Since 2006, the University of Oregon has adopted the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and their requirements as the standard for all large projects, according to the Campus Planning and Design website.

LEED has several classifications depending on how sustainable the building is Terri Jones, the LEED representative for the university said.

“The way the LEED process works is under different categories such as energy efficiency. For example, If you are 25 percent better than code then you get two points,” Jones said. LEED also gives out points for different features surrounding the area like the closeness of bike racks to a building.

Based on how well these projects adhere to LEED standards, the building is awarded certain points. Those points are then classified into a status of silver, gold or platinum.

Since UO’s initiative to establish more sustainable buildings, it has received all different classified statuses, said Martina Oxoby, an owners representative of Campus Planning and Construction.

“We are now following the Oregon Model for Sustainable Development which is a new policy that basically states that every new building projector renovation is required to be LEED gold certified and have an energy efficiency of 35 percent more efficient than Oregon codes,” Oxoby said.

The newest completed LEED project is the EMU. The newly opened addition to the building is currently tracking LEED platinum — the highest standard.

Oxoby oversaw the project and the decisions that went into making the new addition to the EMU sustainable.

“One of the goals of the students and users of the EMU was to be as sustainable as possible because it is a student focused building,” Oxoby said. “A lot of people come here as visitors so we really wanted to highlight what the University of Oregon is all about and the the practices we try to display in our curriculum.”

Although the cost may seem high with environmentally friendly buildings like the new EMU , Oxoby said that it evens out over the course of a few years.

“I know when we first started to doing LEED in the early 2000s it was much more expensive because it was totally new for all the teams and architects. Now it has pretty much become standard practice,” Oxoby said.

Following LEED protocol also means saving money on lighting, heating and cooling which is where the energy efficiency plays a part.

“The payback is so great that economically it makes sense to do that,” Oxoby said.

For older buildings that were built without the intent of tracking a LEED status, they can become EBOM (engineering bill of materials) certified Jones said.

“We have one building so far that has been an EBOM building,” Jones said, referring to the Knight Law Building.

Jones does not know of any plans to re certify other older buildings.

As far as the present and future, Christine Thompson, a Campus Planning and Space Manager, said that she was excited about the recent projects UO has undertook in its efforts for sustainability.

For more information on UO’s past and current LEED projects, or the Oregon Model for Sustainable Development, visit the CPDC’s website Thompson said in an email to the Emerald.

A UO Campus Crime Alert sent out at 11:1o a.m. reported that a female University of Oregon student was groped by a passing male scooter rider while she was walking along 13th Avenue at Agate Street.

The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Monday, May 30.

The man was in a group of about 5-7 others and approached the student while riding a neon scooter, similar to the popular Razor brand scooters. The others in his group were on bikes and skateboards. The report described the offender as either Hispanic or Pacific Islander, with long, slicked-back hair.

Police are still investigating the situation. Contact UOPD at (541) 346-2919 to report further information.

Andy Keller, an environmental activist and founder of Chico Bag, came to the University of Oregon on May 25 to give a talk on single use products.

In his speech, Keller focused on the importance of reusable products in everyday life and how detrimental single use items can be to the Earth. Keller also gave a background on the inspiration for his company. Afterward, he specifically addressed how well UO is doing and gave ways that campus can diminish waste.

“I think in the new student union some of the vendors are not lined up with the waste goals of the university,” Keller said. “It is promising to see all the things that you guys are doing already like getting compostable items.”

Keller is the inventor of the Chico Bag, a company that produces reusable bags to eliminate single use products in society. He is also the creator of the “Bag Monster”, a symbolic costume consisting of the 500 plastic bags the average American uses each year.

“Essentially the Bag monster was something I created to try and embody what I saw in the Landfill,” Keller said.

In regards to campus efforts, UO’s Climate Justice League also intends to lessen single use products. They currently have a funded campaign called “Choose To Reuse” which provides multi-use cups in cafe’s on campus, said senior and environmental science major Hannah Greenberg.

Another environmental science major, Nicole Hendrix, thinks that the “Choose To Reuse” campaign will benefit UO.

“We do have an issue with disposable coffee cups because we go through coffee like crazy,” Hendrix said. “This whole Choose reuse campaign gives people options to make the decision.”

Hendrix was also one of the key organizers involved in the Keller’s Bag Monster talk and believes that UO can continue its path to sustainability.

A new building is in the works for the University of Oregon and will serve as an integrated center for career services and academic advising.

The building, named Tykeson Hall, will have four major components: core curriculum classrooms designated for subjects such as math and writing, general advising, experiential learning through extracurricular activities and administration, says Daniel Pascoe Aguilar, director of the current Career Center.

While serving the entire student population, Tykeson Hall will also operate as a central location for the College of Arts and Sciences, said the Dean Andrew Marcus.

“We are trying to figure out the most strategic and intentional way to get students the highest support,” Aguilar said.

