Letter from UO President Frohnmayer to the UO Community January 4, 2007

January 4, 2007

Antiphanes said É that in a certain city the cold was so intense that words were congealed as soon as spoken, but that after some time they thawed and became audible; so that the words spoken in winter were articulated next summer. Plutarch - "Of Hearing"

Dear Colleagues:

Plutarch's ancient story should remind us that we, too, are subject to cycles of growth and development and that words that we speak now often need time and context to convey their full meaning. The winter climate sometimes masks the growth and development through the academic year. Despite colder weather, the days are growing longer; much that we feared has been banished, much that we hoped for seems more possible.

I begin by recounting the palpable sense of relief that we experienced together when the November election results assured us that two crippling ballot measures were not only defeated but were repudiated by some of the largest majorities that could be imagined. I thank each of you who helped us see beyond those threats and who worked to defeat them. The budget proposed by Governor Kulongoski is the strongest opening statement of support by a chief executive since I became University of Oregon president more than a dozen years ago. Proposal of the budget does not ensure its passage, of course. But this vote of confidence in the strategic importance of higher education and the need to rebuild it should hearten everyone with the hope that we can finally address issues of salary, faculty/student ratios, and other key indicators of a quality university. We hope indeed by summer that the words of support for our mission will be articulated as Plutarch's story observes.

The governor's higher education budget includes a number of proposals that further the University of Oregon's pioneering research agenda. We particularly are heartened that the governor's proposed budget also includes $30 million in bonds to build the second phase of our pioneering Integrative Science Complex. I sometimes judge our progress by the presence of building cranes on campus that will work to provide better facilities for our faculty and students. I am pleased to report that we will be seeing them again soon, both at the School of Music and at the soon-to-be constructed almost $50 million complex for the College of Education. This is indeed a time of growth and articulation.

As the winter term proceeds, we are in the midst of development of Diversity Strategic Action Plans. These plans are due by the end of the term and follow directly from commitments made in the adoption last spring of the University's Diversity Plan. I am heartened by the reports I have received of thoughtful and engaged dialogue in our schools and colleges over many of the vexing but extraordinarily important issues of how we define progress in understanding the challenges of a diverse world.

As I write we are actively pursuing searches for the new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, a new vice president for student affairs, and a new executive director of the Oregon Bach Festival. And we have begun an intensive process, which I hope to move speedily, for the selection of an athletic director to replace Bill Moos. I also intend to report to the Senate this month on developments related to a possible new academic learning center and other capital construction opportunities along Franklin Boulevard.

Campaign Oregon, even before its completion, is now the largest and most successful philanthropic fund raising effort for any cause in the history of Oregon. I am gratified that we are on target but conscious still of unmet needs. We are slightly more than two-thirds of our way toward the $100 million goal for scholarships for students, a desperate need made more apparent by recent reports nationally of the rising costs for our students. I continue to be heartened by donor interest in support for faculty, a critical need if we are to retain the quality for which this university has been respected. I will give a fuller report of the progress on our Campaign in a separate communication later this term. I thank each of you for your participation.

I am sure this community rejoiced with me to learn that one of our students, Andrew Shipley, was just elected one of the nation's thirty-two Rhodes Scholars. Andrew's overt praise for the faculty mentors he has discovered here should make us proud that the university's dual missions of excellence in teaching and engaged research result in student success of this magnitude.

As I reflect on the year still being articulated, I cannot remember a busier fall term nor a winter and spring more full of promise. On a personal level, I begin teaching my own freshman seminar on "Theories of Leadership" in just a few days. My new students are a reminder to me each year of the joy of learning and discovery that so directly defines the reason each of us has chosen to devote a career to building this university. I thank each of you for your continuing efforts and wish you good fortune in your personal and professional endeavors. As always I welcome your comments and concerns at pres@uoregon.edu.

Warmest regards,

Dave Frohnmayer President