The UO Board of Trustees has a full plate set for its meetings on campus scheduled for Dec. 10-12.  The board will consider and learn more about a number of issues including the UO’s information technology infrastructure, research, student life programs and facilities, as well as funding and audit reports.

Among specific action items, the trustees will consider approving the new Sports Product Management Program, which would be the first new academic program approved since the board’s inception. The board may also grant the university authority to use revenue bonds to raise $50 million in capital. This is a major milestone, because it would be the first time the university is able to borrow money for capital projects without having to seek state approval.

“This is one of the great strengths of the UO having its own board,” said Vice President for Finance and Administration Jamie Moffitt. “We will be much more nimble and will be able to take advantage of when the capital markets are attractive.  That will give us more financial flexibility and ultimately make us more efficient.”

Additional items on the meeting agendas include:

• Consideration of a new policy development process.
• Repeal of inapplicable policies inherited from the state.
• Confidentiality for the ombudsperson.
• An overview and site visits to various student-focus campus facilities.

While the board has delegated authority for all collective bargaining issues to the president, it will receive an update about current and upcoming negotiations from interim President Scott Coltrane during an executive session on Friday.

For more information about the time and location of the board’s meetings next week, please visit trustees.uoregon.edu/meetings.

UPDATE: Policies proposal postponed

—By Jennifer Winters, Public Affairs Communications