Provost highlights include leadership retreat, new hires

The transition plan for new University of Oregon President Michael Gottfredson was discussed during a July 24 Leadership Retreat, Provost Jim Bean said, in an Aug. 3 message to the campus community.

In other recent messages to faculty and staff, Bean elaborated on the retreat and recognized new hires.

The July 24 retreat was extremely well attended, with 77 faculty, staff, student, alumni association and UO foundation leaders forging priorities for the coming year, Bean said.

The transition plan for President Gottfredson headed the agenda and the priority identified was for him to quickly immerse himself in UO culture and become known around campus. Participants also agreed that infrastructure issues related to the larger student body must be addressed, Bean said.

There was also discussion of academic priorities for the development campaign and a presentation on technologically enhanced education. Themes picked to best represent the UO for the campaign included “civic and social engagement” and “sustainability/environment.”

“We will continue to develop ideas for final approval by President Gottfredson,” Bean said.

Important hires include Dr. Melissa Woo, who will begin in September as CIO and Vice-Provost for Information Services, and the appointment of Margaret Mahoney as Assistant Vice President for Academic Administration, replacing Beverlee Stilwell and starting Aug. 15, Bean said.

Two deans returning to the faculty a year from now include David Frank of the Clark Honors College and Tim Gleason, School of Journalism and Communication. School of Music and Dance Dean Brad Foley is chairing the search committee for the new SOJC dean and that search is under way, Bean said.

The search to replace Frank will be postponed until Bean can meet with Honors College faculty in the fall to discuss future directions and priorities for the college.