To the University of Oregon Administration: A Call for Ethical Discourse

An open letter by instructors in the University of Oregon Composition Program

Each year, roughly 6,000 undergraduate students take a course in the University of Oregon Composition Program. More than one hundred instructors teach these courses, all of which are founded on the bedrock principle of ethical argumentation. Upholding this principle requires that we not only acknowledge positions that differ from our own, but that we make an effort to treat those differences charitably and interpret the stakes of the argument as honestly and openly as possible. Ethical discourse is the foundation for how composition instructors teach their students to participate in the academic community with respect, empathy, and integrity.

In their dealings with the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation (GTFF) over the past year, certain members of the University of Oregon administration and its bargaining team (“the administration”) have not engaged in ethical argumentation. Examples are numerous, but three stand out as particularly egregious.

1. The administration’s representatives failed to offer the GTFF’s platform an open-minded reception. Jeff Matthews, an attorney for the administration, asserted at the bargaining table last May that bargaining does not require both sides to meet in the middle, implying a refusal to compromise. For much of the bargaining process, the administration’s representatives returned to the table with unchanged proposals and reasoning that demonstrated this inflexibility. Productive dialogue cannot happen without genuine engagement.

2. During negotiation, the administration’s bargaining team often treated the GTFF’s bargaining team with condescension, dismissal, and disrespect.
3. Recent emails sent by provosts to the entire university paint a limited and misleading view of the bargaining process and the GTFF. Since the GTFF has no way of addressing the entire community, these emails are, by definition, one-sided. Ethical argumentation cannot occur when one side is portrayed as unreasonable and then given no means through which to respond.

Through such actions, the administration has violated the principles of responsible discourse essential at a top-tier university. Indeed, such practices are not merely a suggested form of writing; they are fundamental to the meaningful and respectful exchange of ideas. These ideals ground the mission statement of our university, which includes a commitment to helping individuals “question critically, think logically, communicate clearly, act creatively, and live ethically.” The administration has modeled the opposite.

As instructors of record (past, present, and in-training) teaching in the Composition Program, we are obligated to address the administration when it breaks its promise to uphold the ideals of civil discourse and ethical argumentation. The Composition Program is not solely responsible for teaching students the skills and the responsibilities of ethical argumentation. Professors, instructors, and graduate students from all departments are also teaching these practices. We who teach in the Composition Program tell our students, “In academia, we write and speak to each other with thoughtfulness and integrity.” We cannot say this in good faith when the administration’s actions are sending a much different message.The university’s stated goal is to offer its students access to a “world-class education.” In order to enhance the university’s status as an internationally-renowned institution, all those affiliated with this university must hold themselves to high standards of ethical argumentation. The majority of UO students want to hold themselves to high standards. They hold us, their teachers, to high standards. And thus we must hold our own administration to high standards as well. Let us all, as representatives of the University of Oregon, model for our students that the skills they learn in the classroom have real-world implications. It is time for the University of Oregon administration to practice what it asks us to teach.

We invite members of the administration to respond to these concerns.

Endorsed by:

