OPB News
by Meerah Powell
March 23, 2021
Oregon State University President F. King Alexander is stepping down.
The OSU Board of Trustees during a meeting Tuesday morning accepted the terms of Alexander’s resignation — which includes a lump sum payment of $670,000 and payments for medical and dental insurance for a year.
Alexander will also resign from a tenured professor position at the university. His resignation is effective April 1. He will be on administrative leave in the meantime.
OSU trustees said the money for Alexander’s resignation will come from private funds, not tuition or tax dollars. Trustees also noted that it would likely cost significantly more to pursue terminating Alexander with cause, rather than just accepting his resignation.
The trustees also voted Tuesday to have OSU Provost and Executive Vice President Ed Feser step in and take over presidential responsibilities while the board works through the process of appointing an interim president. The board will be discussing the timeline and process for appointing an interim at a Wednesday morning Executive and Audit Committee meeting.