Bernie Machen

Machen was born in Greenwood, Mississippi in 1944, and grew up in Saint Louis, Missouri.University of Florida, The President, [http://president.ufl.edu/about/machen/ President Machen] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119190944/http://president.ufl.edu/about/machen/ |date=2014-01-19 }}. Retrieved October 24, 2012. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with his bachelor's degree in 1966, and was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity (Alpha Psi Chapter). He also graduated from Saint Louis University with his doctor of dental surgery degree in 1968, from the University of Iowa with a Master of Science degree in pediatric dentistry in 1972 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in educational psychology in 1974.

Before Utah and Florida, Machen was employed in various capacities as professor and administrator by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Michigan. Additionally, he served in various ways with the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Association of Dental Schools. While serving as the president of the University of Utah, Machen served on the board of trustees of the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympics.University of Florida, Office of the President, [http://www.president.ufl.edu/ President J. Bernard Machen]. Retrieved September 2, 2009. He is a retired U.S. Army major.

During Florida's 2004 search that resulted in the hiring of new head football coach Urban Meyer, it was speculated that Machen's relationship with Meyer might play a role in the selection.English, Antonya, "[http://www.sptimes.com/2004/10/29/news_pf/Sports/Florida_president_wil.shtml Florida president will be heard]," St. Petersburg Times (October 29, 2004). Retrieved May 3, 2005. Machen was the president at Utah when Meyer was hired as head coach there.Dan Wetzel, "[https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=AjDzwmCUdDctEbuqhjmO7dQcvrYF?slug=dw-atruechampion120506&prov=yhoo&type=lgns A true champion]," Yahoo Sports! (December 5, 2006). Retrieved December 5, 2006.

During Machen's term, in 2006, the University of Florida came to agreement with Graduate Assistants United (GAU) -- a labor union that represents graduate workers, teaching assistants, and research assistants -- to begin providing fully subsidized health care to graduate assistants. GAU negotiated with the administration to include the new program in their collective bargaining agreement -- the culmination of a long GAU campaign. UF's Graduate Student Council (GSC), an advocacy/student government group, had also worked to bring the issue to the administration's attention, and -- with GAU -- had representatives on an advisory committee that reviewed bids from insurance companies.

In January 2009, Machen announced his initiative to increase diversity in the University of Florida's faculty. His leadership was instrumental in creating a Council on Diversity that will be in charge of collecting and analyzing data from different colleges and departments, as well as proposing policies to increase diversity around the university.Chelsea Keenan, "[https://archive.today/20120720104816/http://www.alligator.org/articles/2009/01/08/news/uf_administration/090108_diversity.txt UF seeks greater diversity among faculty]," The Independent Florida Alligator (January 8, 2009). Retrieved August 27, 2009.

In February 2009, Machen and the board of trustees stipulated that they are going to have the University of Florida go through a major transition. The board of trustees supported the reduction of the number of undergraduates and shifting resources to graduate education and research in the future.Nathan Crabbe, "[http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090221/ARTICLES/902211015/1002/NEWS01?Title=UF-looks-to-transform-itself UF looks to transform itself]," Gainesville Sun (February 21, 2009).

In fall 2010, Machen and Provost Joseph Glover were at the head of an effort to institute block tuition at the University of Florida. In replacement of having students pay by credit hour, students would have been charged a flat-rate fee analogous to 15 credits for full-time undergraduate students regardless of whether they take 12, 15 or 18 credits. The measure to submit proposals for this switch was approved by the Florida Board of Governors in November and would result in an 8 percent increase to state tuition, and an average 7 percent increase imposed by UF, which brings the total increase to 15 percent.{{Cite web|url=http://www.alligator.org/news/campus/article_1b1d103a-3bac-11df-92c1-001cc4c002e0.html|title = Fall tuition increase likely}} The switch was estimated at bringing in $4 million of extra recurring revenue annually for the university. UF is the only university in the state that has expressed a desire to pursue block tuition.{{Cite web|url=http://www.alligator.org/news/uf_administration/article_2e0989a4-e88f-11df-aecd-001cc4c002e0.html|title = Board makes next step toward UF block tuition}}

In an email to University of Florida staff dated June 8, 2012, Machen announced that he informed UF's board of trustees of his intention to step down as president of the University of Florida next year. Machen stated his commitment to continuing leadership during the transition to a new university president. However, on January 8, by the request of Florida Governor Rick Scott, Machen decided to stay on as president of the university.

He was succeeded by Kent Fuchs on January 1, 2015.

File:Bernie Machen 2006.jpg.]]

