For many University of Oregon students, bicycles are the most convenient and affordable way to get around town. Most students live within a couple miles of campus, and though buses run fairly frequently, many students find it much faster to hop on a bike to get where they’re going.

The flip side for this convenience, however, is Eugene’s notorious reputation for bike theft. Kryptonite ranked Eugene sixth in number of bike hefts above Philadelphia, Seattle and Oakland.

Ellie Bartlett of the UO Bike Program imparted some basic guidelines that can ensure that you – and your bike – stay safe and secure.

Buying a U-lock rather than a cable lock is the best precaution to ensure that your bike remains yours. U-locks are made of solid metal and are much harder to break through than a simple cable, which can be cut with a pair of clippers.

Bartlett said, however, that spending your last dollar on the fanciest U-lock is unnecessary because even the cheapest U-locks tend to lead thieves to move along to an easier target.

It’s also imperative to lock your bike to something sturdy, such as a designated bike rack or a street sign, rather than a flimsy porch railing. But be cautious of leaving a bike anywhere at night.

“Leaving a bike out at night, anywhere, is a bad idea,” Bartlett said.

Bartlett also said that people who lock their bikes in lazy ways, such as locking only the tire or the seat, are an easy target.

If your bike is stolen, make sure to report it to campus police. Having the serial number of your bicycle also helps the University of Oregon Police Department identify that the bike is yours, once they find it.

Preventing accidents is just as important as deterring theft. Cycling on slick, rainy streets and dodging distracted drivers can be challenging. On campus, even in no-car zones, distracted pedestrians can step directly onto the path of a cyclist in a bike lane.

“When you’re on campus you shouldn’t be biking super fast, zooming around,” said Bartlett. “That’s pretty irresponsible, because of the people walking. Keep your eyes open.”

On bike paths, it is important to use your bell or your voice to alert pedestrians that you’re passing them.

On streets, students should ride with the flow of traffic, and avoid cycling on sidewalks. Be sure to stop at traffic lights and stop signs just as a vehicle would. Use hand signals when turning and make eye contact at a four-way stop so drivers know when to continue.

Helmets aren’t required by law in Eugene for citizens over the age of 16, but they can be the difference between a serious head injury and a bad hair day. “People are concerned about it messing up their hair,” said Bartlett, “but it’s a lot better to be safe.”

If you don’t have a bike, the Bike Program can rent you a bike for only $30 dollars per term. The bike comes equipped with front and rear lights, fenders, a bell, lock, and basket. Students can also pump up tires and do repairs at the Bike Program’s maintenance shop.

The Bike Program has also installed six fix-it stations around campus.

Maps of Eugene bike routes, as well as other cycling resources, can be found at the UO Bike Program’s resource page.

College students are essentially machines for turning coffee into homework and term papers. Luckily, there are as many different places to buy coffee in Eugene as there are different flavors for your latte. Here are the best options near campus, besides Starbucks. All drink prices are for the 16 ounce size.

On-campus coffee shops: Lillis Cafe (1st floor of Lillis), The Hearth (2nd floor of Lawrence), Fish Bowl (main floor of the EMU), The Buzz (basement of the EMU), Daily Grind Cafe (Knight Library basement), Education Station Cafe (HEDCO Education Building), Camp 13 (Jaqua Education Center).

Prices: Coffee $2.05 / Latte $3.25 / Java Freeze $4.55

Hours: Depends on the location. Most are open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday during the school year, closed weekends.

Ambience: Tables (and couches at some locations) to do homework or relax in between classes.

Espresso Roma — 825 E 13th Ave. (at Alder)

Prices: Coffee: $1.75 / Latte: $2.75 / Caffioco (blended iced coffee) $3.75

Hours: Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Ambience: Three rooms of well-worn tables and chairs offer plenty of space to meet friends. Outdoor patio area in back with picnic tables.

Vero Espresso — 205 E 14th Ave (at Pearl)

Prices: Coffee: $2.50 / Latte: $3.50 / Coffee Frappe: $4.75.

Hours: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. seven days a week.

Ambience: Eclectic mix of vintage tables, chairs, and couches. Large outdoor deck with more seating. Perfect place to bring a book or a date.

