Kitzhaber backs Richard Lariviere ouster while University of Oregon community rallies in support | OregonLive.com:

Kitzhaber backs Richard Lariviere ouster while University of Oregon community rallies in support

Published: Saturday, November 26, 2011, 7:31 PM Updated: Saturday, November 26, 2011, 8:44 PM

Thomas Boyd/The OregonianUniversity of Oregon President Richard Lariviere greets head football coach Chip Kelly before the Ducks game against Oregon State University Saturday at Autzen Stadium. The popular university president received an outpouring of support from Kelly, players and fans at the game, amid news that the state Board of Higher Education might not renew Lariviere's contract.

Gov. John Kitzhaber on Saturday publicly backed the state Board of Higher Education's plan to not renew University of Oregon President Richard Lariviere's contract.

The university community, including fans and players at Saturday's Civil War game, reacted angrily to the news. Nearly 60 faculty members signed a complaint to the state ethics commission claiming the Board of Higher Education violated open meetings laws by pre-determining Lariviere's fate before voting in a public meeting, now scheduled for Monday.

The Oregonian’s continuing coverage of University of Oregon President Richard Lariviere.

Kitzhaber's written