is called a “wet tech” rehearsal, and they are often full of kinks to work out before opening night.

Stage manager Alisha Rogers says the hardest part about her job is timing. She has to work with many other people to coordinate the lights, sound, the set and more. And even with Rogers’ seven years of experience, she says it’s not so easy.

While she has two assistant stage managers to help run the show, Rogers has the final say when it comes to calling cues for every tiny moment that happens on stage.

Every show comes down to the details for them, and as opening night draws closer it is their job to try and avoid any technical missteps, even on these minute levels.

“Figuring out when costumes go on when and where for the first time was kind of a bumbling,” said Assistant Stage Manager and junior Ben Jones. “We had to stop and hold a few times … Every aspect of tech is like that.” He goes on to say how something so small as needing to adjust the trajectory of a light can be cause for them to put rehearsal on pause.

“Just the little tweaks change a bunch of other little things,” he said. “It’s just about greasing the gears.”

Jones says this is the most technically complicated and intricate show he’s seen in his time here at UO, so getting all of these little things down to a science is even more crucial.

Not only is the show on the line, but so is people’s safety.

There are constantly moving pieces to Stage Kiss. There are of course the large sets to be aware of, but also the flying in of large back walls and the heavy curtain.

Director Zeina Salame poses behind the stage. “Stage Kiss” by Sarah Ruhl is performed by University Theatre. (Samuel Marshall/Emerald)

But regardless of the long hours and inevitable mishaps which can drag rehearsal into the late hours of the night, it’s worth it to those who work backstage come showtime.

“I really like the feeling of being up in the booth with both of your techs on either side of you, and calling that first call for curtain and knowing the audience is so immersed,” said Rogers.

She is commanding every movement on stage without letting the audience catch on that there are actually people making the magic of these shifts happen.

“I think there’s a lot of the magic elements of theater in the things you don’t see that we do back here,” said freshman crew member Emily Mair. “I think it’s really inclusive, something about everyone working together to make a piece of art. That’s really cool.”

This is Mair’s first show working on crew. Whether it’s sweeping the stage beforehand or manning the ropes on side stage, everyone is needed to make it all come together.

“In a lot of these magic moments, I’m seeing them from the side,” Jones said. “But it’s knowing that the magic is happening … Knowing that moment is coming, knowing that we have that power over people that we can make them feel things. That makes it worth it.”

Check out this link for additional show times.

Follow Jordyn Brown on Twitter @thejordynbrown

I was watching He’s Just Not That Into You, one of my favorite rom-coms, the other day. As I watched Bradley Cooper heatedly rip Scarlett Johansson’s dress straps off her shoulders and lay her down on his office desk, I found myself asking: Isn’t he a little old? After a quick Google search I discovered that at the time he was 34-years-old, and Johansson, sprawled on the desk, was 24-years-old.

While this is not the largest age gap the world of fictional relationships has ever seen, it did bring me to ask whether it was the only one, and why we as viewers didn’t really recognize it or turn our noses up at it.

It’s because Hollywood as a whole, has an older-man problem.

A study done by Vulture put three big-time actresses’ film careers in an infographic, displaying the various age gaps between them and their male counterparts in romantic roles. Some, like Jennifer Lawrence’s, show smaller age gaps by only a few years. Others, like Emma Stone’s, show age gaps of sometimes upwards of 30 years (Gangster Squad with Sean Penn, 54; Stone was 24).

This just points out something that the film industry has been doing for years: Implementing the sexualization of young women in movies to represent young, vivacious and “sexy” women in romantic roles that in real life we would all cock our heads at, and maybe ask ourselves, “hmm… is this a healthy relationship?”

While it goes without saying that adults have every right to do what they so wish in consenting sexual relationships, there is another aspect that comes into play when you think about how these sexual relationships are being used for profit, and how competitive the acting industry is. If you were a 16-year-old fresh-faced actress trying to get your big break, would you really turn down a role just because you had to make out with a 46 year old?

Not when a big check is involved. You’d probably just suck it up and continue to go about your career while the film industry subtly exploits your sexuality to an audience of older men and continue to cultivate a culture of hyper-sexualizing young women for the male gaze.

This trend also affects the availability of romantic leading roles for women who are past that golden stage of desirability. At the first sight of a forehead wrinkle, your resume has a much higher chance at being quietly moved from the pile of potential leading, sexy heartthrobs to the pile for secondary actresses playing roles like the mother or the boss lady. While these are still exceptional roles, the narrative changes.

These three actresses highlighted in the infographics are just a few examples of the bigger problem in Hollywood. Women like Johansson are subjected to being the sexy actress to the male gaze early on in their careers as they pull off their thin red dress straps and walk away with the big check later.

The stage is set with lights illuminating the single microphone poised in the center of the room. The crowd claps as the first poet launches into an expressive poem about the morality of playing God, commanding the attention of the audience with his animated hands and booming voice, performing a poem titled “A Letter to Mr. Hammond of Jurassic Park.”

The members of the audience snap in approval when he asks Mr. Hammond, “Do you think they know how far they are from the stars, or do they think it’s just another cage?” You can feel in the air that nobody in the room was free from goosebumps.

On April 4, the University of Oregon’s Poetry Slam group held its “Off to Austin Showcase,” which highlighted work from the poets who will be representing UO at the 2016 College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational later this week. The group of students will compete with their best rhymes and writing at the University of Texas in Austin from April 6–9 against upwards of 70 other college teams from around the world.

