University of Oregon Board of Trustees selects new president, approves tuition
The University of Oregon Board of Trustees took action on numerous items at its quarterly meeting March 13-14 at the Ford Alumni Center, including the hiring of John Karl Scholz as the university’s next president beginning July 1 and approving tuition and fee rates for the upcoming academic year.
The board took action on the following agenda items:
The trustees’ first order of business was taking action on the presidential search. In a unanimous vote, the board appointed John Karl Scholz as the university’s 19th president. Scholz is currently provost at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a position he’s held for six years.
Patrick Phillips, who served as interim president since August has chosen to return to the faculty and lead his biology lab. The board appointed Jamie Moffitt, senior vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer, as interim president until Scholz arrives July 1. Janet Woodruff-Borden remains interim provost and executive vice president and will oversee academic matters.
Trustees approved the tuition and fee recommendations for the upcoming academic year. The recommendations include a 4 percent increase in tuition rates for Oregon residents and a 3.8 percent increase for nonresident students. The new rates, which apply to incoming freshmen and transfer undergraduate students, are locked for five years for those students.
Board members also approved the proposed rate increases for graduate programs. Those increases range from no increase to 5 percent, depending on the program.
Trustees authorized committing an additional $10 million for the large-scale deferred maintenance project on University and Villard halls. The funds will allow the completion of design and preliminary support work. Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2023 with completion during summer 2025. The project entails updating mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems and seismically stabilizing the buildings.
Trustees approved a new a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in popular music in the School of Music and Dance.
The board also voted to approve a new Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity based in the Department of Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Trustees also approved to contract for group paid family and medical leave Insurance with the Standard Insurance Co.
During information sessions, board members also learned about the latest developments at the School of Law from Dean Marcilynn Burke; received an update on focused efforts to support, engage and develop university faculty and leaders; were given a review of current state affairs matters; and heard a presentation on the Associated Students of the University of Oregon’s fee-setting process.