Board of Trustees members meet with academic leadership

Three members of the Board of Trustees of the University of Oregon met with UO leadership and the Office of Academic Affairs on campus Tuesday, July 29, to learn more about the university’s academic policies and procedures.

Academic and Student Affairs Committee Chair Mary Wilcox, Academic and Student Affairs Committee member Rudy Chapa and Board Vice Chair Ginevra Ralph spent the day learning more about academic analytics, accreditation, evaluation of faculty for hiring and promotion, external program review metrics and processes, and the College of Arts and Sciences resources and evaluation processes.

“We were pleased to host three members of the UO Board of Trustees on Tuesday for a series of informational sessions focusing on how we ensure academic excellence at the university,” said Senior Vice President and Provost Scott Coltrane. “These sessions will prepare them for the work of the new board as they assume responsibility for approving programs and helping us set goals for future success.”

Among the university leadership the Trustees met with were Coltrane, Interim Vice President of Research Brad Shelton, College of Arts and Sciences Interim Dean Andrew Marcus, Institutional Research Director JP Monroe, Associate Vice Provost Ken Doxsee, Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Ruth Keele and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies Ian McNeely.

“The programs and activities that take place at a comprehensive research university like the UO are complex, and it is incumbent upon us as Trustees to understand how the school measures and evaluates the success of those operations,” said Wilcox.  “It is encouraging to see so many academic leaders committed to the ongoing improvement of how we educate and train students, attract and develop cutting-edge research, and recruit and retain quality faculty.”

The Board of Trustees of the University of Oregon assumed responsibility for the university’s governance from the Oregon University System on July 1. Trustees are using opportunities like this to gain valuable knowledge on ways to help expand the UO’s academic achievement and research activity.

By Melissa Foley, Public Affairs Communication