After being founded in 2013 by undergraduates Alexander Dang and Hannah Golden, Poetry Slam has grown to five enthusiastic members spanning a spectrum of ages and majors. This is the group’s second year traveling to this competition, and the poems they showcased touched on topics ranging from masturbation to issues of identity, race, abuse and societal beauty standards.

“The big difference between written word and slam poetry is the performance because you can’t just go up there and read something off a piece of paper and expect people to feel things about it,” said Annalee Nock, a freshman competitor. “I am excited because it’s just people coming to talk about their feelings, and I love that because it doesn’t happen very often.”

In addition to the competition, this weekend will provide opportunities for the group to watch other poets, participate in workshops and recite niche poem types like haiku and “nerd poems.” Nock calls it a “Coachella for poetry.”

While Golden says they are more serious about competing this year and are looking to “ruffle some feathers,” it’s more about the power of the poetry in the end. That’s why she and Dang started this group in the first place.

“It’s about having a space to share poetry and meet other poets and not feel like you’re on your own,” said Golden. “To have something like this that you can go to every week, it’s invaluable to have that experience.”

After many compelling and energetic performances, the group took to the floor together to perform a lighthearted piece titled “House Party” in which they accurately outlined and somehow beautified the crazy reality of a college house party.

This showcase was just one of many events hosted by the group every term in order to help engage the community in slam poetry. It often organizes open mic nights, workshops and more. The next event will be a showcase on April 12 in Global Scholars Hall Great Room, hosted by well-known slam poet Mighty Mike McGee.

The first weeks of spring are finally upon us, and it’s a popular time for change. With the sun finally forcing its way through the winter clouds and new life popping up in flower beds all over campus, it just feels right to refresh and renew after being holed up indoors all winter term.

This also means it’s time to dust off the old items in your wardrobe and make space for the newest spring and summer trends in the spirit of spring cleaning. But as you pull out items like the old sequined sweater you haven’t worn since last year, the question arises: What do you do with it? Sell or donate?

To sell:

If you’re finding yourself tight on money this term, taking your things to these places may be the best option to leave with your stack of stuff a little lighter and your wallet a little fuller.

Buffalo Exchange: 131 E 5th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401

This is one of the more popular consignment stores in Eugene for college students. Buffalo Exchange is known for having a supply of clothes and accessories that are trendy and sometimes off-the-wall in an attempt to offer an eye-catching look. To maintain its style, the store tends to be more selective with what they accept from people trying to sell their clothes.

Buffalo Exchange will take even your wackiest items. (Cole Elsasser/Daily Emerald)

“We are always looking for current styles and vintage pieces. We also buy Halloween and Christmas sweaters year-round,” said Janelle Dervin, store manager.

The store takes gently used clothes, shoes and accessories. It has a relatively proportional offering of women’s and men’s clothes. They offer payment in cash, for 30 percent of the value, or in-store credit, for 50 percent.

Plato’s Closet:  26 E 17th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401

Since it opened earlier this year, Plato’s Closet has become another popular consignment store in the area for students. This could be due to its low prices, its large selection or its strategic placement: right across the street from the hangover breakfast favorite, Brail’s Restaurant. Plato’s is a great stop for affordable street clothes, including designer items for cheap. While it’s more likely to accept your clothes than Buffalo, the payout for the consigner may not be as large as at other stores.

“We buy all seasons all the time, but we’re especially looking for spring and summer things right now,” said Brittany Pierce, who’s worked at Plato’s since it opened in May 2015. “Anything like soft shorts, rompers, softer palazzo pants and we’re always looking for the higher brand athletic wear as well.”

Consigners get cash for whatever they decide to take. A majority of the store’s collection caters to women’s clothing and accessories, but they do have a small selection of men’s clothing, so they’ll be buying both going into the warmer seasons.

Oregon senior Jake Marcy looks at prices to see how much they will sell his garments for. (Cole Elsasser/Daily Emerald)

To donate:

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of dragging your things around to see if they’ll sell, these places can offer an easy drop-off solution, and an opportunity for some tax write-offs.

Goodwill: 1717 18th Ave., Eugene, OR 97402

Perhaps the most well-known donation drop, Goodwill is a good option if you have items you just don’t know what to do with. If you weren’t able to sell your items, heading here would be your next best bet.

Polos of all colors and sizes at Goodwill. (Cole Elsasser/Daily Emerald)

Goodwill takes gently used clothes, accessories and just about anything else you seem to not have enough space for in your cramped college apartment. This is great if you’re just looking to get rid of everything hassle-free. But the downside compared to consigning is that there’s no financial payout.

Either way, this is an option with many locations around campus for donating just about anything and everything to make some more room for the new keg you’re looking to put in the corner of your living room for spring celebrations.

St. Vincent de Paul: 100 E 11th Ave., Eugene, OR 97401

This charity is similar to Goodwill in that it accepts just about anything for any season or need. It is a non-denominational, non-profit store, and its main purpose is to take the donations and use them to help support people in the area.

“Any revenue goes to social services,” said Paul Neville, an employee at St. Vincent de Paul. “We really need clothing and coats are great, household appliances, furniture, you name it. We take almost everything.”

While there is no cash payout for donating here, if you’re an avid thrifter this could be the choice for you, as they offer a coupon for 15 percent off your next purchase there when you donate. So you could take this opportunity to get rid of that dusty old lamp that doesn’t really fit your style, and swap it with one that vibes much better with the rest of your apartment.

No matter what route you decide on to get rid of those old clothes or items, it will undoubtedly feel better coming home to your newly spacious room or closet. Whether you leave with a little extra grocery money in your pocket or a receipt for some tax write-offs, you’ll be able to breathe easier knowing you’ve set your spring cleaning in motion and started the term off fresh.