The Academic and Student Affairs Committee (ASAC) of the Board of Trustees met Nov. 3, to consider the final revised version of the updated UO mission statement.

Chair Mary Wilcox opened the discussion on the recently revised statement, which was presented to the group after the final call for community input ended on Oct. 31.

While the committee consensus was positive concerning the direction the final draft had taken, Trustee Kurt Willcox offered two suggestions, which the committee incorporated.

While echoing appreciation for the revisions, he suggested strengthening the purpose statement of the draft to not only reflect the economic well-being of the state of Oregon but to capture the economic success of UO students upon graduation. He proposed including “our students” in the statement, “Through these pursuits, we enhance the social, cultural, physical and economic wellbeing of our students, Oregon, the nation, and the world.”

Additionally, Willcox proposed updating the values statement referencing the “outstanding quality of life” to the more inclusive, “We value the unique geography, history and culture of Oregon that shapes our identity and spirit.”

Both proposals were unanimously accepted and the resolution to forward the amended mission statement to the full board for a meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 5, passed unopposed.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Senior Vice Provost of Academic Affairs Barbara Altmann, who has facilitated the drafting process, thanked the members of the Board of Trustees for their “extraordinarily thoughtful and helpful comments.” Altman indicated that, while many drafts have circulated, she believes that the statement grew “better with every pass.”

Mary Wilcox closed the meeting by thanking the committee and staff. She characterized their work on the mission statement as “important as we move forward in this critical period,” ensuring that the university continues to do the right thing, the right way.

The full Board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 5 at 2:30 p.m. in room 403 of the Ford Alumni Center. The meeting is open to the public.

—By Jen McCulley, Public Affairs Communications