A University of Oregon affiliated couple is suing the university for failing to maintain an habitable living environment for its tenants, according to a court document.

UO law student Shannon Wilhite and UO Greenhouse Manager Brian Dykstra filed a lawsuit on Sept. 8 accusing the university of failing “to abate a lead-based paint” in the living space they rent from the university.

The couple signed a lease with UO for a house located on Moss Street. The couple, originally from California, moved into the house with their 2-year-old, and Wilhite pursued her law degree. The house is located a few blocks away from the UO School of Law and the Moss Street Child Care Center.

But things changed for the worse.

“The property became uninhabitable and they had to vacate the property,” the lawsuit document states.

The plaintiffs were exposed to lead-based paint and have suffered several economic damages, the document states, including contamination of the plaintiffs’ personal property, the cost to repair or replace, the expenses for moving and the cost of diagnostic tests and sampling associated with the lead contamination.

“It was reasonably foreseeable that if Defendant was negligent in maintaining the building and grounds, its occupants could become ill and their property could become contaminated,” the lawsuit document says.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to lead-based paint can harm tenants, especially young children. It can affect their brains and nervous systems, plus cause problems in hearing, behaving and learning. Federal laws enacted in 1996 require landlord and sellers to disclose known information of the hazards to tenants prior to signing contracts or leases.

The couple ultimately moved out of the house and is now seeking $74,017 for economic reasons.

The Emerald was able to reach the plaintiffs on Sept. 20 through a phone call, but they declined to comment on the case. Their attorney did not respond to The Emerald‘s phone calls.

The university has not responded to the lawsuit. If UO fails to file a motion in response by Oct. 8, the plaintiff will win the case automatically.

Washington County has settled with a Eugene woman who was a victim of attack and sexual assault after a Oregon football game in 2014. Her assaulter was a teen under the Washington County Juvenile Department’s supervision, the Oregonian reports.

In the joint statement, the attorneys of both parties announced that the woman will receive $660,700. She filed a lawsuit against Washington County and a counselor at Juvenile Department in February 2016, claiming the department ignored signs that the attacker, Jaime Tinoco, was not fit to attend the now-discontinued program that allowed him to be at the football game.

The attack happened in September 2014, when Tinoco was on trip to watch the football game with other 11 youths and county staff members. At the time of this incident, Tinoco was on court-ordered probation for the offenses of harassment, drug possession and burglary.

Jose Andrade was his supervisor at the time. She failed to notice that Tinoco left the group. He was missing for six hours before he attacked the Eugene woman.

According to court documents, the Eugene woman left a pub near Autzen Stadium alone after the game. Tinoco followed her across the street and then dragged her into bushes, punched her repeatedly and raped her.

“The Washington County Juvenile Department remains committed to enhancing community safety and breaking the cycle of delinquency through effective intervention practices and holding youth accountable for their behavior,” the joint statement reads. “We continue to feel sorrow for the suffering of the woman harmed in this case, as well as the distress it has caused in both communities. We hope that this settlement provides a measure of support as all involved seek closure and healing.”

Tinoco was accused of committing aggravated murder of Nicole Laube in 2014. One night prior to his trip to Autzen, Tinoco was cited for driving without a license and breaking curfew.

Tinoco was sentenced to serve 14 years at the Oregon State Penitentiary for kidnapping, assault and rape with his earliest release date in November 2028, the Oregonian reports.

Seventy crimes were reported to University of Oregon Police Department from Sept. 12 to Sept. 30, including 23 theft crimes and 16 crimes regarding a minor in possession of alcohol or providing alcohol to a minor.

The Emerald went on a ride along with UOPD from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Oct. 2: Saturday night of  the first week of term.

Officer Troy Phillips investigated a report of telephone harassment from a female student early in the evening.

According to Phillips, the female student, who remains anonymous, reported to UOPD that a male student had made unwanted contact with her after she blocked his phone numbers. She obtained a “No Contact” letter from the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards against the male student.

Phillips said the “No Contact” letter prevents UOPD from arresting the male student if he violates, but it will give the victim more substantial evidence if they decide to press charges and file a lawsuit.

After interviewing the female student about her experience with the alleged harasser, Phillips contacted the male student and asked for an interview. He complied with the officer’s request.

The Emerald was allowed to sit in on the interview with the male student at the UOPD station. The interview was also recorded and videotaped by UOPD.

Leading the interview, Phillips asked the male student a list of questions about what happened earlier that day. The male student admitted that he had been contacting the female student via phone calls and text messages, although she had blocked his numbers.

“I have two phones,” he said. “I just got this one today.”

