University President Dave Frohnmayer urged faculty to work actively to elevate the University to higher academic standards Friday at the State of the University address at the annual University Convocation. Departmental leaders also introduced 40 new and newly tenured faculty members at the ceremony.
“We are blessed with teachers who truly understand the ideal that education makes real,” Frohnmayer said.
The colorful ceremony, which took place in Beall Concert Hall, began with a procession headed by East Asian Languages and Literature Professor Stephen Durrant, carrying in his hand the University mace.
Faculty members in distinguished academic regalia filed in to the accompaniment of lilting melodies by the Oregon Brass Quintet.
Guests included Oregon University System Chancellor Richard Jarvis, state Reps. Vicki Walker and Phil Barnhart, and state Treasurer Randall Edwards.
Frohnmayer said Convocation was one of the times the University could think of institutional renewal.
He also spoke of the challenges the University is facing, including significant cuts to the educational budget. While he couldn’t promise there would be no tuition increases, he said he could promise an increase in the quality of education and the number of classes offered.
Frohnmayer said the new “deal” is one of the ways the University is addressing the needs for quality education — it is a plan to distribute higher education costs among students, legislators and universities.
He said the University had a responsibility to the state to provide quality education to maintain the school’s high standards.
“Now is our time, now is our moment, the moment to know what we are and what we are here for — to know our purpose,” Frohnmayer said.
ASUO President Rachel Pilliod said ASUO has been working with the president on the new deal.
“I think the commitment to quality education is an ideal we all share as students and faculty,” Pilliod said.
Apart from calls for quality education, there were also demands for community engagement in and outside the campus.
Representing classified staff, Carla McNelly, the executive member of the local Service Employees International Union, said she was sometimes a little disturbed by a lack of respect for others on campus.
“Say hello to the grounds crew or the folks that prepare meals in the residence hall,” McNelly said. “Say hello to the people in the office and know their names. Pick up after yourself.”
The ceremony ended with the introduction of new faculty members.
“It was fun for me,” said Melissa Redford, a new assistant professor in linguistics. “I’m a new faculty; it was sort of a nice official entrance to the University.”
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