From that day, CMU has seen a growing list of challenges — finding a new university president, a tuition increase, vacancies in numerous administrative positions, the beginning of a medical school and budget cuts.

Opperman and Hurd sat on the search committee for a new president, their first task as trustees.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” Opperman said. “I feel very good of the decisions the Board has made.”

Although tuition had to be raised 4.6 percent, Opperman said it was necessary since the burden had shifted as state appropriation decreased.

She said trying to match the needs of the university puts an enormous burden on CMU. But the tuition increase was one of the lowest in the state, Opperman said.

“We pumped a lot of additional dollars into financial aid,” Hurd said. “I think we certainly listened.”

Hurd said he knows the concerns for the medical school, too. But in the long run, he thinks it will be beneficial to the school and the community. Even if students do not see the benefit right now, one day, they might need a good doctor from the area.

‘Two very different perspectives’

Opperman and Hurd had a high learning curve as they took their new positions, said Interim University President Kathy Wilbur.

They were thrown into a situation filled with a lot of excitement.

“Both of them bring to the table a different set of eyes and ears,” she said. “Two very different perspectives.”

Opperman came from a communications background — she graduated from CMU in 1981 with a degree in journalism and business. She watched the Board make decisions when she attended CMU and was intrigued by the process.

“I’ve had a lot to learn on how the university works,” Opperman said.

The university is a very complex organization, she said. But there was one thing Opperman did not expect — the time commitment.

She first thought it would be mainly about going to the meetings. But then, she sat on the presidential search committee, the medical school project got under way, and time and tasks soon added up.

“It has taken more of my time and energy than I ever expected,” she said. “I spent a great deal of time supporting (the university) ... And happily so.”

Hurd, on the other hand, is a veteran of higher education. He was most recently president of Cabrillo Community College until his retirement in 2003.

But even so, Hurd had some surprises in store throughout his first year as a trustee.

“I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality and dedication of the other members of the Board, deans, faculty, students and even in the community,” Hurd said.

Replacing Rao was the biggest challenge for the Board, Hurd said, and there was nothing more important than that.

“If we don’t get that decision right, nothing else is going to work very well,” Hurd said.

Looking into the future

Feeling a little more comfortable at CMU, Opperman and Hurd have an idea about what they would like to see for the next year.

Opperman said she did not have the opportunity to form a relationship with individuals in certain administrative positions.

“With so many important administrative priorities to address, I have not had the opportunity to meet with and learn the perspectives of the provost and deans,” she said. “This will be a priority in 2010.”

Impressed with how certain people in the university have stepped up to fill open spots, Hurd wants to focus on keeping projects and goals on track for the next year.

Hurd said he will do whatever he can to help President-designate George Ross settle in, move the medical school along, keep the quality of the programs and also keep building projects on track as he continues to sit on the facilities committee.

“There is a lot to be done, and I think it will be done quickly,” Opperman said. “The university hasn’t missed a step.”