OSU Community:

It has been incredibly rewarding to review what we accomplished together last year. (See the College and Division annual reports at the same web site.) We worked to create a more focused and more strategic University that is fiscally sustainable and positioned for future opportunities and growth. The progress we made was due to the hard work of individuals in every kind position across the campus community, and we are in a better position today to move forward and meet our goals and challenges.

We also worked together to manage our budget in a way that was consistent with our three principles of minimizing the impact of budget reductions on students’ ability to make timely progress toward graduation, minimizing the negative impact on our ability to recruit and retain faculty, and use of the updated Strategic Plan as a guide to cut budgets and invest in opportunities. As you know, we have plans for major investments in faculty, equipment, classrooms, and student success and engagement this academic year.

In addition to the areas covered in my annual report, I would like to mention the recent appointments of Mark Zabriskie as Dean of Pharmacy, Lois Brooks as Vice Provost for Information Services, and Rick Spinrad as Vice President for Research. Searches for Dean of the Graduate School, University Librarian, Director of the Alumni Association, Associate Provost for International Programs, and Vice President for University Relations and Marketing (formerly University Advancement) are underway. The leadership transition in the Division of University Advancement has provided an occasion to assess our strengths and opportunities in marketing and communications. We are working with the Division to refocus in order to better meet the needs of the University going forward.

Lastly, I would like to update you regarding a reconfiguration of the Division of Academic Affairs and International Programs to separate Divisions. This reconfiguration will enable more focused leadership in each of the two areas. Becky Warner will continue to provide senior leadership for the Division of Academic Affairs. As the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, she will lead in a range of areas that include academic personnel policies; faculty recruitment, retention and development; undergraduate studies; teaching and learning environment; academic program reviews; institutional planning; and accreditation. The senior leadership for the Division of International Programs will be provided by the Associate Provost for International Programs, reporting directly to the Provost.

It is a privilege to work together with you on behalf of Oregon State University and the communities we serve. President Ray and I appreciate your leadership and service, and wish you every success this academic year.

Sincerely,

Sabah Randhawa
Provost and Executive Vice President