Oregon State University’s Board of Trustees announced the finalists for the university’s next president in a public meeting on May 20. Community members can meet both finalists in forums happening early next week. 

Kirk Schueler, chair of the Board of Trustees, announced Charles Martinez, dean of the College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin, and Jayathi Murthy, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of California Los Angeles, as the two presidential finalists. The two finalists will visit OSU next week.

According to Schueler, public forums will be held on May 23 and May 24 for members of the community to meet with and discuss the finalists. The forums, which will be held in person and streamed live, will be recorded for viewing later on the presidential search website.

Community conversations will be held with Martinez on May 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the Memorial Union Journey Room. A university forum with Martinez will take place from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m in the MU Horizon Room. 

For Murthy, community conversations will take place on May 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the MU Journey Room. The university forum with Murthy will be held from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the MU Horizon Room. 

According to the presidential search webpage, the university’s next president is anticipated to be selected in early June.

After announcing the presidential finalists, the board moved on to discussing whether or not OSU will reimburse the finalists for the reasonable cost of travel to OSU. 

“Those expenses would include amounts allowable under OSU’s travel policy, which may include airfare, car rental, hotel and incidentals like airport parking,” Schueler said.  

The board decided unanimously to reimburse the finalists for the cost of travel.

Additionally, the board discussed reimbursing presidential finalists a reasonable amount to engage legal and financial advisors throughout the discussions.

“In my mind, reasonable would be to not exceed $5,000,” Schueler said.

Schueler then opened the floor for questions and comments from members of the board or public.

“I think it is important for us and actually protects us as well moving forward,” said Patricia Bedient, vice chair of the Board of Trustees. “We do want them to have reasonable legal counsel to make sure that we can arrive at an agreement with whomever the person is that we ultimately select.” 

The board decided unanimously to reimburse the finalists up to $5,000 for legal and financial advisors. 

“I think the campus is going to be excited to hear from [the finalists] and hear about them, what their experiences are and what their visions are for the future of Oregon State,” Schueler said.