2016 President-Elect Candidate (Early Fall Election)

Bob Mason (at OSU since 1991), Professor and J.C. Braly Curator of Vertebrates, Department of Integrative Biology, Associate Department Head and Director of Undergraduate Programs, College of Science.

FACULTY SENATE SERVICE: Science Senator, 2011-present, 2003-08; Research Council, 2016-present, 1994-97; Executive Committee, 2012-13, 2005-07; Interinstitutional Faculty Senate (IFS) 2011-14 (President (elected) 06/2012-12/2013); University Honors College Council, 2008-10; and Committee on Committees, 2000-02 (chair, 2001-02).

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE SERVICE: Promotion & Tenure Committee (elected) 2016-present; School of Life Science: Curriculum Committee, 2013-16 (chair) and Restructure and Curriculum Planning Committee, 2010-12; Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Research Committee, 2004-10; Head Marshall 2007-present; General Science Restructure Committee, 2003-04 (chair); Curriculum Council, 2002-present; and Biology Workgroup Committee, 2001-02.

OTHER UNIVERSITY SERVICE: Goldwater Scholars Selection Committee, 2009-16; AAALAC Advisory Board, 2011-12; OSU Research Office URISC Student Awards Panel, 2004-10; Study Abroad Advisory Committee, 2008-2010; NCAA Self-Study Committee, 2008-09; IACUC Committee, 1998-02; Research Office, Special Report on Research at OSU, 2000; International Programs Faculty Grants and Awards Program, 1999-00; Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, 1998-02; and Convocations and Lectures Committee, 1996-99.

STATEWIDE SERVICE: Oregon Department of Education, High School Graduation Requirements Task Force, 2008-09.

SEARCH COMMITTEES: OSU Attending Veterinarian and Laboratory Animal Resources Center Director, 2011; Biochemistry and Biophysics Chair, 2010 (chair); Associate Provost for Academic Success and Engagement, 2007-08; and Liberal Arts Dean 2007-08.

Candidate Statement: My 25 years of experience as teacher, researcher and Chair of a large interdisciplinary undergraduate program has given me a rich perspective on many of the problems and opportunities facing the University. In our shared faculty governance structure, the Faculty Senate President must be a compelling and effective advocate for all students, faculty and staff to the University administration. Given this unprecedented circumstance of assuming the presidency without a year as president-elect, one must already have the experience and temperament to assume the presidency almost immediately. I think I am that person and I ask for your help and support.

What will be the critical issues for faculty, and how can you help move those issues forward?

OSU is facing some daunting challenges, but also great possibilities in the near future, and I think we are up to the challenge if we proceed thoughtfully and judiciously. That requires input from the many talented people that make up our community here at OSU: students, faculty and staff. This is the very essence of shared faculty governance. Unlike some universities, we are not run exclusively by administrators in Kerr Admin. We have a long and strong history of shared faculty governance that is an integral part of the way this university runs on a day-to-day basis. At times, it may not seem that way, but we do have a strong voice and play a critical role in the workings of the university. We need to embrace that responsibility and continue to work to make the changes that will improve our university for the entire community. President Ray in his State of the University speech last week was very forthright in defining several of these challenges. OSU faces real challenges at the very heart of our community. At Speak-out sessions both last year and this, students and faculty related many incidences that describe a campus climate that cannot be defined as inclusive. We must dedicate ourselves to creating a campus culture and climate that is mindful of, and guided by, a commitment to social justice reforms. We must also continue to make progress on promoting diversity both in the student and faculty/staff ranks. By doing so, we work to improve our campus climate and become the more inclusive community that so many are earnestly working and striving to create. 

We face considerable challenges to our academic mission. OSU has seen unprecedented growth in our student enrollment yet, even though we have all seen new hires in recent years, we have not kept up with this surge in the student population. At the same time, our first-year retention rates and four- and six-year graduation rates have remained disappointingly low. These are obviously areas in which the faculty can and do play a vital role. Here at OSU, the curriculum remains a faculty responsibility and the committees of the Faculty Senate, with their student members, see to it that our core values are translated into policy. We must redouble our efforts in this regard, and that is why the Faculty Senate is currently reviewing the Baccalaureate Core, taking into consideration the Blueprint for Success. Much work remains to be done and I would dedicate my energies to moving us forward in a meaningful and decisive way.

