Voting is now closed.
Also see: 2015 OA Council candidates and 2015 Faculty Advisory Council candidates
Jessica Ference
Jessica Ference
My name is Jessica Ference and I am the Business Manager in the College of Arts and Sciences IT (CASIT) support services. CASIT is in a unique position to service 42 departments in CAS and every type of university stakeholder including faculty, staff, students, GTFs and administrators on campus. This experience has given me the opportunity to understand university operations and policy implementation as related to technology infrastructure. This is a golden opportunity, because technology touches everyone’s life on campus.
My relevant experience includes a Master’s in Public Administration from UO PPPM with a focus in program evaluation, financial management and project management. I believe in analyzing data for evidence-based decision making and utilizing collaborative based approaches for generating solutions to problems. Additionally, I have been on campus for 7 years. I want to run for OA Senate because I believe that the UO is a prime example of how institutional governance utilizes many smart people to identify policy obstacles and together brainstorm innovative solutions.
If I were chosen for the UO Senate, I would like to champion implementing standard evaluation tools, easy-to-use stakeholder feedback mechanisms and perform historical data analysis to improve our ability in providing the best possible higher educational experience.
John Boytz
John Boytz
As the Assistant Director of Printing and Mailing Services, a self-supporting department, I am familiar with budgets, operations, workflows and financials. Most importantly, I am involved in change. I embrace the uncertainty linked to transformation and growth.
The university is experiencing a historical change with the implementation of a self-governing board. It will alter the climate, the operational process, and the relationships among groups on campus. It is important as a vital part of the university mission, that we are an active instrument in forming that new direction and course.
We should look forward to the new era of governance, and the need to take an active role in representation. I want to be part of that change and representation.
Randy Sullivan
Randy Sullivan
Randy Sullivan has been with the university since July 2014 working as the Digital Production Manager at the Knight Library. He’s a professional Photographer where he received his formal training at Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara,
California. After completing his BS in Commercial Photography and Scientific Photography, he went on to receive his Masters of Science in Photography as well as a Master’s of Fine Art. Randy stayed on at Brooks as instructor and lab manager. After Brooks Institute Randy moved to the East coast working for the National Park Service in Harpers Ferry, WV and then at the National Archives in Washington, DC. Randy has done all types of photography from conservation photography, sports, weddings, and portraits, and is now exploring the abstract. He has also worked for the L.A. County public defender’s office as an expert witness related to photography. Randy has won several awards for his “Organic Abstracts”.
Frank Sharpey
Hello. My name is Frank Sharpy, and I am running for the University Senate.
I have worked on campus since September of 2003. My career began at the university as a Classified Staff, SEIU member – Building Manager, Lillis Business Complex, Lundquist College of Business. In 2012 I was promoted to Facilities Manager of the Lillis Complex– an Officer of Administration role. My experience allows me to have a broader view of the challenges and opportunities faced by staff on campus. I feel there is plenty of room for a fresh perspective and that I can bring this perspective to the Senate as we all move forward under a new governance structure and President.
A question you should ask of me: “Why would you want to be on the University Senate?” I do not think that anyone is able to ignore the fact that this campus recently has had its share of challenges, many of which revolve around issues of trust and respect. I find in large measure that both seem to be in a bit of short supply. I believe my experiences as both a classified staff member and as an OA will help infuse some new ideas and provide fresh views to the issues we face at the UO. I truly believe that all of us wish to make the UO a better place, and as a member of the Senate, I can be counted on to work toward that goal. I will form my opinions based on what I feel is best for the University — that includes all in the University community. You will know where I stand on the complex issues that our University faces. I feel the Senate can be part of the larger solution to the many issues faced by the University by providing fresh perspectives and voices that have yet to be heard.
Lynn Stearney
I have worked at UO for eight years, in both Foundation Relations (in the Development unit) and as Director of Research Development Services, which is a unit of the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation. My interest in serving on the Senate stems from my engagement with faculty members that are active researchers and my involvement with faculty development and support that highlights the scholarship, creativity, and research of UO faculty. I have been an OA for the entirety of my UO employment. My background includes ten years as a faculty member at the University of New Hampshire and Penn State in the discipline of rhetoric.
Brittany Nefcy
Brittany Nefcy
Hello! My name is Brittany Nefcy, I graduated from UO in 2011! After taking time to get my masters degree in Higher Education Administration, I have come back to UO to work full time. I am the Residence Life Coordinator for the Global Scholars Hall within University Housing. I have only been an OA for about 10 months but find myself seeking more opportunities to be involved on campus. I am running for a position that represents OA’s on the UO Senate because I see this as an opportunity to not only give back to my alma mater but have a pivotal role in our institutions governance. While I have not been an OA long, I have a wealth of enthusiasm for the work we all do to serve our students. Since I began my professional career here at UO, I have had the opportunity to work with 7 of Housing’s Academic Residential Communities. This has allowed me to build relationships across campus that, if elected as the OA representative, I would use to gauge opinion about Senate issues. I hope to have long and productive relationships with campus groups and I see this as only the beginning! I am extremely excited for this opportunity and hope that I can count on your vote!
Bill Sherman
Bill Sherman
I have now been with the University of Oregon for 10 years! Time flies when you’re having fun. As you can imagine, I’ve seen and heard a lot during my time here that has given me a firm grasp on the issues and opportunities facing this institution, especially those that involve and impact Officers of Administration. Currently, I am the Director of Career and Advising Services in the Department of Economics, a one-person shop that serves a upwards of 1200 majors (and many minors, as well). Before this, I was Assistant Director of Career Services and Assistant Director of Employer Relations for Lundquist Career Services in the College of Business. I served for three years on the EMU Board of Directors and have held significant leadership roles in various professional organizations, including the local chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management and the Mountain Pacific Association of Colleges and Employers. I have a BA in Human Resources Management and an MBA. In my off-time, I enjoy playing classical piano and pursuing a hobby as a rock journalist.
