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Board of Higher Education terminates contract of UO President

PORTLAND, November 28, 2011 – The State Board of Higher Education (the “Board”) met today in a special meeting and voted unanimously to terminate without cause the contract of University of Oregon (UO) president Richard Lariviere. Dr. Lariviere will remain as UO president through December 28, 2011 based on provisions of his current contract.  

Board president Matthew Donegan said, “Today’s vote regarding Dr. Lariviere’s contract has been preceded by many efforts by the Board and the Chancellor to avoid having to take the path of contract termination. This is a personnel action and has nothing to do with policy positions or conflicting visions for the future of the University of Oregon. On the contrary, the Board encourages bold ideas and innovation, particularly those consonant with Governor Kitzhaber’s educational reform agenda and the state’s ambitious 40-40-20 educational attainment goals. This was an issue of lack of communication and eroded trust.”

OUS chancellor George Pernsteiner said at the meeting that the Board would be convening soon to discuss appointment of an interim president for the University of Oregon.

Jill Eiland, vice president of the State Board of Higher Education said, “This was a fair and respectful process, and we appreciate the outpouring of support for the University of Oregon that we have received over the past several days. It is imperative that we move beyond the emotion of today and roll up our collective sleeves to further the educational opportunities Oregon students want and need to succeed in the global economy.  We are poised to do great things for Oregon if we work together.”

The Oregon University System comprises seven distinguished public universities and one branch campus, reaching more than one million people each year through on-campus classes, statewide public services and lifelong learning. The Oregon State Board of Higher Education, the statutory governing board of OUS, is composed of twelve members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon State Senate. For additional information, go to www.ous.edu.

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