College Clips
Published April 22, 2005
U. Oregon adopts sustainable wind energy for student union
The electricity streaming through the Erb Memorial Union at the University of Oregon isn't different, but on Wednesday the source of that power changed.
The building became fully powered by wind energy after university officials signed a contract with the Eugene Water and Electric Board to purchase the power.
Students will pay a maximum of 60 cents per term in additional energy fees to establish a fund to finance wind power and other sustainability projects on campus.
Students voted 1,150 to 277 on a ballot measure two weeks ago, showing support for paying up to $2 to fund sustainability projects.
— The Daily Emerald (U. Oregon)
Cornell U. researchers name beetle after Bush
Some might criticize President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld for their handling of the war in Iraq, but this did not stop two former Cornell University entomologists from naming a slime-mold beetle in honor of each of the politicians.
Quentin Wheeler, a former professor of entomology and plant science, and Kelly Miller, a former doctorate student who recently labeled 65 new species of beetles, named three members of the genus Agathidium after Bush administration officials: A. bushi Miller and Wheeler, A. cheneyi Miller and Wheeler and A. rumsfeldi Miller and Wheeler.
Wheeler said the naming was not political, nor was it based on the beetles' physical features.
—The Daily Sun (Cornell)
U. Colorado students revel on '4/20' despite administration, police action
Neither rain nor sprinklers could extinguish marijuana smoking at the University of Colorado on Wednesday.
For almost a month, the campus has been dealing with school policy on the celebrated "4/20" marijuana holiday.
In years past, the university has been criticized for not strictly enforcing local laws and campus policies concerning drugs and contraband on April 20.
This year the university, to the chagrin of many students, took a proactive approach in trying to deter pot smokers.
"We have tried to discourage illegal activity while not escalating the situation," spokeswoman Pauline Hale said against a backdrop of 200 marijuana smokers congregating in the parking lot of the Leeds Business School.
Traditionally, the celebration is held on Farrand Field, but this year police blocked off the field. Without access to their traditional meeting place, marijuana smokers moved to both the business school field and the observatory area adjacent to the Coors Event Center.
At about 3:30 p.m., minutes after the pot protesters flooded their new location, the university answered by turning on the sprinkler system.
— Campus Press (U. Colorado)