Oregon University System Chancellor Richard Jarvis has resigned effective June 30, the State Board of Higher Education announced late Wednesday afternoon.
Jarvis, who officially began working as the university system’s chancellor in August 2002, decided to resign to allow the board to pursue its new goals.
“They want to go in a new direction, and I think it’s important for them to do that,” he said. “It’s their right.”
After Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski appointed the new board in 2003, Jarvis said he started to think about what role he might play.
“A question arose in my mind,” he said. “Where is this going to go? Would I be the right person (for the job)?”
Jarvis, who was hired by the old board in May 2002, said the current board’s direction differs from the one he was hired to pursue. While both boards hoped to serve students better, they had different ways of going about it, he said. He added that the current board is already taking steps to address key issues, such as the current funding crisis, and he hopes it will find viable solutions.
“We both agree that the mission and role of the System administration through the Chancellor’s Office will change in ways different from the mission that I was hired to advance,” he said of his resignation in an OUS press release.
The board accepted Jarvis’ decision “with regrets,” according to the release. Board President Neil Goldschmidt said the system had benefited greatly from the Jarvis’ contributions.
“He is an outstanding educator whose contributions are well regarded,” Goldschmidt said in the release. He added that Jarvis wants the board to have the freedom to pursue a new direction that best serves “the Governor’s revitalized mission and the board’s initiatives for higher education.”
Kulongoski started revamping the board late last year when he appointed seven new members including Goldschmidt, a former state governor. He also unveiled a new higher education initiative in November that includes objectives such as providing an opportunity for every Oregon citizen to attend a college or university, focusing on programs that create a demand for Oregon graduates, spending state funds on programs that drive economic growth and creating a strategy that allows for reinvestment in higher education.
During Jarvis’ tenure, the system bore the brunt of substantial budget cuts that led to increased tuition rates that were “too often and too high,” Jarvis said. However, he said administrators did their best to mitigate the effects of the financial predicament.
“It could have been worse,” he said.
Jarvis said the disinvestment in education is one of the university system’s biggest underlying challenges. He said it is essential for the state to find ways to reinvest in education and make a promise to provide education to all Oregonians.
“You’ve got to make a commitment and mean it and fund it,” he said.
Melissa Unger, Oregon Student Association organizing director, said OSA really enjoyed working with Jarvis because of his willingness to hear student voices, even if there were differing opinions.
“He was really good about including students on the issues,” she said.
Unger also said she hopes that Jarvis has set a precedent for the new board to allow for active student involvement. She added that Jarvis had the challenging task of being chancellor during harsh economic times.
“He got the system through probably one of the most difficult budget periods ever,” she said.
Jarvis said he wants to stay in the West and find another job in higher education.
“I’m looking around for jobs,” he said. “I’m like a senior.”