Full City — 295 E 13th Ave. (at High St.) / 842 Pearl St.

Prices: Coffee 2.35 / Latte $4.10 / Coffee Frost 20 oz. $4.60

Hours: Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday – Sunday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Ambience: Both locations have about 10 tables, along with umbrella tables on the sidewalk. Quiet place to work. Mix of students and older people.

Perk — 1351 Willamette St.

Prices: Coffee $2.00 / Latte $3.75 / no blended iced drinks

Hours: Monday- Friday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Ambience: Very small space with only about six tables. Friendly staff. Rotating exhibits of local artists on the walls.

Allann Bros Beanery — 152 W 5th Ave. (at Olive St.)

Prices: Coffee $2.05 / Latte $3.25 / Java Freeze $4.55

Hours: 5th Ave.: Monday – Thursday 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Friday – Saturday 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Ambience: Large restored warehouse space with lofted ceilings and skylights. A diverse crowd of students, families, older people, couples on dates, and professionals.

Wandering Goat — 268 Madison St.

Prices: Coffee: $2.75 / Latte: $4.00 / no blended iced drinks

Hours: Monday – Wednesday 7 a.m. – 11 p.m., Thursday – Friday 7 a.m. – 12 a.m., Saturday 8 a.m. – 12 a.m., Sunday 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Ambience: Moderate-sized space with tables big enough to spread out with homework. The music is often much too loud, however, employees tend to favor metal or hardcore most days. Outside, the tables lining the sidewalk would be lovely except for trains passing only a half-block away. But the location in the heart of the Whiteaker neighborhood means the people-watching is always top-notch.

The University of Oregon advanced to No. 50 in US News & World Report’s list of the 117 Top Public Schools in the country. UO is listed at No. 106 in the overall rankings, up from No. 109 last year, and is still the highest-ranked research institution in Oregon. The university improved its standing by increasing freshmen retention, among other changes.

Every year, US News & World Report publishes its Best Colleges list, ranking 1,800 higher education institutions in the country. The 2015 list is based on data from fall 2013.

This year, UO boosted freshmen retention from 85 percent to 86 percent. This statistic refers to the percent of students who return for their sophomore year.

Roger Thompson, vice president for enrollment management at UO, said in a press release, “I want all students to return from the freshman to the sophomore year because it is the most important step toward earning a degree and changing one’s life.”

In addition to the list of the Top Public Schools, the UO is included in two other lists, both for the fifth straight year. The Best Undergraduate Business Programs and A-Plus Schools for B Students.

A-Plus Schools for B Students recognizes schools where students who may not have gotten the absolute best grades in high school can still receive a great education. Nine other universities in the Association of American Universities are also included on that list: Indiana, Iowa State, Michigan State, Rutgers, SUNY-Buffalo, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.

“The UO is being recognized for its strong academic programs and accessibility for students,” Thompson said.

Best Undergraduate Business Programs is a list based solely on a peer-assessment survey of institutions that are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This means that administrators at each institution rate the quality of the other institutions, and the ratings are averaged into a list.

Planned changes at UO in the coming years will most likely enhance the university’s standing in the US News rankings.

Thompson mentioned several construction and renovation projects that will improve student experience and boost metrics that US News uses to create the list.

“When I look at the expanded Allen Hall, the opening of the Lewis Integrative Science Building, and the current projects at the Student Recreation Center and the EMU, they each contribute to retaining students and helping them be successful,” he said.

Thompson also said that the Straub and Earl Hall renovation project will increase UO’s rank while benefiting students by adding 750 classroom seats.

Administrators also plan to reduce class sizes, hire more faculty, and expand classroom space, all of which should help UO distinguish itself favorably from its peers.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article stated that Keith Van Norman said that “Don‘t Rape” posters posted around campus are enough. The corrected statement reads “Don’t Rape” posters around campus aren’t enough.

The sexual assault review panel convened for a session at 10 a.m., on August 27, in the Ford Alumni Giustina Ballroom to hear comments from the public regarding the means of handling sexual assault.

The panel was created by former University of Oregon President Michael Gottfredson to review UO’s sexual assault policies, in the wake of allegations against three basketball players this last spring.

