UO E-clips, Dec. 6-8

University of Oregon can change the sign (The Oregonian): The University of Oregon's arrival in the historic White Stag block is one of the best things that ever happened to Chinatown Old Town. Renovating old buildings is never an easy way to go. And with this 103,000-square-foot expansion, blending parts of three historic buildings, the U of O took enormous risks. No one else was willing to do what the university did. In reward, it's only fair for the university to claim a unique perk that goes with, and marks, this territory. We're speaking, of course, about the beloved "Made in Oregon" sign. Which until 1995 was the beloved "White Stag" sign. And before that, the beloved "White Satin" sugar sign.

Misplaced priorities? Follow the money (Oregonian guest opinion piece by UO economist Bill Harbaugh): I'm a professor of economics at the University of Oregon. It's a great job. I love research, and I love teaching. On top of that, I earn more than most Oregonians, and a lot of my salary comes from their taxes. So maybe I should just keep my head down. But there are some problems at UO that need addressing. We're no longer a top-tier institution in research or in teaching, and our prestigious status with the Association of American Universities is in danger. One reason is faculty pay. It's about 90 percent of what faculty at comparable universities get. That makes it hard to keep good people. Last year, my department lost two, out of just 20, to offers that we couldn't come close to matching.

UO advances optics research, prevents light loss (Associated Press, appearing on KTVZ.com): University of Oregon researchers say they have solved a problem in the way light is transmitted through certain materials that could lead to advances in optical, electronic and communication technologies. The researchers were working on ways to prevent the loss of light as it passed through materials that could create a "super lens" that can "see" objects so tiny they can barely be detected. The materials are called "photonic metamaterials" because they can bend light in the opposite way of anything found in the natural world. The university says it could also lead to a "cloaking device," although not exactly the kind made famous by the "Star Trek" TV series and movies. The latest advance in research was published in Physical Review Letters, a professional journal.

What’s going up in 2009? (Bend Bulletin): Public-sector projects are expected to dominate a limited amount of building activity in Central Oregon next year, according to architectural and building company officials who see the competition getting more intense for every available project. ... Central Oregon’s building permits, seasonally adjusted, reached at least a 10-year low in the second quarter with 27 building permits filed each month from April through June, but rebounded slightly to 52 permits per month from July through September, according to an analysis of the region’s economy by Timothy Duy, an adjunct professor of economics for the University of Oregon.

Models strut the catwalk wearing condoms (KVAL News 13): Condoms took center stage on the catwalk Friday for the 2nd annual "Condom Fashion Show." The event is organized by several University of Oregon student groups to recognize World AIDS Day and to educate students about safe sex. So just how do you make condom couture? "Usually people sew condoms onto articles of clothing," says Hollie Putman, PR Coordinator of the Women's Center. "Everyone has made these condom fashions. Some of them were also in last year's fashion show and have been reworked." In addition to taking their cause to the runway, students performed skits and gave short presentations on HIV and AIDS awareness. Profits from the event will be donated to the "Face AIDS" campaign.