SOU Board Embarks on Presidential Search

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(Ashland, Ore.) — The Southern Oregon University Board of Trustees is embarking upon a search for the University’s next president. During its Jan. 22 meeting, the Board appointed a committee to assist in the search and selection process.
The Presidential Search Committee is comprised of key members of both internal and external constituent groups, including, but not limited to, the Board of Trustees; SOU faculty, staff, alumni, and students; and members of the Rogue Valley community.
While the committee is expected to provide important insight, the Board wants to ensure the right fit for SOU and will also take into account the interests of the campus and community when making a final decision in selecting SOU’s next president.
Identifying Presidential Search Committee members is the latest in a series of steps the Board has undertaken in order to build the infrastructure and process necessary to complete a robust presidential search. The Board has also contracted with an executive search firm specializing in higher education presidential searches.
“Hiring a University president is one of the most important jobs the Board will ever undertake,” said Bill Thorndike, chair of the SOU Board. “We are shaping the future of the University and our goal is to select the best possible president to help lead us into the next phase of SOU.”
The contract of current president Roy Saigo, who came out of retirement to take the position at SOU in 2014, expires on July 31 of this year.
The next step in the search process will be to solicit input from the SOU campus community and the public. “We want to hear what the community wants and needs in the next president,” according to Lyn Hennion, chair of the Presidential Search Committee and member of the SOU Board. “Our goal is to ensure this search is as well-informed as possible, and to ensure that SOU stakeholders—both on and off campus—have an opportunity to share their thoughts and insights.”
Listening sessions will be held as follows:
 
Wednesday, Feb. 3:
 
Student Listening Session No. 1
9 – 10 a.m.
Meese Room, Hannon Library
 
Staff Listening Session No. 1
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Meese Room, Hannon Library
 
Faculty Listening Session No. 1
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Meese Room, Hannon Library
 
Community: Open Listening Session
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Medford Campus, Auditorium 132
 
Thursday, Feb. 4:
 
Faculty Listening Session No. 2
9 – 10 a.m.
Meese Room, Hannon Library
 
Staff Listening Session No. 2
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Meese Room, Hannon Library
 
Student Listening Session No. 2
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Meese Room, Hannon Library
Members of the community who are unable to attend the public listening session are encouraged to submit input by emailing presidentialsearch@sou.edu. Additionally, anyone interested in following the status of the search can visit presidentialsearch.sou.edu for regular updates.
Representatives from search firm Parker Executive Search will lead the listening sessions and feedback will be shared with the Presidential Search Committee and Board of Trustees.
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About Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University is a medium-sized campus that provides comprehensive educational opportunities with a strong focus on student success and intellectual creativity. Located in vibrant Ashland, Oregon, SOU remains committed to diversity and inclusion for all students on its environmentally sustainable campus. Connected learning programs taught by a host of exceptional faculty provide quality, innovative experiences for students. Visit sou.edu.

SOU In the News: Jan 12 – 25

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SOU Student, Alumni, Faculty, and Staff Features:
Oxford University Press – How Do You Pronounce “Pulitzer”? (feature by Dr. Edwin Battistella): https://blog.oup.com/2016/01/how-pronounce-pulitzer/
KDRV – Odds of Winning (featuring professor Kemble Yates): https://mms.tveyes.com/Transcript.asp?StationID=5420&DateTime=1%2F13%2F2016+11%3A03%3A31+AM&Term=Southern+Oregon+University&PlayClip=TRUE
Daily Tidings – SOU Professor Joins Oregon Humanities Board of Directors: https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160114/NEWS/160119906/101059/NEWS
Daily Tidings – Wine Enthusiast Touts Ashland Area as an International Destination (Professor Greg Jones featured): https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160119/NEWS/160119848/0/SEARCH
Upper Rogue Independent – Southern Oregon’s Chinese Heritage (Chelsea Rose featured): https://www.urindependent.com/2016/01/southern-oregons-chinese-heritage/
NCAA Champion Magazine – Where Pride Meets Prejudice (Dr. Saigo featured): https://www.ncaa.org/static/champion/where-pride-meets-prejudice/index.php
The Siskiyou – Meet the New Face of the QRC: https://siskiyou.sou.edu/2016/01/22/meet-the-new-face-of-the-queer-resource-center/
Daily Tidings – Oregon Tempranillo Takes Center Stage (Professor Greg Jones featured): https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160124/NEWS/160129913/0/SEARCH
Mail Tribune – Rogue Valley Drivers Fill ‘er Up as Gas Prices Drop Below $2 (Professor Dan Rubensen featured): https://www.mailtribune.com/article/20160122/NEWS/160129809
 
News on SOU Academic Programs:

Daily Tidings – Exchange Programs Strengthen Ashland-Guanajuato Ties: https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160118/NEWS/160119850/0/SEARCH
KTVL – SOU Creates Program for Business Owners: https://ktvl.com/news/local/sou-creates-program-for-business-owners
 
