Author Archives | Kaylee Tornay

ASUO Senate 2015 budget meeting live updates

Live Blog ASUO Senate 2015 Budget Meeting
The event we’ve all been waiting for is finally here, the ASUO 2015 budget meeting.
Check out live updates of the meeting and the agenda here

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ASUO Senate 2015 budget meeting live updates

Live Blog ASUO Senate 2015 Budget Meeting
The event we’ve all been waiting for is finally here, the ASUO 2015 budget meeting.
Check out live updates of the meeting and the agenda here

Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on ASUO Senate 2015 budget meeting live updates

ASUO Senate 2015 budget meeting live updates

Live Blog ASUO Senate 2015 Budget Meeting
The event we’ve all been waiting for is finally here, the ASUO 2015 budget meeting.
Check out live updates of the meeting and the agenda here

Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on ASUO Senate 2015 budget meeting live updates

ASUO Senate 2015 budget meeting live updates

Live Blog ASUO Senate 2015 Budget Meeting
The event we’ve all been waiting for is finally here, the ASUO 2015 budget meeting.
Check out live updates of the meeting and the agenda here

Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on ASUO Senate 2015 budget meeting live updates

Brandon Austin’s mother denies telling Altman about sexual assault allegations at Providence

Court documents reveal that former basketball player Brandon Austin’s mother denied telling Dana Altman that the Providence College allegations against her son were of a sexual nature.

The document comes in the wake of a lawsuit against the University of Oregon filed by the survivor of an alleged sexual assault involving three UO men’s basketball players in March of last year. The survivor, identified as Jane Doe, and her legal team alleged that men’s basketball head coach Dana Altman was aware when he recruited Brandon Austin, one of the players, that Austin had been suspended for accusation of sexual assault at his former school.

The lawsuit filed by the plaintiff alleged that Altman and others recruited Austin in full knowledge of his disciplinary circumstances, because of conversations with Austin’s mother Tammy during the recruiting process.

The mother wrote in the document that while she had been contacted by assistant coach Tony Stubblefield and Altman in December of 2013 to discuss the suspension, she never specified that the discipline was related to “allegations of a sexual nature.”

“I told Coach Altman that my son had an altercation with another person,” the mother wrote.

Austin was accused of sexual assault by another female student at Providence College in fall of 2013 and faced a subsequent year-long suspended from the basketball team. The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office dismissed the charges against Austin due to insufficient evidence.

Lane County District Attorney also cited lack of evidence and did not charge the three UO players during last year’s investigation. The female student filed a lawsuit against Altman and the UO on Jan. 8.

 

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ASUO External VP Patrick Kindred released from jail

ASUO External Vice President Patrick Kindred was released from Lane County Jail on Feb. 18 on the condition that he be taken to a medical facility for further mental evaluation after a judge ruled he was unfit to proceed in his court case last week.

Kindred had been in custody for 10 days following his arrest on Monday Feb. 9 for criminal mischief, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Judge Mary Mori set Kindred’s next court appearance for April 4, as reported by the Register-Guard.

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ASUO Senate February 18 live updates

ASUO Senate meets tonight at 7p.m. in Gerlinger room 304.

Check out the agenda here.

 

Live Blog ASUO Senate February 18
 

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Friends of Patrick Kindred talk about his accomplishments and compassion

Friends and family paint a different picture of Patrick Kindred than what’s found in the media coverage of his arrest and trial so far.

Kindred, the ASUO external vice president, is currently in Lane County Jail after he was arrested for criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief and resisting arrest. His repeated protests during a Feb. 12 court appearance led Judge Mary Mori to rule that he was in an unfit state for release and would be held until Feb. 19.

If the scene in the courtroom during his last hearing is any indication, Kindred will have the backing of more than two dozen friends, family and well-wishers at his next hearing.

According to friends and Kindred’s Facebook, Kindred suffered a head injury in late 2014 that those who know him believe contributed to his recent outbursts. He was told to take two months to recuperate, but he decided to return to his regular duties within two weeks of release from the hospital, his friends said.

“He likes to be busy,” ASUO Chief of Staff Lamar Wise said. “He wanted to feel like he was better.”

According to Wise, Kindred displayed paranoia and anxiety that seemed to worsen as time went on. Kindred’s social media accounts eventually reflected this.

“there are 25.000 students half need to be Executed for treason yall know who my friends are I hope they do lol! america has 48 hours to meet my demands,” one post read.

Wise and others pleaded with him to seek help. Kindred refused.

The arrest is the most recent event that has generated headlines about Kindred. Before that, he earned a reputation as a compassionate man whose work went beyond student government functions.

Kindred has been heavily involved as an advocate for foster children’s rights. A former foster child himself, Kindred worked on several projects with the Oregon Foster Youth Connection, including drafting legislation that created the Oregon Foster Children’s Bill of Rights. In June 2013, he provided testimony to ensure its passage. The bill called for the creation of an ombudsman’s office, where foster children can call if their rights are being threatened.

That’s Darin Mancuso’s job now.

“Patrick’s advocacy work was instrumental in many areas for Oregon’s foster youth,” Mancuso wrote in an email to the Emerald. “On several occasions, Patrick discussed his role and passion about the Bill of Rights and children in foster care.”

Kindred also spent last summer facilitating workshops for OFYC.

“He was there helping youth express their concerns and helping them turn those concerns into legislative ideas for the 2015 session,” Program Director Lisa McMahon said. “He motivated youth to stand up for what they wanted and he was always willing to listen to what they had to say.”

