Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1990 [PAGE 182]

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170

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[February

14

support on campus. T h e president reminded the b o a r d that this decision was of crucial importance for the stability and guided change needed on the Chicago campus. T h e issue of an applicant who had considerable support, particularly outside the University, was introduced. T h e application of Dr. Paula Wolff has been treated with much commentary in the media in the weeks preceding the board meeting. President Ikenberry r e p o r t e d to the board members that he had asked the search committee on two occasions if they would consider interviewing Dr. Wolff. Each time the committee declined. Given the fact that this concerned the board members, President Ikenberry agreed to ask the search committee again to interview Dr. Wolff and to attempt to schedule this prior to the March board meeting. It was stressed that this was to be an interview separate from the rest of the process, but like other interviews conducted by the search committee. T h e members of the search committee who would necessarily have to be present would be the chair of the committee, Dr. Sidney Simpson, and at least five other members of the committee, and Dr. Michele M. T h o m p s o n , staff to the committee. In addition, Mr. William Bowen and Ms. J o a n Guttman of the search firm of Heidrick and Struggles, the firm that assisted the committee, were to be asked to be present. Mrs. Shepherd stated that she wished the record to show that she would prefer to vote for the president's recommendation at this meeting. Mrs. Gravenhorst and Ms. Reese noted that they preferred this also. However, all board members eventually agreed to the suggestion that Dr. Wolff be interviewed, u n d e r certain conditions. T h e understanding was that if the committee found Dr. Wolff qualified for the position, then the entire search committee would be directed to consider her candidacy further. If the committee did not r e c o m m e n d h e r candidacy then nothing further would happen. President Ikenberry then indicated that he would announce at the board meeting on February 14, that a decision on the selection of a chancellor is expected within the next 30 days. T h e board agreed to this. Discussion then ensued regarding the search process and what would be involved in the special interview as well as how to handle the media and the concerns of others in the m o n t h ahead. T h e r e being no further business, the executive session was adjourned and the board recessed at 5:30 p.m. to reconvene on Thursday, February 14, 1991, following the Special O r d e r of Business. BOARD MEETING, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1991 (Continued from the January 11, 1991, Meeting) W h e n the board reconvened in Chicago Room C, Chicago Illini Union, Chicago campus, Chicago, Illinois, the following members of the board were present: Dr. Gloria Jackson Bacon, Mr. Kenneth R. Boyle, Mrs. J u d i t h A n n Calder, Mr. Donald W. Grabowski, Mrs. Susan L. Graven-