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SOU training session addresses opioid use locally

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Members of the SOU campus community are invited to participate in a training session on Wednesday that may prepare them to save the life of a friend, colleague or student experiencing an opioid overdose.

Students from the Oregon Health & Science University nursing program at SOU are offering a Naloxone Project training session from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday in the Stevenson Union’s Rogue River Room. Participants will learn how to use naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses, and will receive free naloxone kits.

Anyone may attend, and admission is free.

“I sincerely wish that we had no need for this training at SOU – that the national opioid crisis could not reach our campus,” SOU President Linda Schott said Tuesday in a message to campus. “Tragically, that is not the case. We have lost students to overdoses, and there are others on our campus who are at risk.

“I encourage you to attend the naloxone training session,” she said. “You can be ready to save a life, if ever confronted with an overdose.”

Naloxone effectively treats overdoses by reversing opioid-caused depression to the central nervous system and respiratory system. It is safe, non-addictive and does not require a prescription.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimated that more than 26,000 opioid overdoses were reversed through the use of naloxone kits from 1996 to 2014.

President Schott pointed out that much work must be done nationally to address the opioid epidemic, but said those at the local level can do their part “by preparing … to help those who would otherwise become its victims.”

Wednesday’s training session is supported by the HIV Alliance and Max’s Mission, a local nonprofit that offers free naloxone and raises awareness of the danger of drug overdoses. It was created by the parents of Max Pinsky, a 25-year-old Ashland man who was lost to an overdose five years ago.

Those who have specific questions about opioid use and treatment options for those with addictions may contact the Student Health and Wellness Center for more information.

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SOU and city of Ashland respond to cougar sightings

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Southern Oregon University and the city of Ashland are working with state and federal wildlife officials to ensure safety on the SOU campus and in the community following multiple cougar sightings and confrontations Sunday night and this morning.

The Ashland Police Department will respond promptly to future cougar sightings, with officers’ actions based on immediate danger to humans or domesticated animals. Factors may include whether the sightings occur at night or during the day, when the animals aren’t typically seen.

Students leaving SOU’s Hannon Library at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday reported seeing a cougar. Ashland Police and SOU Campus Public Safety officers responded and were able to scare away a small cougar they found just outside the library.

A larger cougar was then located outside the nearby Susanne Homes building, and it reacted menacingly to the officers’ attempts to scare it away. The Ashland Police officers got authorization from Chief Tighe O’Meara and fired a shot at the cougar after ensuring the shot would not endanger anyone. The cougar apparently was not hit and ran from the area. However, another resident reported being confronted by a cougar on the SOU campus at about 6:15 a.m. today.

“Our university and community have deep respect for the wildlife with which we share this beautiful region,” SOU President Linda Schott said. “We balance that respect with our obligation to provide a safe campus environment, and we are grateful to be addressing this safety concern in partnership with the city as well as state and federal partners.”

An Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officer confirmed during a meeting today with city and university representatives that the actions of the cougar outside Susanne Homes on Sunday night justified the shot being fired by police. A trapper from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also attended the meeting and said traps could be set near confirmed cougar sighting areas, but results are not typically positive in urban areas.

The sightings Sunday night and this morning follow a rash of reports over the past week of cougars close to downtown Ashland, near the downtown fire station and the Safeway Store, and in Lithia Park. There have been multiple reports in recent weeks of deer being killed by cougars in Ashland’s neighborhoods.

Ashland Police and SOU’s Campus Public Safety recommend walking with other people and being aware of your surroundings when outdoors at night. If confronted by a cougar, make yourself look large, yell and back away slowly – but do not run.

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SOU president draws line on side of inclusion

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SOU President Linda Schott reassured the campus community today that the university will not waver in its commitment to inclusion, equal rights and opportunities for all, despite recent discussions at the federal level regarding the definition of gender.

“We will always welcome, value, support and protect all students and prospective students – regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, immigration status, nationality, religious affiliation or political persuasion,” the president said. “That includes all who identify as transgender or non-binary.”

Recent news reports indicate that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is leading an effort to establish a legal definition of gender under Title IX – the civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination at educational institutions receiving federal funding. The department is pushing for a gender definition based narrowly on biological traits, reversing protections established over the past several years by courts and administrative rule-making.

Separately, the Department of Justice argued in a brief submitted this week to the U.S. Supreme Court that civil rights laws banning sex discrimination in the workplace do not extend to transgender people – again, based on the definition of “sex.”

