The right to post: Holy moly is that Masoli?

What gives someone the right to post something? What are the ethics surrounding this issue?

This week, four University of Oregon students, Brian McAndrew, Michael Bishop, Jamie Slade and Robert Martini, posted this video that they made. Yesterday the UO Athletic Department pulled the video from their site claiming that they didn't have the right to use "Puddles" in the video.

Because of this, students have been buzzing about this for the last couple of days on campus.

According to the group's facebook page "Supwitchugirl," the video has resulted in, "Interview by the Oregonian and the Daily Emerald, Email from Chip Kelly, on Jerry Allen's (the voice of the ducks) radio show, On numerous sports blogs, ESPN talk radio, 1000's of views within the day and the video is takin off youtube because of Angie Sit, head of Marketing for UO is afraid she will receive a hypothetical phone call from Disney."

This is an interesting PR and communications issue. Face it, they made a video that is more innovative than anything the UO Athletic Department has cooked up in my four years here. It inspires me, motivates me, fills me with school pride and fills my heart with immeasurable amounts of love for my Ducks. Just because a group of students accomplished this and the UO Athletic Department is unable to, shouldn't justify punishment. Here's an idea, these young men clearly know what they're doing, why not hire them on as communications interns??

Moreover, it doesn't do any harm. In fact it does quite the opposite. The video accomplishes the desired mission, and because it's students (for goodness sake) I find the video to be completely ethical and I post it here with pride. Watch and enjoy. GO DUCKS!




I Smell Roses @ Yahoo! Video

In the event of an emergency, the UO isn’t there: A critique of the UO Conduckt System

At last night’s Duck victory over USC, there were just fewer than 60,000 fans in attendance. Sitting in the student section, alcohol and drugs were to be seen around every corner.

A couple of years ago, the University of Oregon Athletic Department recognized this and implemented the Conduckt System in which students could report an intoxicated or violent student via text messaging.

This was a wonderful idea, as while this behavior bothers most students, few will risk reporting such an individual, as they fear retaliation from that individual’s friends.

This was a brilliant communication method, however the UO Athletic Department failed to recognize several variables. One variable is that this system needs to be properly and frequently communicated to fans. If an incident occurs, a fan should know that number immediately. The second variable is that all wireless providers need to receive strong and consistent coverage at Autzen. The last variable is quick response from Autzen staff.

With “falling over 3 aisles every ten minutes” drunk guy behind me and “I smoke more pot than Dave Matthews” guy in front of me, I texted Conduct and was told that the service was down. The service was down at the rowdiest, most intoxicated game in all my 4 years here as a student. Right when I needed this brilliant communication system, it was down.

Also, where is the number? It's not on the GoDucks.com site and it wasn't announced at the game. There is no point in developing and publicizing an emergency communication system unless it works and works well.

Despite helping Drunken Dan up from his falls and breathing in my jacket to avoid the pot smoke, it was a game and a victory I'll never forget. Once again, as always, it's a privilege to be Duck.