Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.
Orval Etter is a former professor at the University of Oregon who founded the Pacifica Forum in 1994. He was a professor of planning, public policy and management, a pacifist who was a conscientious objector during World War II. The Pacifica Forum is a controversial discussion group in Eugene, Oregon whose purpose is to provide information and perspective on issues of war and peace. It has been listed as a white nationalist hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Etter also founded both the Emerald Chamber Players and the Eugene Symphony Orchestra. Etter was also an active member in the Fellowship of Reconciliation; he was a regional secretary for the Fellowship of Reconciliation from 1946 to 1957.
Series I is on the Fellowship of Reconciliation including several articles, some by Etter, annual reports, newspaper clippings, letters to the editor, and newsletters. This series is arranged into subject files.
Series II, Pacifica Forum, is primarily information on research subjects and is arranged into subject files. The information is primarily in the format of web articles sent in emails and subjects include WWII, Judaism and Anti-Semitism, Global Politics, Lane County and more. There are also newspaper clippings, correspondence, forum meeting information, and articles written by Etter.
Series III consists of documents on trucking and public transportation.
Series IV: Emerald Chamber Players Papers is organized by subject. The material covers schedules, correspondence, financial documents, photos of Etter and information on concerts.
Series V contains Subject Files covers a wide variety of research and subjects organized alphabetically by subject. Some subjects covered are the California Borough Proposals, Health, papers written by Etter on government structure, pacifism, and taxes. There is also some information on Home Rule, but more can be found in Series VI.
Series VI is devoted to Home Rule Research and Work. For the most part it is organized by county; counties include Linn, Lane, Washington, Multnomah, Yamhill and more. There are also articles pertaining to Home Rule, newspaper clippings and information on County Charter Commission, Central Lane Metropolitan Commission and the Willamette River Greenway System. More information on Home Rule can be found in Series V.