1. April Anson, Graduate Teaching Fellow

2. Amanda Bartenstein, Adjunct Instructor

3. Rachel Bash, Post Doctoral Scholar

4. Jacob Berns, Instructor

5. Margaret Bostrom, Graduate Teaching Fellow

6. Allison Bray, Graduate Teaching Fellow

7. Elizabeth Bruno, Graduate Teaching Fellow

8. Zach Cheney, Graduate Teaching Fellow

9. Elise Choi, Graduate Teaching Fellow

10. Teresa Coronado, Former Graduate Teaching Fellow

11. Elizabeth Curry, Graduate Teaching Fellow

12. Rosemary DeBell, Adjunct Instructor

13. Courtney Floyd, Graduate Teaching Fellow

14. Bill Fogarty, Graduate Teaching Fellow, Assistant Director, Composition

15. Mary Ganster, Graduate Teaching Fellow

16. Brian Gazaille, Doctoral Candidate, Graduate Teaching Fellow

17. Susana Gómez, Graduate Teaching Fellow

18. Claire Graman, Graduate Teaching Fellow

19. Joe Griffin, Graduate Teaching Fellow

20. Shane Hall, Graduate Teaching Fellow

21. Matthew Hannah, Graduate Teaching Fellow

22. Christy Hoffman, Tutor for the Center for Teaching Writing

23. Elizabeth Howard, Graduate Teaching Fellow

24. Helen Huang, Graduate Teaching Fellow

25. Bethany Jacobs, Postdoctoral Fellow

26. Remy Jewell, Tutor for the Center for Teaching Writing

27. Kristy Kelly, Graduate Teaching Fellow, Assistant Director of Composition

28. C. Parker Krieg, Graduate Teaching Fellow

29. Katie Jo LaRiviere, Graduate Teaching Fellow

30. Lizzy LeRud, Graduate Teaching Fellow

31. Mitchell Macrae, Graduate Teaching Fellow

32. Karl McKimpson, Graduate Teaching Fellow, PhD Candidate

33. Martina Miles, Doctoral Candidate, Graduate Teaching Fellow

34. Erica Morton-Starner, Graduate Teaching Fellow

35. Bess Myers, Graduate Teaching Fellow

36. Katie Myers, Graduate Teaching Fellow, Assistant Director of Composition

37. Ryleigh E. Nucilli, Graduate Teaching Fellow

38. Carmel Ohman, Tutor for the Center for Teaching Writing

39. Nick Recktenwald, Adjunct Instructor

40. Rosalie Roberts, Graduate Teaching Fellow

41. Rachel Rochester, Graduate Teaching Fellow

42. Danielle Seid, Graduate Teaching Fellow

43. Stephen Siperstein, Graduate Teaching Fellow

44. Bjorn Smars, Instructor

45. Michael Bennet Smith, Former Graduate Teaching Fellow, Assistant Director of

Composition from 2008-2009

46. Alison Lau Stephens, Instructor

47. Kaitlin Stodola, Instructor

48. Rachel Tanner, Graduate Teaching Fellow

49. Jenna Tucker, Graduate Teaching Fellow

50. Corbett Upton, Former Graduate Teaching Fellow, Assistant Director of Composition

(2007-2008), Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies

51. Eleanor Wakefield, Graduate Teaching Fellow

52. Kristin Wilkes, Graduate Teaching Fellow

53. Paula Wright, Graduate Teaching Fellow

54. JungYeon Min Yoon, Graduate Teaching Fellow

55. Robert Zandstra, Graduate Teaching Fellow

Monday, June 16

7:00am – Parking Shuttles Begin (Autzen Stadium)

7:30am – Matthew Knight Arena Opens for Seating (Matthew Knight Arena)

8:15am – Graduate Line Up for Duck Walk (13th Avenue side of Johnson Hall – Check-in tables in front of Johnson Hall)

9:00am – University Graduation Celebration begins with Duck Walk (13th Avenue and University to Matthew Knight Arena)

9:30am – University Graduation Celebration (Matthew Knight Arena)

11:00am – Grad Fest Activities Open (13th Avenue between Fenton and Friendly Halls – see Campus Map)

Department Ceremonies

12:00pm

Charles H. Lundquist College of Business (Matthew Knight Arena)

Classics, Humanities, Medieval Studies, Judaic Studies, Religious Studies – Humanities Consortium (EMU Ballroom)

Environmental Studies (Condon Hall East Lawn)

Ethnic Studies (Global Scholars Hall Great Room)

Geological Science and Physics (Willamette Hall Atrium)

Human Physiology (Memorial Quad)

International Studies (EMU Amphitheater)

Latin American Studies (Gerlinger Lounge)

School of Journalism & Communication (Knight Library South Lawn)

Political Science (East Lawn of the Knight Law School)

3:00pm

Anthropology and Geography (Condon Hall East Lawn)

Asian Studies, East Asian Languages & Literatures (EMU Amphitheater)

Chemistry (Willamette Hall Atrium)

College of Education (Matthew Knight Arena)

