Board of Trustees faces loaded agenda in its September meeting

From a search for a new president to changes in the student conduct code, the upcoming meeting of the Board of Trustees of the University of Oregon will cover a full menu of university business.

The meeting, which includes several committee meetings, will play out mostly over three days, Wednesday through Friday, Sept. 10-12. On Saturday, board members are invited to attend the UO home football game against Wyoming at Autzen Stadium.

The full board meetings will begin at 8:30 a.m. Thursday and Friday in the Guistina Ballroom of the Ford Alumni Center, while committee meetings are set for Wednesday in the center’s Room 403. Board members also will tour athletic and research facilities.

A short board meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the Vista Room at the Eugene Hilton to discuss future steps. A full board and committee meeting schedule is available here.

Leading the board’s chore list is the search for a new permanent president. The full board will tackle the issue as one of the first items on its Thursday agenda.

Following that, the board will hear from its committees, including the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, led by board member Mary Wilcox. The committee will review proposed changes to the UO Student Conduct Code on Wednesday and forward recommendations to the full board, which will consider action at its Thursday meeting.

Another panel, the Finance and Facilities Committee, is considering leases for space in two buildings, 1600 Millrace Drive in Eugene and a new building to be constructed adjacent to existing UO programs in Portland’s White Stag block.

The UO proposes leasing 11,500 square feet on the ground floor of the new Portland building to house the Oregon Executive MBA program, which will move from its current location in the 200 Market Building in downtown Portland. The additional space will provide room for the product design and sports product management programs in addition to OEMBA.

The new building will be on NW Naito Parkway between NW Couch and NW Davis streets.

The UO Foundation recently purchased the Millrace Drive building, which is part of the Riverfront Research Park. The space is being leased back to the university for research uses by the UO and private businesses.

Other matters to come before the board will include reports from interim UO President Scott Coltrane and acting Provost Frances Bronet, review of various policies, an overview of the Clark Honors College and a discussion of the UO’s competitive excellence and student access and success.

Board members will gather for a social event at the McMorran House at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

―By Greg Bolt, Public Affairs Communications