The search for Oregon State University’s next president continues with a public session Board of Trustees meeting on May 5 at 1 p.m. over Zoom. 

The meeting will consist of determining compensation and benefits for the next president in addition to considering whether or not OSU will reimburse finalists for fees associated with contract negotiations. Upon the meeting’s conclusion, the board will meet in an executive session to select which semifinalists will be invited for interviews. 

“We are pleased that the search is proceeding as planned,” said Steve Clark, vice president of university relations and marketing and OSU spokesperson. 

The number of candidates running for the position of OSU’s next president is not made publicly available. However, according to Clark, the names of finalists are anticipated to be made public between May 19 and May 23. 

After announcing the finalists, during the week of May 23, community forums will be held so community members can interact with the finalists, according to Clark. The dates, times and locations of these forums, Clark said, will be announced during the week of May 16.

“Community members will be able to share input on candidates using a web-based comment tool that will be provided on the Board of Trustees presidential search website,” Clark said.

Times, dates and locations of the forums will be announced the week of May 16 to give members of the community enough notice.

“Community engagement in this search process during listening sessions [and] with community feedback that helped shaped the presidential profile… has been very important and valuable,” Clark said.

During the first week of June, the board plans to host a public session to vote for the next president, according to Clark. After the president is selected, the board anticipates that they will start sometime in July.

Clark said the decision for the new president to start during the summer allows for a “transition [that] will enable many opportunities for community members to engage with the president, share input and discuss how to collaborate to address important issues and advance OSU and community priorities.” 

More information and updates about the presidential search can be found on the Presidential Search webpage.

“We look forward to welcoming a new president sometime this summer and are thankful to Becky Johnson, who has served the university very well as interim president,” said Clark.