Comparative Literature/German and Scandinavian/Russian, Eastern European, and Eurasian Studies (EMU Ballroom)

Economics (Knight Law Center East Lawn)

English (Memorial Quad)

Psychology (Knight Library South Lawn)

Women’s and Gender Studies (Global Scholars Hall Great Room)

6:00pm

General Social Science (Memorial Quad)

History (Condon Hall East Lawn)

Linguistics (Global Scholars Hall Great Room)

Mathematics (Willamette Hall Atrium)

Romance Languages (Knight Law Center East Lawn)

School of Architecture and Allied Arts (Matthew Knight Arena)
Other

8:00pm – Grad Fest Activities Close

8:45pm – Last Parking Shuttle to Autzen

Events on dates other than Monday, June 16

Saturday, June 7

12:30pm – Creative Writing MFA (Gerlinger Lounge)

Thursday, June 12

6:00pm – Master of Accounting (Beall Hall)

Friday, June 13

6:00pm – MBA/PhD Business (Beall Hall)

Saturday, June 14

12pm – Black Student Convocation (Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art)

12pm – Philosophy (Beall Hall)

3pm – School of Music and Dance (Beall Hall)

Sunday, June 15

9am – Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence (EMU Ballroom)

12pm – Computer & Information Sciences (EMU Amphitheater)

12pm – Sociology (Knight Library South Lawn)

1pm – Biology (Memorial Quad)

1pm – Conflict and Dispute Resolution (Morse Commons, Knight Law Center)

1pm – Veteran Student & Family Association (EMU Walnut Room)

1:30pm – Phi Beta Kappa (Giustina Ballroom, Ford Alumni Center)

3pm – Cinema Studies (EMU Ballroom)
3pm – General Sciences (Willamette Hall Atrium)

3pm – Nontraditional Student Graduation Celebration (Knight Library Browsing Room)

3pm – Theater Arts (Robinson Theater)

4pm – Clark Honors College (Matthew Knight Arena)

5:30pm – Lavender Graduation (Knight Library Browsing Room)

Wednesday, June 18

1pm – ROTC Commissioning Ceremony (Giustina Ballroom, Ford Alumni Center)

So it’s finally over. After the days of taking out student loans, scrounging for scholarships and the long, boring hours at your work-study job, the real world is finally here. And that means it is time to get a real job. Whether you are interviewing for an ad agency or a law firm, there are some universal tricks that can help you land your dream job. You don’t want to end up living in your parents’ basement to pay off your student debt, right?

Your resume actually is important. It’s often the first look a potential employer will get of you, so make a good first impression. Keep it no longer than a page and make the design clean, simple and easy to scan. This may mean cutting a few things, but your employer doesn’t need to know that you won Employee of the Month at your high school job anyway. Keep awards and accomplishments current — no more than five years old. Lead with your work experiences and keep the line about your education on the bottom. And don’t forget to bring a few copies to your interview in case they want to reference it.

Study up. You wouldn’t walk into a final without at least some studying, so why would you do the same with a job interview? Know the company that you are applying for — its history, accomplishments, goals for the future. Research its competitors, its markets and the challenges it faces. Then use that knowledge to explain how you are the perfect fit for the company. It doesn’t take more than a Google search or a few phone calls, and showing that initiative will make you stand out.

Dress professionally. No, your Forever 21 cropped blazer does not cut it for dress clothes anymore. You’re a real adult now. Go buy some real dress clothes. No short skirts or T-shirts. It actually does make a difference.

Use specific experiences instead of general answers. Telling the story of how you spent the entire weekend in the office working on a project under deadline is much more powerful than simply telling your interviewer that you are devoted to your job. Using specific accomplishments, their outcomes and the lessons you learned are much more memorable than speaking in generalizations.

Network. That last person who had the job you are applying for? There’s no one better to tell you the inside tips and exactly what the position requires and the employers are looking for. Go find them — on LinkedIn, through asking around. And stay in touch with everyone you meet from a company you might be interested in. Even if you don’t get the job on the first try, staying in contact with the interviewer can up your chances next time. Your business cards may finally come in handy — use them.

It’s finally that time of the year. You know, when the sun is out for more than two or three days at a time and it’s not exceedingly cold at night. Sure, it’s not going to be consistently warm until mid-July and there’s always a chance of rain — you’re in Oregon, after all. But there’s no better time to go camping in the great Beaver State. From the coast to the mountains and everything in between, we’ve got you covered. Here are the state’s four best areas and campsites for getting a few friends together, pitching a tent or two and roasting marshmallows until the wee hours of the morning.

Central Oregon

There’s probably no better place to camp in Oregon than the area surrounding Bend and Sunriver. Deschutes County is rife with camping and hiking spots — probably more than any other place in the state.

There are two different routes to take when it comes to visiting the area. You can find a nice campground along one of the many streams or rivers that populate the area — Allen Springs campgrounds along the Metolius River have some of the nicest hiking sights. Or you can ditch the ruggedness and rent a house in Sunriver with a few friends. Either way, you’ll be close to two of the greatest assets Central Oregon has to offer: Bend and Black Butte.

A trip to Bend is every craft beer enthusiast’s dream. The Deschutes Brewery offers plenty of opportunities to taste some of Oregon’s best brews. Black Butte is the only place where you can see most of the state’s mountains from one place, from Mount Jefferson to the Three Sisters.

Renting grounds at Camp Sherman is usually the way to go. It’s centrally located between Black Butte and Bend. Unfortunately, camping sites there tend to fill up quick and most are booked for Memorial Day weekend. There’s a Kampgrounds of America campground in Culver, which is about an hour’s drive from Black Butte. Reservations at the KOA site are usually available up until two or three days before most major holiday weekends.

Reservations will run about $18-$40 a night.

Coast

If you grew up in Oregon, you know there’s a reason why your friends seldom say you should head to “the beach.” Sure, the Beaver State has its fair share of long stretches of sandy bliss, but it’s hardly the beach our friends from Santa Cruz and San Diego are used to. Nope, out here we call it the coast — and there are few places to camp and hike that offer the same perks as a night or two on its various sites.

First off, head west from Eugene. Once you hit Florence, keep going. Newport is where it’s at. There’s a KOA campground just south of it in Waldport. This site is centrally located — you’ll be within a two-hour drive of most every coastal town and hiking area that’s worth visiting on the Oregon Coast. Sure, you won’t be anywhere near Coos Bay’s dunes or Seaside’s historic promenade, but you want maximum potential here.

Camp out in Waldport and you’ll be about an hour away from Lincoln City. The Agnes Creek open space trail is a nice, easy walk and the Siletz Bay opening is perfect for a bit of relaxation. It’s also where the world’s shortest river meets the ocean. Don’t underestimate how accomplished you’ll feel when you walk from the ocean to Devil’s Lake.

Another 30 minutes north and you’ll find yourself in Pacific City. Your friends from the Portland area will surely tell you all about it — this is where one of the tallest single sand dunes in Oregon is found. The hikes in the area are also superb.

Between Lincoln and Pacific cities is a little burg known as Neskowin. It also offers some of the best coastal hiking you can find.

Reservations for campgrounds in this area also range from $18-$40 a night.

Tillamook State Forest: Eagle Creek

Just down the road from the better known Gales Creek campground, Eagle Creek is one of the better campgrounds in the Tillamook National Forest. It’s just under an hour outside of Portland, but the tranquil creek and secluded campsites make you feel as though the busy city is much further away.

Unlike the nearby Gales Creek, Eagle Creek is pretty untouched. It’s small and relatively unfrequented, but if you are a beginning explorer or are in the mood for daydreaming uninterrupted by the water, you have come to the right place. The creek is relatively shallow, but a few decent swimming holes can be found with a little searching.

Campsites are only $10 a night and are all walk-in. As with most Oregon camping, the weather can be temperamental, so pack a tarp along with your tent. But don’t worry too much if you forget something — there’s a general store only a few miles down the road.

