Dear University of Oregon family, 

  

Warm weather means more opportunities for large social gatherings and other outdoor activities, such as bike rides and hikes. Safety and Risk Services reminds students, faculty, and staff that communities are safest when members look out for each other.   

  

When you gather – party safe. Please remember, Ducks look out for each other. During winter term the university received six formal reports of students potentially being drugged or ingesting unknown substances through drinks at parties hosted at fraternities, including at off-campus locations. None of the allegations included sexual assault. The university promptly issued interim temporary suspensions for three fraternities, and investigations are underway for possible student conduct code violations. It is a crime to put anything unexpected into someone’s drink or food.  If you suspect a drink has been spiked, call 9-1-1.  

  

Lock and register your bike/scooter. We’ve seen a recent uptick in bike and scooter thefts this year. Twelve bikes and five electric scooters were reported stolen on the Eugene campus since January 1. There are a number of techniques to prevent your bike or scooter from being stolen including always using a U-lock, locking the wheel and frame together or locking scooters around nonremovable parts, locking your bike or scooter in a well-lit and well-traveled area or designated bike cage and not leaving it on the sidewalk or street overnight, taking lights and other easily removable items with you, and registering your bike and/or writing down its serial number. Report suspicious individuals hanging around bicycle racks by notifying the UO Police Department, by calling 541-346-2919.

  

Watch your belongings. As you enjoy the sun, don’t leave your valuables alone. This includes backpacks, wallets, purses, keys computers and phones. Close and lock your windows on ground floor rooms. For emergencies, or if a crime is being committed, call 9-1-1. To report crimes on campus, call UOPD non-emergency 541-346-2919.  

  

If you know someone who is the victim of a crime, remember to lead with empathy. No action or inaction by a crime survivor makes that person responsible for his or her victimization. Perpetrators are responsible for their crimes and the impact.   

  

Report suspicious activity immediately. Bystanders should try to be aware of their surroundings, and if there are signs of a person in distress, bystanders should make themselves known and help if it is safe to do so, and/or seek immediate help from police or security personnel.  

   

Stay safe this spring and remember university resources are available to support you when things do not go as planned.   

  

Have a great spring term!   

  

Andre Le Duc, vice president and chief resilience officer 

 

A few more safety tips:  

   

Walks, rides and other travel  

Stick to well-lit, well-traveled areas.  

If followed, go to a populated area.  

Be alert to any suspicious persons or vehicles.  

Carry a fully charged cell phone with emergency numbers pre-programmed.  

Use the online map to find the best-lit route around campus. The map also shows the emergency phones located across campus.  

  

Parties  

Charge your phone before you go.  

Always use the buddy system. Pair up with someone you know and let each other know where you will be and are going.  

Never leave your drink unattended and never accept drinks from someone you do not know.  

Never leave with someone you do not trust.  

Need a lift? Call Duck Rides at 541-346-7433 between 6 p.m. and midnight seven days a week. Otherwise open your ridesharing app.   

  

Personal property  

Lock up your bike with two locks – u-lock and cable lock.  

Park in well-lit and well-traveled areas.  

Register your bike with Project 529 Garage (https://project529.com/) to assist in recovery if it is taken.  

Lock scooters around nonremovable parts.  

E-scooters and e-bikes are not permitted inside university buildings.  

   

Resources for survivors  

Student survivors of a crime can find support options by contacting DoS at https://dos.uoregon.edu/help or call 541-346-3216.  

Students who have experienced sexual or domestic violence can find immediate support and resource options at safe.uoregon.edu or call the 24-hour SAFE hotline at 541-346-SAFE (7233).  

University Counseling Services is open until 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and offers 24-hour crisis support via phone; 541-346-3227.  

Duck Nest in EMU provides a place for students to practice self-care and life-balance. It is staffed by Peer Wellness Advocates  

  

Prevention and recovery  

Self-defense classes can prepare people to deter or escape an assault and have benefits for improved awareness and confidence. Contact Sgt. Jared Davis of UOPD (Jared.Davis@uopd.org) to find out when the next drop-in self-defense class is scheduled on campus.  

Download the UO Mobile App for easy access to safety resources, safe ride options, and maps.  

  

What is this notice? Campus Security Advisories are released by the University of Oregon when certain crimes are reported near or on campus property. These security advisories provide information about campus safety situations, and allow campus community members to take precautions for personal safety. All crimes should be reported as soon as possible to local law enforcement. 

March 18, 2024

Five freestanding campus emergency phones are no longer work and are scheduled for removal. During the week of March 18, these phones will be taken out of service. In the short term, have signs indicating that they are out of service. The signage includes information on emergency and non-emergency police numbers, and a QR code linking to this information.  