Machen received a base salary of $432,808 and $285,000 in annual performance bonuses,Ileana Morales, "[http://www.alligator.org/news/campus/article_10d59fb5-8e5a-5ea6-9a54-8d0d361c7a18.html Machen's salary hiked up]," Independent Florida Alligator (January 7, 2008). Retrieved March 31, 2010. with his total annual compensation equalling $751,000, the fourth largest salary in the country for a public university president in 2007.Associated Press, "[https://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2006-11-19-college-heads_x.htm College heads see climb in compensation]," USA Today (November 21, 2006). Retrieved March 28, 2007. He has been criticized for reducing funding to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences by both faculty and other administrators.John H. Moore, "[http://lists.ufl.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A3=ind06&L=CLASUEVENTS-L&E=7bit&P=456305&B=------%3D_Part_5373_1860147742.1164639448422&T=TEXT%2FPLAIN;%20charset=us-ascii The origins of the CLAS 'debt']," text of speech (November 14, 2006). Retrieved September 2, 2009. However, in December 2008, Machen announced that he would give his yearly bonus of $285,000 back to the University of Florida with the stipulation that the money had to be used to help fund the Florida Opportunity Scholars Program.Thomas Stewart, "[http://alligator.org/articles/2008/12/09/news/uf_administration/081208_trustees.txt Machen plans to donate bonus to scholarship program]," The Independent Florida Alligator (December 9, 2008). Retrieved August 27, 2009.Nathan Crabbe, "[http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090107/NEWS/901070992/1021/NEWS05?Title=Will_Meyer_donate_big_payday_to_UF_scholarship_fund___ Will Meyer donate big pay day to UF scholarship fund?]" Gainesville Sun (January 7, 2009). Retrieved August 27, 2009. When Machen was hired by the University of Florida in 2003, his contract stated he would be eligible, after five years, to receive either a one-year sabbatical (paid leave) or receive the $450,000 bonus in addition to his annual salary. In January 2009, Machen chose to take $400,000 in four annual installments, but after receiving the first $100,000 installment in 2009, it was realized that the four-year payment plan would require Machen to pay federal income taxes on all four installments at the time of the first installment payment. In March 2010, the board of trustees voted to pay the remaining three installments in a single lump sum so that Machen might avoid further negative tax consequences.Minch Minchin, "[http://www.alligator.org/news/campus/article_6ff5f6e4-30b2-11df-8696-001cc4c002e0.html Board Vote Saves Machen Money]," Independent Florida Alligator (March 16, 2010). Retrieved March 31, 2010. With the addition of the $300,000 lump-sum payment to his base salary and annual performance bonus, Machen's total compensation was approximately $1,050,000 in 2010. Machen's contract ended in 2013.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gainesville.com/article/20111201/ARTICLES/111209942|title = Article 404 - Gainesville Sun - Gainesville, FL}}

Machen stirred a mild controversy by making a veiled innuendo regarding the University of Michigan's academics as they relate to student-athletes and implying that Ohio State University basketball star Greg Oden's academic schedule is a joke."[http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10105947/4 Florida's Machen pushes playoff with a payoff] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070409033153/http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10105947/4 |date=April 9, 2007 }}," CBS Sportsline (April 3, 2007). Retrieved April 9, 2007.

On June 17, 2009, it was reported that Bernie Machen had rated the University of Florida above schools such as Duke University and the University of Pennsylvania on the annual U.S. News & World Report college rankings survey. Machen rated the University of Florida as "distinguished", while rating all other Florida state universities at least two tiers below the University of Florida."[http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090617/ARTICLES/906171007 On survey, Machen rates UF with Harvard, other Fla. schools low]," The Gainesville Sun (June 17, 2009). Retrieved June 20, 2010. These actions were questioned by several Florida media outlets, including the St. Petersburg Times."Machen's rankings ploy is just rank" http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/article1011155.ece {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723025255/http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/article1011155.ece |date=2009-07-23 }}

Machen stands against the boycotting of Israeli universities. He condemned the proposed boycott in a letter that ran as a full-page advertisement in the August 8, 2007 edition of The New York Times. He helped write the letter in opposition to a recent vote by Britain's leading faculty union, which decided to debate the possibility of boycotting Israeli academic institutions. If passed by Britain's University and College Union, the boycott would cut off relations with Israeli schools to serve as a rebuke of Israel's Palestinian policies.

In January 2008, Machen publicly endorsed U.S. Senator John McCain for President of the United States. However, Machen cautioned that it should not be interpreted as an endorsement from the entire UF community. Bernie Machen also described how he has been a long-time supporter of Senator McCain.Deborah Swerdlow, "[http://alligator.org/articles/2008/01/22/news/uf_administration/machen.txt Machen announces McCain endorsement]," The Independent Florida Alligator (January 22, 2008). Retrieved August 27, 2009.