News on SOU Fine and Performing Arts:

Daily Tidings – ‘More than a Survivor’ Challenges Stereotypes Around Sex-Trafficking Victims: https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160112/NEWS/160119964/0/SEARCH
Mail Tribune – ‘Exploring Reality’ at Schneider Museum of Art: https://www.mailtribune.com/article/20160111/ENTERTAINMENT/160119995/0/SEARCH
Mail Tribune – ‘More than a Survivor’ Challenges Stereotypes Around Sex-Trafficking Victims: https://www.mailtribune.com/article/20160112/NEWS/160119909/0/SEARCH
Daily Tidings – Poetry Event of the Season: https://blogs.esouthernoregon.com/ashland-poetry/2016/01/12/poetry-event-of-the-season/
Daily Tidings – ‘Exploring Reality’ at the Schneider Museum of Art: https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160114/ENTERTAINMENT/160119974/0/SEARCH
 
News on Recent and Upcoming SOU Events:
Daily Tidings – Hannon Throws Birthday Bash for Poet William Stafford: https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160118/NEWS/160119849/0/SEARCH
JPR – Poetry and Music to Celebrate a Poet-Laureate: https://ijpr.org/post/poetry-and-music-celebrate-poet-laureate
Daily Tidings – Local Farms Captured in Words and Color: https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160122/NEWS/160129925/0/SEARCH
Mail Tribune – Local Farms Captured in Words and Color: https://www.mailtribune.com/article/20160123/NEWS/160129781/0/SEARCH
 
News on SOU governance and Board of Trustees:
Daily Tidings – SOU Expects Faculty Union to Ratify Contract: https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160124/NEWS/160129912/0/SEARCH
 
Miscellaneous News:
Daily Tidings – Our View: Spotlight on Trafficking: https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160113/OPINION/160119952/0/SEARCH
The Siskiyou – SOU, Thinking Local?: https://siskiyou.sou.edu/2016/01/15/sou-thinking-local/
The Siskiyou – McNeal Pavilion Behind Schedule: https://siskiyou.sou.edu/2016/01/15/mcneal-pavilion-behind-schedule/
The Siskiyou – FDA Ban Stops Blood Drives on Campus, “We Would Like to See Change”: https://siskiyou.sou.edu/2016/01/20/fda-ban-stops-blood-drives-on-campus-we-would-like-to-see-change/
The Siskiyou – Martin Luther King’s Legacy, “Get Uncomfortable”: https://siskiyou.sou.edu/2016/01/20/martin-luther-kings-legacy-get-uncomfortable/
KDRV – Survivor and Advocates Talk About Sex Trafficking: https://www.kdrv.com/news/local/Reb.html
KOBI – “More than a Survivor” Photo Exhibit Kicks Off: https://kobi5.com/news/more-than-a-survivor-photo-exhibit-kicks-off-20189/
Daily Tidings – Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.: https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160115/NEWS/160119880/0/SEARCH
Mail Tribune – Honoring MLK: Small Children, Big Message: https://www.mailtribune.com/article/20160115/NEWS/160119691/0/SEARCH
The Siskiyou – SOU Snapchat: More or Less Moralless: https://siskiyou.sou.edu/2016/01/21/sou-snapchat-more-or-less-moralless/
Movie Maker – Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker 2016 (SOU mentioned): https://www.moviemaker.com/archives/news/2016-best-places-small-cities-and-towns/5/
The Siskiyou – Where Your Student Fees Go: https://siskiyou.sou.edu/2016/01/22/where-your-student-fees-go/
KTVL – SOU Student Posts on Snapchat Unfiltered: https://ktvl.com/news/local/sou-students-post-on-snapchat-unfiltered
Daily Tidings – Old McNeal Pavilion Coming Down to Make Way for New Facility: https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160121/NEWS/160129949/0/SEARCH
Mail Tribune – SOU Pool Building Demolished: https://www.mailtribune.com/article/20160121/NEWS/160129892/0/SEARCH
KTVL – Jackson Elementary Held “Junior Achievement in a Day”: https://ktvl.com/news/local/jackson-elementary-held-junior-achievement-in-a-day

SOU French Club Hosts 20th Annual French Dinner

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(Ashland, Ore.) — The Southern Oregon University French Club will host its 20th annual French Dinner on Thursday, Jan. 28 in the Rogue River Room inside the Stevenson Union on SOU’s main Ashland campus. The dinner features French cuisine, including vegan options, and wine for just $3 per glass. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with dinner being served at 7 p.m.
“This is a really fun event that gives us an opportunity to introduce the community to French culture and cuisine in a very affordable way,” said Amy Layton, president of the SOU French Club. “Plus it supports a really good cause, as a portion of the proceeds will be donated to an organization that provides wearable baby carriers to traveling refugees in Germany.”
FRENCH DINNER 2016
Tickets for the event must be purchased in advance. They are just $8 for SOU students and employees and $11 for members of the community. They can be purchased inside the Stevenson Union on campus at SOU, or at Paddington Station in downtown Ashland. Only 120 tickets will be sold.
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About Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University is a medium-sized campus that provides comprehensive educational opportunities with a strong focus on student success and intellectual creativity. Located in vibrant Ashland, Oregon, SOU remains committed to diversity and inclusion for all students on its environmentally sustainable campus. Connected learning programs taught by a host of exceptional faculty provide quality, innovative experiences for students. Visit sou.edu.