President Schott said in a message to campus on Friday that inclusion and diversity are vital elements of the SOU identity, and the current debates “will not change who we are or the values that define us.”

“Our university steadfastly supports the rights of each member of our campus community – and the estimated 1.4 million Americans who recognize themselves as a gender other than the one that their biology indicates – to be valued as individuals with their own particular characteristics,” Schott said.

The standards of equity, inclusion and diversity are mentioned prominently throughout SOU’s new Vision, Mission and Values. One of the seven strategic directions that were identified in the university’s recent strategic planning process outlines the goals of replacing systemic barriers with equitable processes, establishing pathways that support the success of those from underrepresented backgrounds and preparing all learners – regardless of background, identity and position – to thrive in a diverse world.

“Whatever the eventual outcome may be at the federal level, I assure you that equity and inclusion will remain unassailable principles at SOU,” the president said. “Under any definition of gender, equal protection and equal rights will always apply to every student, prospective student and employee at this university.”

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SOU president urges campus to vote in upcoming election

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SOU President Linda Schott has asked all members of the campus community to “practice democracy” by casting their ballots in the Nov. 6 General Election.

“Consider what’s best for you, your community, your state and your country, and then vote,” the president said. “I won’t tell you what to think or how to vote, but I do hope you will do both conscientiously.”

Ballots have been mailed to Oregon voters, and the state’s Voters Pamphlet is available online. The deadline for voter registration has passed, but those who are unsure if they’re eligible to vote can check their status on the Oregon Secretary of State’s website.

Similar services are offered by other states, including California’s voter status-check site.

The SOU president reminded out-of-state students in today’s all-campus email that they should discard ballots from their original state if they have more recently registered to vote in Oregon. If they haven’t registered in Oregon, they can still legally vote in their home state. But it is illegal to vote in more than one state.

“Part of our mission at SOU is to prepare our learners to be responsible citizens, engaged at the local, state and federal levels,” Schott said. “If you are a student, your ballot is the final exam for this course on representative government. If you are an employee at the university, you have an opportunity to model good citizenship.”

She pointed out that democracy itself has withstood the test of time, weathering several difficult periods through more than 240 years of U.S. history.

“Sometimes our personal beliefs and preferences are validated,” Schott said. “Even on the occasions when they aren’t, we are able to come back in future elections and help nudge the course of history onto a track that’s more to our liking.

“Regardless of your political perspective, vital issues and pivotal races are on the line in this year’s election. Cast your ballot and participate in this wonderful gift of democracy!”

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Former SOU Athletic Director Monty Cartwright passes away at 74

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Former Southern Oregon University Athletic Director Monty Cartwright, a 2010 SOU Sports Hall of Fame inductee, passed away Monday evening in Portland. Cartwright, one of the Raider athletic department’s most influential figures, was 74.

Cartwright, a native of Delano, Calif., first arrived in Ashland in 1984 and served as SOU’s head track and field coach from 1985-98, overseeing 43 NAIA All-America performances and seven national champions. He became the Director of Athletics and Recreational Sports in 1995 and held the post for six years.

During that time, SOU added three women’s sports and contributions to the student-athlete scholarship fund nearly quadrupled. Success followed for the Raiders, as the 1996-97 women’s basketball team advanced to the NAIA Division II semifinals, the football team twice appeared in the NAIA quarterfinals and the wrestling team captured the 2001 NAIA championship.

“Monty was an inspiration and mentor to so many of us in Raider Athletics and the department of Health and Physical Education,” SOU Director of Athletics Matt Sayre said. “He was a coach and educator in the best sense of those words.

“He embodied the best values of the profession he loved and cared deeply about the people he hired, coached and worked with,” Sayre said. “Monty showed us what wisdom, courage and character looked like every day of his life. I will always be grateful to him for that example.”

Cartwright was a professor in the Department of Health and Physical Education for 22 years. A 1967 graduate of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, he earned a master’s degree in Physical Education from Idaho State University in 1972. Prior to SOU, he spent 10 years as the track and cross country coach at the College of the Canyons in Valencia, Calif., and two years as the head track coach at Montana State University. At SOU, he was also the head cross country coach for eight years.

His enthusiasm for life only grew stronger after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s mantle cell lymphoma at 58. He was a master track All-American, and in 2011 self-published his first book: “Aging, Health and the Athletic Mind Attitude: A game plan for aging and health challenges.”

He remained an avid writer and poet until his death.

“He was just so motivating and inspirational,” said Sally Jones, another member of the 2010 SOU Hall of Fame class and close friend. “His students, colleagues, friends and family all loved him very much. He touched so many people.”

