Archived Student Email Logs 2020-2021

Dear Students,

Good evening. We received feedback that some members of the OSU-Cascades community did not receive information regarding today’s listening sessions with enough notice to participate, so we have extended the deadline for the survey to noon tomorrow, April 27: https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cvy7rY14hhNJZ9s

If you have not provided input to Acting President Feser directly, or to me, please complete the survey. Your input is most welcome.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Gigi

Gigi Bruce  |  Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President

Oregon State University  |  541.737.8414 Office  |  541.230.0873 Mobile

Help support OSU students affected by Covid-19 at Beavers Care

Dear OSU-Cascades Students:

I have undertaken a series of conversations with individuals and groups in Bend, Corvallis, and externally to discuss leadership for OSU-Cascades, with the goal of appointing someone to start as Interim Vice President on May 1.

My office has scheduled the following meetings so I can hear your thoughts about the qualifications needed in the interim leader, as well as any other concerns or guidance you wish to share. During the meetings, I will also offer an overview of the process and timeline for the search for the permanent role.

Monday, April 26

100 – 145 pm Members of the Academic Faculty Council, Staff Executive Council, Diversity Council (Zoom link; Password: 846418)

200 – 245 pm OSU-Cascades Leadership Team (Zoom link; Password: 353257)

300 – 330 pm Associated Students of Cascades Campus (Zoom link; Password: 849024 )

400 – 445 pm OSU-Cascades faculty, staff, students – an open forum for any person who is interested and did not attend the meetings listed above (Zoom link; Password: 583988)

I look forward to these conversations. If you’d like to nominate someone for the interim or permanent roles, email Gigi Bruce, Special Assistant to the Provost.

Edward Feser

Acting President

April 26, 2021

Dear OSU Students and Families,

As availability of vaccine appointments continues to expand across Oregon, I would like to provide information on OSU’s process for ongoing evaluation of whether to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for students and employees as we move toward planned resumption of on-campus activities.

OSU has a community expectation that each of us will take every precaution to increase the level of protection from COVID-19 among our faculty, staff, students and the communities in which we live.  This expectation includes being vaccinated.

Currently, our primary focus is to promote knowledge, trust and adoption of vaccines, through education and supporting distribution efforts across the State of Oregon. However, we do anticipate OSU may implement a vaccination requirement for members of the OSU community in the future, inclusive of employees and students, informed by the following factors:

1. One or more COVID-19 vaccines receive full U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensure (approval).
2. Widespread availability of at least one vaccine continues and that OSU has confidence students and employees have ready access to a vaccine.
3. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and/or Oregon’s Governor recommends or mandates that adults be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a measure to help Oregon achieve population protection.

Other factors may arise as important considerations and we will continue to update you. As an institution of higher education, OSU believes its primary role is to promote and protect public health through education of the benefits of vaccines and supporting expanded access to vaccines across the State of Oregon. We recognize that some colleges and universities have decided to require vaccinations. As factors such as the ones listed above develop, OSU will engage with the university community in evaluating the merits and shared objectives that implementing proof of vaccination requirements would achieve. As always, we will continue to provide you updates and information to plan accordingly. Any vaccination requirement would include legally required exemptions.

Again, regardless of whether OSU implements a vaccination requirement, we hold an expectation that each of us will take every precaution to increase the level of community protection from COVID-19, which includes each of us obtaining the vaccine as soon as possible. 

Sincerely,

Dan Larson

Vice Provost for Student Affairs

OSU Coronavirus Response Coordinator

Oregon State University

Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

624 Kerr Administration Building, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331

leadership.oregonstate.edu/provost

Dear OSU-Cascades students,

Being a college student can be challenging, even in the best of times. That’s why it’s important to know all the ways your Student Success team is here to help you, especially during the challenges of the pandemic. The support you’re looking for may only be a click, email or phone call away.

Financial support

If you need financial assistance, contact the Financial Aid Office and for emergency and other aid explore these options:

• Financial Hardship Scholarships assist students experiencing unexpected hardship that interferes with academic progress. Review the application requirements and if you believe you meet them, apply.
• OSU Emergency Loans are short term loans of up to $350 per term for students enrolled half-time or more. Learn about your eligibility. 
• Never applied for financial aid? It’s not too late to apply for spring term aid. Go to FAFSA.gov to find the free application for federal student aid.

Resources for job or income loss

This can be a stressful time if you are looking for or have been laid off from a job.

