UO E-clips, July 29

UO makes honor roll for sustainability (Register-Guard, similar articles appear in numerous other publications including The Los Angeles Times, Portland Business Journal, The Daily Journal of Commerce, The Boston Globe): Green isn’t just one of the University of Oregon’s school colors. The university now boasts a spot atop a list of the greenest university campuses based on its commitment to sustainability. It is one of only 11 schools nationwide named to the new Green Rating Honor Roll issued by The Princeton Review, a college test preparation firm.

Howard named dean of UO business college (Portland Business Journal): A University of Oregon business professor will be the new dean of the university's Charles H. Lundquist College of Business. Dennis Howard, who graduated from the University of Oregon with a bachelor's degree in 1966 and who was most recently head of the marketing department, will serve a two-year appointment as dean of the college. He replaces James Bean, who on July 1 became UO's provost and senior vice president.

The source of oil maters (Register-Guard, guest viewpoint by the UO's Bob Doppelt): After the health risks of smoking became clear, government took steps to protect the public. Government action will likewise be needed to protect the public — and the planet — from unconventional fossil fuels. The world supply of conventional oil is shrinking, and petroleum companies are ramping up the production of oil from “unconventional” sources such as tar sands, coal and oil shale. Unfortunately, oil from these sources causes even more environmental damage than conventional oil. If global warming is to be resolved, the use of unconventional oil must be constrained. The U.S. Conference of Mayors recently decided to do just that. Through an effort led by Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy, in June the mayors unanimously passed a resolution challenging the use of unconventional high-carbon fuels.

Bach festival worth trip halfway around the globe (Register-Guard, guest viewpoint by the UO's John Evans): A management guru once shared with me the truism that leadership, however fired in its purpose or inspired in its execution, is purposeless unless one has something worth leading and fighting for. With the Oregon Bach Festival I have both: an arts program with an extraordinary legacy, and an artistic and management team with great professional skills and personal dedication. Without Helmuth Rilling and the supremely gifted musicians he attracts to Eugene each summer, I would not have traveled halfway around the world for this job — and without the selfless dedication of the people I’m privileged to work with, I would not have stayed. That said, it’s quite a stretch for me, having spent half of my life living in London, to contemplate life in Eugene. … I’m also learning about your sports — well, one can hardly avoid them in this town! I’ve been to my first football game and seen the Ducks thrash the Bears at Autzen Stadium; and I’ve cheered on a guy no taller than me on the home basketball team to outwit and outplay the twin towers of Stanford. Go Ducks! And while we at the Bach Festival were having one of our best festival seasons ever, I witnessed the triumphant success of Eugene 08 at Hayward Field. What a very remarkable city this is — truly one of the greatest for the outdoors and the arts. Which brings me to the extraordinary success we enjoyed this year at the Bach Festival and a word about two of its unsung heroes: founder Royce Saltzman and board President Betsy Richanbach. …