10/15/2012 update: Video of Pres Gottfredson’s “State of the University of Oregon” speech is now posted, here, along with the rest of the Senate meeting, including the debate on random drug testing. Or watch below. (Thanks to anonymous tech dude for correct embed code.)
Note that by leaving Rob Mullens’s emergency drug testing rule in place while the Senate Executive decides what to do we have given the athletic department the power to revoke the scholarship of any “student-athlete” after just one failed random pot test.
10/12/2012.
President gives fact filled “State of the University” speech to Senate: That would be Ed Ray at OSU. Gottfredson’s speech to the UO Senate is not here, I suppose someone has a copy somewhere. Something on his website here, it’s got a picture of trees.
OMG. Just read Ed Ray’s speech. I’ve never heard anything like that here — specific, pragmatic, honest, realistic, but also ambitious, forceful, and, in its own understated way, visionary. While we’ve been chasing dreams, licking our wounds, and sniping at each other, OSU has been, like, you know, actually *doing* stuff.
After presenting his State of the [Oregon State] University Address to the OSU Faculty Senate, President Ed Ray entertained questions from the assembled and online participants for about a half an hour. One thing about Ray: He’s open, and direct. Most important, though, he’s open.
One particular nugget leaped out at me – at about 12:30 into the Q&A session, responding to concerns about what is being planned for the Bend campus, Ray said, “…it was a sentence, but I meant what I said about this Faculty Senate has a critical role to play in, regardless of where anything is located, if it’s gonna have the imprimatur of Oregon State University it’s gotta be something we all agree is appropriate and of a quality that we’re willing to stand behind. Absolutely.” (Emphasis added by me.)
You can watch his address at: http://media.oregonstate.edu/index.php/show/?id=0_vaoox3s8
The Q&A session afterward is at: http://media.oregonstate.edu/index.php/show/?id=0_mduyfkno
—– Will Overhead, ’33 The Fishwrapper
Gottfredson’s speech I found really disappointing. It was vague, repetitive, and delivered in a monotone. Any clues about his specific plans for the future of the UO would have to be filtered out of the mass of platitudes and boilerplate language. I could not help but suspect that he was hired because the state board wanted someone whom they can easily intimidate. Frohnmayer had a dignified yet friendly manner and was an excellent speaker. Lariviere was authoritative and confident, always sounded like he knew he was right. Gottfredson, none of the above.
Frohnmayer was indeed hard to intimidate, but he was cheap to buy.
Who were the other two candidates – the ones Pernsteiner wouldn’t let come to campus?
He hasn’t even posted his speech on his webpage? Nor has the Senate? I think that now makes UO Matters and his notes the Official Organ of UO.
Randy Geller knows the password.
The athletic department has the power to revoke a scholarship for many reasons. As they should. Get over it.
Threats about financial aid work great for keeping the athletes under control. It’s got nothing to to with academics.
On the plus side: not much; MG said the right things
On the down side: it was a string of clichés, none of which revealed much about an agenda or about his understanding of the UO.
Who is he talking to?
I am no historian but two phrases come to mind from listening to this talk: ” apres moi, le deluge” and “let them eat cake”
unfortunately I fear that the provosts and deans feel the same way.
“Qu’ils mangent de la brioche” dit le Chien de Friendly Hall
otherwise, right on! even if it was not Marie Antoinette who is alleged to have spoken the words!