• Student jobs are available on and off campus. Jobs are updated regularly on the Career Development Center Who’s Currently Hiring page.
• Need help with a resume? Use the resume guidebook to develop or revise your resume.

• Food resources can help students with critical needs. Learn about the OSU-Cascades food pantry, SNAP and other local support options.

Child care support

Being a student and a parent is a lot, but there are resources to help.

• Little Bend Beavs Child Care was created with OSU-Cascades students, faculty and staff in mind. A special, discounted rate is available for students. Learn more.
• Child care subsidies are offered by ASCC. Apply online.

My colleagues on the Student Success team and I are here to help you progress every week this term, so that you stay on track academically and personally -- and earn your degree.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with questions or to ask for help at [email protected].

Stay healthy,

Jane

Jane Reynolds | she, her, hers | Executive Director of Student Success

Oregon State University – Cascades | 541-322-3132

IMPORTANT: While the number of vaccinated individuals are increasing, COVID-19 cases are rising, including in Deschutes County. According to the Oregon Health Authority, this is due to large social gatherings where people are not physically distancing or wearing masks. Bend Beavs, continue to avoid social gatherings, stay physically distant from others, and wear a face covering any time you are in public.

Dear OSU-Cascades Students:

I have undertaken a series of conversations with individuals and groups in Bend, Corvallis, and externally to discuss leadership for OSU-Cascades, with the goal of appointing someone to start as Interim Vice President on May 1.

My office has scheduled the following listening sessions THIS AFTERNOON so I can hear from OSU-Cascades students, staff, and faculty regarding the qualifications needed in the interim leader, as well as any other concerns or guidance you wish to share. During the meetings, I will also offer an overview of the process and timeline for the search for the permanent role.

Monday, April 26

100 – 145 pm Members of the Academic Faculty Council, Staff Executive Council, Diversity Council

200 – 245 pm OSU-Cascades Leadership Team

300 – 330 pm Associated Students of Cascades Campus

400 – 445 pm OSU-Cascades faculty, staff, students – an open forum for any person who is interested and did not attend the meetings listed above (Zoom link; Password: 583988)

Additionally, we have created a survey to collect input from those who are not available to participate in the listening sessions and/or would prefer to provide confidential comments: https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cvy7rY14hhNJZ9s

Note that the survey will close at 6pm today.

I look forward to this afternoon’s conversations. If you’d like to nominate someone for the interim or permanent roles, email Gigi Bruce, Special Assistant to the Provost by April 27.

Edward Feser

Acting President

Dear students,

In recognition of the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, OSU’s Faculty Senate approved an extension of the Change of Grading Basis (S/U) and Withdraw from a Course deadlines. The new deadlines for spring 2021 are:

• Change the Grading Basis of a Course:  June 1^st at 5:00 PM PST
• Withdraw from a Course: June 4^th at 11:55 PM PST

Since implementing a digital Change of Grading Basis submission process for undergraduate students, students are encouraged to submit their requests well in advance of the deadline to ensure their academic advisor has ample time to respond to the request.

See this page to learn more about how to change the grading basis of a course.

See this video to learn more about the difference between dropping a course, withdrawing from a course, and withdrawing from the term.

For more information on student resources and guidance, please see the following sites:

Corvallis and Ecampus students:  COVID-19 Safety & Success for Students

OSU-Cascades students: Your Safety, Your Success

For prompt assistance or answers to specific COVID-19 questions, call the OSU COVID-19 hotline: 547-737-7211.

Sincerely,

The Office of the Registrar

registrar.oregonstate.edu

Oregon State University

Office of the Registrar

registrar.oregonstate.edu

OSU Community Members,

At Tuesday evening’s “Humanity and Hope” event, we heard from Black members of the university community that although the guilty verdict in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin was important, it is only one milestone on the road to true racial justice and equality. We agree.

We write today to share additional actions consistent with OSU’s commitment to antiracism. These add to work underway as part of OSU’s “Moving Forward Together” initiative, diversity strategic plan, and Strategic Plan 4.0.

• Policing centered on de-escalation. Under the leadership of Associate Vice President for Public Safety and Police Chief Shanon Anderson, OSU is developing policies, practices, training programs, and codes of conduct to guide its policing that emphasize de-escalation practices and appropriate use of force policies. Underpinning the policies and practices is a commitment to community policing. A public safety advisory committee and an oversight committee will be key mechanisms for accountability.

