President announces plan to convert all OARs into UO policies

As part of the shift to the university’s new governance structure under the Board of Trustees, President Gottfredson announced a plan to convert all the UO administrative rules (OARs), now under the umbrella of the Oregon University System, into UO policies. Gottfredson said in an email to campus that transferring the rules, exactly as written, will prevent them from being locked into law, where they can’t be updated unless the legislature acts.

“That action will give our campus community and the board the flexibility and the time to review carefully each of the policies,” said President Gottfredson.

Gottfredson plans to establish a policy review advisory group that will carefully review all of the policies and make recommendations about whether they updated, modified, rescinded, or remain unchanged.

The president explained he was required to act this week in order to meet legislative notice deadlines.

There are 179 OARs in 30 broad categories including rule making, parking, students records, grievances, and fund raising. People can provide input on the policies on June 17 at 3:00 p.m. in 150 Columbia Hall, or in writing to the Office of the President. More information about the policies is posted on the Board of Trustee’s website