Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Get expert advice on what's best after hospital ... Chris Honoré: Water: the oil of the 21st century ... Council OK using Pioneer Hall as shelter again ... Get expert advice on what's best after hospital ... Chris Honoré: Water: the oil of the 21st century ... Council OK using Pioneer Hall as shelter again ... SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY Saigo drops suggestion he extend term as interim SOU president New president could come on board as soon as July, as originally planned Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Oct. 20, 2015 at 7:49 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Oct. 20, 2015 at 7:49 PM » Social News In a surprise move, Southern Oregon University President Roy Saigo reversed an earlier position and will not seek a third year on the job. The move, which emerged at Friday’s Board of Trustees meeting, set in motion a search to replace him by expiration of his two-year contract on June 30. Board Chairman Bill Thorndike said that, in consultation with all campus groups, “it became clear, from SOU’s standpoint, that we needed to get going as soon as possible on a permanent replacement. A year’s extension didn’t make sense to go with.” Representing the faculty senate, Prof. Larry Shrewsbury read a letter to the board opposing an extension of Saigo’s contract, noting, “The faculty has requested that long-term strategic planning be initiated to meet the goals demanded by our accreditation process and retrenchment requirements. Such planning has not begun and is dangerously overdue.” Board member Lyn Hennion was named to lead a small group starting the search. The search criteria will be finalized at the board’s January retreat session, but Thorndike said the board is looking for a president who is “student-centric,” recognizes SOU is a place of “co-governance,” and as a teaching and not a research university. Saigo has done a “wonderful job ... very committed,” said Thorndike, and the board approved dropping the “interim” from his title out of respect for that. The search process will be “radically different” than any in SOU’s history, he said, as it will be the first time it has searched for a president on its own, rather than having the state Board of Higher Education do it. The state system decided to go to local governance of universities two years ago, and the current board assumed local control July 1. “A lot of what we will be doing will be new and fresh,” he adds. “We will be working from past policies but we’ll have the ability to modify from some 270 polices that we got from the Chancellor’s office about the selection process at the changeover. We have to figure out what policies will work for us. We’re starting to grapple with questions and processes that will serve us.” Saigo, in a statement, lauded the increased enrollment and healthy fund balance during his tenure, as well as “great strides” in engaging the local community and strengthening ties with area high schools and Rogue Community College. Saigo will stay on the job longer than June 30, if the school needs him, Thorndike said. Thorndike, who was on two presidential search teams with the Board of Higher Education, said there will be a great deal of interest in the post, as SOU is “a nice-sized university” with professional programs and great connections in the arts and environmental science. The board will offer a salary around $225,000. Saigo was hired after an embattled President Mary Cullinan grappled with severe budget cuts during the Great Recession and ensuing years and received a vote of no confidence from the faculty. She took a job as head of Eastern Washington University in July 2014. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Oct. 20, 2015 at 7:49 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501