Mount Hood National Forest: Lost Lake

Though there’s at least 19 different Lost Lakes in Oregon, this one just north of Mount Hood is the most well-known — and for good reason. The lake is gorgeous, bordered by a pine forest and with a view of Mount Hood so spectacular you’ll feel like you can practically reach out and touch the snowy peaks.

Located just shy of two hours from Portland, the lake is just “lost” enough that you’ll feel like you can enjoy nature in seclusion but not so unknown that you will feel cut off from society — and cell service can be found just outside the park.

Though it’s one of the deepest lakes in Mount Hood National Forest at a depth of 167 feet, you can wade out a fair distance before the drop off, making it great for goofing around in the water as long as you don’t stray too far from shore.

If you want to explore further out onto the water, a variety of canoes, rowboats and paddle boats are available for day use. Walk-in campsites are available just off the lake’s shore and a few minutes walk from the day use area and boat rental. You also have the option of renting a rustic cabin or yurt (i.e. there’s no plumbing).

Campsites run from $25 to $30, while cabins run from $60 to $190 and yurts $50 to $70. Get there early if you are planning on camping or make a reservation online at lostlakeresort.org.

It’s finally that time of the year. You know, when the sun is out for more than two or three days at a time and it’s not exceedingly cold at night. Sure, it’s not going to be consistently warm until mid-July and there’s always a chance of rain — you’re in Oregon, after all. But there’s no better time to go camping in the great Beaver State. From the coast to the mountains and everything in between, we’ve got you covered. Here are the state’s four best areas and campsites for getting a few friends together, pitching a tent or two and roasting marshmallows until the wee hours of the morning.

Central Oregon

There’s probably no better place to camp in Oregon than the area surrounding Bend and Sunriver. Deschutes County is rife with camping and hiking spots — probably more than any other place in the state.

There are two different routes to take when it comes to visiting the area. You can find a nice campground along one of the many streams or rivers that populate the area — Allen Springs campgrounds along the Metolius River have some of the nicest hiking sights. Or you can ditch the ruggedness and rent a house in Sunriver with a few friends. Either way, you’ll be close to two of the greatest assets Central Oregon has to offer: Bend and Black Butte.

A trip to Bend is every craft beer enthusiast’s dream. The Deschutes Brewery offers plenty of opportunities to taste some of Oregon’s best brews. Black Butte is the only place where you can see most of the state’s mountains from one place, from Mount Jefferson to the Three Sisters.

Renting grounds at Camp Sherman is usually the way to go. It’s centrally located between Black Butte and Bend. Unfortunately, camping sites there tend to fill up quick and most are booked for Memorial Day weekend. There’s a Kampgrounds of America campground in Culver, which is about an hour’s drive from Black Butte. Reservations at the KOA site are usually available up until two or three days before most major holiday weekends.

Reservations will run about $18-$40 a night.

Coast

If you grew up in Oregon, you know there’s a reason why your friends seldom say you should head to “the beach.” Sure, the Beaver State has its fair share of long stretches of sandy bliss, but it’s hardly the beach our friends from Santa Cruz and San Diego are used to. Nope, out here we call it the coast — and there are few places to camp and hike that offer the same perks as a night or two on its various sites.

First off, head west from Eugene. Once you hit Florence, keep going. Newport is where it’s at. There’s a KOA campground just south of it in Waldport. This site is centrally located — you’ll be within a two-hour drive of most every coastal town and hiking area that’s worth visiting on the Oregon Coast. Sure, you won’t be anywhere near Coos Bay’s dunes or Seaside’s historic promenade, but you want maximum potential here.

Camp out in Waldport and you’ll be about an hour away from Lincoln City. The Agnes Creek open space trail is a nice, easy walk and the Siletz Bay opening is perfect for a bit of relaxation. It’s also where the world’s shortest river meets the ocean. Don’t underestimate how accomplished you’ll feel when you walk from the ocean to Devil’s Lake.

Another 30 minutes north and you’ll find yourself in Pacific City. Your friends from the Portland area will surely tell you all about it — this is where one of the tallest single sand dunes in Oregon is found. The hikes in the area are also superb.

