Richard Jarvis Former OUS Chancellor [Click to enlarge]

Oregon University System Chancellor Richard Jarvis' resignation took effect Wednesday, ending his two-year tenure at the position. George Pernsteiner, a former executive director of finance and administration at University of California - Santa Barbara, will take the helm as Chief Operations Acting Chancellor July 6.

Many officials are pleased with the selection.

"He has a tremendous breadth of experience in the state of Oregon and higher education," said Geraldine Richmond, vice president of the OUS Board.

OUS Director of Communications Di Saunders said Pernsteiner had a strong track record with the OUS, bringing to the table 13 years previous experience working at the University of Oregon, Portland State University and the Chancellor's office.

"[With this background] he could really hit the ground running," Saunders said. "He brings in a new plan and new stability."

Jarvis resigned from his position to allow the board to pursue new goals. "This board is setting a new direction from that pursued by the previous leadership who retained the Chancellor," Board President Neil Goldschmidt said in an OUS press release. "[Jarvis] wants the board to have the freedom to pursue that course under an administrative structure that best serves the Governor's revitalized mission and the Board's initiatives for higher education."

In the press release, Goldschmidt said the board enjoyed working with Jarvis, but both sides felt it was the best decision.

"He is an outstanding educator whose contributions are well-regarded," said Goldschmidt.

Saunders said Jarvis praised the work the new board has done. The new board just has a different road map than his, she said.

"It was a completely different job with a completely different focus," said Saunders.

During his administration, which began May 2002, Jarvis dealt with harsh economic times, along with the disinvestment in higher education and extreme budget cuts, Saunders said. Tuition surcharges hit students hard during the 2002-2003 school year, she noted.

"He did the best he could under the constraints of a tight state budget," Richmond said.

Jarvis also conducted the university president search for Oregon State University and Eastern Oregon University, a time-consuming process.

The new board is in the process of forming three new working groups, one focusing on access and affordability, the second on excellence in delivery and productivity, and the third on academic excellence and economic development.

Saunders said some of these groups' goals are to improve affordability for two-thirds of students from a grant endowment, to work on better transfer movement from community colleges to four-year institutions, and to find ways to help students finish school faster so it doesn't cost them as much money.

Saunders said Jarvis is currently in the middle of a job search. "He is looking for a new job as system head or college president," Saunders said.

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omiedrawhorn@dailyemerald.com

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