Trustees to hear about impacts of COVID-19 at fall meeting

The University of Oregon Board of Trustees will learn more about COVID-19 impacts and operational planning at its next regular meeting Sept. 10, which will be conducted remotely to adhere to current physical distancing health guidance.

The meeting will begin with standing reports from the Associated Students of the University of Oregon and University Senate presidents, as well as from President Michael Schill and Provost Patrick Phillips. Then, Andre LeDuc, associate vice president and chief resilience officer, will lead a discussion about the latest COVID-19 updates and operational plans.

Trustees also will discuss university finances with Jamie Moffitt, vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer. This discussion will look at both the institution’s education and general funds and key auxiliary budgets, which face potentially large impacts due to COVID-19.

Trustees also will hear updates on efforts related to the health, welfare and success of UO students. Kris Winter, associate vice president and dean of students, and Jim Brooks, associate vice president and director of financial aid, will discuss Student Crisis Fund support and awards, and Winter, along with University Health Services Director Deb Beck and University Counseling Center Director Shelley Kerr, will talk about current issues and trends relative to student mental health.

Also, Doneka Scott, vice provost for undergraduate education and student success, will provide a semiannual report on student success initiatives, joined by Yvette Alex-Assensoh, vice president for equity and inclusion, and Sung-Woo Cho, a research assistant professor in the College of Education.

In the afternoon, trustees will discuss the UO Police Department with Matt Carmichael, chief of police. This discussion will cover a variety of topics pertaining to UOPD, such as the department’s policing philosophy, practices it does and does not employ, community relationships and the department’s funding and budget.Finally, board Chair Chuck Lillis will provide a summary report of the annual performance evaluation for the president.

The meeting, which begins at 8:30 a.m., will be held remotely with a livestream and telephone line available for public access. The livestream link and teleconference information will be available on the board website. Meeting materials are available online as well.

Individuals wishing to provide public comment to the oard of trustees may do so in writing via trustees@uoregon.edu. All comments will be shared with members of the board, but to ensure comments are provided to trustees in advance of the meeting, they must be received by 5 p.m. Sept. 9.

While public comment for the Sept. 10 meeting is being gathered in written form only, trustees are planning office hours and listening sessions for the fall term to provide the campus community an opportunity for direct engagement. More information will be announced as details are set.