Western Washington University student Heather Heffelmire met Kindred last July at the United States Students Association Congress, where Kindred was elected vice chair for the People of African Descent. They spent several days drafting campaigns and speaking about issues regarding students.

“I was moved by Patrick’s story, his determination, his drive, his spirit and his care and dedication to his community,” she said. “Patrick has been an inspiration to many at my school a whole state away in Washington.”

On campus, Kindred is involved with the Black Student Union and Pipeline to Higher Learning. He helped found the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. This year, he worked with the Campus Planning Committee and organized  rallies centered on police brutality.

While Kindred remains in jail, friends and family can only wait. In the meantime, their support shows no sign of faltering.

“He is only 22-years-old and has accomplished so much. He is my role model, my brother and my friend,” ASUO Finance Director and fellow member of Alpha Phi Alpha Monquize Dusseau said. “I look forward to being a part of the team that will passionately work together to help him get back to his healthy state.”

Alexandria Cremer, Eder Campuzano and Samantha Matsumoto contributed to this report.

Follow Kaylee Tornay on Twitter @ka_tornay

 

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ASUO External VP Patrick Kindred to remain in Lane County Jail another night

ASUO External Vice President Patrick Kindred will remain in Lane County Jail for another night after a recommendation from the City Prosecutor caused Judge Karen Stenard to overturn the original ruling to release.

Kindred’s arraignment took place at 11:00 a.m. on Feb. 11. His hearing resulted in an order for release on the conditions that he attend a Jail Diversion Program, which runs through Lane County Behavioral Health and also that he stay away from all University of Oregon property. His next court date was set for March 20.

After the release was ordered, City Prosecutor Susan Triem entered the courtroom and told the court that the city had reservations regarding Kindred’s release. The city is working in concordance with Corizon Correctional Healthcare for information on Kindred’s mental health status and whether they would recommend he be released.

Stenard then called Kindred back up and heard the city prosecutor’s statement. A representative from Corizon was present, and he informed the court that he is waiting on a call from his superior with regard to Kindred. The city is in turn waiting for Corizon’s opinion, which they are hoping to get by the end of the day. Triem said the series of social media posts  were factors in the investigation into Kindred’s mental state, as well as an incident with UOPD on Jan. 29.

Upon hearing the Prosecutor’s statement, Stenard said she preferred to hear the final input from the city before deciding to release Kindred. Kindred’s next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 12 at 11:00 a.m.

With regards to Kindred’s status as External VP, President Beatriz Gutierrez told the Emerald that he is still a part of the team and is considered to be on an extended leave of absence. In the meantime, Kindred’s duties will be dispersed to other members of the ASUO Executive staff.

“I don’t want to discount the work he’s done this year for the student body,” Gutierrez said.

Follow Kaylee Tornay on Twitter @ka_tornay

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ACFC and athletics fail to reach budget agreement again

The fate of student tickets for football and men’s basketball games next year remains uncertain after the Athletics and Contracts Finance Committee failed to pass two proposals in its third budget hearing with the athletics department.

The ACFC met with Athletic Director of Finance and Administration Eric Roedl at 8 a.m. on Feb. 10 in the Rogue River Room to once again negotiate a proposal for next year’s budget. The last budget hearing for athletics was Friday, Feb. 6, but Roedl had not been in attendance. The committee voted 3-3 on a proposal authored by ACFC Megan Gleason that would have reduced the athletics department’s budget by 18.9 percent for the 2015-2016 school year. The tie vote resulted in a motion failure.

The agreement between the athletics department and the ACFC sets the amount of and price for student ticket lotteries for football and men’s basketball events. Students pay only a percentage of the fair market value of the tickets purchased. For example, this year, the ratio was 42 percent paid by students and 58 percent covered by athletics. In addition, the fair market value of each ticket is characterized by two parts: the ticket value and a mandatory donation fee. Gleason’s proposal cut out the value of the donation fee from the payment for the same amount of tickets for next year. Although the proposal did not pass, the donation fee became a subject of further question for the ACFC in its deliberations about the budget.

With Roedl present at this hearing to answer questions, ACFC members asked him for more detail about the role of the donation fee. He gave a few explanations, citing it as a way for the department to generate revenue, saying several times, “It’s a part of the total fair market value.”

However, members like Gleason and ACFC Chair Andrew Lubash wanted further clarification on how the athletics department uses the donation fee, particularly in the case of students. Roedl explained that the donation fee, which applies in the case of every seat in the stadiums, goes to various expenses, including the Ducks Athletic Fund. Among other things, the DAF funds athletic scholarships. Roedl said that the donation revenue from Incidental Fee-purchased tickets does not go into the DAF. He did not specify how the donation fee from student tickets is spent, however.

The donation fee is also an 80 percent tax-deductible write-off for regular purchasers of tickets. However, the ASUO, and consequently students are not able to make use of the tax write-off.

The first motion on the table was for a 3 percent increase, the percentage agreed upon by Athletics as the lowest they would like to see the increase go in order to provide the same amount of tickets. The vote was again 3-3 and the motion failed. Lubash then moved to approve a zero percent increase, which also resulted in a 3-3 vote and motion failure. Because the ACFC was unable to reach an agreement, it will have no budget recommendation to put before Senate on Feb. 21 when it reviews all budgets for next year. It will be up to Senate to form a recommendation for the ACFC, who will then vote to pass it in accordance with athletics.

Follow Kaylee Tornay @ka_tornay

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