University of Oregon President Michael Gottfredson’s contract has been extended one full academic year, following an Oregon State Board of Higher Education meeting this afternoon.
As originally drafted, Gottfredson’s contract ensured his employment from Aug. 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015. At today’s meeting, his term was approved for extension by the Higher Education Board to extend through June 30, 2016 following a suggestion from Interim Oregon University System Chancellor Melody Rose.
According to Higher Education Secretary Charles Triplett, Gottfredson’s contract stipulates his eligibility for extension following a satisfactory performance review after annual presidential evaluation meetings with the system chancellor.
“We’re just following the contract terms,” Triplett explained of board deliberation over Gottfredson’s extension. “This is in his contract and per the board’s normal practice.”
Presidential performance reviews were conducted in July and August of this year. Gottfredson’s contract is the only one being discussed at today’s meeting due solely to the specific timing of his contract and performance review, Triplett explained.
According to OUS spokeswoman Di Saunders, Gottfredson holds high regards within the OUS system.
“It is very well known that President Gottfredson is doing a stellar job and that people are very pleased,” Saunders said. “This is a big transition that he’s managing excellently for the UO.”
The most notable transition spearheaded by the current president is the formation of the UO’s own governing board, independent of the OUS system. Of 14 candidates, 11 board members will be voted on within the coming weeks. Official governance under the new board will begin on July 1, 2014. Following the transition, the new board will be in charge of executive hiring and contract negotiations.
Future regulations concerning executive hiring are still unsure, as the delegation for such decisions will fall to the new board members. Currently, the Higher Education Board is in the process of drafting suggestions for the Independent Governing Boards outlining what the state board has found to be most effective in the traditional hiring process, Triplett said.
Following today’s decision, President Gottfredson expressed his excitement at leading the University for an additional year.
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