In August 2009, Machen publicly endorsed George LeMieux to fill retiring U.S. Senator Mel Martinez's United States Senate seat. Machen cited LeMieux's strong support for higher education and endorsed Governor Charlie Crist's selection to fill the open senate seat. He stipulated that he was not supporting LeMieux for political reasons.Thomas Stewart, "[http://www.alligator.org/articles/2009/09/01/news/uf_administration/090901_bernie.txt Machen endorses Crist's Senate pick to replace Martinez],' The Independent Florida Alligator (September 1, 2009). Retrieved September 2, 2009.

Machen and his wife, Chris, left for a week–long trip to Iran on Thursday, November 13, 2008. The University of Florida's first couple was part of a delegation that included six U.S. university presidents. While in Iran, the presidents visited universities in Tehran and elsewhere and met with their presidents and faculty. At Sharif University, the presidents were part of a forum with Iranian students.Thomas Stewart, "[http://alligator.org/articles/2008/11/14/news/uf_administration/081113_iran.txt UF President Bernie Machen visits Iran]," The Independent Florida Alligator (November 14, 2008). Retrieved August 27, 2009.

Machen and his wife Chris wrote a letter to the editor published in the Gainesville Sun expressing their opposition to a city charter amendment on the March 2009 Gainesville city election ballot that would prohibit transgender individuals from using gender specific public facilities for their chosen gender identity as opposed to their physical identity.Chris & Bernie Machen, "[http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090308/OPINION02/903070978 Keep Gainesville a city of tolerance]," letter to the editor, Gainesville Sun (March 8, 2009). Retrieved September 2, 2009.

On September 22, 2010, Machen was one of six presidents of major American research universities who met with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in a roundtable meeting at the White House to discuss the use of funds appropriated by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for scientific research. As of 2009, the University of Florida has received about $120 million in so-called "stimulus" funds from the act. Machen touted the six-year study by the University of Florida's Institute on Aging on whether a physical activity regimen can prevent or delay physical disability in the elderly. The study is being funded by approximately $29.5 million in stimulus funds. Machen said the money is worth spending, considering the potential impact the results can have on lowering health care costs. Machen was joined by the presidents of Purdue University, Johns Hopkins University, Washington State University, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California.Joey Flechas, "[http://www.alligator.org/news/campus/article_a4aa2866-3469-5683-bf3c-63a495b8df89.html Bernie Machen to meet Joe Biden]," The Independent Florida Alligator (September 21, 2010). Retrieved September 23, 2010.

On November 29, 2010, Machen was named to an Economic Development Transition Team of Governor-elect Rick Scott. Machen's expertise in higher education and its impact on the economy is what interested Scott.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gainesville.com/article/20101130/ARTICLES/101139940|title = Article 404 - Gainesville Sun - Gainesville, FL}}

In January 2012, Machen and Florida State University's Eric J. Barron met with the Florida House of Representatives Higher Education Committee in Tallahassee to discuss improving higher education in the state of Florida. Machen suggested universities should charge higher tuition for science, technology, engineering and math degrees because of their high cost to schools and brought up students' failure to graduate in four years, in spite of the higher credit-hour requirements of some of these degrees as compared to other undergraduate fields of study. "I just can't get them to leave", he stated.{{Cite web|url=http://www.alligator.org/news/uf_administration/article_8335029c-40d0-11e1-a3ab-0019bb2963f4.html|title = UF suggests higher tuition for science, engineering students}}http://www.local10.com/news/University-presidents-to-meet-with-Florida-House-Education-Committee/-/1717324/8279452/-/wgqnowz/-/index.html {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}

In April 2012, Machen expressed his disappointment, in an email to University of Florida students, faculty, and staff, regarding Florida Governor Rick Scott's decision to veto the Preeminence Bill. The bill would have allowed the University of Florida and Florida State University to increase tuition by more than the current cap of 15% per year. At that rate of increase tuition at these universities could be doubled in five years. Machen's statement explained, "This legislation presented the University of Florida with a pathway toward excellence and would have enabled the great State of Florida to have two world-class universities".{{Cite web|url=http://www.alligator.org/news/campus/article_be0448b4-90b8-11e1-a14a-001a4bcf887a.html|title = Governor vetoes bill that would allow UF, FSU to charge market rate tuition}}

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{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• University of Florida, Office of the President, [https://web.archive.org/web/20050204205007/http://www.president.ufl.edu/president.htm J. Bernard Machen]. Retrieved January 9, 2010.
• Pleasants, Julian M., Gator Tales: An Oral History of the University of Florida, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (2006). {{ISBN|0-8130-3054-4}}.

• [http://www.president.ufl.edu/ University of Florida] – Official website of the University of Florida.
• [http://www.utah.edu/ University of Utah] – Official website of the University of Utah.

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Category:1944 births

Category:American dentistry academics

Category:21st-century American dentists

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Category:People from Greenwood, Mississippi

Category:Educators from St. Louis

Category:Presidents of the University of Florida

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Category:University of Iowa alumni

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