The female student, it turned out, was his former girlfriend. They recently broke up, the male student said. He said the only reason he tried to contact her was because he bumped into her on his way back to his apartment. He said he tried to make peace with her, trying to resolve the bad ending of their relationship.

After hearing the male student’s side of story, Phillips informed the student that he could be charged with telephone harassment.  

“Your perception is off, man,” Phillips said. “She fears you.”

Phillips also explained that it’s up to the female student whether she will press charges against the male student. She will be talking to the Dean of Students this week to review her options. Phillips advised the male student to stop contacting her through any form of communication.

“I warn you for your sake. If you see her at a house party on Ferry Street, bounce, man,” Phillips said. “The law is on her side at this point.”

Phillips also said the interview on Oct. 1 was the male student’s “last chance deal.”

“I’m not going to arrest you tonight, but I’m not afraid to do it,” the officer said.

The student was let go right after the interview.

Out in the rainy night, Officer Joshua Nascimento said that campus is “much livelier” now that school is back in session. Nascimento started with UOPD in December 2015. He moved from the Maui Police Department in Hawaii, which is triple the size of Eugene Police Department, Nascimento said.

Nascimento, Phillips and another UOPD officer responded to a report of a gas leak at Kappa Delta sorority house at around midnight. When dealing with chemicals, UOPD is mostly tasked with crowd control in assistance with the firefighter department, Nascimento said. Two firetrucks and a paramedic van were also at the scene.

UOPD and the fire department responded to a 911 call reporting a gas leak at midnight Oct. 1 (Tran Nguyen)

Nascimento confirmed the leak was a false alarm. The call was made by staff in the house, he said.

The Emerald‘s ride along also included a visit to the UOPD Dispatch Center, or “where the magic happens,” as Nascimento described. The Dispatch Center, located on Franklin Boulevard across the UOPD station, is usually run by two personnel who monitor surveillance cameras on campus.

Their major focus is on campus bike racks – bike theft is the most common crime on campus.

To request a ride along with UOPD, submit this form to UOPD administration assistant Rachel Dale at Rachel.Dale@uopd.org

A University of Oregon student and former member of Beta Theta Pi has been charged with two counts of assault in the second and third degree, court documents show.

Paarth Patel, majoring in business administration, was taken into custody by UOPD, according to court document. He has been released and is anticipated to serve pre-trial on Oct. 13. He pled “not guilty” for both counts on Sept. 8 in court.

According to court documents, Patel, being aided by another individual, caused physical injury to a fellow UO student by “hitting and/or punching and/or kicking him” on Feb. 28.

UO spokesman Tobin Klinger confirmed Patel was still enrolled with the university.

At least three members of the disbanded fraternity Beta Theta Pi were cited by Eugene Police for an unruly gathering Sept. 23. The chapter was disbanded in March 2016 due to reports of hazing and other “high-risk behavior.”

Update 4:35 p.m.: University of Oregon spokesman Kelly McIver clarified with the Emerald that Lane County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest, although the court document states arresting agency was UOPD.

We went to the ASUO meeting, so you didn’t have to. Here’s the recap!

University of Oregon student government confirmed five new finance committee members at its first meeting of Fall term on Wednesday evening in the EMU.

New Members:

The new members of the ASUO include Usborn Ocampo for Erb Memorial Union Board, Mikkel Henderson for Department Finance Committee, Dmitry Dobovoy and Amass Tanveer for Athletics and Contracts Finance Committee, and Harrison Lee for Program Finance Committee.

1. Ocampo is an undergraduate who hails from Salem, Oregon and his qualifications, according to his application, include experience in financial activity and marketing.
2. Henderson is an undergraduate who hails from Portland, Oregon and his qualifications, according to his resume, include Assistant to president of Sigma Chi and Chairman of the Judicial Board in Sigma Chi.
3. Dobovoy is an undergraduate who hails from Clackamas, Oregon and his qualifications, according to his application, include serving as a member of his high school Key Club chapter and serving as treasurer of a community service club also at his local high school.
4. Tanveer is an undergraduate who hails from Lake Oswego, Oregon and his qualifications, according to his application, include serving as Senior Class president at his local high school and as an Undersecretary for Model United Nations.
5. Lee is an undergraduate who hails from Eugene, Oregon and his qualifications, according to his application, include serving as a fundraising intern for the International Student Association.

Funding:

Funding approvals are as follows:

1. Salsa Libre requested $600 from its current budget to be allocated to general promotional advertising. Approved
2. OASA requested $1,800 for member at large positions to keep up with programming. Approved
3. CPLA requested $1,968 for a group retreat that was meant to increase member numbers. Approved.

