Chuck Lillis, chair of the University of Oregon Board of Trustees, and nonfaculty staff trustee Jimmy Murray will step down at the end of the 2021-22 academic year.
Lillis has served the university for almost a decade and was part of the university’s inaugural governing board appointed in fall 2013. He has been selected by his fellow trustees to serve as board chair throughout his tenure.
“Over our almost 150-year history, I cannot imagine an individual who has had more of an impact on today’s University of Oregon than Chuck Lillis,” said university President Michael Schill. “Chuck and his wife, Gwen, have been leaders and supporters of our academic mission for decades. Chuck was an important part of the effort to free us from the Oregon University System; he stepped in to lead us as our first independent board chair; and in that role pushed us to be as good as we could be and to dream big dreams. I look forward to working with him over the next six months to further cement his legacy.”
Murray has served as the staff trustee since 2017, one of three designated campus positions on the board. Murray works as a technology specialist and student coordinator with the Mathematics Library and Price Science Library.
“Jimmy Murray is an inquisitive and thoughtful trustee, and a good colleague,” said Vice Chair Ginevra Ralph. “He has been a strong connection to campus perspectives for the rest of the board.”
Last year, at the end of their terms, Gov. Kate Brown asked both Lillis and Murray to continue their service on the board for continuity and to provide institutional knowledge as the board welcomed seven new trustees.
“It has been a tremendous honor to serve as a trustee on the UO’s first board and to serve as the board’s chair,” Lillis said. “I look forward to continuing our work until the end of the school year.”
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as a campus trustee,” Murray said. “I want to thank every member of the campus community that helped me share their perspectives with my fellow trustees and campus leadership.”
Lillis and Murray will attend their last regular board meeting in May.
New appointments to trustee positions on the board are made by the governor and must be confirmed by the Oregon Senate.
Individuals interested in applying for the vacancies can find information on the board’s website, which also links to the governor’s executive appointments site. Applications for the vacant seats are due in the governor’s office by March 5.
Per the UO board’s bylaws, once the board chair position becomes vacant, the vice chair temporarily assumes responsibilities of the chair until the trustees meet to select a new chair.