UO E-clips, Aug. 13

Oregon ACT scores drop as test-takers increase (The Oregonian): Oregon's high school graduates lost ground for the third year in a row on the ACT college entrance exam as the number of 2008 test takers surged by 65 percent to 10,589. Oregon's average score compared to last year dropped from 22 to 21.2, a notable decline on a test that is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, said Ed Colby, spokesman for ACT, the non-profit test maker based in Iowa City, Iowa. ... But the results also show "a lot of variation in high school in terms of how well kids are being prepared for college," said David Conley, director of the Center for Educational Policy Research at the University of Oregon.

Industry group looks past organic (Sustainable Industries): It's been a long road to market prominence for the organic-food industry, but after 30 years, no one can argue that organics' time has come. Instead of resting on its success and reaping profits, 19 major industry leaders, including Amy's Kitchen, Nature's Path, New Harvest Organics and PCC Natural Markets, this week announced the formation of the Food Trade Sustainability Leadership Association (FTSLA). ... FTSLA grew out of a sustainability program based at the University of Oregon in Eugene.

Food industry puts green initiatives on the menu (Green Biz): A newly formed nonprofit wants to reduce the food industry's ecological footprint by creating a network for companies to share best practices. Meanwhile, a Florida-based restaurant chain vowed to pursue organic food handler certification for every location. A University of Oregon research initiative has led to the creation of the Food Trade Sustainability Leadership Association. The membership-driven group wants to measure and reduce impacts including energy, distribution, climate change and waste.

Kiosk will honor Native Americans (Statesman Journal): An art display honoring an ancient Western Oregon civilization is being installed at 1 p.m. today at Cascades Gateway Park. The $13,000 display is six feet tall and has three, three-foot wide, informational panels on the Kalapuya Native Americans, said Kurt Roedel Oregon Department of Transportation archeologist. ... Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, city of Salem, Oregon State Museum of Anthropology [the Museum of Natural and Cultural History] at University of Oregon and ODOT collaborated on the project, Roedel said.

Map maker goes 3-D (Register-Guard): Just three years ago, Metro Planning Inc. was a traditional planning firm that represented private residential developers in a variety of land use and zoning matters. But the downturn in the local housing market over the past two years hit Metro Planning with a thud. ... Jim Meacham, director of the Infographics Lab at the University of Oregon's geography department, predicts that such tools will play an increasingly greater role in development.

UO basketball arena may be one step closer to construction (KEZI 9 News): News article follows in its entirety): One of the last steps standing between the University of Oregon and the construction of its new basketball arena is a city council decision. A University spokesperson says the university is excited the city council is going to meet Wednesday and make a decision about the alley vacation request. The University says the arena project has been reviewed by many different groups and the city council's discussion tomorrow is a vital piece to move forward with the arena. But the Fairmount Neighbors Association says its members are against the idea. The arena committee's chair says the group is opposed to the arena because the university hasn't adequately mitigated the impacts. Neighbors want the issues of parking and noise addressed appropriately. However, the FNA Arena Committee Chair says he's optimistic the city, neighbors, and UO can come to an agreement. All parties came to an agreement over a land use issue back in 2004. The university says there are other steps to be completed, before the arena can hopefully begin construction in the fall.