On Tuesday, November 3rd of 2011, University of Oregon President Richard Lariviere was told by The Oregon Board of Higher Education that his contract would not be renewed on June 1st of 2012. Why was this? Did the Board have a valid reason? Oh, they probably gave an official response. They said something like, "No Comment!" or "Classified" or "He didn't have a right to-" or something like that. This is ridiculous.
But, there were two moves that might just have cost him his job.
He floated a proposal in the last legislative session that the state sell $1 billion in bonds, matched the private donors, in a bold move to make the school more independent.
He also flouted former Gov. Ted Kulongski's furlough plans for state workers by substituting overtime pay to make up for salary losses.
"One of my proudest accomplishments is the concerted advocacy for public policy, governance and funding changes to strengthen the university and the entire state," he wrote in his letter, "I remain hopeful that honest debate and the exploration of new ideas – whether academic or political – will be celebrated and encouraged."
BASICALLY, IN BRIEF, HE WANTED TO MAKE THE SCHOOL A LITTLE MORE INDEPENDENT, HE WAS A REFORMER BUT THIS IS A STRUGGLE FOR POWER. THE BOARD SAYS SOMETHING LIKE "education!" BUT ALL THIS IS ABOUT IS POWER. THE BOARD CANNOT BEAR TO SEE A LITTLE BIT OF POWER SLIP OUT OF THEIR HANDS SO THEY FIRED THE PRESIDENT OF THE SCHOOL. STOP THIS OPPRESSION. NOW.
Please, do not let this happen. Stop This!
We the undersigned,
Believe that there is no valid reason to fire such a great and successful president as Richard Lariviere is. He wanted to make the University of Oregon a more independent school. That isn't preposterous or anything because the University has to raise 93% of it's funds on it's own or from donors. A measly 7% comes from State. Please listen! We want him! We, Oregonians! CHANGE IS NEEDED! Please!
Thank you so much,
We the undersigned.