• OSU Assist. We are formalizing and strengthening cross-unit collaboration and coordination of Corvallis campus 24/7 crisis prevention, mental health, and response services under a new umbrella program called OSU Assist. The search for a coordinator for OSU Assist is underway with the hiring of crisis responders following. OSU Assist and the Department of Public Safety and police staff will have a close working relationship to assure that students are supported with holistic services.

• Juneteenth 2021 will be recognized as a university holiday. The treatment, experiences and struggles of Black Americans in Oregon are well documented. Oregon was founded under a system of racial exclusion that has lasting effects to this day. We applaud the Oregon House of Representatives’ approval of HB 2168 calling for June 19 to be a paid state holiday. This legislation is supported by Gov. Kate Brown and we anticipate that it will likely pass the Senate and take effect in 2022.

We hope that occurs, but in the meantime we are declaring Friday, June 18, 2021, as a university holiday in honor of Juneteenth, and call upon each of us to observe this day in recognition of OSU’s support for Black Americans and commitment to ending systemic racism. Juneteenth acknowledges the true end of slavery in the United States in 1865, two years after adoption of the Emancipation Proclamation, and is a long standing African American holiday, honoring Black history, culture, resistance, and resilience.

• Advocacy for policing reform. We applaud Oregon legislators and advocates for considering several important public safety legislative proposals in the current legislative session. OSU’s Government Relations team is tracking this legislation and OSU will contribute input and support for changes that advance policing reforms within our university and statewide.

Our community’s efforts to dismantle systemic racism require us to work collaboratively as faculty, staff, students, administrators, alumni and stakeholders. The “Moving Forward Together” web page includes an input feature for community members to submit additional recommendations and proposed actions.

We pledge to provide updates as OSU’s antiracism work proceeds.

Sincerely,

Edward Feser                                                                 

Acting President                                                             

Provost and Executive Vice President

Rebecca Johnson

Interim President-Elect

600 Kerr Administration Building, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331

leadership.oregonstate.edu/president

Dear Oregon State University Community Members,

Justice prevailed this afternoon when a jury in a Minneapolis courtroom convicted former police officer Derek Chauvin on all counts of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. As a university and as a community, we grieve for Mr. Floyd and his family.

We recognize the pain, anger, suffering and numbness the murder of George Floyd and subsequent trial have caused our Black students, faculty, staff and community members. We have no illusion that Derek Chauvin’s conviction will bring an end to violence against people of color. This is one case, among far too many. We simply are not doing enough as a society to stop such violence. That must change. At OSU, we must do our part to bring that change.

We ask all members of the Oregon State University community to pause this afternoon and reflect on the senseless taking of a man’s life, and the continued violence being perpetrated against people of color across our nation by police.

Please join a “Humanity and Hope” gathering at 5:30 p.m. today, in person on the Corvallis Campus’s Memorial Union Quad and live streaming, where we will engage in dialogue about what has occurred in this trial and provide support for Black students, faculty, staff and community members. The gathering will also be shown live-streamed in Tykeson Hall 111 on the OSU-Cascades campus. We ask that all OSU faculty and supervisors accommodate students and employees who wish to participate in this gathering.

Oregon State University’s work to create a community that is truly antiracist, equitable, and welcoming for all continues and is more important than ever. Further updates on actions underway will be shared in the days ahead.

Sincerely,

Edward Feser                                                                 

Acting President                                                             

Provost and Executive Vice President

Rebecca Johnson

Interim president-elect

600 Kerr Administration Building, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331

leadership.oregonstate.edu/president

Dear Students,

We believe in protecting our community. By getting vaccinated – and following the latest public heath guidelines – we can all do our part. Starting April 19, all Oregon residents 16 and older were eligible for vaccination.

This Friday, the Samaritan Health vaccination clinic at Reser Stadium has openings. Sign up today at https://www.samhealth.org/getthevaccine

Be healthy Beaver Nation!

Thank you,

Jenny Haubenreiser (she, her) | Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs | Executive Director of Student Health Services 

Oregon State Community Members,

I am very pleased to share that all Oregonians age 16 and older as of today, April 19, are eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations. This follows President Biden’s April 6 announcement making vaccinations available to all U.S. residents 18 and older beginning today.

It is important to note that vaccine access will be contingent on supplies coming into the state and local communities, which may vary from week to week. There may be wait times for appointments. However, we are optimistic that all OSU community members over 16 who wish to be vaccinated will be able to do so over the coming weeks.