Nominations:

Senators did not nominate themselves but are nominated by others. Nominations for senate seats are as follows:

Senate President: Max Burns

Senate Vice President: Hannah Thompson, Evan Roth

Senate Ombudsperson: Madison Moskowitz, Hannah Thompson

Senate Treasurer: Lauren Young, Blair Barnes

Academic Chair: Lauren Young, Lisa Smith

Nomination for University Senate seats include: Terra Wheeler, Blair Toy, Lisa Smith and Hassan Almumen. University Senate seats will get to vote on policy recommendation such as mandatory reporting policy and other campus matters.

Live blog of ASUO senate Sept. 28.

Here’s the agenda.

The Knight library will no longer operate on a 24-hour schedule five times a week, according Lesli Larson, Director of Library Communication and Marketing.

The library is now open to students from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

Despite the cut in operation hours, the library is increasing service hours — to 2 a.m. — instead of having student workers leave at 9 p.m. The longer service hours will provide more opportunity for students who need help in the library, Larson said.

The library’s collaboration with Student Life and other programs on campus is designed to expand students’ options on study spots on campus. One of the noticeable spots will be the new section in the newly renovated Erb Memorial Union.

Opened in Spring 2016, the ground floor of the EMU includes Falling Sky Brewery, Red Wagon Creamery and Townshend’s Teahouse. It will be now open for the public until midnight daily. For students with an ID card, the lounge in the ground level will be accessible all the time said Laurie Woodward, EMU Director.

“It’s going to be a good place to study and hang,” Woodward said. “We want to encourage the night lifestyle.”

When UO junior Madison Moskowitz was a resident assistant at Learning Living Center, she said her biggest advice to freshmen was to study outside of their bedrooms.

“It’s not very good to stay in your dorm room to study,” Moskowitz said. “[The residence hall] is supposed to be a place to hang out with your friends and have fun.”

Knight Library, located on the rear west end of campus, has been the first option for many students. With eight locations across campus, the UO library system assists roughly 50,000 students with their studies and research every day.

But Moskowitz said for students new to campus, studying at the library is not always the best option. Throughout her time working in University Housing, Moskowitz said she has seen several students concerned with the walk from the library back to their residence halls.

“Walking back can be scary. I have seen students carry pepper spray with them at all times, and it sucks that we have to be cautious about safety on campus,” Moskowitz said.

When Sophia Vicencio first moved to University of Oregon from Iowa, the last thing she expected was that her day-to-day activities would become more difficult.

For many other students, traveling up and down hills isn’t much of a consideration. But for Vicencio, that’s a different story. 

Sophia Vicencio uses her chair to get around campus. Diagnosed with brittle bones since birth, Vicencio speaks up about her experience navigating campus and how that impacts her classes.                                                                                                                                                                         (Adam Eberhardt/ Emerald)

“I use a lot of muscles just to get to class,” she said. “It changed how I managed my time.”

Originally from Chicago, Vicencio had just finished her first year at University of Iowa when her father relocated for a job in Portland. In addition to leaving her friends and life back in the Midwest, Vicencio also had to adapt to her new Oregon lifestyle.

“It wasn’t easy,” Vicencio said. “Iowa is where most of my high school friends went to – I found a community there […] [The land] was also much flatter.”

UO is working to make things easier for students like Vicencio.

When the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 made it illegal for any public space to be inaccessible to those with disabilities, UO’s climate on accessibility shifted quickly, said Hilary Gerdes, director of the Accessible Education Center for 30 years. But she also admitted that there’s still room to improve — whether it’s in the infrastructure or in the attitude on campus.

As for the attitude, Gerdes said she is seeing a societal change at UO: The perspective of disability is shifting from a medical condition into a social justice movement.  

AEC is one of the departments working to raise awareness about access on campus and is an active member when it comes to construction at UO. Within the last four years, UO has finished eight major construction projects that exceed the minimum requirement by federal law, Gerdes said.

“[Disabled students] used to have to ring a bell and wait outside of Knight Library in the dark and rain for somebody to come let them in before the ramps were installed,” Gerdes said of the library back in the 1980s. “Those days are long gone.”

Friendly Hall, McArthur Court and Volcanology Hall are several of the major hurdles for the school to overcome according to Gerdes. Built in 1893,1926 and 1936 respectively, these halls are outdated and don’t meet the standards outlined by the ADA. AEC has accommodated many students in asking academic departments to relocate classes from these buildings.

“But there are just so many 500-seat classrooms on campus,” Gerdes said. “There are definitely some limitations of what we can do for students.”

For students with physical disability like Vicencio, getting to class and participating in university activities comes with many obstacles.

When she moved to UO in Fall 2014, the Erb Memorial Union was still under construction, forcing all the student groups to vacate to McArthur Court. Although most rooms on the ground level of the building are accessible, nearly every room is set off by its own small staircase.

