After an evening full of rumors and conspiracy theories, President David Boren officially announced he will retire as university President come June 30th, 2018, barring the university has chosen a successor.  This marks the end of a decades long involvement with the university for Boren, a period of time in which he accomplished a great deal.  He said “serving as your president has been the most rewarding period of my life”.

While the President Boren’s announcement has garnered support and gratitude from local leaders and alumni nationwide, current students at OU feel differently.  “I just don’t think I’ll emotionally be able to get through another presidential election,” said Sophomore biology major Emma Beltran.  “I mean, we pretty much just had one, and now within the next year they expect me to do it again? I don’t think so.  Like, seriously, another election already?” she continued. Beltran insisted that she burnt out on political passion during the previous election, and  that being a active member of democracy “definitely takes a toll on your mental well-being”.  Another student, english major Jake Cuevas, agrees.  He commented, “Having to sit through another round of debates and twitter feuds is going to be agonizing.  Voting will probably be another case of ‘pick your poison’. I actually don’t know if I’ll even vote this time around.  Quite frankly, I don’t even remember voting for the last guy, so what the hell?”  Junior economics major Emily Sharpe also offered her comments following the announcement today at Holmberg Hall, saying, “I already don’t vote in local stuff like SGA congress or whatever.  I don’t even know who the SGA president is, so why get involved now?”  When asked why she had attended Boren’s announcement despite her lack of democratic participation, Sharpe indicated she “heard Eric Striker was there”.

The effects of President Boren’s leadership at the University of Oklahoma have been and will continue to be felt far and wide.  He leaves a university in a bit of a shock, but also in the best shape he could have managed.  Faculty and alumni, while very grateful for President Boren’s time and commitment to university, are excited for what the future holds in store.  Students, however, are not.