This opportunity provides a pathway for all of us to return to a more normal state of operations, doing the things we love – learning, teaching, researching and serving our communities in Oregon and beyond.

Health authorities have determined that vaccines are safe and effective, and Oregon State University strongly encourages all students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated.

For those located in Corvallis, weekly clinics at Reser Stadium are being collaboratively run by Samaritan Health Services, Benton County and OSU. Visit this website to schedule a vaccine. OSU-Cascades students, faculty and staff can register for the vaccine here. It is our understanding that vaccines will be available at other points throughout the community, including pharmacies, medical clinics and other sites. Check your local public health authority websites for more information.

Students, faculty and staff living elsewhere than the Willamette Valley or Central Oregon should visit the Oregon Health Authority: Get Vaccinated Oregon website and the CDC VaccineFinder for vaccinations anywhere in the U.S.

Please view this short video to learn more about becoming vaccinated. And remember, it’s OK to have questions. We are committed to helping you make informed decisions and providing access to trusted sources of information. For more information about vaccinations, visit the:

• COVID-19 Safety & Success website, which includes FAQs on vaccinations.
• OSU Extension Vaccine Information

Even if you have been fully vaccinated, remember that we must all continue to practice public health safety guidelines. These include continuing to wear face coverings, practicing physical distancing, limiting the size of gatherings and hand-washing frequently.

Thank you for joining together to do all we can to build a safer and healthier Beaver Nation.

Sincerely,

Dan Larson

Vice Provost

Student Affairs

Coronavirus Response Coordinator

Oregon State University

Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

624 Kerr Administration Building, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331

leadership.oregonstate.edu/provost

16 April 2021

Dear OSU-Cascades Faculty, Staff and Students:

By now you have seen the announcement that the OSU Board of Trustees has voted to name Dr. Becky Johnson as the university’s interim president, effective May 1. Her more than three decades of experience at OSU, including her many achievements leading the expansion of OSU-Cascades campus, positions her for success in leading the university.

Becky will continue in her current role as vice president of OSU-Cascades until her transition to the interim presidency. Between now and then, I will be gathering input from faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders to inform my selection of an interim vice president. I will announce details about this process next week. My intention is to appoint an interim vice president by May 1.

Under Becky’s leadership, the accomplishments of OSU-Cascades and its outstanding faculty, staff, and students have been impressive. Among Becky’s accomplishments are the establishment of a strong leadership team, which I am certain will keep the positive momentum of the campus going.

Please join me in congratulating Becky on her new role. I look forward to engaging with you soon regarding an interim vice president appointment.

Sincerely,

Edward Feser

Acting President

Provost and Executive Vice President

Oregon State University

Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

624 Kerr Administration Building, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331

leadership.oregonstate.edu/provost

Dear OSU-Cascades students,

It makes a big difference when you connect with classmates and faculty, and engage in student life activities. Studies show that when you stay engaged like this, you’re more likely to stay on track, succeed academically and complete your college degree.

Plus, connections you make -- even virtually – may one day help you land an internship or a job. Even better, connections make us healthier and happier, particularly during challenging times. Here are ways you can stay connected and engaged at OSU-Cascades this term:

• Your Faculty – 90% of recent OSU-Cascades graduates said their relationships with their professors helped them succeed personally and academically. Get to know your faculty better, you’ll benefit now, and in the long run.
• CampusGroups – Use your OregonState email login to access the Office of Student Life’s new app where you’ll find events on campus and online, Cascades Adventures workshops and clinic registration, peer-to-peer chat, news updates and more. Learn more and download the app.
• Students Clubs – With 22 student organizations including four competitive sports clubs, you’ll find opportunities to explore your interests through educational, cultural and social lenses. If you can’t find a club focused on your interest, you can start your own.
• Student Employment – Co-workers and supervisors can become lifelong connections. On and off-campus job opportunities are regularly updated on the Career Development Center’s Who’s Currently Hiring web page.

My colleagues on the Enrollment Services and Student Success teams and I are here to help you stay connected every week this term so that you can be successful.  Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or ask for help at [email protected].

Stay healthy,

Jane

Jane Reynolds | she, her, hers | Executive Director of Student Success
Oregon State University – Cascades | 541-322-3132

P.S. OSU strongly encourages all members of the university community to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.  Pre-register for your vaccination at www.centraloregoncovidvaccine.com.  Vaccinations are offered at a mass clinic at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond.     

