Last meetings of first year of independent governance coming up June 3-5

Members of the UO Board of Trustees will convene this week from June 3-5 for their last meeting in this first full year of autonomous governance of the University of Oregon.  Three of the board’s standing committees will meet on June 3, and the full board will meet June 4-5.

In addition to standing reports and reports on current university initiatives, the agendas for the June meetings includes presentations from the School of Architecture and Allied Arts and the natural sciences portion of the College of Arts and Sciences.  The board will also meet in a closed executive session to receive an update on current collective bargaining.   

“I am very happy with the progress that that Board and the University have made this year as an independently-governed institution to support academic excellence,” said board Chair Chuck Lillis. “The past year has been a tremendous growth and learning opportunity.  We look forward to the coming years, and making great strides for the UO’s future.”

This past year the board successfully navigated the transition to independent governance, approved a process for assimilating and reviewing inherited policies, authorized the university to purchase bonds, and appointed a new university president after managing a successful search.

“I am proud of the work this board has done over the past year,” Lillis said. “The members of the board are dedicated and thoughtful individuals who care deeply about the direction of this university. This is such a unique and exciting time in the history of the UO, and I believe the board and the campus community have an opportunity to blaze a path forward together.”

During the two-day meeting of the full board, trustees also will review and take action on any items forwarded by three committees during meetings held June 3. Among the issues the committees will consider are proposed resolutions on the student conduct code, the proposed adoption of three new degree programs, a new capital project, and a temporary budget for the next fiscal year.

Given the many unknown factors that will affect the university’s budget, the Finance and Facilities Committee will consider a resolution authorizing expenditure limits for the 2016 fiscal year at levels equal to this year’s budget. In that circumstance, final action on the 2016 budget would be taken at the September board meeting, when issues such as state budget allocations and potential collective bargaining outcomes may be concluded.

Full agendas and committee materials are posted on the board’s website.