University presidential finalist Michael Gottfredson met with press this afternoon in the Ford Alumni Center to discuss issues including institutional boards, lack of state funding for higher education, tuition increases and various other topics.
Before talking to reporters, he admired the building’s impressive lobby while meeting with student leaders, such as former ASUO president Ben Eckstein and former ASUO member Maneesh Arora. Gottfredson was announced as the only University presidential finalist in an email @@checked@@Monday morning.
Should he be approved by the Oregon State Board of Higher Education in a vote this Friday, Gottfredson said he would like to work closely with other Oregon universities and universities outside the state to find solutions to continued disinvestment in higher education.@@well, at least he is willing to look outside of the box, so to speak@@ He also discussed the need to make college more affordable while also maintaining quality.
“We need to find the right balance between institutional authority and the (state) system,” he said. He went on to say that the University needs to discover new ways to increase public funding — but didn’t give specific examples of what he would do if appointed University president.
“We won’t hesitate. We won’t falter and won’t take a back seat with respect to our commitment to public higher education and the access and affordability to the institution,” he said. “We’ll find a way.”
He also answered questions on the board’s decision to fire then-University president Richard Lariviere in late November.
“I think ultimately any real governing board does hire and fire,” he said.
Gottfredson will speak at a public forum at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in Lillis Business Complex.
More information to come.