I am well aware of the concerns many of you have had about matters ranging from salary inequity and performance management systems, to mechanisms for providing meaningful input and feedback to administration and the all-important matter of work-life balance. Most all of us are here because we believe in what we’re doing and care about the constituents we serve. You can vote for me with the confidence that I will be a fair listener and take a well-reasoned stance on every issue I encounter. I despise partisanship and will do my level-headed best to bring disparate sides together, as I have when serving on many boards of directors in the past. Thank you for your consideration!
Keith Frazee
Keith Frazee
How long you have been at the UO and in what capacity(ies)?
I started working for the UO in June 2013 in Orientation Programs in the Division of Enrollment Management. Prior to joining the UO, I worked at Baylor University, Westmont College, and the University of Missouri. I currently serve as the Assistant Director of Orientation Programs and coordinate the orientation and transition of new students through IntroDUCKtion and Week of Welcome.
Why you are interested in running for the OA Council?
I would like to continue serving on the OA Council to establish an onboarding and orientation process for new OAs at the UO. I would also like to ensure the student experience is the central value of our work, and it is my hope despite the many different roles and responsibilities OAs have at the UO, we have a shared vision of the promotion of student success.
Your views of the challenges the UO faces or that OAs face
Some of the challenges I’ve recognized the UO facing include the centralization of efforts that have historically been largely decentralized and defining the role and voice of OAs in the shared governance of the institution. I believe OA’s play a powerful role in addressing both issues, and we are equipped to do so effectively and efficiently when communicating well with one another. This past year the OA Council was called upon for input by university administration, and our role is increasingly validated among the decision-makers of the university. I would like to continue this momentum and help in any way I can.
Stephanie McGee
I am excited to be a part of the election process on our campus at the University of Oregon. I am currently the Employee/Labor Relations Specialist in HR. I am fairly new to campus, but I believe that my past experience will allow me to significantly contribute to the overall success in either the OA Council or the University Senate.
My current position allows me overall vision because the Employee and Labor Relations section of HR touches every entity level on campus. Working with each employee group on a daily basis requires the highest level of analyzing the needs on campus as well as formulating solutions to given problems. One of the major things that I see severely lacking on campus for OA’s is a well-rounded set of implemented policies that would provide guidance to OA’s and also to those working with the OA’s. Previous policies were clearly written to for faculty administration rather than for professional staff. I would like to be a part of the current effort to clarify and improve policy development and interpretation.
As a quick introduction, I have a BBA in Accounting and a JD in law. I have been a licensed attorney for thirteen years and have worked within higher education for over 20 years throughout Alaska, Hawaii and California. Although my primary focus was in the private sector, I always maintained a strong connection to the public university systems
through service, consulting, and mentoring students, faculty, and advisors. My experience working with campus planning committees, faculty, student and university senate boards as well as policy analytics, drafting, implementation and review will all contribute to my ability to advocate for the needs of the campus.
My legal and business background will allow me to provide a fresh insight to the very unique needs of the UO campus at large as well as enable me to effectively communicate with different constituent groups on the campus. Providing a voice that can bridging gaps, partnering with diverse groups with sometimes competing goals, present issues and provide ideas for solutions is a passion of mine. I see an opportunity for new eyes and perspective to continue to forge effective partnerships with a newer Board of Trustees, newer unions, a new Ombudsman position and some large changes in the administration on campus.
I would greatly appreciate your support in this opportunity to serve the UO community.
Eric Beeler
Eric Beeler
I am the coordinator for the Student Sustainability Center, a program of the Erb Memorial Union. I’ve been at the University of Oregon for a year. I am running for this position because I want to be an advocate for Officers of Administration. I also want to role model to the students that I work with the value of participating in shared governance.
Debra Thurman
Debra Thurman
Like many of you, I began my work at the University of Oregon in office specialist positions and then accepted a leadership position about 15 years ago. I am finishing my first term as an OA Senator and my first year as the OA rep on the Senate Executive Committee. I have been associated with the senate for many years as a committee member (Freedom of Speech, Facilities Use) and through my work supporting active faculty senators. The OA Council generates great energy, leadership and momentum – I attend as many meetings as possible and encourage you to do so.
I would very much like to continue the important work in the senate, and be a part of the collaboration with the OA Council, Administration, Board of Trustees, and Human Resources. I believe that through successful shared governance, which includes collaboration with the groups noted above, we have opportunities to set the standard for other public research universities. We can find ways to better serve our students, be a better employer, find meaningful work, empower individuals, and continue our mission to serve students and provide a safe and intellectually vibrant environment. This is a very critical time for the University of Oregon, shared governance and the development of OA policies. This past term was very meaningful to me as I learned about the issues and challenges facing us as a university. There is a good amount of positive momentum going forward! I had the good fortune to learn from some great mentors, such as Teri Rowe, David Espinoza, Deb Mailander, Lisa Raleigh, Miriam Bolton, David Landrum, and Colleen McKillip.
Thank you for considering me for this senate seat. I was very pleased to see the list of talented OAs running for the senate positions. It is one of the most impressive and strongest groups to date. I have great optimism for the future of the University of Oregon with the combined talent of the current OA elects and the possibility of new leadership represented in the group of people who put their names forward for senate consideration.
“The essence of community, its heart and soul, is the non-monetary exchange of value; things we do and share because we care for others, and for the good of the place.” ~ Dee Hock
The following candidates for University Senate submitted no statements:
- Lyndsey Pruitt
- Jennifer Morlok
- Michael Smith
- Ken Kato
- Brook Eastman