The forum opened with Mary Deits saying the panel wanted to hear what is working and what isn’t working to prevent sexual assault. Then, interim UO president Scott Coltrane spoke, saying he was continuing Gottfredson’s work with the “well qualified and knowledgeable panel.” He added that he had concerns “personally and professionally, as a husband and a father,” and because his own research focuses on gender issues.

Three people spoke about how women’s self defense training is the most effective way to prevent assault.

Sam Cook, a member of the non-profit Warrior Sister Society, said that much preventative education takes too long to get results, while “people are still getting raped.” She said that women’s self-defense training is the most effective way to reduce sexual assaults, and it “puts the power back into the hands of the woman.”

Ryan Kelly, who teaches women’s self defense in the PE program, was frustrated that “most of the time women’s self defense is not even mentioned” when discussing preventative method to reduce assault.

Kelly went on to say research hasn’t proved tactics such as additional lighting, call boxes, or classes to be effective.”The only thing that has shown to make a difference,” Kelly said, “is self defense training for women.”

Kelly cited UO sociology professor Jocelyn Hollander’s research proving that women who learn self-defense are attacked less and are able to resist attacks if they happen.

Several of the speakers stressed the need for more in-depth education in order to counteract the cultural forces that influence sexual assault.

Bonnie Mann, chair of the philosophy department, said that UO must focus on policy instead of just liability. Mann said the intensive “cultural work” needed to change social patterns cannot be addressed in a three-hour workshop. According to Mann, the UO needs students to take a term long course in “sexual ethics.”

Rita Radostitz, Director of Strategic Communications for the Division of Student Life, said that there are too many different programs related to sexual violence, and for sexual assault to lessen, the key is through collaboration.

For Keith Van Norman, marketing manager for the health center, “Don’t rape” posters advertised around campus aren’t enough — and students need to hear what they should do – not just in a time of crises.

“If the only time students hear us talk about sex is after an accusation of rape, these cycles will continue,” Van Norman said. He also mentioned a “wildly successful” smartphone app the health center had developed that provides information about sex.

Another topic addressed at the meeting by Carol Stabile, co-chair of the Senate Task Force to Address Sexual Violence, is the ongoing issue of a different policy for reporting sexual assault.

Several people also mentioned that education should start before college, so that students can have a better understanding of these issues before they get to college.

Lori Lander, Director of Residence Life, is in agreeance and mentioned that education should start with K-12 students, because “it’s hard to change perspectives” once students reach their college years.

Other issues involving outlets for survivors also came up.

Erin McGladrey of the ASUO Women’s Center said UO needs to have “designated experts on campus to work with sex offenders” who often remain on campus after an incident.

The eight-member panel includes experts in law, higher education, athletics and student conduct. Mary Deits, the chair, is a former Oregon Court of Appeals chief judge.

This was the second time the panel met, but only the first time they received public comment, however, the panel did not respond.

The meeting ran for 50 minutes, with ten minutes left for public comment, but the audience neglected to comment further.

The panel has not yet announced when they will convene again, or when the next chance will be for public comments.

Blue collar businesses locally and around the country are having trouble filling openings created when older workers retire. In Lane County, Lane Workforce Partnership is helping some companies recruit directly from Springfield and Junction City High Schools, which still offer vocational classes that prepare workers for skilled labor jobs.

Lyle Lang, Program Services Coordinator of Lane Workforce, says most applicants to skilled labor positions have been turned away because they don’t have the necessary experience.

This spring, CEOs of manufacturing, construction and labor companies asked Lane Workforce for help finding new employees, because they were asking retired employees to come back to work because they were so short-staffed.

Lane Workforce connected them with Springfield High School because of the craftsmanship courses that are taught there, in hopes that some students would be interested in a career upon graduation. SHS offers woodshop, welding, drafting, automotive, graphic design and ceramics courses.

Bulk Handling Systems and Delta Sand and Gravel have hired a total of about 40 younger workers lately, many directly after their high school graduation.

