UO E-clips, June 6

Unpredictable planning (Register-Guard, editorial): A primary purpose of land use planning is to ensure predictability. Decisions about what types of development can occur on which pieces of property are made in advance, and everyone understands what to expect when a project gets going. Such predictability is good for everyone: Developers can count on being allowed to proceed with projects that fit the zoning criteria, owners of neighboring properties know what kinds of development can be expected nearby, and local governments can make sensible decisions about streets, utilities and other services.

State education board to vote on state bonds (KEZI, news video): The University of Oregon needs the $200 million in state bonds to build its proposed basketball arena. (Video)

UO remains committed to project (The Oregonian): One day after release of a land-use ruling that could significantly delay the University of Oregon's $200 million basketball arena project, neighbors expressed gratitude and university officials examined their options. "It wasn't that we were trying purposely to throw up roadblocks or delaying tactics or anything like that," said Sue Jakabosky, co-chair of the Fairmount Neighborhood Association, the area in which the arena will be built. "We simply wanted the project done properly." … "While the University of Oregon is disappointed by the Hearings Official's recent ruling, the decision in no way diminishes the UO's commitment to or enthusiasm for the arena project," the statement read. "We remain fully committed to moving forward with construction as quickly as possible, while at the same time, continuing our fruitful and productive discussions with the Fairmount Neighborhood Association."

State's likely arena approval is just one small victory (OPB News): The university board is likely to approve use of the bond. But after that, the University of Oregon still faces a series of potential obstacles. Battles that must be won, or avoided, before it can build the basketball arena and replace aging MacArthur Court. Nathan Tublitz is a biology professor at the University. Nathan Tublitz: “I think it runs the gamut of working internally within the University, working with the city, to going to the courts. I can't speak for any specific group. There are a number of University faculty that are aghast.” The University planned to start construction this summer. But a land-use decision this week forces the school to apply for a special permit to account for traffic and noise. That process means a possible delay -- it could take around six months. The University could appeal that decision but hasn't yet said if it will.

Oregon universities boost tuition, overhaul fees (The Oregonian): Oregon's public universities will raise tuition this fall by an average of 3.4 percent and roll fees into tuition for the first time, moves sought by students after years of bigger tuition increases and soaring fees for everything from student government to technology. Students are claiming victory for those changes because they pushed state leaders to both cap tuition increases and include fees in tuition so students get a clearer picture of the full cost of college.

Free festival sites offered for fans at Trials (Register-Guard): Local organizers said they went for the “wow” factor in planning music and activities at the free fan festival outside Hayward Field on each day of the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, which will run June 27 through July 6. “I think that it’s really going to be something special to think about the athletes competing in an event, doing their victory lap, getting their awards and then being able to go out to the festival and interact with the people who are going to be out there watching,” said Vin Lananna, University of Oregon director of track and field and co-chair of the Trials Local Organizing Committee.

Duck makeover (Register-Guard): Have barrel-chested fiberglass duck -- will travel. Eugene Airport employee Jon Ballew said he’s done more than a few odd tasks in his work, but Thursday was the first time he’d ever relocated a 6-foot-tall duck. “This is my first (duck) transport,” said Ballew, who was wearing a green-and-yellow University of Oregon stocking cap as he helped load and strap down the newly christened Track Town USA Duck in Donna Briggs’ Bethel-area driveway. “And I’m appropriately dressed for it.”