• As the University of Oregon hosted the US Olympic Team Trials in track and field earlier this month, I passed the one year mark of my presidency. What a thrill to welcome some of the world’s greatest athletes to campus, to shake the hand of recent UO graduate Jenna Prandini as she left the track, and place a medal around UO student Devon Allen’s neck. I was thoroughly impressed with the caliber of the competition, the enthusiasm of the fans (including many of our alumni, faculty, and staff) and the way in which members of our campus hosted our guests.
• Over the last few years, as the University of Oregon weathered some tumultuous times, Scott Coltrane has stepped up time and time again to provide clear vision, strategic leadership, and a welcome sense of calm. He has worn nearly every academic leadership hat there is at the UO—dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, interim provost, provost, and interim president. The university community owes Scott a tremendous debt of gratitude for all that he has achieved since arriving on campus in 2008.
• Over the past few weeks we have announced the appointments of a new vice president for research and three deans—an unprecedented series of leadership hires that are critical for the University of Oregon’s future and ability to achieve excellence. I want to extend my deepest thanks to Brook Muller, Julianne Newton, and Brad Shelton, all of whom stepped up to serve their units and schools with enormous distinction. Our whole university owes them a tremendous debt of gratitude.
• We are pleased to share with you the attached draft of the IDEAL Framework: A Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This document represents more than two years of work by the university, and encompasses efforts of the University-wide Diversity Committee and the Division of Equity and Inclusion.
• One of the hallmarks of a great university is that it does not shy away from tough questions or difficult topics, be they cultural, theoretical, or scientific. Rather, a great university embraces challenges and applies intellectual, academic, and research rigor to delivering solutions that move the community, the nation, and the world forward to make it bette
• I would like to share more about our vision for the university as well as the priorities, strategies, and foundational needs to achieve excellence. I invite you to join me for a campus conversation on April 12 at noon in the Giustina Ballroom at the Ford Alumni Center. Please note the new time and location. I will provide an update on our strategic direction and answer your questions.
• The following message was sent by Vice President for Student Life Robin Holmes, Assistant Vice President and Title IX Coordinator Darci Heroy, and Director of Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity and Deputy Title IX Officer Penny Daugherty regarding employee reporting responsibilities.
• Pursuant to university policy, I have received the recommendations of the Tuition and Fee Advisory Board. The number one priority for our university is to achieve excellence in teaching and research, and I believe that this tuition plan, as part of our overall strategic budget, is necessary to enable us to achieve those goals.
