EOU board of trustees discusses presidential search process

Sept. 12, 2022

EOU board of trustees discusses presidential search process

LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University board of trustees met in special session on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, to elect a vice-chair and discuss the presidential search process. 

Board Chair Cheryl Martin opened the meeting with commentary on the presidential transition.

“We are in a transition time where we are beginning the process of finding a new leader for EOU,”  Board Chair Cheryl Martin said. “My prayer is that we will work together as a team as we move forward. Collectively, our attitude will determine our altitude. Let’s begin this process with the best of intentions and the promise of finding the right person to lead our beloved university.”

She then asked interim co-President Richard Chaves to provide a few words about the search for EOU’s next president.

“On behalf of co-President Lara Moore and myself, we feel honored to help lead the university while the board searches for the next president,” Chaves said. “I know that this board and the search committee will find the best possible president, whomever he or she will be. We know they are doing the best for our students and our community.”

The session continued with the election of trustee George Mendoza as vice-chair of the board. Mendoza is replacing Cheryl Martin as she is now serving as chair of the board following Richard Chaves’ resignation to serve as co-president. Mendoza will serve out the remainder of the term, which ends November 10, 2022. 

At the start of the discussion of the presidential selection process, the board went into Executive Session to review and discuss confidential components of the search. After returning to regular session, Trustees discussed the presidential search committee formation, its responsibilities, and how the committee conducts the search process. They also reviewed how input from the university community and the public at large is collected and incorporated into the search process. 

“Community input is crucial to the process of selecting our next leader,” trustee Maurizio Valerio said. “It is important to engage with the community the university serves.”

The board will meet again to discuss and vote on Resolution 22-08 on Sept. 26, 2022. This will allow time for additional community comment on the proposed resolution.  

Finally, the board read Resolution 22-08 aloud and in full. To watch the full meeting, visit eou.edu/governance/livestream-meetings/. Materials for the meeting may be found at: https://www.eou.edu/governance/board-meetings/september-9-2022-special-meeting/.