Scholz has spent much of his life in higher education, emphasizing equitable accessibility. However, he is an economist at heart. Scholz's values align closely with the board's, but he is out of touch with student demands. This discrepancy has been evident in his failure to address harmful Unviersity investments as university president, which has drawn criticism from student groups like Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).

The Board of Trustees at the University of Oregon is a governing body established partially through lobbying efforts by Phil Knight, operating as an entirely undemocratically appointed entity. This board holds significant financial power and is crucial in appointing the university president. Notably, their decisions offer insight into their priorities, exemplified by the appointment of an economist with ties to the Bush administration (John Scholz), all transpiring without direct student input. Student frustration caused by the absence of democratic processes in the board's composition and decision-making led to an upcoming organized student action during the board's public meeting this Tuesday.