April 16, 2021

Dear Oregon State University Community Members,

It is my pleasure to announce that today the OSU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Rebecca “Becky” Johnson as Oregon State University’s interim president effective May 1, 2021. 

The most important responsibility of the OSU Board of Trustees is to select the right leader for this great university and the entire OSU community. The OSU Board is confident that President-Elect Johnson is the right leader to guide and help advance the priorities and momentum of the university and the values of the OSU community.

President-Elect Johnson’s career in higher education spans more than three decades, most of that time at Oregon State University. She is an extremely capable leader with deep institutional credibility.

President-Elect Johnson currently serves as OSU-Cascades vice president. Under her leadership, OSU-Cascades is known as one of the most innovative, new residential university campuses in the nation and is on its way to serve 3,000 to 5,000 students. Before leading OSU-Cascades, President-Elect Johnson had significant academic experience in the College of Forestry – as a professor and associate dean – and served as OSU’s vice provost for academic affairs and international programs.

President-Elect Johnson is committed to advancing a culture of care for students, faculty and staff; providing access to higher education for all students; promoting excellence in faculty scholarship, teaching and research; and serving the university’s engagement mission. Over her extensive career, she has built relationships based on integrity and trust, and those relationships – with faculty, students, staff, donors, legislators, local officials and many others – have helped advance the mission of the university.

Here is a link to a brief video message from President-Elect Johnson upon her being selected interim president, as well as a link to the university’s new release on her appointment.

President-Elect Johnson’s appointment is the culmination of weeks of an inclusive community engagement and nomination process. We are grateful that many of you provided your input on the necessary areas of focus for the interim president, submitted nominations and provided feedback on her candidacy. We also thank the individuals who served on the Nominee Review Committee and those of you who participated in Wednesday’s forum with President-Elect Johnson.

This community engagement served the interim president nomination process very well. We look forward to continued community engagement as we begin to consider the search process for a permanent president, which the OSU Board will discuss at its May 21 meeting.

Thank you all for your efforts to advance inclusive excellence in teaching, student success, research discovery, and service engagement throughout Oregon’s statewide university.

Rani Borkar

Chair

OSU Board of Trustees

OSU Students,

We hope your spring term is going well while we navigate the circumstances of COVID-19. As we advance through the term, we would like to share a reminder regarding religious holidays which OSU community may observe. Oregon State University is committed to providing support for students whose observance of their religious beliefs may have an impact on classes, schedules and dietary needs. 

We request that faculty and supervisors work with all undergraduate and graduate students – and regardless of learning modality – as outlined in OSU’s Religious Accommodation of Students Policy. It is incumbent on the student making the request to notify the faculty member or supervisor as soon as possible prior to the need for accommodation. Students should work directly with their faculty member or supervisor on these requests according to the religious accommodation policy. Meanwhile, faculty and staff are able to approve requests for religious accommodations without consultation but must first contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access if denying a request.

Because of the timing of some holidays, we recognize it may not always be possible for students to contact faculty and staff for accommodations in advance as outlined in our religious accommodations policy. For this reason, we request that faculty work with students who miss required activities due to these religious holidays, and provide accommodations to make up any missed work deliverables or course material within a reasonable amount of time. In particular, due to the unique circumstances of the university’s COVID-19 response, flexibility should be given to students and offices to navigate religious accommodation processes within current and varied circumstances. Keep in mind that students may be located in different time zones and interact with the calendar and religious practices differently than they would if they were present in Oregon.

In addition to the above information, with this email, we are providing information about different dining and food options available on our campuses in Corvallis and at OSU-Cascades.

If you have any questions, concerns or recommendations, please do not hesitate to directly contact the Office of the Dean of Students or  Office of Equal Opportunity and Access.

We support our students in balancing their academic schedules, employment duties and religious observations. I wish you all a great remainder of your spring term.

Kevin A. Dougherty, Ed.D.

Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs & Dean of Students

[email protected]

Dining and Food Options: Corvallis UHDS and OSU-Cascades campus dining locations are open for take-out service spring term.

OSU Corvallis Resources

Any residential student in Corvallis practicing a faith-based diet who needs to develop a plan that will meet dietary needs for upcoming holidays and beyond; who has suggestions about specific foods that could be added to our convenience stores and dining halls; or who needs to discuss access to space for meal preparations, etc., should contact Tara Sanders, registered dietitian in University Housing & Dining Services by calling 541-737-3915 (office) or 541-602-9736 (cell).

