Ethics Panel Clears Former UO Journalism Dean Travel Spending

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission on November 19, 2025 closed its preliminary review into travel spending by former University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication dean Juan Carlos Molleda, concluding that the trips were business related and complied with university policy and state law. The commission rescinded a prior motion to investigate after determining the travel had been authorized by UO leadership and planned over multi year timelines, and it found no violation of state public official conflict or misuse statutes in the scope of the preliminary review.

Molleda stepped down from the deanship earlier this year amid reporting that questioned the use of first class travel and the addition of personal days to business trips. The commission action does not reverse those earlier reports, but it does close the ethics inquiry at the preliminary stage, clearing Molleda of apparent statutory conflicts in this review. Molleda plans to return to research and faculty work at the university.

The decision carries direct consequences for Lane County because the University of Oregon remains one of the county's largest employers and a central institution for education and civic life. Residents, students, and faculty have watched the case for how public resources are managed and how university leadership responds to questions of transparency. University governance, travel oversight and the standards applied to senior administrators are matters of public interest when taxpayer supported institutions are involved.

UO has named an interim dean for the School of Journalism and Communication and is advertising for a permanent dean. That leadership transition will shape the school on issues from curriculum and community engagement to hiring and budget decisions. For students and staff, a stable leadership path is critical to maintaining program continuity and to addressing ongoing concerns about equity and resource allocation within the school.

Beyond the immediate personnel changes, the commission's findings may prompt renewed attention to institutional policy and oversight. Clearer rules and transparent reporting for travel and external engagements can help rebuild public confidence and ensure equitable stewardship of university funds. For Lane County residents, transparent governance at UO matters not only for fiscal accountability, but also for the broader social and economic health of the region.

As the journalism school moves forward with an interim leader and a national search for a permanent dean, the university faces the task of balancing administrative accountability, faculty research priorities, and student needs. Molleda's return to faculty work signals a shift away from administrative duties, and the coming months will test how UO strengthens policies and communication to serve its community.