Newly appointed Interim President Scott Coltrane today issued a message to the campus community that not only outlined goals for the coming year, but also welcomed a new interim senior vice president and provost to his team.

“When I stepped into the provost role a year ago, I was looking forward to spending the next several years focusing on the university’s needs as chief academic officer,” Coltrane wrote. “However, even though higher education is slow to embrace it sometimes, things change. The university’s needs have changed and we again find ourselves in the midst of a transition.”

Coltrane again emphasized the specific areas of focus for the coming year, including strategic and academic planning, fundraising and the search for a permanent president, all in partnership with the new board of trustees.

“We will do this by being a collaborative university, where the important perspectives of our many passionate faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni and donors are a part of the conversation.” Coltrane wrote.  “Our need to come together as a university has never been greater, as we work to find greater stability and define the University of Oregon for the future.”

The memo also introduced Frances Bronet, dean of the School of Architecture and Allied Arts, as interim provost.

“In my years as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and during my time as provost, I have developed a tremendous respect for Frances. More importantly, however, Frances has earned the respect of the campus community, and I believe she will be a breath of fresh air in Johnson Hall,” read the memo.

Bronet said she is honored to be asked to serve alongside Coltrane during this “extraordinary moment.”

“I’m moved by the opportunity,” Bronet said. “I’m so excited about working with this team at this time, in true partnership with someone I deeply admire. The power of this university is unmatched. We are going to run with it, to the benefit of our students and larger community.”

“We’re gonna rock and roll,” added Bronet.

An interim leader for the School of Architecture and Allied Arts is expected to be announced soon.

—By Tobin J. Klinger, Public Affairs Communications