"In forming UMA, we felt it was possible to retain a managerial focus and still appeal to the larger OA group," says Kathie Stanley, Student Academic Affairs, who chairs UMAC, the association's six-member leadership council. "Whether it is overseeing the day-to-day operations of the university or supervising a small support staff, we officers of administration all have a managerial component to what we do."

Formed this spring to represent and promote the interests and perspectives of officers of administration as managers at the university, UMA aims to build community, foster communication and promote excellent customer service. The association's activities, programs and networking opportunities include monthly brown-bag lunch forums, mentoring programs, professional development workshops, annual recognition awards and an online referral directory.

"We believe the University Management Association can help build a sense of community among officers of administration, recognizing the important role we play in carrying out the mission of the university," Stanley says. "It's a good way to connect with colleagues who share common interests and concerns."

Administrative Vice President Dan Williams says UMA will have a key role, one that complements existing OA representation in faculty governance.

"It is quite important to the university administration that we have a way to systematically communicate with and solicit advice from members of the administrative and managerial staff, so I am personally pleased that such an organization is being brought into existence," he says. "The president and his staff will rely on UMA and its officers for opinions representative of the officers of administration group on university policy and practices, and for recommendations for appointments to appropriate university committees and task forces."

Stanley says that while UMA is open to all OAs, the purpose in asking individuals to join is to cut down on the number of copies of memos sent.

"If you're not interested in UMA's purpose and activities, we don't want to bother you with unwanted mail or e-mail," she says.

The University Management Association Council (UMAC) supersedes the Management Service Advisory Council (MSAC), whose replacement became necessary as a result of the elimination of the management service employment category throughout OSSHE late last year. UMAC links association members to the president and his staff.

In addition to UMAC, three subcommittees coordinate the activities and programs of the association. New members are being encouraged to serve on one or more of these panels.

The Building Community Subcommittee develops, plans and coordinates activities promoting a sense of community. Activities include Mentor Programs, UMA Recognition Awards and Social Activities.

The Communication Subcommittee oversees the UMA website, maintains member e-mail and campus mailing lists, manages the UMA calendar of events, and promotes UMA activities to members and the campus community.

The Customer Service Subcommittee compiles and maintains the online Expertise/Resource Directory and develops and promotes other activities supporting excellent customer service.

Officers of administration who want to learn more about UMA are invited to an informational brown-bag lunch forum at noon on Wednesday, April 16, in the EMU Walnut Room.

Journalism Dean Duncan McDonald will head public affairs and fund-raising programs through June 30, 1999, President Dave Frohnmayer announced March 31.

"The University of Oregon is very fortunate to have found within its own ranks a highly respected leader with Duncan McDonald's outstanding professional credentials and his commitment and vision for the university," Frohnmayer said. "Duncan can be counted on to provide the talented leadership we need to ensure the continuing success of The Oregon Campaign that already has raised nearly $175 million to invest in the university's future."

McDonald, whose salary will be $110,929 a year, succeeds Brodie Remington, who left in October 1996 after six years in the UO post to become vice president for planning and development at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.

A national search, launched after Remington's departure, attracted some 100 applicants and nominees, according to Vice Provost and Dean Steadman Upham who chaired the search. Frohnmayer said an unexpected but welcome turn of events was finding a highly qualified candidate "in our midst, right under our noses."

In a related development, the UO president said an internal search will begin immediately to name an interim dean of the journalism school.

"I'm honored to be asked to be part of an exciting chapter in our university's growth and development," McDonald said. "These are challenging times for us all, but our news is good: We are building on a tradition of excellence, and we are creating a solid foundation for a successful future.

"We have so many partners who are committed to our success," he continued. "I take it as a personal and professional obligation to work as hard as I can to make sure we succeed in our mission for our students, faculty and our many communities of interest."

McDonald, 51, has headed Journalism and Communication since July 1994, when he returned from a two-year leave as deputy director and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Media Studies Center at Columbia University in New York City, the largest media foundation in the country.