Between Lincoln and Pacific cities is a little burg known as Neskowin. It also offers some of the best coastal hiking you can find.

Reservations for campgrounds in this area also range from $18-$40 a night.

Tillamook State Forest: Eagle Creek

Just down the road from the better known Gales Creek campground, Eagle Creek is one of the better campgrounds in the Tillamook National Forest. It’s just under an hour outside of Portland, but the tranquil creek and secluded campsites make you feel as though the busy city is much further away.

Unlike the nearby Gales Creek, Eagle Creek is pretty untouched. It’s small and relatively unfrequented, but if you are a beginning explorer or are in the mood for daydreaming uninterrupted by the water, you have come to the right place. The creek is relatively shallow, but a few decent swimming holes can be found with a little searching.

Campsites are only $10 a night and are all walk-in. As with most Oregon camping, the weather can be temperamental, so pack a tarp along with your tent. But don’t worry too much if you forget something — there’s a general store only a few miles down the road.

Mount Hood National Forest: Lost Lake

Though there’s at least 19 different Lost Lakes in Oregon, this one just north of Mount Hood is the most well-known — and for good reason. The lake is gorgeous, bordered by a pine forest and with a view of Mount Hood so spectacular you’ll feel like you can practically reach out and touch the snowy peaks.

Located just shy of two hours from Portland, the lake is just “lost” enough that you’ll feel like you can enjoy nature in seclusion but not so unknown that you will feel cut off from society — and cell service can be found just outside the park.

Though it’s one of the deepest lakes in Mount Hood National Forest at a depth of 167 feet, you can wade out a fair distance before the drop off, making it great for goofing around in the water as long as you don’t stray too far from shore.

If you want to explore further out onto the water, a variety of canoes, rowboats and paddle boats are available for day use. Walk-in campsites are available just off the lake’s shore and a few minutes walk from the day use area and boat rental. You also have the option of renting a rustic cabin or yurt (i.e. there’s no plumbing).

Campsites run from $25 to $30, while cabins run from $60 to $190 and yurts $50 to $70. Get there early if you are planning on camping or make a reservation online at lostlakeresort.org.

It’s a classic Shasta problem: puddles of congealed mud that coat every surface of the boat. The clean boats that pull off the dock at the beginning of the weekend end up brown and slippery within hours — and this year it will be even worse. Due to low water levels, there is increased mud at Shasta.

The 90 foot drop in water level is significant. Last year, the lake was only 10 feet below capacity, and the year before that only two, according to City of Shasta Lake. Water levels are continuing to drop, due to the drought California is currently facing.

Mud is not the only problem that water levels can cause Shasta goers this year. Less water means more exposed hazards — like tree stumps and sharp rocks — that your boat can get stuck on. There will also be less surface area for the boats which means there is more of a chance of them bumping into each other, according to Lake Shasta patrol sergeant Troy Clegg.

All of this is cause for increased caution when passing boats and moving around the lake, Clegg said.

“People have to be a little more vigilant with passing boats because they will be closer together,” Clegg said. “There’s not much to do except keep your eyes on the road.”

However, though the low levels increase risk, Clegg said it is not a large safety concern.

“I don’t see it as being a huge problem, though it is a concern,” Clegg said.

All 12 patrol officers will be monitoring the lake this weekend, as is the usual for high traffic weekends. There have been 130 houseboats rented for this weekend, and 135 rented for Memorial Day weekend.

For many at the University of Oregon, going to Lake Shasta is a tradition that they do not intend to stop because of the drought.

Chi Psi President Wil Smith and a group of his fraternity brothers went to Shasta last weekend. Though they had no safety issues, he said they had to boat our much farther than years past because of the low water levels.

“We usually try to stay as close to the dock as possible … but we had to go out 45 minutes from the dock to find a good spot,” Smith said.

Smith said that the low water levels gave them pause in their decision to go but they ultimately went anyway. Smith says the trip is something members look forward to all year long.