John Warne, President of Bulk Handling Systems, said that nowadays, people tell students that college is the only option, and that manufacturing is a “dead-end job.” But a college degree doesn’t guarantee a career anymore: “There’s a lot of folks here with high school degrees that earn a lot more than people with college degrees,” Warne said.

One misconception is that manufacturing jobs have all gone overseas. Since 2010, manufacturing jobs have actually increased at a steady rate. Forbes reported that the most in-demand work is not in nursing or web development, but in skilled labor.

Bulk Handling Systems, which manufactures recycling equipment, grew from about 30 employees to close to 300 in the last eight years. They  also won the Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year Award in 2012.

According to Warne, high schools have cut so many vocational classes, it has made it difficult for companies such as his to find skilled workers. At Bulk Handling Systems, new hires must have a certain proficiency in welding, for safety reasons, before training can begin. They have plenty of applicants, but almost no one is qualified.

Some local high school students are reaping the benefits of far-sighted administrators and getting locked into high-paying careers at a young age.

Robert Fleetwood, 18, was hired by Delta Sand and Gravel as soon as he graduated from Cottage Grove High School last month. He had been planning on going to Lane Community College and becoming a utilities lineman, but when Delta gave his high school a tour of their company, he said ,”I definitely wanted to come work here if I had the chance. I applied right afterward, as soon as possible.”

Fleetwood started out making $13 per hour, and he’s currently very happy with his place of work.

He feels that an effective way to connect with younger workers is for companies to get the word out that there are high-paying jobs open, and Warne agreed.

Warne believes that it is essential to show high school students that college isn’t the only option. “We’re trying to get kids hooked on the idea of manufacturing early on, so they can have a career,” he said. “Manufacturing, after all, was what built the middle class.”

The Oregon chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union hosted a “Civil Conversation” at the Eugene Public Library Thursday evening. The union met to discuss  the Eugene Police Department’s efforts to reduce bias and discrimination against minorities.

The featured speakers were Eric Richardson, president of the Lane County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Juan Carlos Valle, president of the League of United Latin American Citizens of Lane County.

Valle and Richardson spoke passionately about bias they have experienced themselves, and heard of from members of the community.

Valle addressed the white members of the audience and said, “You did not come into the room thinking ‘I’m going to be discriminated against, thrown to the ground, deported.’ But that is how many Latinos feel.’”

Richardson referenced the ongoing riots in Ferguson, Missouri, referring to a police officer who shot and killed an unarmed black teenager.

“African American youth, in a lot of places, are under siege,” Richardson said. “The feeling is that there’s always an ‘us against them’ mentality.”

Valle referenced community issues regarding police bias against race, though Valle said many Latinos are afraid to bring these issues directly to the police department because of  a “fear of retaliation.”

Valle relayed several incidents of unfair treatment, such as a Latino driver who was pulled over because his license plate light was too bright, a Latino youth who was stopped and questioned about whether or not he was carrying drugs and police commanding a Latino to “go back where you came from.”

He even shared personal testimony of when an officer once told him, “Your kind pisses me off.”

EPD is in the process of developing an anti-bias policy that would prohibit officers from stopping someone solely based on their race, sexual orientation, ethnic group, economic status and other protected classes.

Valle said that the new anti-bias policy lacks accountability, because it relies on the officer self-reporting biased activity.

The policy states that if a citizen tells an officer that they feel they have been targeted based on bias, the officer should notify a supervisor. Valle, Richardson and audience members didn’t believe this policy would be effective in reducing biased police stops. Valle was unhappy that while he was a former member of the Police Commission, the commission reversed a decision to record and collect data on all police stops.

Afterward, audience members joined in a heated discussion about EPD.

One member of the audience, Mary Leighton, said that the problem was unconscious bias.

When Leighton was a teacher, parents complained that teachers weren’t calling on minorities. Because of the complaints, the school district started gathering data on classroom activity, and the teachers realized that they were in fact ignoring minorities.

“Once we started counting, (the bias) couldn’t be unconscious anymore.” Leighton said, “I’m willing to accept that police aren’t doing the wrong thing on purpose,” but that EPD must start collecting data on stops.

ACLU president David Fidanque defended EPD, saying they are doing better than many other departments when it comes to reducing racial bias.

