Message from the President Archives

President Bailey’s Video Update for October 2025

October 9, 2025 – The October video message from Southern Oregon University President Rick Bailey comes directly from the climbing wall at the SOU Student Recreation Center, and he starts by pointing out the symbolism of the location. “We need to climb,” he says. “We need to chart a better future.” Part of that is a new enrollment plan designed to improve both recruitment and retention of students. Another part is the university’s new financial management plan, which will help build a stronger and more resilient SOU – a university more capable of withstanding future challenges. “Those are … footholds and handholds on this wall,” President Bailey says. He also offers a shout-out to all who had a part in the alumni events during SOU’s homecoming weekend, and for the recent recognition of a deserving student-athlete. And he talks about discourse, and the need for civility and respect. “It’s not about how much we agree on things,” he says. “We need to not just tolerate but celebrate our differences.”

SOU President Rick Baileys September 2025 Update Learn More

Watch: SOU President Rick Bailey’s September 2025 Update

September 19, 2025 – Southern Oregon University President Rick Bailey addresses three topics in his September video for students, employees and community members. First, he describes the university’s Resiliency Plan as a response to “incredibly challenging times” that call for “bold and innovative ideas,” and says the plan will result in a “more focused, responsive and resilient” university. He then takes time to congratulate and celebrate SOU’s Digital Cinema Program, which has been included for the second consecutive year in MovieMaker Magazine’s list of the top 30 film schools in the U.S. And he invites everyone to join him in savoring the opening of fall term. “Seeing that energy on campus is really nourishing, and a reminder of why we do what we do.”

SOU President Rick Baileys August 2025 Update Learn More

Watch: SOU President Rick Bailey’s August 2025 Update

August 5, 2025 – Dr. Rick Bailey, president of Southern Oregon University, explains that the university’s declaration of financial exigency may sound alarming, but it’s actually a proactive and collaborative step taken in partnership with the faculty union. He emphasizes that SOU is not closing, not declaring bankruptcy, and remains fully operational. Instead, this decision is part of a broader, strategic transformation to safeguard the university’s future and protect students. By embracing this process openly and constructively, SOU is working to ensure long-term stability, resilience, and continued service to its community.

SOU Listen Raider Up with President Rick Podcast

Listen: Raider Up with President Rick, Episode 16

June 6, 2025 – Southern Oregon University President Rick Bailey touches on new topics each month in the “Raider Up” podcast, moderated by Marketing and Communications student employee Susie Dale, a UK exchange student studying English at SOU. This month’s topics are a look back from the end of the academic year at what has been learned and accomplished, and a look ahead to what may be in store for students in the fall – from progress on sustainability and older student housing, to more fantastic academics and student support.

SOU President Rick Baileys June 2025 Update Learn More

Watch: SOU President Rick Bailey’s June 2025 Update

June 3, 2025 – We’re in the run-up to our “favorite day of the year,” and President Rick Bailey has a new video message – from Raider Stadium, the venue for SOU’s June 14 Commencement – to help keep our campus and community informed. has two topics for this month’s video message to campus and the community. As for that favorite day, President Bailey says “we all witness the transformative power of education” during our annual graduation ceremonies. He also congratulates the SOU women’s softball team for winning its fourth NAIA national championship in six years – and doing to in historic fashion, by losing the first game of the tournament and then rallying to take seven in a row to win the title. “You have made us all incredibly proud,” he says. The president also lays out his plans for the summer, including choosing a partner to build and operate the “older adult living project” on the former Cascade Complex site, working on the university’s “SOU Thrive” strategic plan and supporting efforts to ensure SOU’s long term fiscal sustainability. He points out that Oregon has slipped to 46th nationally in state support for public universities, and says “we’ve got to do everything we can to make sure our state understands” the universal benefits of higher ed.

Listen: Raider Up with President Rick, Episode 15

May 16, 2025 – Southern Oregon University President Rick Bailey touches on new topics each month in the “Raider Up” podcast, moderated by Marketing and Communications student employee Susie Dale, a UK exchange student studying English at SOU. This month’s discussion centers on Artificial Intelligence – which President Bailey says should be leveraged to open more opportunities for students to learn and achieve. “Let’s embrace it,” he says. “Let’s find ways to use it ethically and responsibly.”

SOU President Rick Bailey’s May 2025 Update Learn More

Watch: SOU President Rick Bailey’s May 2025 Update

May 8, 2025 – President Bailey discusses SOU’s new strategic planning process – SOU Thrive – in this month’s video message to campus and the community. He describes a strategic plan as “really just a fancy way of saying this is the vision of how we are going to get from where we are now as a university to where we want the university to be a few years from now.” The process starts with understanding the context and environment surrounding the university, determining what the future should look like, and then answering the question, “how do we get from Point A to Point B?” He said the SOU Thrive plan needs to be approachable and useable, rather than “some convoluted plan that sits on a shelf and nobody uses.” The planning process is underway, with a campus survey, meetings with stakeholder groups, an open house and more. He hopes that the end product will help SOU move from what he calls “a defensive posture” to being able to “build the university that everyone deserves.”

Listen: Raider Up with President Rick, Episode 14

April 22, 2025 – Southern Oregon University President Rick Bailey touches on new topics each month in the “Raider Up” podcast, moderated by Marketing and Communications student employee Susie Dale, a UK exchange student studying English at SOU. This month’s topics include preparations for the “SOU Thrive” strategic plan – the guiding document that President Bailey says will “create a pathway between where we are now and where we want to be as an institution.” There are also updates on senior living, the University Business District, solar power and more.

Watch: SOU President Rick Bailey’s April 2025 Update

April 14, 2025 – President Bailey discusses SOU’s new strategic planning process – SOU Thrive – in this month’s video message to campus and the community. He describes a strategic plan as “really just a fancy way of saying this is the vision of how we are going to get from where we are now as a university to where we want the university to be a few years from now.” The process starts with understanding the context and environment surrounding the university, determining what the future should look like, and then answering the question, “how do we get from Point A to Point B?” He said the SOU Thrive plan needs to be approachable and useable, rather than “some convoluted plan that sits on a shelf and nobody uses.” The planning process is underway, with a campus survey, meetings with stakeholder groups, an open house and more. He hopes that the end product will help SOU move from what he calls “a defensive posture” to being able to “build the university that everyone deserves.”

Watch: SOU President Rick Bailey’s March 2025 Update

March 12, 2025 – This month’s video message from President Rick Bailey is all about resources – funding opportunities for SOU students, and for the university. He addresses potential students for the 2025-26 academic year, saying “there is money right now, potentially available to you – and money you don’t need to pay back.’ Those resources are offered through various scholarships and grants, to those who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Current or potential students can set up appointments with an SOU financial aid advisor by emailing finaid@sou.edu . President Bailey also updated the revenue-related elements of the SOU Forward plan that was adopted two years ago. Efforts to reimagine grants and sponsored gifts by incentivizing faculty and staff members to pursue outside funding for research, equipment and other purposes has led to a big increase in both applications and in awards. A greater emphasis on philanthropy has brought unprecedented fund-raising success – 10 years ago, the SOU Foundation generated an annual average of about $2.5 million in gifts; the average for each of the past three years has been about $10 million. The president also touched on revenue-generating projects: private developers have been invited to submit proposals for the senior living center that will replace the demolished Cascade Complex; and the rapid expansion of solar projects now enable the university to generate about 16% of its daytime electrical needs, compared to about 3% when President Bailey began at SOU three years ago.