He is survived by his wife, Juliana, SOU’s former nursing program director, and their three daughters: Dawn, Dyan and Michelle.

Plans for a memorial service will be announced later.

This story is reposted from souraiders.com.

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SOU brings well-known speaker to campus for anti-fraud seminar

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SOU will host an Oct. 25 fraud prevention seminar with certified public accountant, business consultant and well-known speaker John J. Hall. The event is free and open to all members of the campus community.

Hall, who has spoken to corporations and non-profit organizations around the world, will address “Fraud Deterrence and Prevention Skills for Manager and Staff.” The presentation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Meese Room (#305) of the Hannon Library. Those who wish to attend can RSVP at fis-training@sou.edu or by calling (541) 552-8528.

Hall warns his clients that their organizations are probably already being targeted for fraud. “Internet-based hackers, international organized crime organizations and even a small percentage of employees all see your assets and information as too tempting to ignore,” Hall says on his website.

“Managing business fraud risks requires your daily attention,” he says. “It’s a ‘cat and mouse’ endeavor where the smarter we get, the harder they have to work to get us.”

Hall offers three critical steps that any entity can take to protect itself:

  • Build a culture of honesty within the organization
  • Perform a fraud risk assessment and determine how to mitigate risks
  • Provide anti-fraud skills training

SOU implemented tightened internal controls and mandatory training for employees after the university was the victim of a fraud about a year and a half ago. A policy requiring ongoing risk assessments was applied across the organization.

This month’s seminar, presented by SOU Business Services, is intended to help participants prevent fraud on campus and in their own lives.

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Pipeline explosion affects SOU, not students or employees

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Tuesday night’s massive explosion of a ruptured natural gas pipeline near Prince George, Canada, will affect operations at SOU for at least the next few days, but students and employees should notice minimal if any issues.

SOU’s natural gas-fueled boilers – which produce steam to heat most of the buildings on campus, along with hot water for everything from showers to dishwashers – are being temporarily converted today to burn diesel fuel.

The university’s heating plant is an industrial-quantity consumer of natural gas, which means SOU gets the fuel at a discount. But it also means the university is subject to either voluntary or mandatory curtailments of its natural gas use, if there are disruptions to the supply line.

That happened in Wednesday’s early morning hours, when Avista Corporation contacted SOU’s Facilities Management and Planning Department with a request to voluntarily curtail natural gas use.

The university will do that by temporarily running its boilers on diesel fuel – which is not as clean-burning and is more expensive than natural gas. However, it is a backup system that prevents significant disruptions in situations such as this one.

With recent warm weather in southern Oregon, which is expected to continue at least into next week, minimal impacts to the campus community are expected. SOU will continue to use its boilers – fueled by diesel – to provide steam for campus-wide domestic hot water uses and nighttime heating.

Because of this fall’s mild weather, only a few buildings have required daytime steam to maintain comfortable temperatures – the Student Health and Wellness Center, Computing Services and the Art Building. SOU has voluntarily turned off steam to the Computing Services and Art buildings to reduce boiler use, while continuing to heat the Student Health and Wellness Center.

Avista has advised SOU to expect the natural gas disruption to last at least a couple days, and the university is planning on the curtailment lasting three to five days.

Homecoming Parade

Homecoming week begins at SOU

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It’s homecoming week at Southern Oregon University, and the events and activities go way beyond football. There are parades – two of them – along with volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer games, and an all-comers 5K run and walk. For the nostalgic, there’s even dodgeball.

“This is a week that’s intended to bring us together as a university, in our celebration of school spirit and pride in the values we embrace,” President Linda Schott said this week in a message to campus.

She encouraged all students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to participate in homecoming activities, which begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday when the SOU volleyball team takes on Oregon Institute of Technology at the new Lithia Motors Pavilion. Intramural dodgeball will follow next-door in the new Student Recreation Center at 8:30 p.m.

The annual Homecoming Parade is Thursday’s highlight event, and the university has invited all alumni and community members to wear red and take part, either as spectators or by walking in the parade. Parade assembly will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the Lithia Park bandshell, and participants will wind through downtown and along Siskiyou Boulevard to Raider Stadium. A Raider Rally and Fair will begin at the stadium at 5 p.m., featuring family-friendly events such as a hot dog feed, bubble soccer and other games.

