The State Board of Education is making a huge mistake. This WILL come back and bite them; it's going to take some time to find someone who is not only well-qualified, but will take the job when they let someone like him go so soon after hiring.

"The news came Tuesday night in an email to students and faculty from Lariviere. In the email, he told them he wanted them to hear the news directly from him first that the board---"---" because of a difference of opinion with the state Board of Higher Education about the future of the university." OF higher education and the future??? hmmmm Sounds like he is keeping in touch with his students and his plans are not the so called "Bored of hohum educration" in my openion.. I can't wait for more details!!!!

it is called cleaning house. something had to have happened in order for the to do this, but then again Oregon is an at will state...they can get rid of you with out a reason. Or maybe it is tax cuts, thats a lot of money not being paid out to an employee.

"The President of the University of Oregon works for Oregon State Board of Higher Education, not for the students, faculty and staff!" The above statement is correct of course. What is also correct is the the Board of Education works for us. And as one of their employers I would like to know exactly what the policy differences are. Before I can make up my mind whether this is a good move or not I want some answers. If the president of the U of O is nothing more than a figure head and mouth piece for the Board of Education then my reaction is who needs to pay for a university president in the first place? Just let the gods on high dictate what they want done and have a much less expensive employee follow the boards orders. Which leads to the next question. What makes these board members so god awful smart?

Anyone who goes "against the grain" in this incestuous town is doomed. He should let them fire him and then collect unemployment! They'll give him a crappy reference anyway. ha!

nickinewly -- Just so you understand how the system works. The President of the University of Oregon works for Oregon State Board of Higher Education, not for the students, faculty and staff!

Oh and he is SOOOO underpaid

To the two idiots who posted the negative comments below, perhaps you should talk to students, faculty and staff to see how they feel about this move by the state. The should also know that the state only provides 6% of it's entire operating budget and Lariviere has been a key part of all the fundraising that has gone in the last 3 years. If you'd make it to campus once in a while rather than just Autzen you might see how much building is going on - a good deal of it due to Richard's leadership. This man has been a refreshing change that has upgraded the status of the university nationally.

Did the State Board talk this over with the U of O owner Phil Knight before they did this????

Two losses in one season is not enough reason to get rid of the President. Really.