 The five freestanding phones to be removed are located at: 

• Lokey Education: walkway between A/B and C buildings on the south side 
• Lawrence Hall: east side entrance  

• Pacific Hall: east side between Pacific and Cascade 
• Jaqua: on the sidewalk along Franklin to the east of the Jaqua Building 
• Museum of Natural & Cultural History: Lawn to the west of the entrance to MNCH  

 Emergency phones are a part of overall campus safety and security. Emergency phones will remain in place along major walkways and nighttime paths. Older models may be removed as they fail.  

January 12, 2024, 2:45 p.m.

A strong weather system is expected to bring freezing rain, snow, and low temperatures throughout the state this weekend. On campus, please prepare yourself by dressing for the weather and know that there may be icy walking and travel surfaces.  The snow map shows walking and biking routes that will be cleared on the Eugene campus.

University services that are open on the weekend may close without notice. A number of events are scheduled to occur on the Eugene campus. Check with the event coordinator for any schedule changes or cancellations. For information on inclement weather decisions for UO Eugene visit https://hr.uoregon.edu/inclement-weather. For information about inclement weather decisions for UO Portland, visit https://pdx.uoregon.edu/inclement-weather.

Note that all campuses are closed on Monday in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Should weather impact general campus operations, information will be shared on the UO Alerts Blog, through UO Alert text and email messages, and through local media.

For emergency assistance, call  9-1-1 or University of Oregon Police Department at 541-346-2919 (Eugene) or 503-412-3700 (Portland).

On Wednesday, Dec. 13, UOPD received reports of a break-in in the Garden Level of Johnson Hall. Staff reported damage and debris in some spaces. At 8:14 a.m., The Senior Vice President for Finance & Admin’s office sent a message to Johnson Hall staff notifying them to either secure in place or avoid coming to the building. At 8:50 a.m., UOPD gave staff the all-clear for the first and second floors but to continue avoiding the Garden Level. At 9:36 a.m., UOPD gave an all-clear for the Garden Level. CPFM responded with extra trash bins and custodial support. The suspect was arrested by UOPD the next day. There is no ongoing threat to campus.

SAFETY TIPS FROM UOPD

No action or inaction by a crime survivor makes that person responsible for his or her victimization. Perpetrators are responsible for crimes and their effects. While this incident did not occur on the UO campus, the following suggestions may help reduce the possibility of experiencing such a crime or may improve opportunities to receive prompt assistance.

• Contact UOPD immediately if you see potential evidence of criminal activity when entering your office.
• Always be alert when traveling to, from, and around campus – especially early in the morning and late at night.
• When walking at night, try to stay in well-lit areas. The UO provides an online map to help students navigate by the best-lit route around campus. The map also shows the approximately 60 emergency phones (e-phone or call boxes) that are located across campus.
• When possible, carry a well-charged cell phone with emergency numbers pre-programmed.
• Download the UO Mobile App for easy access to safety resources, safe ride options, and maps.
• Duck Rides is the primary nighttime transportation services for students, staff and faculty at the UO. The service is free and peer-to-peer, with students driving students. It runs seven days a week, 6 p.m. to midnight. Call 541-346-7433 or email duckrides@uoregon.edu to make a reservation.
• UOPD is available to provide free on-campus escorts if you are unable to find another shuttle, ride, or taxi: 541-346-2919 and press 1.
• Communities are safest when members look out for each other: report any suspicious activity or unauthorized strangers immediately.
• Report criminal activity (such as a break-in or intruder, robbery, or assault) immediately to 9-1-1, or for non-emergency situations on campus, to UOPD at 541-346-2919, press 0.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR SURVIVORS OF CRIME

• Student survivors of crime may find support and resource options at safe.uoregon.edu or call the 24-hour SAFE hotline at 541-346-SAFE (7233).
• University Counseling Services is open until 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and offers 24-hour crisis support via phone; 541-346-3227.
• Duck Nest in EMU provides a place for students to practice self-care and life-balance. It is staffed by Peer Wellness Advocates.

Date: 9/5/23  5 p.m.

Update from Eugene Police Department:

At 2:39 a.m. September 2, Eugene Police responded to a report of a shooting at 590 E. Broadway, the 7-11. The victim was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and the suspect left the location. Eugene Police Violent Crimes Unit is investigating. Case 23-13092

This person of interest has been identified as Jaisi Tavin Savath, age 22, of Springfield. He remains a person of interest and police are seeking tips on his current location. It is unknown what vehicle he may be associated with at this time. It is possible Savath is armed. If anyone has tips as to his location, they are asked to call Detective Cliff Sites at 541.682.5147 or Csites@eugene-or.gov. If someone spots Savath they are asked to call 911 and to avoid contacting him.

For further information, go to EPD’s webpage at https://www.eugene-or.gov/4423/Police.

