Higher Gas Tax Could Save Drivers Money Financial Aid Damaged Roads’ Effects on Cars May Prove More Gets a Boost Costly in the Long Run from Federal JASON N
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The independent student newspaper at the University of Oregon dailyemerald.com SINCE 1900 | Volume 109, Issue 39 | Friday, October 5, 2007 CITY GOVERNMENT HIGHER ED Higher gas tax could save drivers money Financial aid Damaged roads’ effects on cars may prove more gets a boost costly in the long run from federal JASON N. REED News Reporter Move forward — that’s just what everybody wants to do but government can’t seem to find a way. The Eugene Public Works More federal grant money will be Department wants to move for- ward on road repairs in the city available to students once the act but doesn’t have the funding to signed last month goes into effect address its $170 million backlog of road maintenance. The Oregon ALLIE GRASGREEN Petroleum Association just wants News Reporter the Oregon government to move forward on raising the state fuel The Federal Pell Grant Program, which pro- tax for the first time in 14 years, vided need-based aid to 3,680 University of Or- but legislators are out of session. egon students last year, will be accessible to al- And Eugene’s drivers just want most 7,000 additional students by 2012 under to move forward on the road, but a new law signed late last month by President the poor street conditions may hit George W. Bush. Additionally, more than 62,000 students in their wallets harder than a city Ballot Measure gas tax increase. Oregon currently receiving aid through the 20-132 will in- federal program will see an increase during “I had a customer come in crease the local today that hit a pothole and had fuel tax from 5 the next five years. The maximum individual to replace a wheel,” said Chris cents per gal- grant will climb $1,090, bringing total state aid Rock, auto-mechanic at Ken- lon to 8 cents if to more than $350 million. dall Chevrolet and Cadillac in passed to help “For University of Oregon students it means Eugene. Poor road conditions fund road re- ... for needy students there will be more grant can lead to tire and wheel dam- pairs. The heavy money,” said Elizabeth Bickford, director of cracks and pot student financial aid. “More needy students age, which can cost up to $500 holes along Al- per wheel to replace, or steering will believe that college is possible.” der Street and The College Cost Reduction and Access Act and balancing problems that may 17th Avenue lead to a $49.95 alignment repair, could possibly of 2007 will also slash interest rates in half, Rock said. see repairs in bringing the rate to 3.4 percent. Eugene drivers pay an the near future. The act will not be fully implemented until estimated $320 a year in ad- CONNER JAY | Photo Editor 2012, when the gradual phase-in is complet- ditional operating costs due to increase Eugene’s local fuel drivers more annually than the Report in 2005. If drivers pay an ed. Students currently receiving aid through the conditions of local streets, tax from 5 cents per gallon to 8 intended tax increase. additional 3 cents for each one the Pell Grant, however, will see a slight according to The Road Informa- cents per gallon if passed, and Drivers in the U.S. Pacific of those gallons, as the measure increase immediately. tion Program, a Washington D.C. some voters are opposed to pay- states used an average of 1,090 proposes, that would cost them “College will be a bit more affordable for research group. ing more money in taxes, but gallons of gas per year, accord- an additional $33 each year in tens of thousands of Oregon students. And Ballot Measure 20-132 will the measure’s failure could cost ing to an Energy Information turn to ROADWORK, page 4 it won’t hurt as much when you start paying back those loans,” said Jillian Schoene, com- munications director for the office of Rep. David Wu, D-Ore., a member of the national UNIVERSITY House Education Committee and appointed member of the Act’s conference committee. Schoene said the bill was about restoring the turn to FINANCIAL AID, page 4 HEALTH Flu shots now available at the Health Center for students, staff BLAKE HAMILTON | Photographer Readily available vaccine could Members of the Oregon marching band practice on the intramural turf fields Wednesday afternoon. 