Practicing values, shaping community

Dear UO community,

During my first summer as provost of the University of Oregon, I cultivated a habit of taking daily walks to the Willamette River, sometimes alone, often with colleagues. The Willamette is a mighty river and, like a university, ever-changing, shaped always by the energy flowing through it. I find this practice of walking along the river restorative; it reminds me to remain present to the dynamic life of the university, particularly now as we welcome new and returning students at the beginning of another academic year.    

This fall, we will continue to emphasize the core values—trust, collaboration, and academic excellence—that were shared with me early on and reinforced in our leadership retreats over the summer. These principles are also integral to the Oregon Rising strategic plan. I am dedicated to a relationship-based leadership approach that embodies these values, and I look forward to enriching my understanding of what truly shapes our university community through ongoing interactions and meaningful conversations throughout the year.  

One of the most compelling aspects of an education at the University of Oregon is our shared commitment to the liberal arts. The virtues of a liberal arts education include the ability to communicate with eloquence, embrace diversity with grace, perceive globally with imagination, and respond to complexity with nuance.   

This year, as we navigate the election season, work to create a culture of dialogue across differences on campus, and advance a new strategic plan that will bring our highest aspirations to fruition, I hope we will continue to cultivate these virtues in our relationships with one another. As a public research university, we are committed to upholding the constitutional right to free speech and peaceful dissent. We also uphold the right for all our students to receive their education, to participate in and attend classes, and to do so safely and without harassment or discrimination.    

Before I close, let me touch on a few priorities on the agenda this fall:   

• We are in the midst of our institutional accreditation cycle that will include a campus visit by peer reviewers who will be meeting stakeholders in public forums. I urge you all to participate in these forums on October 9 for faculty and October 10 for staff. 
• We are currently searching for a new dean of the School of Law and an executive vice provost for academic affairs. Details about those searches will be forthcoming, so be on the lookout for opportunities to participate in the hiring process for these important positions.  
• The university strategic plan, Oregon Rising, will be the focus of our coordinated leadership efforts across the university as we work together to improve graduation rates, prepare students for meaningful careers, create a culture of flourishing, and innovate for societal impact. 

In closing, I invite you to make some time for a walk along the Willamette this fall. Go alone, or bring a colleague, and take a moment to enjoy the ever-flowing energy that gives the river life as we embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.  

Sincerely,   

Christopher P. Long  
Provost and Senior Vice President