Document text
- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us November 29, 2005 Zinser retires from SOU Chancellor to begin search for new president on Wednesday By Jennifer Squires Ashland Daily Tidings Zinser Southern Oregon University President Elisabeth Zinser announced her retirement today. Zinser, 65, will step down on Aug. 31, 2006, after leading SOU for five years. Her decision to retire was not motivated by recent decline in enrollment and ongoing budget concerns. “I’ve never been a quitter. I’ve never walked away from a challenge,” Zinser said. “I’m not doing that now. My job is to leave the university in sound condition, even though I would like it to be even stronger.” SOU reported a 3.2 percent enrollment drop earlier this month, following a more than 6 percent decline in fall 2004, but Zinser believes SOU has rounded a corner and will continue to make positive strides. “We appreciate her leadership in some very tough times with the budget constraints from the state,” said Sandra Slattery, the executive director of the Ashland Chamber of Commerce. “She had to leave in difficult times.” Funding to the university has also been a struggle throughout Zinser’s tenure. But, Zinser sees a brighter future for SOU and gives credit to the leadership team she has personally assembled over the last half-decade. “The main thing is we’ve gone through the white water,” Zinser said. “We’re not well funded at all.” She decided to retire during the summer, but chose not to announce her departure until the search for a new vice president of student affairs neared completion. A slate of finalists has now been selected. “Now is the right timing because we have such a strong team,” Zinser said. Health-related concerns also did not factor into her decision to retire, Zinser said this morning. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, but is healthy now. She plans to stay in the area with her husband of 15 years, Don Mackin. The couple purchased a house over the summer and will continue to be involved with civic events. “Her focus for the last four years has been education on a national level,” Mackin said. “I’m sure she will continue to remain active and continue to try to improve public education.” In a letter to the campus community, Zinser celebrated capital project highlights such as the new library, the Madrone Street apartment-style housing, Stevenson Union additions and the recent allocation of $12.7 million in state funding commitments for the SOU-RCC Joint Education Building project for downtown Medford as memorable accomplishments. She began her academic career in higher education four decades ago and has been a university president or chancellor for 17 years. George Pernsteiner, chancellor of the Oregon University System, will be in Ashland on Wednesday to discuss the search process for a new president, according to SOU Provost Earl Potter. The intention is to hire a new leader prior to Zinser’s departure in August. “It’s recognition that ... we don’t need to go through a long period of uncertainty that will be distracting,” Potter said. “I think her vision for the university is a good one. There will always be adjustments and reframing, but the strategic directions ... are the ones that will guide the university.” Vickie Aldous and Robert Plain contributed to this article. Staff writer Jennifer Squires can be reached at 482-3456 x 3019 or [email protected]. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Free Music Downloads Slippers Ceramic Piggy Banks Online Casinos FREE Entertainment Guide Calenders 2006 Calendar Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products best online casino tcg student loan consolidation teleconferencing cortisol; weight loss Diamonds Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Southern Oregon Loans Sportsbook Ztech Media Hosting Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations African Safari Myspace Layouts Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Student Loans Bonus Casino ink cartridges Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Canadian Pharmacy Casino Gambling Sites Backpacks Click Here .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams