The University of Oregon Board of Trustees had  a hefty agenda at its September 11 public meeting.

One notable change since its June meeting, is Gottfredson’s absence which hasn’t gone unnoticed. Interim President Scott Coltrane should be prepared for the long haul, according to Board Chair Chuck Lillis, who emphasized that recruiting a new president will be a long process.

“We have to search until we get the candidate that we want,” said Lillis. “Hunt until you’e happy with who you’re going to get.”

That hunting will be the task of the presidential factors committee charged with assuring the success of the president. Lillis indicated the importance of having a small committee actively recruiting as some presidential candidates may be unable to publicly participate. The selection topic drew criticism and discussion from members of the board and audience.

During the public forum groups such the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation expressed interest in helping to select presidential candidates. Board member and TV journalist Ann Curry asked if the board intended to include such student voices.

“Should we make space for any of these groups that we’ve heard from?” Curry said. “Especially given their contribution to the university.”

Lillis insisted that the board will ultimately approve candidates and that there will be broad representation from across the university. Members of the committee have not been officially selected, but a potential list of members was released during the meeting.

Another heavy topic was potential revision to the student conduct code.

UO Law School professor, John E. Bonine, made an impassioned statement regarding potential changes to the student conduct code.

18 minutes before the meeting began, Bonine discovered a proposed shift that would remove “the University Senate and the President entirely from the process of adopting a Student Conduct Code,” Bonine said during the public forum.