14 members will have the opportunity to travel to help UO students remain healthy Beijing, China as part of a 2,008-member Olympic Orchestra. throughout the winter months JILL KIMBALL Members of UO Marching Band to perform in Beijing News Reporter Students will travel to is used to being part of a large mellophone, an instrument com- McDavid, director of athletic Rainy season has begun, and flu season will China to perform in 2008 group. In August, she’ll be part of parable to the French horn. “I’ve bands at the University of Wash- soon follow. In anticipation of the yearly fever an even larger group. never been anywhere; this is, ington. “But it’s the Olympic onslaught, the University Health Center will Olympic Orchestra A senior in the human physi- like, my first big trip.” marching band.” offer flu vaccinations beginning Oct. 15 for ology department, Beaudry is Unlike a band, an orchestra McDavid is also artistic direc- students and Oct. 17 for faculty and staff. MIKE O’BRIEN one of 14 University students typically includes string instru- tor of the Red Orchestra, one of Jayne Carey, a nurse at the health center, News Reporter who will be in the 2,008-member ments, such as harps and violins, three subgroups within the larger said flu vaccination is essential for busy col- lege students who want to stay healthy. As a member of the Oregon Beijing 2008 Olympic Orches- so the Olympic orchestra’s name Olympic orchestra. “Flu interferes with people’s everyday Marching Band, the largest stu- tra at the 29th Olympic Games may be a bit confusing. The Red Orchestra will be lives,” said Carey. “When people get the dent organization on campus next summer. composed of 600 Americans, “Internationally, they don’t flu they literally are confined to bed, and it other than the Greek system, Uni- “I’m incredibly excited,” really recognize the term while 600 musicians from versity student Rebecca Beaudry said Beaudry, who plays the ‘marching band,’” said Brad turn to OLYMPICS, page 3 turn to HEALTH CENTER, page 4 VIDEO SPORTS HIGH TECH WORLD SOCCER Technology can make everything 1980-1981 women’s soccer easier, but watch how being team to be honored tonight TODAY SATURDAY SUNDAY ‘plugged in’ can hurt you PAGE 5 Partly Cloudy 62°/41° Mostly Cloudy 60°/46° Showers 68°/47° EDITORIAL BOARD ELON GLUCKLICH | Opinion editor LAURA POWERS | Editor in chief KATIE MICHAEL | Managing editor BRYN JANSSON | Senior copy chief JOSHUA GRENZSUND | Columnist Friday, October 5, 2007 OPINION JOBETTA HEDELMAN | Freelance editor NEWS STAFF (541) 346-5511 IN MY OPINION | KAMRAN ROUZPAY LAURA POWERS Editor in Chief KATIE MICHAEL From seniors to freshmen: things you must know Managing Editor JILL AHO one can seem to explain. You and hating said person ERIC FLORIP News Editors just get fatter. There’s all this more than you thought ROBERT D’ANDREA food around, and they give you, imaginable. TREVOR DAVIS ALLIE GRASGREEN like, infinity meal points per 3. Guys are hornier JILL KIMBALL week. If all you want to eat is than they’ve ever been RYAN KNUTSON MIKE O’BRIEN popcorn chicken and Yoo-hoo, Sorry ladies, but it’s JASON N. REED be warned: You will feel the disgusting and true. I News Reporters JOBETTA HEDELMAN wrath of your new 8,000-calorie have little more to say on Freelance Editor A CLEVER RUSE diet. I gained roughly 30 pounds the subject except that it JEFFREY DRANSFELDT my freshman year because I pur- can’t be helped. We’re Sports Editor sued said diet and had a long- sorry that we’re pigs, JACOB MAY Dear freshmen, Senior Sports Reporter term girlfriend that truly didn’t and we hope you forgive KEVIN HUDSON Welcome to the wonderful care that I was a blubbery whale us and understand. And DAN JONES world of college! If you’re any- turd. Use the rec center to its full ladies, I know you must Sports Reporters thing like me, then you may be LINDSAY FUNSTON advantage! You can do literally have heard it a million Pulse Editor encountering some very new any type of exercise you want times, but never, EVER MATT SEVITS concepts. These include total (or there, and its only existence is to accept a drink that you Associate Pulse Editor near total) freedom; the ease of THOM BREKKE help you be healthier. didn’t see get poured. It CARRIE HAMM finding booze, sex, drugs, and 2. Popularity points are is a real issue that really TIFFANY REAGAN rock n’ roll. Increased needs for Pulse Reporters recalibrated happens to a lot of wom- ELON GLUCKLICH self-reliance and self-motiva- You might’ve been dope driv- en, even here within the Opinion Editor tion. The discovery and surprise ing that ‘99 Mustang convert- liberal-dominated, pro- NIK ANTOVICH of your profound laziness and JOSH GRENZSUND ible to high school every day, feminist culture of the MATT PETRYNI previously ignored inner-child KAMRAN ROUZPAY but those days are over. Now, University. JOSEPH VANDEHEY through the ease of finding you’re only as cool as your living 4 . B i k e s o r Columnists booze, sex, drugs, and rock n’ situation.