Clay Bennett steps down from University of Oklahoma Board of Regents due to health issues
"He will be sorely missed," Rainbolt-Forbes said.
As chairman, Bennett led the effort to hire the first new OU president in 24 years.
"There's certainly nothing more important I'll probably do in my civic life than be a part of this process," he said when the search was narrowed to seven candidates.
Bennett was unable to attend the installation of President
On Wednesday night, the
"He has endured health issues over the past 18 months which have required his full and ongoing attention. He has continued to improve and is hopeful for a full recovery. Clay is fully active in all his business interests, including the Thunder," the statement said.
Gallogly began his remarks to the regents Wednesday by addressing the recent racist incident on campus that has "turned our university upside-down."
"We will use that incident as a catalyst for change," Gallogly said. "We have much work to do at the
He read a letter from the
"We agree that addressing this complex problem is everyone's responsibility and that we all have much work to do," the letter stated.
Gallogly said both faculty and students have submitted lists of ideas to move forward.
Rainbolt-Forbes said the president and the board are committed to "a proactive long-term plan for change ... and as we advocate for that plan going forward that each of us remember that we're not allowed to be a bystander. Everyone is a diversity officer or diversity monitor."
New hires
Regents approved the hiring of three new members of Gallogly's executive team during the meeting:
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Wolf has more than 35 years' experience in various human resources specialties. She was chief human resources officer for
--
Conrad has more than 20 years' experience in managing a number of operations from Fortune 500 companies to
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Surratt is an OU graduate who has 17 years' higher education experience, including at OU. He currently is assistant vice chancellor and associate dean of students at the
Gallogly still has three positions on his executive team to fill.
Professor demoted
The
Regents approved deleting the titles dean of the college of international studies and vice provost for international programs, and reducing Grillot's annual salary from
Grillot, who was removed as dean
All OU departments are being asked to cut their budgets.
The computer from the dean's office was removed Tuesday afternoon. Grillot discovered it that evening and tweeted:
"Arrived at the office tonight to learn that the OU provost and legal counsel confiscated my computer. This is classic intimidation. Can't buy my silence so they will look for (or maybe plant) something else. It won't work."
OU spokeswoman
Grillot said Wednesday she reported the incident to the university police.
"I was fearful of what they were trying to do. I don't trust this administration," she said.
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