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EOU names new VPs

LA GRANDE — Eastern Oregon University has made strides in bolstering its leadership team with the appointment of two key figures.

Peter Geissinger has been named provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, and Mollie Rockafellow is the school’s new vice president for student affairs, the school announced Thursday, May 16.

Geissinger, set to commence his new role on July 1, holds a doctorate in physics from the University of Bayreuth in Germany and a master’s in physics from the University of Ulm, with additional graduate studies undertaken at Oregon State University.

Prior to his recent appointment, Geissinger served as dean of the College of Science, Technology, Mathematics and Health Sciences at Eastern. He has been interim provost since 2023.

Rockafellow is scheduled to assume her duties on July 15 as the vice president for student affairs. Rockafellow holds a doctorate in education leadership and a master of business administration from the University of St. Francis, alongside a master of science from Western Illinois University and a bachelor of science from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Both appointments were made following a selection process involving students, faculty and staff.

No fees on State Parks Day

SALEM — Parking and camping will be free at all Oregon state parks on June 1 in honor of State Parks Day.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will waive day-use parking fees at the 25 locations that charge them and will waive camping fees for all tent, RV and horse campsites on June 1, the agency announced.

There will also be free events at a number of state parks, including hot dog cookouts at Carl G. Washburne and Jessie Honeyman, disc golf at Fort Stevens and the Festival of the Land, celebrating the history, food and culture of Central Oregon, at The Cove Palisades.

In addition, the department will waive day-use parking fees on June 2 to support free fishing days offered by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

State surveys court users

SALEM — The Oregon Judicial Department is asking for public feedback with an eye to improving the experience of people who interact with the state circuit court system.

The department wants people who have recently had contact with the circuit court system to take an anonymous access and fairness survey, which is designed to identify ways the system can be improved and ensure that everyone has equal access to the courts.

Survey questions include: Did the court treat you with respect? Did the court make things easy to understand? Did the court make you feel safe?

Anyone who has interacted with the Oregon circuit court system is invited to participate, including people involved in lawsuits or criminal cases, their family members, witnesses, jurors and potential jurors, victims, attorneys and members of law enforcement.

The survey is available online at www.courts.oregon.gov/survey. Paper surveys are available at local courthouses.