The President’s 5K run and walk, a benefit event for the SOU Food Pantry, will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Friday at Raider Stadium. Those who wish to participate should bring a completed entry form and one or more nonperishable food items that will be given to students in need. There will be a hospitality area for finishers and those who attend men’s and women’s soccer matches, at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., against Northwest University of Washington.

The annual Rogue Valley Pride Celebration coincides this year with SOU Homecoming. SOU has a strong tradition of participation in the colorful celebration of inclusion, and members of the campus community have been encouraged to take part in the Pride Parade through downtown Ashland prior to SOU’s Homecoming football game. The Raiders – currently ranked No. 7 nationally in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics – will take on in-state rival Eastern Oregon University.

Homecoming week will wrap up with men’s and women’s soccer matches against Washington’s Evergreen State College at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, followed by a homecoming dance at the Student Recreation Center.

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SOU Town Hall Vote

Senate District 3 town hall comes to SOU on Thursday

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(Ashland, Ore.) — Arguably Oregon’s hottest legislative race of the year will come to Southern Oregon University on Thursday, when Democrat Jeff Golden and Republican Jessica Gomez answer questions at a town hall meeting cosponsored by the university and Jefferson Public Radio.

A link to Rogue Valley Community Television’s video of the entire town hall is here.

The event, expected to last an hour, will begin at 7 p.m. on Oct. 11 at SOU’s Music Recital Hall. Questions for the Oregon Senate District 3 candidates can be submitted in advance at townhall@jeffnet.org, and will be read at the town hall meeting by moderator Geoff Riley of JPR.

Tickets are free and limited to two per person. The event is expected to reach capacity, so those interested in attending are advised to get their tickets in advance. They can be ordered in advance at SOU’s Oregon Center for the Arts Box office.

A block of 150 tickets are being held for SOU students. They can pick them up from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Oregon Center for the Arts Box Office or from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Stevenson Union Information Booth.

Sponsorship of this week’s town hall aligns with SOU’s mission of preparing the university’s learners to be responsible, engaged citizens in the local, state and federal democratic processes. The event also is an excellent opportunity for community members to become better acquainted with the candidates and their stands on various issues.

Professional and student staffers from SOU’s Digital Media Center will record the town hall for video playback on Rogue Valley Community Television. The Digital Media Center has also recorded 12 forums with state and local candidates. Those videos have been added to RVTV’s programing rotation and are embedded on the website of the Ashland Chamber of Commerce, which co-sponsored the series.

The Associated Students of Southern Oregon University – the student government at SOU – will host a voter registration table at the event.

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SOU celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day

SOU observes Indigenous Peoples Day

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(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University’s second annual observation of Indigenous Peoples Day – and contributions and cultural significance of Native American populations – will take place on Monday, Oct. 8, beginning with a salmon bake celebration on the Stevenson Union courtyard.

The free salmon bake will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will feature drumming and a variety of speakers. SOU President Linda Schott will welcome the salmon bake participants and discuss the university’s commitment to equity and inclusion, and its respect for the cultural richness its Native American students bring to campus.

The president authorized the observance of Indigenous Peoples Day after student Lupe Sims and the Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Committee got unanimous support for the proposal from three governing boards on campus in early 2017. No classes are canceled for the now-annual observation, but the occasion is observed through special programming and events.

Monday’s salmon bake will include presentations from guest speakers Ed Little Crow, Felicia McNair, David West, Brent Florendo, Chauncey Peltier, Mark Colson, Rowena Jackson and Shaun Taylor-Corbett.

A free lecture and discussion, “Earth Protectors: Indigenous Solidarity with the Earth, North and South,” will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Stevenson Union’s Rogue River Room. It will focus on indigenous peoples’ struggles against extractive industries throughout the Americas.

SOU is one of several universities, four states and about 40 U.S. cities – including Ashland, Portland, Eugene and Corvallis in Oregon – that observe Indigenous Peoples Day.

It is typically celebrated on the second Monday of October, which the U.S. has observed as the federal Columbus Day holiday since 1937.

At least 17 states, including Oregon, do not recognize Columbus Day as a holiday. Oregon observed it as a “day of commemoration” – but not a legal holiday – until the 1985 Legislature added a holiday for Martin Luther King Day, combined Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays as Presidents’ Day and eliminated all “days of commemoration.”

SOU offers a Native American Studies Program that seeks to educate all students about the knowledge, experiences and rich cultural heritage of indigenous people. The university also has an active Native American student population, supports SOU’s Native American Student Union and sponsors Konaway Nika Tillicum – an eight-day, on-campus residential camp for Native American youth.

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