Several people directed questions at Police Chief Pete Kerns, but he declined to speak because he wasn’t an invited member of the panel. However, he said, “Race is not the priority, crime-fighting is.”

Dutch Bros. Coffee stores in Eugene, Springfield, Junction City and Cottage Grove raised a total of $55,455 to the local chapter of the American Cancer Society.

All proceeds from sales on July 23 were donated. On that day, Dutch Bros. charged only $2 for each 16 oz. drink to encourage more sales.

This was the ninth year that local stores participated in supporting the American Cancer Society.

Local Dutch Bros. stores also donated money from coffee sales at the Eugene/Springfield Relay for Life at Willamette High School.

Last year, the stores raised $64,456.

Dutch Bros. Eugene, owned by Jonah and Brittany Boersma, operates seven stores in the Eugene area. Chris and Dana Stewart of Dutch Bros. South Willamette Valley own eight stores in Eugene, Sprinfield, Junction City and Cottage Grove.

The two companies joined forces for the American Cancer Society campaign. Dutch Bros. Eugene has also raised money for the local chapter of American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Relief Nursery, March of Dimes, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and local schools.

Dutch Bros. South Willamette Valley has donated to Food for Lane County, the Boys and Girls Club, Kidsports, local high school sports, and local chapters of American Cancer Society Relay for Life and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Spectators at Tuesday’s 10K race in the IAAF World Junior Track & Field Championships may not have realized they were part of a unique experiment combining music and sports. TrackTown USA president Vin Lananna commissioned the University of Oregon’s Brian McWhorter to compose an original piece and perform it with a live orchestra.

McWhorter, a nationally renowned trumpet player and professor at the UO, earned degrees from both the UO and Julliard. He has composed pieces for Eugene Ballet, worked with musicians like John Cale of the Velvet Underground and was principal trumpet in the Eugene Symphony in 2008-2009.

McWhorter was reluctant to accept the assignment, because he only had three weeks to write the 30-minute piece of music and rehearse with the musicians. He also explored different styles, like attempting to match the music with the runners’ heartbeats.

Ultimately, he aimed for the surreal version “of what might happen in a Roman coliseum” as his stylistic goal.

“It was kind of cinematic in its approach, because a lot of work I do is for film, so it was a real backdrop,” McWhorter said. “It didn’t have much melody per se. A lot of huge brass chords, but underneath it was percussive, accelerating music. The entire thing sort of had this effect of speeding up constantly. I was trying to push the runners just like the audience pushes them with their clapping.”

The runners found the music helpful during the punishing race. Curtis Anderson, director of communications for TrackTown USA said that this is the first time a live piece of music has been commissioned and performed live for a race, at least in the United States.

“There’s a lot of pain involved in this race and they said it kind of took their mind of it during the rougher patches,” Anderson said. “Every time the runners came around the Bowerman Curve, they ramped it up, and when they went down the back stretch they toned it down. So it was sort of a supportive piece.”

McWhorter was very happy with the way the music turned out, and thought the band sounded amazing. The only disappointment was that people watching the live broadcast couldn’t hear the music because of track meet rules.

However, he says he never intended to write a piece that would stand out, so he didn’t mind that the TV viewers could not hear it.

“The music was for the runners and the audience, and they heard it,” McWhorter said. “It’s not strong music, like people come away humming a tune, but it just sort of filled the mood, and that’s sort of what I was after.”

Coincidentally, the same night of the 10K, a documentary McWhorter was featured in, called “I Live For Art,” won the Silver Award at the Philadelphia International Film Festival. He composed music for the film and was also one of the three artists profiled.

McWhorter said that most of his work involves bringing music into something else, like film or dance.

“This feels like it’s in line with all that, supporting the runners at a track meet,” he said.

Anderson said there’s a good chance they might commission music for a track event again in the future.

The Simpsons creator Matt Groening admitted in 2012 that Springfield, Oregon is the “true home” of the Simpsons.

This week, Max’s Tavern in Eugene has been named the “best bar in the world” by Bar and Restaurant Magazine, partially due to its correlation with Moe’s Tavern from The Simpsons.