We continue to grapple with the seemingly perennial problem of budgets and not having enough funding to do all the work that needs to be done. The Faculty Senate can be an effective advocate and ally to the administration in procuring more funding from the state and from private giving. Tuition increases cannot be viewed as a way to solve our fiscal problems. Everyone by now must be aware of the often staggering debt loads incurred by our students to attain a higher education. That simply cannot continue if our society hopes to educate the leaders of tomorrow. In meeting with members of the Faculty Senate leadership, other problems and concerns were discussed that I have simply added as a bulleted list at the end of this statement. This is not to trivialize the issues, but rather, not burden you with an overly long statement.

How has your experience prepared you for this position? 

This question is, in my opinion, the most important one for faculty to consider. Many of my colleagues have asked me if I am really ready to assume the responsibilities of the Faculty Senate Presidency. The short answer is yes, I am pledging my energies and my experience in this challenging time for both the Faculty Senate and the University as a whole. Let me unpack this a bit more to describe the situation we are in. Normally, we elect a president-elect who then serves an entire year with the current president so there is, effectively, a team that works closely on all the business of the Senate for one year. Because the president-elect had to relinquish the position since she assumed an administrative role that precluded her from serving as our Faculty Senate President. That means that the next president of the Faculty Senate will need to assume the presidency with only a few weeks of overlap with the current president. Therefore, the experience of the person who assumes the presidency will be of critical concern. At the risk of appearing arrogant, I believe that I have the experience that we need at this unique time.

As you may have read earlier, I have been at OSU for 25 years during which time I have always been a teacher in the classroom at both the undergraduate and graduate level. I have mentored and trained many dozens of graduate and undergraduate students in my research lab in Cordley Hall where I have been an active principal investigator in the research enterprise. In addition, I served as the Chair of the Biology Program for 12 years before Biology and Zoology merged into Integrative Biology in the School of Life Sciences. Because Biology is an interdisciplinary major, in my work as chair I had to negotiate with other chairs, deans, teaching faculty and students in order to effectively run a large unit with over 1000 majors whose courses are taken by students in every major on campus.

Finally, I have also taken on leadership roles in the Faculty Senate where I served twice on the Executive Committee as well as other committees over the years. But perhaps most pertinent to this particular circumstance is my service on the Interinstitutional Faculty Senate (IFS) where I was elected President of that group during a particularly tumultuous time. During my term three years ago I was involved in the discussions and deliberations at the state level with the dissolution of the Oregon State Board of Higher Education, the Chancellor’s Office, and the formation of individual campus Boards of Trustees. In that work I had to work with the HECC (Higher Education Coordinating Commission) and members of the state legislature in crafting a whole new architecture for higher education in Oregon. I am proud of the work that the IFS and many others contributed to the changes that got us to where we are today. It’s certainly not perfect and there is still much to be done.

All these experiences have tempered my resolve to remain active in service to others. I believe that the totality of my experiences and my skill sets have prepared me to step into this leadership role at this critical time. I ask you for your support and hope that I am worthy of your trust.

The following are issues that the next Faculty Senate President will be involved in addressing during the coming year:

  • OSU is undergoing a budget model shift – The Office of Budget and Fiscal Planning is refining the model, and this is a shadow year with plans for roll-out next year (maybe)
  • Measure 97 may result in cuts to PERS and other budget consequences for OSU
  • Baccalaureate Core Ad Hoc Review Committee – taking into consideration the Blueprint for Success – we need to be proactive and engaging
  • Course Proposal System (CPS) implementation – OSU Cascades programming will be extensive
  • OSU Cascades campus administrative services, financial, etc., needs ongoing discussion as they morph to a 4-year institution
  • Revitalize the University Honors College Council
  • The Marine Studies Initiative (MSI) is continuing to develop and will have budgetary and curricular concerns