Some members of Phi Kappa Psi will be at Shasta this coming weekend. Although they were aware of the drought, the low water levels weren’t enough to keep them from reserving multiple two-story boats.

“We have people who are going, they’re looking to have a good time — a safe time,” Phi Kappa Psi President Eric Cuevas said. “There was a drought, but it’s not substantial enough to keep people from going.”

In order to combat the stream of mud tracked into the boats members of Phi Kappa Psi will be putting tarps inside their boats — something they’ve done in the past. They also are prepared to deep clean the boat before they give it back. He’s hoping that will help prevent any property damage and ensure they get their deposit back.

“The final day before they return the boat they clean the entire boat, we bought a ton of cleaning of supplies,” Cuevas said.

University of Oregon Police Department Chief Carolyn McDermed and Public Information Officer Kelly McIver did not receive the 24-page Eugene Police Department report detailing allegations of sexual assault against Oregon men’s basketball players Damyean Dotson, Dominic Artis and Brandon Austin until The Register-Guard published the report on May 5.

McIver said he could not confirm whether other UOPD officials saw or requested the case beforehand.

The UOPD’s knowledge and who was informed of the case complies with the university’s policy, McIver said.

“To my understanding, the appropriate protocol was followed,” McIver said.

It’s common for UOPD’s knowledge of a case to differ from EPD’s when the latter agency is investigating. Because the two are separate law enforcement agencies, they do not generally share investigative information.

UOPD officer John Loos originally responded to the incident when it was reported to EPD. However, Loos is currently in the university police’s field training program, which means he acts as an EPD officer and reports to that organization. Loos did not have contact with UOPD. Instead, he reports to an EPD supervisor, according to McIver and EPD spokesperson Melinda McLaughlin.

UOPD had no contact with the case until it was exposed by the media.

“It’s not something the UOPD would have or should have seen, because it was not a UOPD case,” McIver said. “It’s not appropriate for another law enforcement agency to be given investigative information unless they are asked to participate.”

The University of Oregon received the report on April 24, two days after it requested it from the Lane County district attorney, according to a timeline of events published by the UO.

UOPD officials first learned of the alleged incident on March 9 when the survivor’s father called to report the incident. The UOPD attempted to contact the survivor twice and she did not return the call. The survivor reported the incident to EPD on March 13 from which point they took the lead on the investigation. 

According to the timeline, the UOPD contacted EPD to receive an update on the investigation on March 21 and received no information.

Following the Eugene Police Department’s release of a report detailing the alleged rape of a University of Oregon student by three members of the men’s basketball team, President Michael Gottfredson announced on May 9 that Damyean Dotson, Dominic Artis and Brandon Austin “will not play basketball at Oregon again.” Dana Altman will remain as the team’s head coach.

The athletic department released a statement on May 5 that the players had been suspended from the team. Later that day, the Eugene Police Department released a 24-page report detailing a sexual assault allegedly committed by Dotson, Artis and Austin on March 9. The survivor reported the alleged assault to the EPD on March 13.

The three players told investigators that they believed sex with the woman was consensual. The EPD case was dismissed by the district attorney on April 14 for lack of sufficient evidence to prove charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

Gottfredson said during May 9 the press conference that the players’ actions were “utterly unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

Dotson and Artis played two games in the NCAA tournament while the investigation was ongoing. Austin, a transfer from Providence College, was not eligible to play because of his transfer status.

Gottfredson knew the identities of the players before the NCAA tournament. Athletic director Rob Mullens and Altman did not know the identities of the players or the nature of the investigation, Mullens said during the press conference. The university administration approved the players’ participation in the tournament.

Altman said during another press conference on May 9 that he first learned of the investigation the day before the NCAA tournament. He did not know the severity of the allegations.

He said the later decision to remove the players from the team was impacted by outside pressure on the athletic department to do so.

“I think there would be a lot of pressure here at Oregon if they return and try to play basketball,” Altman said.

The university first learned of the incident on March 9 when the father of the alleged survivor called to report the incident. The University of Oregon Police Department attempted to contact the survivor twice but was unable to reach her.

