The University’s inaugural governing board has its appointees.
Governor Kitzhaber has named 14 members to the table, who will take the reigns from the Oregon University System in the basic operations of the University of Oregon if confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Their duties will consist of adjusting tuition, presiding over the hiring and firing of the University president and managing construction efforts around campus.
The board is headlined by Allyn Ford, former Chairman of the Oregon University System and CEO of Roseburg Forest Products, as well as former NBC news anchor and Oregon alumnus Ann Curry. ASUO President Sam Dotters-Katz fulfills the sole student position on the board.
University President Gottfredson was optimistic this afternoon regarding the appointees. “I could not be more pleased with the governor’s appointments to the University of Oregon’s new board of trustees,” the president said in a statement. “I am deeply appreciative of the thoughtfulness and confidence demonstrated in his choices, and of the commitment this distinguished group of individuals is making to the future of our university. We will all benefit from their talents, insight, and expertise as we work together to enhance and improve how we deliver on the promise of our public mission.”
The goal in establishing an independent board has been two-fold. In the face of dwindling state support, which has to triage other programs like k-12 education, public employee pensions and prisons for state funding over higher education, the university wants to put the brakes on tuition, and therefor increase availability for prospective students.
An increase in private donations to the University is also an expected byproduct of the board. In the past, the Oregon University System has been free to splice the donations among the state’s seven public universities, disconcerting donors who wanted complete say over where their money would go. Now they should have that ability.
Update: According to Gottfredson, the UO faculty’s response has been “outstanding.” “Everybody’s excited,” Gottfredson told the Emerald in a phone interview, “It’s a great day for the university. ”
The board members still need to be confirmed by the Senate, which should happen next month, and with many details remaining to be ironed out there won’t be an agenda to speak of for some time. Gottfredson believes the recommended members will provide a more focused approach to the operations than the distant Oregon University System, who will remain in charge until the board becomes operational in July 2014. He also estimates that the board will meet between 4 and 8 times per year.
“[The board will] understand the nature and the financial structure of the university,” he said. “Just knowing how we’re budgeted, how we operate, in a fairly detailed way can be very helpful.”
The formation of the board won’t divorce the UO from the state entirely, some state support is expected to keep trickling in, but Gottfredson is hopeful that outside contributions will also pump up the university bank account.
“As a public university, we expect to continue to get resources from the state to support education. Our board will be helpful in that way, and in articulating how important it is for the community at large to support the university. As we move to refinance the university in this new era where we want to decrease the burden on our students and their families.”
Peter Bragdon, a Columbia Sportswear executive named to the board, is also excited by the opportunity.
“I’m very proud to be nominated for and I’m hoping this is a great opportunity for the university,” Bragdon told the Emerald in a phone interview. “For myself the priority will always be on students, creating opportunities for students and increasing affordability and access. The starting point is always thinking about what’s best for the students.”
Here’s the full list of board members, all are voting members:
Allyn Ford from Roseburg, Ore. is a member at large — Term ends June 30, 2017
Andrew Colas of Portland, Ore. is a member at large — Term ends June 30, 2017
Ann Curry of New York, N.Y. is a member at large — Term ends June 30, 2015
Chuck Lillis of Castle Rock, Colo. is a member at large — Term ends June 30, 2017
Connie Ballmer of Bellevue, Wash. is a member at large — Term ends June 30, 2015
Ginevra Ralph of Eugene, Ore. is a member at large — Term ends June 30, 2015
Joseph Gonyea III of Springfield, Ore. is a member at large — Term ends June 30, 2017
Mary Wilcox of Portland, Ore. is a member at large — Term ends June 30, 2015
Peter Bragdon of Portland, Ore. is a member at large — Term ends June 30, 2017
Ross Kari of Sisters, Ore. is a member at large — Term ends June 30, 2015
Rudy Chapa of Portland, Ore. is a member at large — Term ends June 30, 2017
Sam Dotters-Katz of Eugene, Ore. is a university student — Term ends June 30, 2015
Susan Gary of Eugene, Ore. is a university faculty member — Term ends June 30, 2015
Kurt Willcox of Eugene, Ore. is a university faculty member — Term ends June 30, 2015