Provost Linda Brady rescinded the decision to dismiss two Office of International Affairs directors Wednesday. Kathy Poole, director of Study Abroad Programs and Magid Shirzadegan, director of International Student and Scholar Services were reinstated and will resume their previous jobs immediately.
Brady acknowledged to Shirzadegan personally and in a memorandum to the University community “the earlier decisions were based on an incomplete understanding of the circumstances.” Although the exact circumstances remain unclear because the report obtained by the Emerald was redacted to protect the privacy of the people involved, Brady said the thoroughly considered issues contributing to the decision arose at least six months prior to the dismissals and she was unaware the information was inaccurate.
Shirzadegan has maintained a positive outlook throughout this “crisis,” and still insists the administration simply made a mistake, as everyone does at times.

“I think that is a testament to the University of Oregon that they learn from their mistakes and undo what has been done wrong,” Shirzadegan said. “Having the courage to come and say publicly, ‘I made a mistake,’ it takes a lot to do that.”
Despite the fact that he still doesn’t know why he and Poole were dismissed – he was not consulted before the dismissal and never received an explanation – Shirzadegan still adores the University. But resting on the outcome of the second managerial report may be the remaining length of his stay. The report was put together by Special Assistant to the President and Provost Lorraine Davis upon Brady’s request.
Brady requested two reports Feb. 5: one reviewing her timely notice decision and one reviewing the overall management of the Office of International Affairs. Davis delivered the timely notice report on the Feb. 25 deadline, and the second report is due March 14.
Following the protocol set by Brady, Davis interviewed all International Affairs staff and considered self-evaluations, responses and explanations from Poole, Shirzadegan and Zhang – all three of whom she met with on multiple occasions.
Shirzadegan, a soft-spoken Iranian, said it was difficult to normally go about his business with the knowledge that his contract would end in a year. It’s been 15 years since Shirzadegan started working at the University.
“Generally I think I’m not going to make any decisions … until I know more information about the management of International Affairs,” he said. “My hope is that I live here forever.”
He expressed a sentiment that several students and alumni have vocalized: To him, it’s more than a job. It’s about personal relationships, which is why the outpouring of support from students, alumni, faculty and staff – particularly within International Affairs – is the reason why he was able to make it through this past month.
“We would not be able to continue coming to work if it weren’t for all the support we received,” Shirzadegan said.
“It helps to put things in perspective to stay positive,” he said. “What does losing a job or my career compare to losing a life in my own country or neighboring countries?”
Kellen Wertz, founder of the Student Coalition for Transparency, an organization that has been informing the campus community about the situation within the Office of International Affairs at events such as Take Back Campus and the ISA Coffee Hour, said the reinstatement decision is “amazing.”
“I think it just goes to show the power that students have to sort of influence and create change on campus,” said Wertz. “We did something really powerful.”
But the coalition’s work is not yet finished. There are still many complex issues to be resolved, and Wertz said he wants to be sure the second report is comprehensive and thorough.
“I hope that the report accurately depicts the management situation since Dr. Zhang has taken over the reins,” said Wertz. “I’m sure that it will be (accurate) because Dr. Davis has proven herself to be really diligent and conscientious in her efforts.”
Pema Chhophyel, the alumnus who initiated the worldwide protest, was overcome with joy when he heard the news.
“I’m just dancing,” he said. “There is definitely music in my heart … It’s something that we took very seriously.”
There are a number of reasons why the details surrounding the series of events within International Affairs are still, for the most part, unclear.
First, the report contained substantial information that would be placed in their personnel records, which contain private details. Both Poole and Vice Provost of International Affairs and Outreach Chunsheng Zhang did not sign off on the full release of the report. Thus, large portions of it were redacted.
Second, because an action “for cause” is not required in cases of timely notice, it is likely that the circumstances and precise causes of dismissal will remain fuzzy at least until the follow-up report is released later this month, if not longer.
Brady made the decision after reviewing the report she asked Davis to prepare. Davis made five key recommendations in her report, and Brady responded to said recommendations in a memo to the University community. The report and corresponding documents are posted on the Provost’s Web site.
“This is the first time that I have reversed a decision here, but indeed I have reconsidered decisions in previous roles,” said Brady in a telephone interview. “And I think it is always important to be open to reconsideration of a decision.”
Chhophyel said reversing the dismissals is a wise decision not only because Shirzadegan and Poole are exceptional people who are good at what they do, but it will help rebuild trust between the administration and International Affairs. Still, the harm that’s been done to the two directors is irreversible, and further investigation is necessary, he said.
“We are very happy but the truth of the matter is still it is all about the management, and we hope that there will be a proper investigation again and to make sure something like this does not happen,” said Chhophyel. “By carrying this investigation I think so far whatever steps the U of O administration has taken, that also boosts its credibility. If students can’t trust them, then that’s very sad.”
The Student Coalition for Transparency will continue to follow the progress within International Affairs and make its collective voice heard.
“It also makes me really proud to be able to help in making a change that is better for the University and for International Affairs on campus,” Wertz said. “(I am) glad that I could do something to help Magid and Kathy because they’ve helped me a lot, whether they know it or not.”
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