EPD requested that UO postpone the university investigation until the police investigation concluded in order to not interfere with the criminal investigation.

It is uncertain why the university did not begin its investigation in the five days between learning of the incident from the survivor’s father and the beginning of the EPD investigation. According to an April White House report on protecting students from sexual assault, “criminal investigation does not relieve a school of its independent obligation to conduct its own investigation — nor may a school wait for a criminal case to conclude to proceed.”

The administration’s perceived lack of transparency in handling the case spurred protests in front of Johnson Hall on May 8 and 9. Another protest is planned for May 12. The administration said that though it heard and intended to answer the community’s questions, it is limited by the Family Education and Rights Privacy Act, which dictates that universities and colleges can’t disclose information from student cases unless a student is found guilty of a sexual or violent crime.

Austin is also currently under investigation for sexual assault at Providence College. Austin was suspended from the Providence basketball team in November for an undisclosed violation of student conduct code. In January, he transferred to Oregon to play for the basketball team. The Wall Street Journal reported in March that the Providence violation stemmed from a sexual assault allegation.

Mullens and Altman both say they were unaware of the accusations of Austin at Providence.

“We were not aware,” Mullens said. “I do feel that a process was thorough, Coach Altman talked to the prior institution’s coach. The information that was relayed was somewhat limited because of law.”

During the May 9 press conference, Gottfredson also announced the formation of a committee to review recruiting practices.

The UO’s investigation is ongoing.

Former Oregon basketball players Damyean Dotson, Dominic Artis and Brandon Austin were suspended from team activities following the release of a Eugene Police Department report detailing an alleged rape that involved the three men. For the full story, check out our topics page.

I’ll admit it — I have never been a Wes Anderson fan. Though I have tried everything from the classic The Royal Tenenbaums to the eccentric The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou to the more recent Moonrise Kingdom, I have left each viewing with the same feeling — slightly charmed by and appreciative of Anderson’s highly unusual aesthetic, but mostly mystified by what all the fuss is about.

I went into The Grand Budapest Hotel, then, with some hesitation. The movie is characteristically Anderson. It’s engaging. It’s charming. It has Anderson’s particular quirky touch. And as usual, I couldn’t tell what the point of all of it was — at least at first.

Based on the writings of author Stefan Zweig, Budapest is a story within a story within a story, all revolving around an unnamed author’s encounter with a stranger in the fictional Grand Budapest Hotel. It starts with a woman at the author’s grave, cracking open a book based on his experiences at the hotel in the 1960s. It then switches to the author at his desk years earlier, narrating how he met Zero, the hotel’s elderly owner, at Budapest, who then tells him over dinner about his experiences as a lobby boy in the hotel in the 1930s. Budapest then switches to Zero’s story, a fast-paced murder mystery that he and his former boss Gustave work to solve to prove Gustave’s innocence after he was framed.

It could easily be disorienting, but Anderson’s deftness and remarkable control leads the viewer through almost effortlessly. Budapest is briskly paced and meticulously planned, down to details like the minature sets used in establishing shots of the hotel. Nothing feels extraneous in this movie — from the quick and tight camera movements to the fast-paced dialogue, everything has its place.

There were some truly beautiful moments. Zero’s reflection on his courtship with his wife Agatha is a sincere expression of the memory of first love. But despite the film’s many strong points and engaging style, I found myself bored and disenchanted about halfway through.

Though the actors’ performances were strong — Ralph Fiennes as Gustave is brilliant and Edward Norton’s appearance as Inspector Henckels is hysterical — and the comedic timing impeccable, I had to ask myself the question I always do during an Anderson movie: what was the point? Though charming at first, the twisting and turning plot began to feel meandering, and the whimsy became tiresome.

Just as I was about to dismiss Budapest as another Wes Anderson movie I didn’t understand, it sharply wrapped up its zany murder mystery plot and focused on something less quirkly contrived — Zero’s cherished memories of his time with Agatha and Gustave. In a sudden and sincere moment of humanity, Budapest becomes a reflection of the people who affect us and the stories they leave us with. And it has converted me into an Anderson fan.