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Beangram for 2/28/13 on Karen Sprague replacement

Two weeks ago Bean told Karen Sprague she wouldn’t be reappointed as VP for UGS – claiming the office would be reorganized. As a commenter wrote:

She wasn’t fired – she was asked to step down as Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies. Just one more example of Bean focusing on the wrong thing. Instead of taking care of real problems ( Espy, deKluyver, Union negotiations) he’s focused on an area that doesn’t seem to be a critical issue right now. Something about deck chairs comes to mind.

A week later Gottfredson (finally) made Bean resign. But see below – apparently Bean’s not done screwing up those parts of UO that are still working after his 5 years of mismanagement. My read is that the office will not be reorganized, but that Sprague is still out. Punishment for speaking up too forcibly and publicly?

2-28-13 Provost’s Message

Colleagues,
I will soon begin an internal search for a new Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies. Senate President Robert Kyr and I have formed a search committee that includes Julie Newton (chair), Ian McNeely, Josh Snodgrass, Jennifer Joslin, and Roger Thompson.
The committee will begin meeting soon and aims to complete the search by the end of May. 
The Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies reports to the Provost, is a member of the Vice Provosts’ Council and coordinates activities and planning for Undergraduate Studies with the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. The Vice Provost has management and budget authority over all component programs in the Office of Undergraduate Studies.
The Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies will provide leadership for UO undergraduate initiatives and endeavors and oversee a wide range of undergraduate programs and services for the UO, including Academic Advising, Disability Services, First-Year Programs, the Teaching and Learning Center, and initiatives relating to General Education.
The Vice Provost also works closely with the Undergraduate Council, other faculty and administrative committees, student groups, Associated Students of the University of Oregon, and other constituencies involved in undergraduate education at the University.
The job opening with the complete description of duties will be posted on the Human Resources website after the search committee has reviewed it.
Please contact me if you have any questions at [email protected].
Regards,
Jim
James Bean
Senior Vice President and Provost,
University of Oregon
[email protected]

17 Comments

  1. Anonymous 02/28/2013

    INTERNAL search, hmmm. Maybe UO Matters Commentators should make some suggestions of candidates!

  2. Anonymous 02/28/2013

    I suggest Dr. Karen Sprague. She is a true scholar with a commitment to academic quality and good educational values. She would be excellent for this position, in the face of relentless internal and external pressure for the dumbing down of the UO undergraduate program.

    • UO Matters 02/28/2013

      Seconded

    • Old Man 03/01/2013

      I am familiar with Karen’s performance as a teacher of Cell Physiology. Her course is focused on the important concepts and delivered in a manner both rigorous and accessible. On the basis of that evidence, I would expect good things from her.

    • Anonymous 03/02/2013

      The refenestration of Sprague?

  3. Anonymous 03/01/2013

    Ok Mr. UO-M, you got Bean to resign. Congrats. Now can you lock him out of JH for the next 4 months?

  4. Anonymous 03/01/2013

    The search committee will not find anyone as committed to the mission of the university and to bringing that mission to undergraduates as Karen Sprague.

    • Anonymous 03/01/2013

      Right, the rest of us faculty have no such commitment …

    • Anonymous 03/01/2013

      Last anonymous — you’re welcome to apply for the position!

      I don’t know many faculty who would have had the dedication that Karen has had to that job.

      It really sucks that Bean had to do this as one of his last hatchet acts. He must have really had it in for her.

  5. Anonymous 03/01/2013

    If anyone else in JH had balls they’d stick up for her, but no…

    • Anonymous 03/05/2013

      And who did you have the balls to stick up for Karen?

  6. Anonymous 03/01/2013

    “Just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn’t mean the circus has left town.” Carlin
    Bean is an selfish ass.

  7. Anonymous 03/01/2013

    Ok Karen, enough tooting your own horn.

  8. Anonymous 03/02/2013

    I’ve known Karen for a long, long time – horn tooter she is not. Bean’s unjustified dismissal is a travesty, and Gottfredson not standing up for her even more so. Just another do gooder tossed under the bus….

    • Anonymous 03/05/2013

      Ok Cathy you need to stop

  9. Fox/Hedgehog 03/02/2013

    I understand the axings (and mutual protection schemes) among the high and mighty and salary-laden, those who stand in the revenue streams and divide the waters. I don’t understand this very weird and apparently dishonest removal of a vice-provost of undergraduate studies who has again and again proved her sound judgment, her faithfulness to the mission of the university, and who has worked as hard as anyone could for the undergraduates here, focusing especially on their intellectual lives and the academic part of their experience. She has always kept her eyes on the prize. It is true that she is not part of the system-gaming that counts as leadership these days, but even from the point of view of those who must, I acknowledge, focus on such things, isn’t there an important place in this university for those who do not? And isn’t the vice-provost for undergraduate studies such a place?

    • Anonymous 03/03/2013

      And why was Bean allowed this as a parting shot? The timing is very weird.

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