Portland State University board unanimously approves Stephen Percy as new president
https://www.oregonlive.com/education/2020/05/portland-state-university-board-unanimously-approves-steve-percy-as-new-president.html
A year ago, Stephen Percy was a largely anonymous urban studies dean stunned to find himself named interim president of Portland State University.
Percy’s calm proficiency in the face of extraordinary challenges convinced the Portland State board of trustees on Wednesday to name him the 10th president of Oregon’s third-largest university.
“In the last 12 months, a series of events have occurred that would test any leader,” the board said in a resolution it drew up in anticipation of today’s vote. “Dr. Percy has shown strong leadership in response to challenges to campus safety, a dip in enrollment, and especially in recent months with the impact on the university from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Percy’s handling of those events, particularly the quick transition from traditional to virtual campus in the face of the coronavirus, convinced the board it was time to take the “interim” off his title.
At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Percy said he wasn’t sure he wanted the job when he was first approached. He happened to be gardening at the time and actually asked if he could think about it overnight.
He did accept the job. As the year progressed and he grew more comfortable, he began to think about the full-time, permanent post.
With both enrollment and state support shrinking and the future impact of the virus unknown, Percy and Portland State face difficult futures. But there are reasons to be hopeful, he said Wednesday. The university has broached the topic of downsizing with the unions that represent many PSU employees. It is exploring new programs and other means to build revenue.
Percy declined to speculate on how many students will enroll this fall. The current deadline to enroll is June 1. But that is likely to be moved back, he said.
Autumn 2019 was a grim wakeup call for PSU as enrollment dropped 4.7 percent to 26,012. That drop was nearly quadruple what they expected. Tuition and student fees generally make up the bulk of a college’s total revenue.
Percy is trying to look on the bright side. The specter of COVID-19 could work to PSU’s advantage if a large number of locals decide because of the pandemic that they want to remain closer to home,
The terms of his contract are still being negotiated, spokesman Chris Broderick said. Percy was making $400,000 a year in the interim role before he volunteered to take a 15% pay cut as part of PSU’s reaction to COVID-19.
Rahmat Shoureshi, Percy’s controversial predecessor, got salary, benefits, transportation and housing allowances worth $720,000 a year. Shoureshi was pressured by the board to resign. He’d been accused of excessive spending, mistreating employees and destroying email records.
The university indicated the initial term of Percy’s appointment will not exceed three years. His employment agreement contains a provision for early termination at the board’s discretion. Also, Percy’s compensation will not exceed the median presidential salaries at a group of like institutions, according to the resolution passed by the trustees.
Unlike Shoureshi, Percy’s compensation does not include housing or transportation allowances.
https://www.oregonlive.com/education/2020/05/portland-state-university-board-unanimously-approves-steve-percy-as-new-president.html
A year ago, Stephen Percy was a largely anonymous urban studies dean stunned to find himself named interim president of Portland State University.
Percy’s calm proficiency in the face of extraordinary challenges convinced the Portland State board of trustees on Wednesday to name him the 10th president of Oregon’s third-largest university.
“In the last 12 months, a series of events have occurred that would test any leader,” the board said in a resolution it drew up in anticipation of today’s vote. “Dr. Percy has shown strong leadership in response to challenges to campus safety, a dip in enrollment, and especially in recent months with the impact on the university from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Percy’s handling of those events, particularly the quick transition from traditional to virtual campus in the face of the coronavirus, convinced the board it was time to take the “interim” off his title.
At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Percy said he wasn’t sure he wanted the job when he was first approached. He happened to be gardening at the time and actually asked if he could think about it overnight.
He did accept the job. As the year progressed and he grew more comfortable, he began to think about the full-time, permanent post.
With both enrollment and state support shrinking and the future impact of the virus unknown, Percy and Portland State face difficult futures. But there are reasons to be hopeful, he said Wednesday. The university has broached the topic of downsizing with the unions that represent many PSU employees. It is exploring new programs and other means to build revenue.
Percy declined to speculate on how many students will enroll this fall. The current deadline to enroll is June 1. But that is likely to be moved back, he said.
Autumn 2019 was a grim wakeup call for PSU as enrollment dropped 4.7 percent to 26,012. That drop was nearly quadruple what they expected. Tuition and student fees generally make up the bulk of a college’s total revenue.
Percy is trying to look on the bright side. The specter of COVID-19 could work to PSU’s advantage if a large number of locals decide because of the pandemic that they want to remain closer to home,
The terms of his contract are still being negotiated, spokesman Chris Broderick said. Percy was making $400,000 a year in the interim role before he volunteered to take a 15% pay cut as part of PSU’s reaction to COVID-19.
Rahmat Shoureshi, Percy’s controversial predecessor, got salary, benefits, transportation and housing allowances worth $720,000 a year. Shoureshi was pressured by the board to resign. He’d been accused of excessive spending, mistreating employees and destroying email records.
The university indicated the initial term of Percy’s appointment will not exceed three years. His employment agreement contains a provision for early termination at the board’s discretion. Also, Percy’s compensation will not exceed the median presidential salaries at a group of like institutions, according to the resolution passed by the trustees.
Unlike Shoureshi, Percy’s compensation does not include housing or transportation allowances.