As a result, Vicencio did not get a chance to participate in any ASUO-recognized groups or events her first year at UO. Back in Iowa, Vicencio was proactive in organizing events for students.

“It was just a hassle for me. I’d bet that if I asked, people would agree to meet me somewhere else, but it wouldn’t be feasible all the time,” she said.

One of the people who made accessibility for students a priority at UO is Lisa Weiss, the former ASUO disability advocate. She led a group of students in putting together the first-ever brochure listing 18 services for students on campus. The brochure is available in print, online and in audio formats.

Coming from a background with several family members with disability, Weiss said it’s important to help her peers receive “the best experience in education.”

“The brochure hopefully will get the word out for those who weren’t aware of many of the services on campus,” she said.

The group also helped launch a beta version of an interactive accessibility map, showing the location for each entrance and elevator for every building on campus. During her research, Weiss said she found many neglected entrances and bathrooms that were not accessible for students with disabilities.

“I’m really glad that we got this project started,” Weiss said. “We haven’t gotten it in the official UO app yet, but I hope somebody will pick up and keep it going.”

But for students with disability, inaccessible buildings were not their sole concerns.

Back in February, a business administration international student voiced his concern about the Access Shuttle with ASUO. Prior to Winter 2016, Access Shuttle operated upon appointments, which Abdullah Alshabanah depended upon to get to his classes.

Alshabanah was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was born in Saudi Arabia. The disease prevents him from keeping balance without the help of the walkers. Moving to the U.S. for education was a big challenge for him, he said.

“It’s easy but it’s not easy, you know,” Alshabanah said. “I tell myself everyday that nothing is impossible, and challenges will make a stronger person. But there are many things to adapt with.”

Alshabanah said being a disabled person since birth, he has learned to do most things by himself, except for driving. He has been relying on others to travel long distance his whole life. At UO, it is Access Shuttle.

The Emerald reported that the free carpool service created a campus-based route last winter, which frustrated both drivers and students who usually had to wait 40 minutes to be picked up between classes. Upon Alshabanah’s comment to ASUO, the student government executive and Alshabanah met with administration who ultimately reversed the new operational system.

Access Shuttle is now once again operating upon requested calls.

Vicencio also said she’s glad to see Access Shuttle is accessible again, but she also has other concerns while traveling on campus.

“I usually never stay on campus past 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.,” Vicencio said. “As a female with my condition, I have never felt safe on campus at night.”

Access Shuttle is a 9-to-5 service, according to its website. So if Vicencio ever wants to stay late on campus, she can only rely on SafeRide and Designated Driver Shuttle.

“Whenever I request an accessible van, they would have to go out of their way to do it,” Vicencio said.

SafeRide co-director, Zoe Wong, said it is because the service only has one wheelchair accessible van, and it is only used upon request. She recommends students to schedule the accessible van before 5:30 p.m., otherwise it would take longer for a ride. Wong also added that although SafeRide shares the van with DDS, DDS drivers are not trained to operate the van.

Gerdes said if the university is doing the right thing, students with physical disability wouldn’t have to come to AEC for help.

“I know it is not ideal on campus, but there’s been a lot of improvement throughout the year,” Gerdes said.

The Eugene Police Department cited a UO student and two former members of the disbanded Beta Theta Pi fraternity for hosting an unruly gathering late Thursday night, hours after move-in day.

The party, located on block 500 of East 11th Avenue, was reported by neighbors around 12:30 a.m.  – two of the hosts were under the legal drinking age.

According to the police record, six police responded to the call made by neighbors around 12:30 a.m. The officer speculated around 100 people were at the party – many appeared to be minors, Public Information Director Melinda McLaughlin said.

“… People from that party were urinating on their porch, their cars, and in their driveway … Music pumped from within the party as neon lights illuminated the interior of the residence,” the police report read.

As the police tried to approach a student who was holding a beer bong outside of the party, the minor tried to make a run for it. He ended up losing his balance in loose gravel and falling down. Police cited him for being a minor in possession, urinating in public and for interfering with police.

He, as well as many party-goers, were also reported to be former members of Beta Theta Pi.

The Beta Theta Pi chapter at UO was disbanded for reports of hazing and “high-risk behaviors” in March 2016, the Emerald reported. Beta Theta Pi could seek reestablishment, but it will not be able to sooner than winter 2018 and only if it meets all the necessary requirements at that time.

According to the student conduct code, the three hosts and the minor student have violated prohibited alcohol use by consuming alcohol under 21 years of age and furnishing alcohol to a person under 21 years of age.

The Emerald reached out to the three students who hosted the party by phone. None of them answered.