**The following message was sent on behalf of Greg Stripp, R. Kevin Marbury, and Jamie Moffitt to academic and administrative leadership**

January 13, 2020

Dear Academic and Administrative Leaders,

In October the University of Oregon announced that Darci Heroy, Associate Vice President, Chief Civil Rights Officer, and Title IX Coordinator, would be stepping down. The university has launched a national search for Darci’s replacement and those search efforts are ongoing. The search committee is beginning to review candidates this month; the process will include broad campus input and participation.

In order to ensure operational continuity for this important role, Darci has agreed to maintain critical functions throughout the search process, while also delegating functions such as routine office-related issues and general investigation oversight, in order to allow her to begin her transition out of the university. Effective January 1, 2020, and throughout the search process, Darci will continue to be the University Title IX Coordinator and Civil Rights Officer and will retain ultimate decision-making authority on Title IX matters requiring the coordinator’s decision. Darci will also remain available to consult with and, as needed, decide other significant investigative issues that come before the office. 

Darci’s other day-to-day functions will be performed by OICRC staff with management and oversight by Mark Schmelz, Chief Human Resources Officer and Associate Vice President. His depth of experience in employee relations coupled with his HR management experience overseeing a similar function in a university setting will position him well to provide guidance and leadership during this transition period. As head of the search committee for our next Associate Vice President, Chief Civil Rights Officer, and Title IX Coordinator, Mark is excited to assist with coverage in the interim and to ensure a smooth transition of these duties to the new Title IX Coordinator upon hire.  

Darci will remain available by email at titleixcoordinator@uoregon.edu. Information about reporting and support related to harassment and discrimination is available at investigations.uoregon.edu. 

Greg Stripp
Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor, Office of the President

R. Kevin Marbury
Vice President for Student Life

Jamie Moffitt
Vice President for Finance and Administration and CFO