SOU Launches New Professional Development Series

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(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University has launched a new series of professional development workshops for executives, managers, and owners of local and regional businesses. The monthly series was developed to address skills gaps identified by employers after SOU surveyed regional businesses to determine which topics were most needed for their employees.
“Soft skills continue to top the charts,” said Jeanne Stallman, SOU’s executive director for outreach and engagement. “Communicating effectively, building a team, learning how to persuade and influence others – it takes so much more than sending an email.” Workshops on presentation skills, team building, and using power effectively address these topics.
But the soft skills of management weren’t all that was identified. “Using data effectively has emerged as a fast-growing need,” Stallman said. The March 16 workshop focuses on using data to drive strategy.
Presenter Stephen Lindsay is passionate about using data well. Over a decade spent with American Express he developed an expertise in analyzing small international markets, which led to consulting work with small businesses and startups in rural communities. “Whether you are a big business or small, there’s data all around you,” Lindsay said. “We are drenched in it! And there’s some simple, small things you can do with data easily available to you, which will make a big difference for your business.”
The workshops are scheduled for Wednesday mornings, a time employers indicated would work best. The first workshop, Presentation Skills for Professionals, begins January 27, with monthly sessions on different topics running through May. For more information, a full schedule of workshops, or to register, visit sou.edu/community or call 541-552-8150.
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About Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University is a medium-sized campus that provides comprehensive educational opportunities with a strong focus on student success and intellectual creativity. Located in vibrant Ashland, Oregon, SOU remains committed to diversity and inclusion for all students on its environmentally sustainable campus. Connected learning programs taught by a host of exceptional faculty provide quality, innovative experiences for students. Visit sou.edu.

SOU In the News: Jan. 5 – Jan. 11

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SOU Student, Alumni, Faculty, and Staff Features:
Coast Weekend – What Does it Mean to Be Human (feature on Professor Prakash Chenjeri): https://www.coastweekend.com/cw/coastal-life/20160104/what-does-it-mean-to-be-human
KOBI – Community Remembers Medford Teacher: https://kobi5.com/news/local-news/community-remembers-medford-teacher-19575/
Eater.com – How El Nino is Impacting California’s Wine Industry (Professor Greg Jones featured): https://www.eater.com/2016/1/6/10718654/el-nino-california-wine
Daily Tidings – City Councilor Voisin Rules Out Run for House: https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160108/NEWS/160109855/0/SEARCH
 
News on SOU Fine and Performing Arts:

Daily Tidings – Schneider Museum to Host Lecture by Artist McAdams: https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160106/NEWS/160109904/0/SEARCH
 
News on Politics, Policy, and National Trends Impacting SOU and Higher Education:
GolocalPDX.com – Oregon Spends Nearly Four Times More on Incarceration than Higher Education: https://www.golocalpdx.com/news/oregon-spends-nearly-four-times-more-on-incarceration-than-higher-education
Statesman Journal – PERS Costs to Rise by Billions: https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/politics/state-workers/2015/12/25/pers-costs-rise-billions/77098062/
Oregonian/Oregon Live – Democratic Legislators Have Made Education a Priority (Opinion): https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/12/democratic_legislators_have_ma.html#incart_river_index
US News & World Report – States are Slacking on Higher Ed Spending: https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016/01/07/states-spending-less-on-higher-education-today-than-before-recession
Market Watch – Why States are Cutting Back on Higher Education Funding: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-states-are-cutting-back-on-higher-education-funding-2016-01-07
 
News on SOU governance and Board of Trustees:
KDRV – Search for SOU President Moves Forward: https://www.kdrv.com/news/local/Search_For_SOU_President_Moves_Forward.html
 
Miscellaneous News:
Daily Tidings – Ashland Nonprofit Interns Help Keep Trails Clear: https://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160106/NEWS/160109903/0/SEARCH
Mail Tribune – Business Briefs: Lunch Talk Will Focus on SOU Intern Program: https://www.mailtribune.com/article/20160105/NEWS/160109844/0/SEARCH
Wepartypatriots.com – $2.5 Million in Backpay Coming to Oregon Tradesmen: https://wepartypatriots.com/wp/2016/01/04/2-5m-in-backpay-coming-to-oregon-tradesmen-for-universitys-prevailing-wage-violations/