Leaders will welcome students, share information on unruly gathering ordinance
EUGENE, Ore. -- (Sept. 26, 2013) – To celebrate the start of the academic year and to welcome back University of Oregon students to Eugene, university and City officials will visit residents door to door from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Started in 2009, the Community Welcome event is an opportunity to create neighborhood relationships and to provide information about respectful and safe off-campus living experiences.
“The Community Welcome is a great way for us to connect with our students and campus neighbors,” said interim President Scott Coltrane. “We are a community that benefits from each other and looks out for one another. We want our students who live off-campus to know how to stay safe, be respected and respectful, and be to good neighbors. This face to face interaction really helps us build these relationships.”
Approximately 100 people in small groups will distribute approximately 2,000 “Your Neighbors and U” brochures during the evening event that will cover more than 70 city blocks. In addition, neighbors and rental property managers have already started distributing the information to tenants. The booklet contains information that encourages students to meet their neighbors, keep themselves and their belongings safe, know local laws, use sustainable transportation options, and party responsibly. The publication includes information on municipal ordinance on unruly gatherings that holds hosts criminally responsible for unruly gatherings where alcohol is present and at least two illegal activities are taking place.
"The University of Oregon and its programs, faculty, staff and students make considerable contributions to our community in so many ways,” said Mayor Kitty Piercy. “I enjoy this collaborative effort to welcome the students each year and let them know how much we value them. It’s also important to help them understand the importance of getting to know their neighbors and being responsible members of the community.”
Mayor Piercy and Interim President Coltrane will be joined by Associated Student of the University of Oregon (ASUO) President Beatriz Gutierrez; City Manager Jon Ruiz; Eugene Police Department Chief Pete Kerns; UO Police Department Chief Carolyn McDermed; UO Dean of Students Paul Shang; and neighborhood association leaders.
Editor's note: Media parking is available at Central Presbyterian Church, 555 E. 15th Ave. Media should arrive at 3:45 p.m. for interviews before the briefing begins at 4 p.m. Participants will gather at 4 p.m. and visit portions of neighborhoods from 4:15 to 6:30 p.m.
Contacts: Jen McCulley, UO Public Affairs, 541-346-8800, jmccull@uoregon.edu; Jan Bohman, City of Eugene communications, 541-968-2829, Jan.L.BOHMAN@ci.eugene.or.us
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