[Uosenate] Follow-Up

[Senate President]

Dear Senate Colleagues,

First of all, thank you for being forthright in your concerns and feedback. Shared governance is hard.  I understand that we are all feeling a lot of anxiety, and that things we have heard through the grapevine leave us all feeling a bit unmoored and worried about our careers, our colleagues and our institution.

I wanted to take a couple of minutes to clarify a couple points before our meeting tomorrow.   I hesitated to respond in this way because I feel that email communication often doesn't help in these situations.  If folks would like to follow up with me, feel free to reach out. I'd be happy to answer any questions. (This is a standing invitation).

The Senate Task Force on Budget Reductions was called by me in late July/early August when I returned from my study abroad program, as it became clear that a smaller group willing to meet more frequently would be helpful. Members were appointed by me in consultation with Senate Leadership.  This group met with the Provost and his team over the summer, and it was only called to be a short-term working group (perhaps I should have just called it a working group).  It was not a secret, and I updated the Senate Budget Committee about it at the next scheduled meeting.

Task Force members comprised of three of the four of your recent presidents and two members of the Senate budget committee.  Four of the six faculty members were CAS faculty.  Two were from professional schools.

I can say we were not informed of any final plans.  I can also say that we spent a considerable amount of time raising the same points and concerns that many have shared - questions and concerns that are also raised in the letter I have invited you to join.

If you have other questions, feel free to let me know or let's set up a meeting.

Dyana


Dyana Mason, PhD
University Senate President and Associate Professor
Director, Master of Nonprofit Management
School of Planning, Public Policy and Management
University of Oregon
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