News
Trustees Approve Evaluation Of President’s House
By: Susan Tebben
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The fate of OU President Roderick McDavis’ house is up in the air, based on a resolution approved unanimously today by the OU Board of Trustees.
The resolution, which was not listed on the agenda of the regular meeting or any of the committee meetings held on Thursday, directed the Vice President of Finance and Administration to “find suitable alternative housing for the president and his wife,” according to the resolution, read aloud by Trustee Chairman David Brightbill.
The resolution also directed the vice president to evaluate the cost of “remediating” the president’s on-campus residence, located at 29 Park Place.
McDavis reported to media that bats have infested the home since the couple moved there 11 years ago. McDavis is required under his employment agreement, most recently signed on July 1, 2012, to live in the house.
A spokesperson for the university did not return requests for comment as to why the president’s housing resolution was not on the agenda and why the resolution was read at Friday’s meeting.
The president said in statements prior to the trustee meeting that he would ask for approval to find temporary housing until the problem can be fixed. He did not make statements about his existing home during the board of trustee meeting.
Brightbill also directed the vice president to “review the appropriateness of using this as a private residence” as part of the campus comprehensive master plan. The master plan, which is focused on proper utilization of space and efficiency within the campus, was discussed at length during committee meetings on Thursday. Several construction projects are being considered as part of the plan.