EUGENE–Research universities must change their ways–and change dramatically–to preserve, in the century that lies ahead, those values that have made them international treasures, warns Nils Hasselmo, president of the prestigious American Association of Universities.

Hasselmo will deliver his challenge to change to the UO community in his Convocation address at the formal opening ceremonies for the University of Oregon’s 1998-99 academic year at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, in the Ballroom of the Erb Memorial Union (EMU), 1222 E. 13th Ave.

Hasselmo will begin his address, "Achievement and Challenge: The American Research University at the Beginning of the Twenty-First Century," after the centuries-old traditional procession of faculty in their academic regalia. Members of the board of the UO Alumni Association, the UO Foundation and the Oregon Board of Higher Education will join the procession.

President of the University of Minnesota from 1989—97, Hasselmo is a linguist and professor of Scandinavian languages and literature. He served from 1983—89 as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at the University of Arizona and is an emeritus commissioner of the Kellogg Commission on the Future of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges.

Three core values–accountability, responsibility and community spirit–have made America’s research universities "the national and international treasures that they are," Hasselmo says and adds that the UO–one of America’s great research universities–is one of the "jewels in the crown of this Northwest corner of this country."

What we must change, he explains, is the way our research universities respond to our core values–the very values we must preserve and that are being seriously questioned.

"Accusations against higher education for being elitist, self-serving, inefficient and out of control have become almost commonplace," Hasselmo warns. And while the accusations tend to be exaggerated or vituperative, these "perceptions are far too widespread to ignore and far too persistent to be ignored."

The American research university is great "because of its values, and because over many generations the people who make up these universities have adapted to the demands of the age to make sure those values could manifest themselves effectively in teaching, research, and outreach and public service.

The University Orchestra and Choir also will perform.

For more information, call (541) 346-3036.

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