University Senate met Wednesday to discuss pressing issues that included an update on the presidential search from Oregon University System Chancellor George Pernsteiner@@http://www.ous.edu/news_and_information/bios/pernsteiner.php@@, and a motion to add another student member to the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee.
Pernsteiner gave a brief presentation to the Senate, updating them on the status of the search for a new University president. He said that the pool of candidates is quickly growing and there are many well-qualified applicants under consideration.
“We will be beginning to review the files of those who either have been put forward or have put themselves forward to be president of the University,” Pernsteiner said. “At this point nobody has narrowed it down at all, so we are eager to see the process move ahead.”
Pernsteiner explained that the advisory review committee, the committee charged with bringing forth faculty, staff and student concerns to the search process, met for the first time Wednesday morning. This committee will look at each candidate with special attention to educational background and commitment to academic quality.
“We’ve said all along that we want the right president, not just one we can hire on time,” Pernsteiner said.
He said that the search will remain open to more applicants up until the final stages of selection, but anyone thinking about applying or anyone who has a nomination in mind should do so within the next week.
Other business the Senate attended to was a motion from economics professor Glen Waddell@@http://directory.uoregon.edu/telecom/directory.jsp?p=findpeople%2Ffind_results&m=staff&d=person&b=name&s=Glen+Waddell@@ to add an extra student position to the IAC. This would raise the number of student representatives from five to six: five appointed by the ASUO, and one varsity athlete.
Waddell explained that student representation is an integral part of the IAC due to increased pressure in recent years for the athletic department to make an annual financial contribution back to academics.
Both ASUO President Ben Eckstein and ASUO Sen. Emma Newman@@http://directory.uoregon.edu/telecom/directory.jsp?p=findpeople%2Ffind_results&m=student&d=person&b=name&s=Emma+Newman@@ support the addition of an extra student position to the IAC.
“I strongly support the change,” Eckstein said. “It’s good for students and it’s good for the IAC.”
The motion that was discussed thoroughly before an amendment for the IAC to report back in May was added. It was then motioned to go to the Senate Committee on Committees@@http://committees.uoregon.edu/node/371@@ for further review before it will be brought back before the Senate for final approval.