In an email to students, staff and faculty Tuesday night, University President Richard Lariviere said that the State Board of Higher Education would not be renewing his employment contract, which is set to expire July 1, 2012.
“This turn of events is a result of the ongoing difference of opinion over the future of the UO,” Lariviere said in his email. “But meaningful change often turns on uncomfortable moments, and it is my hope that I will be leaving the university well-positioned to take advantage of ongoing reforms to our state’s system of public universities.”
Lariviere announced Wednesday afternoon that, although he has been given the option to resign, he intends to remain at the University until the end of his contract.
“I have been heartened by the outpouring of support I have received for the work we are doing to re-imagine public higher education in Oregon,” Lariviere said.
His tenure as president included many tense disagreements with Gov. Ted Kulongoski and the Board of Higher Education, centered around Lariviere proposing the New Partnership Plan, increasing University overtime costs by 30 percent and distributing faculty raises amid tough economic times.
Lariviere seemed to have received a warning last July, when his contract was only renewed for a year.
“I think it’s fair to say that the contract grew out of dissatisfaction with the New Partnership effort,” Lariviere said in a September interview with the Emerald.
At the time, he wasn’t concerned: “It was unfortunate the way it was handled, I think. But it is what it is, and I don’t think it’s going to be much consequence going forward.”
The decision to let Lariviere go came just five months after his contract renewal. He was given the choice of resigning or having his contract terminated, a choice which he said he has not made yet.
Here is the complete text of Lariviere’s letter to the University community:
Dear Faculty, Staff and Students:
I received news on Monday in a meeting with the chair of the State Board of Higher Education that my contract as president of the University of Oregon will not be renewed. I was told I could resign or accept the termination of my contract, which runs through July 1, 2012, and I am weighing those options at this time.
This turn of events is a result of the ongoing difference of opinion over the future of the UO. But meaningful change often turns on uncomfortable moments, and it is my hope that I will be leaving the university well-positioned to take advantage of ongoing reforms to our state’s system of public universities.
Since becoming the UO’s 16th president in July 2009, my focus has been on enhancing the education of our students at Oregon’s flagship public university. I have sought to do this by focusing on our critical public mission and tapping the brilliance and innovation that resides here among our faculty, staff and students.
The UO has had a leading voice in public discussions that resulted in this year’s legislative overhaul to the structure of Oregon’s entire educational system – from early childhood education through post-doctoral studies. Our bold ideas have led to the promise of additional changes in the not-too-distant future, including eventual consideration of our proposal for individual universities to form local governing boards.
But our primary mission has been to provide educational opportunity and academic excellence, and you have taken both to new heights. Enrollment is at an all-time high this year, topping last year’s record enrollment. Much has been made of our ability to attract out-of-state and international students, but we are also educating more Oregon students than ever before. This year’s freshman class is the most diverse and has the highest grade point average of any incoming class in UO history, and we have raised freshman-to-sophomore retention to a new level.
We are what great students look for in a university. We are different, and embrace difference. We have brilliant, dedicated faculty, cutting-edge research, and award-winning programs. Through careful financial stewardship we were able to give well-earned salary increases to faculty and staff. The UO’s research grant funding is setting records as well.
Even though the past 2 ½ years have been difficult economic times for our entire country, we have generated a quarter of a billion dollars in private gifts at the UO and we have half a billion dollars in ongoing construction projects.
One of my proudest accomplishments is the concerted advocacy for public policy, governance and funding changes to strengthen the university and the entire state. I remain hopeful that honest debate and the exploration of new ideas – whether academic or political – will be celebrated and encouraged.
I wanted you to hear this news from me personally, not read about it elsewhere. I encourage all of you to channel your energy into advancing the momentum we have built together. Thank you for the great work you do. I am intensely proud to be your colleague.
Sincerely,
Richard Lariviere