Food in all UHDS dining centers is labeled for dietary preferences and allergen needs. UHDS carries many Halal and Kosher-certified packaged goods as well as a variety of whole foods (fruits, vegetables, dairy and grains) at Cascadia Market in the International Living Learning Center building. For more information about all available food options, restaurants and menus, please visit the University Housing & Dining Services website.

OSU-Cascades Resources

Any residential student at OSU-Cascades practicing a faith-based diet who needs to develop a plan that will meet dietary needs for upcoming holidays and beyond should contact Lori Waters, assistant director of dining and auxiliary services, to assist students with special food needs.

Amy Snyder, assistant director residential education and housing, can help students living in residence who need access to meal preparation space.

To request this information in an alternative format please contact [email protected].

Oregon State University

Office of the Dean of Students

206 Student Experience Center, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331

studentlife.oregonstate.edu

OSU-Cascades students, faculty and staff,

You may have just seen a message from OSU Board Chair Rani Borkar announcing that I have been named as the recommended nominee to the OSU Board of Trustees to serve as Oregon State University’s interim president, while the Board conducts a search for a permanent president.

I’m incredibly honored to be considered as the finalist for this position, but I’m very sad to be leaving OSU-Cascades. If appointed, my role as interim president will last for approximately a year. I also don’t think it is fair for me to disrupt the ongoing leadership at OSU-Cascades by returning to lead OSU-Cascades in a year, and then retiring soon after. Therefore, I am resigning my position as Vice President of OSU-Cascades so that the university can conduct a search for a permanent OSU-Cascades leader as soon as possible. 

Provost and Executive Vice President Edward Feser will consult with OSU-Cascades and Corvallis campus stakeholders before appointing an interim leader who will start around May 1, if the Board votes to appoint me on Friday.  I know that whomever is appointed will be working with an amazing leadership team at OSU-Cascades and serving incredible students. I know the campus won’t miss a beat.  The future is so bright for OSU-Cascades, and I will be supporting you from Corvallis -- as we are all OSU!

Over the next two weeks, I will remain in Bend and hope to see many of you there. We will not be moving from Bend permanently, and look forward to returning to the community next year.

Thank you all for everything you do for OSU-Cascades.  Let’s keep the momentum going!

Best,

Becky

Rebecca Johnson

Vice President

Dear Oregon State University Community Members,

Following extensive community engagement to gather nominations for the appointment of an interim president, I am very pleased to share my recommendation to the Board of Trustees of Dr. Rebecca “Becky” Johnson to lead the university until a permanent president is selected.

Dr. Johnson, currently serving as OSU-Cascades Vice President, is most qualified to guide and help advance the priorities and momentum of the university. Her career in higher education spans more than three decades. Prior to being named in 2008 to lead OSU-Cascades, Dr. Johnson served the university for 25 years, rising from an assistant professor in the College of Forestry to vice provost for academic affairs and international programs.

Under her leadership, OSU-Cascades is known as one of the most innovative, new residential university campuses in the nation and is on its way to serve up to 5,000 students. Dr. Johnson is committed to advancing a culture of care for students, faculty and staff; providing access to higher education for all students; promoting excellence in faculty scholarship, teaching and research; and serving the university’s engagement mission. She is actively engaged in philanthropic fundraising for OSU and has promoted valued university partnerships and engagement with Central Oregonians, local community organizations and business leaders.

Dr. Johnson received a B.A. in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a M.S. and Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Michigan State University. In 2015, she was named the Bend Chamber Woman of the Year; in 2014, the Bend Source newspaper’s Woman of the Year; and in 2009, she received the Bend 2030 Vision Builder Award.

In late March, I shared that the most important responsibility of the OSU Board of Trustees is to select the right leader for our great university and the entire OSU community. I am confident that Dr. Johnson is the right leader to guide the university as we undertake a process to consider the appointment of OSU’s next permanent president.

On Wednesday, April 14 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., we will host a university open forum where community members will hear from me about the process that led to my interim president recommendation and participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from Dr. Johnson. For details about the forum and to provide input on the nomination, visit the university forum webpage here. Written input on Dr. Johnson’s appointment can be provided until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 15, to the Board of Trustees on this webpage. The Board of Trustees will hold a public meeting on Friday, April 16, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. to take further public input and consider Dr. Johnson’s appointment.