During his tenure as dean, the nationally accredited school has attracted more than $4 million in gifts and pledges from alumni, friends and other supporters. A major achievement of the two-year fund-raising effort was the receipt of $1.5 million, the largest donation in the school's 81-year history, to endow a chair in public relations.

That anonymous gift also qualified the school to receive $1 million to create the university's first Knight Chair from the endowment established in 1996 by UO alumnus Phil Knight. That endowment is part of the Nike founder and chairman's $25 million gift to The Oregon Campaign.

A 1966 journalism graduate of Ohio University, McDonald received a master's degree in industrial relations and labor economics from the University of Oregon in 1972. He joined the UO journalism faculty in 1978 and received the university's Ersted Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1982. A year later, he was honored by the American Society of Newspaper Editors and the Modern Media Institute with its National Teaching Award.

"I enjoy the responsibility of having to prioritize stuff for myself. It makes the day more challenging. I think a lot of people would prefer working on their own and making their own decisions rather than always having someone telling them what to do, when to do it, how to do it and why. So, this job affords me a bit of autonomy," Partridge says.

Partridge has been at the university for five and one-half years and is currently a custodial worker for University Housing in the Bean Complex.

"I don't like a routine. I'm not comfortable doing the same thing every day. This is sort of a 'catch-all' job, where I can have 15 projects going on at once. So, I try to come into work with the attitude of 'What can I do today to get me the furthest ahead?' I tend to be a real goal-oriented person, and I like to envision things being done--even if it may take a while to get them done.

"I have to be able to change what I'm doing," he says, "at any given time, for instance, to go move furniture for someone, or go make a delivery. But, that is part of the variation that makes every day different and every day a new challenge."

In his spare time, Partridge remains fairly low-key as he enjoys hanging out at home, reading or listening to Grateful Dead music. He also enjoys biking and downhill skiing.

And his relaxed persona is indicative of his belief in trying to remain internally happy.

"I have a core belief that reality is positive, and we are in charge of how we perceive what is going on around us. So, if things get bad, there is a part of me that never experiences it. Instead of sitting around thinking, 'Oh no, this is too much,' I focus on what I can do to resolve it and then start doing it.

Joan K. Wadlow, chancellor of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, chairs the panel which will visit from April 20-23. Associate chair is David Woods, University of Oklahoma dean of fine arts.

"We are extremely pleased to have attracted a legal scholar and educator of Rennard Strickland's stature," said President Dave Frohnmayer. "His breadth of experience makes him a superb choice to lead the UO law school into the 21st century."

Strickland, 56, will replace Charles O'Kelley, who took over leadership of the 450-student law school in 1994. O'Kelley was not a candidate for the post.

Strickland also will become a Knight professor of law, receiving a $20,000 supplement to his $130,000 annual salary and $20,000 to support his continuing scholarly work and the law school's needs.

Strickland's selection concludes a nationwide search that began in May 1996. James Mohr, History, chaired the search committee that included representatives from UO law faculty and students as well as members of the state's legal profession.

"Rennard Strickland will be a tremendous asset to the School of Law and the entire university community," said Provost John Moseley. "He is a skilled administrator and an accomplished scholar who will help move the law school into a new level of excellence. I want to commend the search committee and the law faculty for identifying such an outstanding person."

"I am deeply honored to have been selected and am excited about the possibilities," said Strickland. "I believe that all of the ingredients are present at the University of Oregon School of Law to create a model for legal education in the 21st century. We are poised to build on the school's strong and historic position of greatness."

A legal historian of Osage and Cherokee heritage, Strickland is considered a pioneer in introducing Indian law into the university curriculum. He is the author or editor of more than 35 books including the revised "Handbook of Federal Indian Law."

Among his honors and awards, Strickland received the American Bar Association's 1997 Spirit of Excellence Award--the ABA's highest award for contributions to minorities in the legal profession.