The advising component of Tykeson hall will be a place where those in the College of Arts and Sciences can receive help. The College of Arts and Sciences is the biggest division on campus and accounts for more than half of the majors that UO offers, Marcus said. Because the CAS is spread out across campus, Tykeson will give those students a central place where they can ask questions and get specific help.

“There will be several different types of advising in the building: advising for General Education, career advising, advising for undeclared students and advising for a number of interdisciplinary and experiential learning programs,” wrote Ian McNeely, associate dean of undergraduate education and head of the Tykeson program planning group in an email to the Emerald.

“We will have advising space for general advising to happen. If you have question about careers or course work or any academic support questions you can talk to people,” Aguilar said.

Marcus says the building will focus on general education themes with advisors who specialize in specific subjects.

“We view this as a trail head that will lead students to the many different paths they want to follow,” Marcus said.

The purpose of building Tykeson Hall is to integrate what students learn in the classroom with their careers and interests.

“They are coming out of classrooms and thinking about what they just learned and wondering how can I integrate this into my academic plan or career plan,” Aguilar said.

In terms of design, the building hopes to have a welcoming vibe.

“Accessibility is one of its key design features. We want to make the space welcoming, open, transparent, vibrant, fun and fascinating to students of all levels, abilities and interests,” McNeely wrote.

Although other colleges have discussed a space similar to Tykeson, UO will be the first school to put this idea into action.

“It is going to be quite an experience for students and in the end I think it is going to make us stronger as an institution,” Aguilar saod.

Tykeson Hall will be located in a central area of campus between Johnson Hall and Chapman Hall. Although it is still in the design phases, the building is projected for completion in 2018.

The science library’s renovation is set to conclude in July 2016. It is creating an expanded and contemporary space for students to do scientific research and study.

The science library remodel and addition has been in the works since 2012. The library already has new study rooms, book shelves and specific study tools for each department. Currently, the Allan Price Science Commons is being built above ground and will house a cafe and additional study space, according to Margaret Bean, the head librarian. The overall goal of the commons was to make a place that can be used for social and academic purposes, said Bean.

The science library had no previous extensive renovations since it was initially built in 1962, and the current set up was not working for the increasing amount students using it.

“The reason we decided to do this renovation is to accommodate the number of students using the library and the way they are using the library and to create a community space for all other sciences,” Bean said.

A way they  accommodated students in the renovations is by giving different science departments each a study room and the chance to design what those rooms include.

“We let every department choose what they want in their rooms,” Bean said. For example, there is a room for the anatomy and physiology students with models of body parts.

The library will also update technology. Currently it holds one 3D printer available to students. To keep up with the amount of technology use, the addition to the library will include a room with multiple 3D printers and a soldering station.

These changes work as useful tools for large number of students who use the science library frequently. Junior general science major Sarah Heppler believes that the renovations and additions were needed.

“I feel like this is giving science students something like the knight library since this is one of the only libraries where you can talk and you can also have quiet areas where you can study,” Heppler, who spends a majority of her time  in the library, said.

The science library is an important space to Heppler and other science majors not as a place to study but as a place to learn from others. A main component of the library is that there are areas where students can talk out loud and collaborate, Bean said.

“I like the idea of just being around books and people and the things you are studying. You see a lot of your science peers here and you help each other with assignments,” Heppler said.

The project is being completed in 4 phases: staff offices, book collection areas, the cafe and commons and study rooms, said the Project Engineer Ashlee Blessing. The new study rooms and book collection areas are currently ready for student use, however, when the commons are finished even more room will be available.

“We wanted to try not to disturb the students. We needed to let them use their space and be operational. That’s why we devised the phasing of the project,” Blessing said.

For updates on the Allan Price Commons and Library renovation, visit Bean’s weekly construction blog.

Chapman Hall will undergo its first major renovation since 1939 to make the building more user friendly.

The Chapman Hall renovation starts in December 2016. Students and faculty of the Robert D. Clark Honors College will relocate throughout the summer of 2016. a The project’s intent is to make Chapman a place to better support honors students, says Caitlyn Kari, Robert D. Clark director of communications.

“We want to make the building more user friendly and integrate the flow of the building for all who use it,” said Kari.

Chapman’s renovation will be completed in December 2017. It’s the Hall’s first major change from its original construction in 1939 when it held the UO bookstore and humanities department, according to the Campus Planning and Design website.

The outdated inside will take up a majority of the repairs, the outside of the building will remain intact because of its historical significance, said Kari.

“The building will be completely gutted and reformed to accommodate the small, seminar style classes that the Honors College students take, as well as integrate more modern technology updates,” said Kari.

Because Chapman is the only specific CHC building, its vision is to provide an accessible place for honors students to comfortably work on their thesis and a have friendly environment to interact with professors.

