UO E-clips, Nov. 7

UO arena gets green light (Register-Guard): A hearings officer has approved a conditional use permit that could allow the University of Oregon to begin work on its $227 million basketball arena in two weeks. The approval is a crucial step that puts the UO almost at the finish line in its years-long effort to build the 12,500-seat pavilion, which currently would be the most expensive college arena ever built. If the decision is not appealed, construction could start Nov. 13. Hearings officer Anne Corcoran Briggs found that the university's construction plan and a mitigation plan worked out between the UO and the Fairmount Neighborhood Association largely satisfy the requirements for a conditional use permit.

UO index shows recession (The Oregonian): Lasting at least first half '09 The University of Oregon's economic index released Thursday continues to signal recessionary conditions in Oregon. Timothy A. Duy, director of UO's Oregon Economic Forum, said recent deterioration of credit markets promises to prolong the recession through at least the first half of 2009. The index fell in September to 90.9, a 0.1 percent decline from the previous month. The index is set with conditions in 1997 as 100. Oregon labor markets deteriorated in September. Payrolls at employment services agencies declined to 5.4 percent lower than year-ago levels. Initial unemployment claims jumped to a weekly average of 9,641, the highest since December 2001.

Ecohillil green Judism at the UO (Eugene Weekly): It is 6:30 on a Friday night, and voices singing ancient songs fill the warm living room of the UO Hillel House where students in the Jewish community gather to socialize, share Shabbat (the Jewish name for Sabbath or day of rest) and get exposed to service opportunities. Rows of students sit for weekly Shabbat services, which involve prayer and dinner, but this week comes with a twist. Tonight is spotlighting ECOHillel, a committee of students focusing on environmental issues. "The environment and Judaism are my biggest passions," says Belinda Judelman, head of the committee. After prayers, students are requested to read from pieces of 100 percent recycled paper left on top of reusable bags donated by Market of Choice. The students read quotes on sustainability from Deuteronomy, Jewish folktales about respecting the earth, tips on sustainability and statistics on energy consumption.