Naming an interim president is the second phase of a three-phase process to select a permanent president over the next several months. On March 23, the first phase was completed when the Board of Trustees named Provost and Executive Vice President Edward Feser as Acting President. Dr. Feser will continue to serve as acting president until an interim president takes office. The third stage is the full presidential search process. The Board will share the approach and timeline for the permanent presidential search after the appointment of the interim president and further consultation with the OSU community.

I asked Trustee Patty Bedient to serve as my delegate to conduct the nomination and community engagement process for the appointment of an interim president, and she did so diligently and inclusively. These efforts began with the March 29 launch of a new Board of Trustees webpage summarizing the process. We are grateful that many of you provided your feedback on the necessary areas of focus for the interim president, as well as nominations of those you wanted to be considered. Your engagement and advice helped the committee of trustees and OSU community members I convened in their review of the nominations received.

Under Trustee Bedient’s leadership, more than 50 one-on-one conversations were held with OSU academic leaders, Faculty Senate leaders, staff, student leaders, administrators, university partners and other stakeholders to gather nominations and input on the focus and experience needed in the interim president. Trustee Bedient also reviewed the many comments submitted through the Board webpage. I am thankful for the time, energy and effort that Trustee Bedient and many of you invested in leading us to the nomination. This engagement and your contributions served the nomination process very well.

This past weekend, I conducted my own review of the feedback from the nominee review committee. As well, I reviewed all comments submitted in writing and considered the relevant experience and overall leadership capabilities needed in a nominee to guide the university, and I am confident in my recommendation of Dr. Johnson to the full Board of Trustees.

During the upcoming university forum on Wednesday and the Board of Trustees meeting on Friday, I anticipate robust and thoughtful community and board discussions and the opportunity to affirm our mutual commitment to the values of the university and the OSU community. Our goals include rebuilding trust and learning from recent experiences.

Thank you for all that you do to advance excellence in teaching, student success, research discovery, and service engagement throughout Oregon’s statewide university.

Rani Borkar

Chair

OSU Board of Trustees

Dear Oregon State University Community Members,

As the next step in the interim president selection process, I invite you to an open forum on Wednesday, April 14, from 3 to 4 p.m. with the final recommended nominee for interim president, who Board Chair Rani Borkar will announce tomorrow.

The open forum will provide an opportunity for Chair Borkar to introduce the nominee and provide an update on the interim nomination process. The nominee will make a few remarks and take questions from forum participants. Information about the forum is available on the university forum webpage.

Feedback on the nominee can be made until 5 p.m. on April 15 at the above webpage. Your feedback will be shared with the OSU Board of Trustees in advance of the Board meeting on April 16 to consider the interim president appointment.

Board Chair Borkar appointed me last month to serve as her delegate to conduct the nomination and community engagement process for the interim president. You will recall that naming an interim president is the second phase of a three-phase process to select a permanent president over the next several months. The first phase was completed when the Board of Trustees named Provost and Executive Vice President Edward Feser as Acting President on March 23.

My thanks to those of you who contributed through the webpage feedback form and those who met with me in the more than 50 one-on-one meetings I held over the past two weeks. I am pleased with the enthusiastic participation of so many.

I welcome your engagement in Wednesday’s university forum and the April 16 Board of Trustees meeting. At the board meeting, trustees will take additional public input before considering the appointment of the recommended nominee as interim president. Further information on the Board meeting will be available at this webpage.

Thank you for your many contributions to Oregon State University and for engaging in this important process to consider the university’s interim leadership.

Sincerely,

Patty Bedient

Trustee

Oregon State University

Dear Oregon State University Community Members,

As I wrote to you on March 29, it is imperative at OSU that we strengthen our approaches to preventing all forms of interpersonal violence — including harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking — and that we provide support and care to survivors. I write today with an update on that work.

As the cornerstone of this effort, I have asked Kim Kirkland, executive director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access and OSU’s Title IX Coordinator, and Dan Larson, vice provost for student affairs, to collaborate in leading two reviews. The first will assess our institutional practices for ensuring the OSU president’s consistent awareness and appropriate oversight of Title IX efforts, policies, procedures, and related programs. The second is an evaluation of the effectiveness and impact of OSU’s comprehensive interpersonal violence prevention, support, and response program.

These two reviews will be undertaken promptly and will inform the allocation of additional resources. They follow up on a March 17, 2021 directive issued by the OSU Board of Trustees. A new webpage provides additional information and progress updates on this work.

