September 2008
William Funk expresses doubt in the roof-crush rule
This September, Professor of Law William Funk co-wrote an op-ed on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s new “roof-crush” rule. The rule is set to strengthen automobiles’ roofs, but Funk contends the change will have little effect on the safety of drivers; in actuality, only half of 1 percent of the 10,000 rollover accident deaths per year will be prevented. Instead, NHTSA’s new rule would preempt lawsuits arising from the faulty design of automobiles. The authors maintain that by undercutting lawsuits and preventing victims from seeking justice, the “roof-crush” proposition will inevitably slow down the “march toward safer automobiles.”
The Ann Arbor News (Ann Arbor, Mich.) Other Voices: NHTSA roof-crush standard could deny justice for crash victims
Linda Christensen speaks at Northwest conference for K-12 teachers
Linda Christensen, director of the Oregon Writing Project:
In October, Christensen will speak at the First Annual Northwest Conference on Teaching for Social Justice in Seattle. This conference brings together K-12 teachers, student teachers, teacher educators, and parent activists to participate in workshops and discussions centered around Rethinking Schools magazines and books. Christensen’s talk, titled The Power of Language in School, will provide stories and examples from her 30 years of teaching in the classroom.
Professor Autumn to participate in Science Pub series
Kellar Autumn, professor of biology:
Autumn will present How Geckos Stick and Why We Care as part of Oregon Museum of Science and Industry Science Pub, a monthly event designed for a general adult audience to learn about advances in science and technology from leading researchers and scientists in an approachable, relaxed setting that includes food and drinks. Autumn’s research on geckos and their adhesion capabilities has grown into a new field of study at the interface between biology, physics, and materials science. He has authored over 40 scientific papers and his research is featured in textbooks, encyclopedias, and popular books including The Nanotech Pioneers: Where Are They Taking Us? Every major television network has covered his work, as have hundreds of newspaper, magazine, and Internet articles worldwide.
The event takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Portland’s Mission Theater & Pub, 1624 NW Glisan, at 7 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.). No reservations or tickets are needed; doors open at 5 p.m.
New Media Officer selected to present search engine specifically designed for Portland wares
Robb Shecter, communications officer for new media, was one of five entrepreneurs chosen to deliver a pitch to an audience of investors, business people, and a panel of experts at the law offices of Stoel Rives. Shecter won the opportunity after launching Green Fabric, a search engine that features things that are stitched, painted, grown manufactured, or otherwise made in Oregon.
Law professors Miller and Funk discuss Oregon tribe’s same-sex marriage law
Robert Miller, professor of law and Bill Funk, professor of law:
This August, the Coquille Indian Tribe on the southern Oregon coast adopted a law allowing same-sex marriages at the request of a tribal member and her partner. The Coquille are the first tribe to adopt this type of law, although Professor Robert Miller, an Indian law expert, said Congress may intervene. Historically, tribes have authority over domestic issues, but Congress has the power to take these rights away. “Congress is the 900-pound gorilla in the corner,” Miller said.
Professor Bill Funk, a Constitutional law expert, points out that, because the federal law does not recognize same-sex marriages, it may be difficult for the couple to receive Social Security and other federal benefits.
Associated Press (Portland, Ore.) Oregon tribe to allow same-sex marriages
Professor Emeritus Rev. Zuigaku Kodachi honored by Consul General of Japan
Rev. Zuigaku Kodachi, professor emeritus of Japanese language and literature:
On September 5, Kodachi was honored by the Consul General of Japan for receiving the Emperor’s Decoration of Japan. More than 100 guests were in attendance to honor Kodachi for more than 40 years of work building cultural bridges between the United States and Japan. He spent 34 years building and growing Lewis & Clark’s Japanese language program. Under his tutelage, enrollment in Japanese language courses increased and Lewis & Clark was able to increase courses at the third year level, add Japanese as a minor, and allow students to use Japanese as one of their two language requirement. Kodachi stills assists Lewis & Clark with overseas programs in Waseda, Hokusei and Kansai Gaidai. He also continues to research central Asia and will publish a book this fall in Japan.
“Our undergraduate curriculum is global in scope rather than predominantly Western, and we offer robust programs and events that take international education beyond the classroom setting. No institution or organization achieves such success overnight. And certainly such achievements are not possible without the dedicated and inspiring work of many people over many years. At Lewis & Clark, Reverend Kodachi is one of those people,” stated President Thomas Hochstettler at the event honoring Kodachi.
Law School alum debuts first book
Michele Longo Eder J.D. ‘79 has embraced roles in her life that defy convention: a lawyer known for her dedication to her clients, a Democrat who was selected by the Bush Administration for a seat on the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, a mother and self-proclaimed proud fisherman’s wife. As she wraps up her legal career, she now adds a new role to her diverse identifiers: author. Her book, Salt in Our Blood: A Memoir of a Fisherman’s Wife, debuts this month, detailing her family’s life on the Oregon coast and the tragic fishing accident that took her son. The Oregonian recently profiled Eder and her rich, multi-faceted life.
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