Although the renovation will inconvenience students for a short period of time, some students say the process will be a positive change to the entire program

“I think an important point of this renovation is to give the honors college a specific identity by making it more connected to the other floors,” Danae Burck, a senior honors architecture major who also serves on the renovation user group said. “I know this is going to open up many opportunities for students and I am glad to be involved the process,” said Burck.

Project manager Gene Mowery said that the user group is an important part of the planning process because of the involvement of honors students.

“We really value students interpretations. They essentially choose the client and are the ones who interview and choose an architect for the project,” said Mowery. He said that the architect has been selected, but the designs are still in the early stages and that the general layout will be finalized on the user group meeting Friday May 13.

Because the renovation will cause Chapman Hall to be out of use for the duration of the year, all honors college classes will be moved to McArthur Court. The temporary honors college location will replicate Chapman Hall’s current amenities that include: a library, study spaces, faculty office and kitchenette.

“We went through quite an extensive process when looking at available classroom spaces. Mac Court was the best option for us because it maintains the closeness on campus for CHC students,” said Kari. The transition to Mac court will still provide new students with the same experience and tuition price as Chapman undergoes its transition, said Kari.

Mowery said that the designs are still in the early stages and that the general layout will be finalized at the user group meeting Friday, May 13.

On June 17 Chapman Hall will host a ground breaking ceremony. Donors and State Legislatures are invited along with faculty and staff to thank them for their contributions to the renovation.

Although the Zika Virus is not an immediate threat to Oregon residents, it should still be taken seriously according to a University of Oregon researcher.

The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne illness has only affected three people in Oregon. However, the virus may pose a bigger threat than most might think, Dr. Janis Weeks, a UO neurologist and biology professor said.

The Zika virus is carried by mosquitoes, predominantly located in South America, Southeast Asia and Africa. Mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus are not likely to reach Oregon, but the virus can still be spread through sexual intercourse.

Symptoms of the virus are usually not severe and may even mimic symptoms of the common cold.

Those who come in contact with the disease do not display the sickness’ symptoms 75 percent of the time, and people who have Zika virus can potentially spread it without the realization of doing so, Weeks said.

“We don’t know the long-lasting effects of the virus,” Weeks said. “The number of cases is turning this into an emerging problem that needs action.”

Even though the symptoms may not be severe, it can cause long-term neurological damage, especially to infants and fetuses. There have also been subtle signs of neurological damage in children whose parents have come in contact with Zika virus, Weeks said. Researchers are also unsure of how long the virus can affect people, specifically pregnant women.

Dr. Richard Brunader, medical director at the University Health Center, said the danger of the Zika virus is not to be overlooked although it currently does not present a direct threat to UO students.

“At this point, there has been no documentation of the mosquito that carries the virus in Oregon; however, there is risk to students who travel to infected areas as well as international students, depending on the countries they have traveled to,” Brunader said.

Brunader also said there is not yet a vaccination or treatment for the Zika virus. Because the symptoms (fever, rash, joint pain, headache) are usually not severe, people who may have Zika virus can take everyday pain relievers for minor discomforts.

Although people with Zika virus cannot yet be treated for the virus itself, it can still be prevented by taking certain precautions when traveling to countries containing the Aedes mosquitoes that carry Zika virus.

If students face a risk of coming in contact with Zika virus, Oregon Public Health talks about a few ways of preventing the virus. They recommend covering exposed skin with long pants and long-sleeved clothing, actively applying mosquito repellent,  staying and sleeping in a screened room and using protection when engaging in sexual activities. All this does not mean that students should cancel travel or study abroad plans, but they should take caution when dwelling in mosquito heavy climates.

For the most updated information on the Zika virus, visit the Oregon Public Health or the Center for Disease Control’s website.

The Erb Memorial Union hosted a ceremony on May 6 to show the newest additions to the building and to celebrate the workers and students who have been involved in the process. Although final touches to the building are still being finished, the majority of the space will now be available to use.

Student groups will begin to move into new EMU offices throughout the month of May.

Cälee Williams, a senior sociology major, says she is excited to see how students can use the new open areas of the EMU.

“It’s very refreshing. I like how the interior  goes with our other buildings,” Williams says. She is also a member of the Center for Student Involvement, formerly the Student Activities and Resource Center, which organizes events such as Ducks After Dark and the carnivals held in the EMU amphitheater.

One of the features that will be available soon include an auditorium with cushioned stadium-style seats that can be stored and pulled out like bleachers. This room could be available for a multitude of events, says Miles Sisk, a member of the EMU board. This auditorium will also resolve planning conflicts with the EMU ballroom, which was formerly the only space in the building for student groups to hold large events.

The goal for the new spaces in the building like the auditorium is to increase student groups’ ability to host events and activities.

“The vast majority of student groups don’t currently have their own offices so this is going to become a central hub for student activity,” says Sisk.

The most recent projection by the EMU stated that construction is set to be complete by summer 2016.