SAFETY TIPS FROM UOPD

No action or inaction by a crime survivor makes that person responsible for his or her victimization. Perpetrators are responsible for crimes and their effects. The following suggestions may help reduce the possibility of experiencing such a crime or may improve opportunities to receive prompt assistance.

• Always be alert when traveling to, from, and around campus – especially at night.
• When walking at night, try to stay in well-lit areas. The UO provides an online map to help students navigate by the best-lit route around campus. The map also shows the approximately 60 emergency phones (e-phone or call boxes) that are located across campus.
• When possible, carry a well-charged cell phone with emergency numbers pre-programmed.
• Download the UO Mobile App for easy access to safety resources, safe ride options, and maps.
• Duck Rides is the primary nighttime transportation services for students, staff and faculty at the UO. The service is free and peer-to-peer, with students driving students. It runs seven days a week, 6 p.m. to midnight. Call 541-346-7433 or email duckrides@uoregon.edu to make a reservation.
• UOPD is available to provide free on-campus escorts if you are unable to find another shuttle, ride, or taxi: 541-346-2919 and press 1.
• Communities are safest when members look out for each other: report any suspicious activity or unauthorized strangers immediately.
• Report criminal activity (such as a break-in or intruder, robbery, or assault) immediately to 9-1-1, or for non-emergency situations on campus, to UOPD at 541-346-2919, press 0.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR SURVIVORS OF CRIME

• Student survivors of crime may find support and resource options at safe.uoregon.edu or call the 24-hour SAFE hotline at 541-346-SAFE (7233).
• University Counseling Services is open until 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and offers 24-hour crisis support via phone; 541-346-3227.
• Duck Nest in EMU provides a place for students to practice self-care and life-balance. It is staffed by Peer Wellness Advocates.

 

08/25/2023 5:30 am

The Eugene campus is experiencing the impacts of wildfire smoke from nearby fires and the AQI is currently over 100.

If on campus, please close windows and doors. Laboratories, please close hoods if feasible.

The University has a series of both requirements and recommendations for action when AQI reaches certain levels. These are summarized below.

Oregon OSHA has a series of requirements for UO staff working outdoors.  Supervisors will receive notifications at 101, 251 and 501, and when the AQI moves below these levels. Direction notifications will be made to supervisors when these levels are reached.

• >100: Outdoor staff may voluntarily use an N95 respirator to continue their outdoor work.
• >250: Outdoor staff should be reassigned work to indoor locations to the extent possible. For work that must continue outside, N95 respirators are now required.
• >500: Staff working outdoors must have prior enrollment in the UO Respiratory Protection and use of appropriate respirators is required.

UO has developed a policy for UO hosted programs.  Program staff who have signed up for AQI notifications will receive texts and emails at 101, 251 and 501, and when the AQI moves below these levels.  Individuals and event organizers should self-monitor AirNow for AQI levels between 151 and 250. No direct notifications will be made at these levels.

• >100: Recommended that youth programs suspend or move inside.
• >150: Members of the campus community are expected to use their best judgment in assessing the risk of smoke exposure related to coming and going to campus and participating in outdoor activities on campus, based on individual circumstances.
• >200: Recommended that all programs suspend or move inside.
• >250: All UO hosted programs must be suspended or moved inside.

Information on campus operations related to wildfire smoke is available on the Human Resources website.

Air Quality Safety Tips

• Air pollution levels are measured by the Air Quality Index (AQI) which includes gases and particulate matter. The higher the levels on the AQI, the greater the potential health risks.
• Smoke can cause adverse health effects. While wildfire smoke can contain hazardous chemicals, the main exposure concern for people who are not close to the fire are the tiny particles (particulate matter or PM) suspended in the air. The smallest particles, called PM 2.5 because they are 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller, are considered most harmful because they can penetrate deep within the respiratory system.
• Elevated levels of particulate matter found in wildfire smoke can irritate the lungs and cause persistent coughing, phlegm, wheezing, itchy eyes, sinus issues, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Particulate matter can also cause more serious problems, such as: reduced lung function, bronchitis, worsening of asthma, and heart failure.
• Sensitivity to PM varies by individual. Sensitive groups may include people with heart or lung disease (e.g., asthma, COPD), individuals over the age of 65, pregnant women, and children. Individuals who are sensitive to PM might experience symptoms at AQI levels below 150.
• Stay inside with the doors and windows closed and where possible, avoid strenuous outdoor activities (e.g., going for a run) during heavy smoke events. Stay hydrated by drinking water. Consider using an N95 respirator mask, if necessary, when going outdoors.
• Recirculate the air in your home’s central heating/cooling system (shut off the fresh air intake) and make sure the filter has been recently changed. Avoid vacuuming, burning candles or other activities that increase indoor air pollution.