Max’s is located at 550 E. 13th in the Thompson-Roach Building, which was built in 1927 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. During construction, Eugene didn’t allow bars within 1,000 feet of the University of Oregon campus, so Max Robinson, the tavern’s founder, opened it exactly 1,005 feet away.

Bar and Restaurant Magazine cited Max’s eclectic clientele in its decision to name it the best bar.

“It’s the kind of place where you might sit down and not only find yourself between a college professor and a mill worker, but that all of you have something random in common,” Max’s general manager Eric Clarke told Bar and Restaurant.

Groening chose Springfield as the fictional hometown of the Simpsons because there is a town named Springfield in almost every state. But after much speculation, he confirmed that Springfield, Oregon was the original inspiration for Bart’s stomping grounds.

According to Bar and Restaurant, Groening has never stated that Max’s inspired the fictional Moe’s Bar, but the signature jar of pickled eggs in both bars is a dead giveaway to some, along with the one-syllable name that begins with “M.”

Max’s proprietor, Ward Fairbairn, remembers that Groening would sit at the bar and work on his illustrations.

While Max’s has had many permutations, including a biker bar and a live music venue, Bar and Restaurant Magazine said, “Through it all Max’s has always held true to its old fashioned roots as a working class venue where everyday folk feel welcome.”

In order to raise the University of Oregon’s profile among other research universities, provost Scott Coltrane announced last month 34 new tenure track positions, mainly in the sciences. While these projects are undoubtedly rewarding and beneficial for UO’s image, some are questioning whether this is the best use of the expected cost of tens of millions of dollars.

From the onset, UO wants to hang onto its membership in the American Association of Universities, an organization that ranks No. 62 for public and private research institutions across the country. The rankings are compiled by numerous factors such as grant money and teacher-student ratio. Currently, UO’s ratio is 35-1 — dead last compared to the 23-1 average of AAU’s other public schools. And UO produces only half the MAs and a quarter of the Ph.Ds as the others.

However, the “Clusters of Excellence Faculty Hiring” process aims to attract top-notch researchers to secure UO’s reputation, creating 40 tenure-track positions in 10 research focuses, from genetics to volcanology. The proposals are mostly in science and psychology, plus one in sports products and one in architecture.

This didn’t sit well with the 36 departmental heads of the liberal and fine arts, social sciences and humanities. After Coltrane’s announcement, they signed a letter criticizing the administration for ignoring their fields. Of the rejected projects, almost half focused on the humanities.

“The reaction of surprise and dismay from faculty in these areas has been swift and widespread,” they wrote. “Wasn’t there a single proposal from these disciplines that would help the university achieve the stated goals?”

Coltrane said that the decision was out of his hands, since faculty panels chose the 10 winning proposals.

Another criticism is that undergraduates won’t see many benefits from these new tenure-track researchers. There will still be classes of 500 people. The winning research proposals are so narrowly focused that they aren’t likely to benefit the vast majority of undergraduates.

Many universities say that research benefits undergraduates by trickling down to the classroom, but according to a 2007 study, it doesn’t. First appearing in the Journal of Engineering Education, the meta-analysis of over 50 studies found that good research and good teaching require different goals and skill sets. “There is no positive correlation between any measure of teaching we have and any measure of research,” said Michael Prince, one of the authors of the study, in a phone interview with the Emerald. 

Coltrane said that these cluster hires are mostly “to really make a difference in terms of our prestige and our ranking.” UO’s student body grew so fast in the last five years that tenure-track hiring has lagged. This initiative is to bring UO closer to AAU’s tenured faculty to student ratio. Furthermore, prestigious research also helps fundraising.

Ed Awh said the new hires will help create a collaborative climate to tackle his research. Awh coordinated one of the winning proposals, focusing on neuroscience research that will study the connection between neurons and minds. “Bridging the gap between human and animal models of neural function is a challenging goal,” he said. “Because it requires people with very different training and theoretical backgrounds to put a lot of energy into finding common ground.” Awh also said that undergraduates will get to participate with the new research.

In the end, Coltrane said the clusters will benefit students.”The opportunity to learn from someone who’s creating the knowledge is huge.”