Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Oregon Higher Education Board has hired Robert Berdahl to be the interim president at University of Oregon. Board members made the decision at a meeting Friday.

Berdahl advised ousted president Richard Lariviere at U of O, and the two worked together as university executives at University of Texas.

Berdahl also worked for twenty years at U of O, mostly in the '70s and '80s.

Board member David Yaden says Berdahl has the right balance of leadership and collaborative qualities to serve as interim president.

"I'm convinced that he will be a forceful leader and advocate for the University of Oregon. But I really believe that he also understands a couple of important things; one, the importance of an open and transparent relationship with this board, working relationship and communication. And secondly, he does understand that the University of Oregon is not an island unto itself," Yalden said.

By contrast, board members said they had problems trusting Lariviere and his priorities. Berdahl is expected to be in place at least until next September. Campus meetings to help guide a search for a permanent president are planned for January.