I ask all of us in the OSU community to be mindful of those who have been harmed by violence of any kind and who are experiencing a range of emotions as the university community continues to discuss these topics. I also ask everyone to commit themselves to making Oregon State University a community free of interpersonal violence. Achieving this goal is well past due.

Sincerely,

Edward Feser

Acting President

600 Kerr Administration Building, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331

leadership.oregonstate.edu/president

April 8, 2021

Dear Oregon State University Community Members,

As promised, I write to provide an update on the steps the Board of Trustees is taking to identify and appoint an interim president.

There are three stages occurring in the process to find a permanent president. The first was the March 23 appointment of Provost and Executive Vice President Ed Feser to serve briefly as acting president until an interim president is named. The second, which is underway now, is the process to appoint an interim president to serve until a permanent president is named. The third stage is the full presidential search process. The Board will share the approach and timeline for the permanent presidential search after the appointment of the interim president and further consultations with the OSU community.

Board Chair Rani Borkar asked me to serve as her delegate in conducting the nomination and community engagement process for the interim president appointment. These efforts began with the March 29 launch of a new webpage summarizing the process. Since that time, many of you have enthusiastically provided feedback on the needed areas of focus for the interim president, as well as nominations of those you would like to be considered. There is still an opportunity for you to submit suggestions on the Board of Trustees website before noon tomorrow. The Board is grateful for your active engagement and advice.

Over the past week and a half, I have been meeting with OSU Faculty Senate leaders, staff, student leaders, administrators, university partners and other stakeholders to gather nominations and input on the focus and experience needed in the interim president. To date, I have held more than 50 one-on-one conversations and reviewed the comments submitted through the Board of Trustees webpage. My next step is to go over the feedback and nominations with a committee of trustees and OSU community members convened by the Board Chair to help her evaluate the nominations. More information about the committee will be posted on the interim president webpage soon.

The survey feedback and conversations indicate that OSU community members and stakeholders want an interim president who knows the university well and supports its strategic plan, vision, and current initiatives, and who is committed to shared governance. We are fortunate to have many strong leaders who fit this description. Many have stressed the need for an experienced individual who is able to engender trust and confidence within the university community as we conduct a search for a permanent president. It is likely the interim president will serve for approximately one year.

While many have nominated Acting President Ed Feser and President Emeritus Ed Ray, neither are candidates for the interim post. Acting President Feser has made it clear that he would prefer to return to his role as OSU provost and executive vice president while President Emeritus Ed Ray has argued that the university should tap other talented leaders, rather than stepping back into the role himself.

Based upon the feedback received thus far, we will be scheduling a university forum with the recommended final nominee. The university forum will provide community members with an opportunity to hear from the finalist, and to provide additional input to the Board of Trustees on the finalist’s qualifications. While a great many I have consulted have shared that they do not want the Board to deliberate any longer than necessary, the Board remains committed to an inclusive and transparent process. Under our current timeline, the Board expects to conclude the consideration and selection of an interim president in a public meeting of the Board within the next two weeks.

It is the Board of Trustees’ goal to work together with the entire university community to maintain the positive momentum at Oregon State University that we have built over many years. I look forward to working with you further to advance OSU as one of the nation’s leading land grant research universities, expanding its positive impact throughout Oregon, the nation and the world.

Sincerely,

Patty Bedient

Member, OSU Board of Trustees

Oregon State University Community Members,

We stand in solidarity with members of Asian and Asian American community as the rise in anti-Asian racism continues in our country. We affirm that members of the OSU community who are of Asian descent belong at Oregon State, are valued members of our community and deserve to feel safe and respected.

Please view this brief video expressing support for all Asian and Asian American community members. I am joined in the video by Grace Atebe, executive director of the Office of International Services, and Janet Nishihara, executive director of the Educational Opportunities Program.

We are here to support impacted community members. Corvallis campus students seeking support should contact Counseling & Psychological Services, the Office of the Dean of Students or the Asian & Pacific Cultural Center. OSU-Cascades students can contact the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for support and may make an appointment with a counselor through the Student Wellness page. OSU employees may seek support through the Beyond Benefits program.

To report a bias incident within the OSU community, visit the Office of Institutional Diversity’s Bias Incident Response website. Any member of the OSU community who believes they have been subjected to harassment or discrimination should visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access.

I encourage everyone to continue to contribute to a safe and welcoming university community and advance social justice and inclusivity for all.

Sincerely,

Dan Larson

Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Oregon State University

Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs

studentaffairs.oregonstate.edu