Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1990 [PAGE 214]

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[March 14

own right, Joan Stukel. My actions are not a comment on this fine man. If he is chosen by this board today, I will devote myself to helping him to insure the growth and development of the University of Illinois at Chicago. Jim Stukel did not set up the search process nor did he select the members of the Search Committee. We have spent the last month talking about change — where we have been and where we are today and where we are going. As to where we have been and where we are today — the situation is graphic and the numbers do not lie. Yesterday approximately 100 faculty, staff, and administrators attended our Board of Trustees meeting. Ninety-nine of them were white. When Dr. Bacon came to the table — she integrated the University contingent. This is 1991 — n o t 1961. Today as I sit at the board table I look out at the 20 staff and faculty at the next table who represent the University at this board meeting. Not one person of color, not one Hispanic, and not one single woman sits there today — of all days.

Comments by Trustee Kenneth R. Boyle

This issue of selecting a chancellor for the Chicago campus is now over. It is finished and we must move ahead to more important matters. I hope we have all learned from the experience of the last few months. Let the healing begin. We must begin the work today of bringing us all together again.

Comments by Trustee Thomas R. Lamont

In observing the search process, which is now over, it seems that it might be used or abused to characterize events and people who might be at variance from our customary expectations. It appears that there is some resistance to change and that the University campus might not be the bastion of intellectual freedom it should be. T h e duty of the governance board is to govern. In this role I have considered what I have heard from representatives of government, the faculty, and alumni. Their concerns are ones I have considered thoroughly. Some problems have been exposed and we need to address these, to prevent further division.

Comments by Governor Jim Edgar

This is a very important issue and one I think it is important that I vote on, as a member of the board. There has been pain within the University in recent weeks over the selection of a chancellor for the Chicago campus, but there is clearly an opportunity for the University to move ahead at this time. There are needs for change and a review of certain processes will help bring that about. T h e important thing today is that we have a highly qualified candidate for chancellor of the Chicago campus, who is recommended by President Ikenberry. I believe we should resolve this issue in order to move ahead, and support the recommendation.

Comments by Trustee Susan L. Gravenhorst

This situation of reaching a conclusion on the selection of a chancellor for the Chicago campus was difficult, but out of conflict and disagreement can come positive results. We need to begin work on those immediately. I appreciate the devotion of the faculty and the administration throughout this period, expressed in many letters, calls, and "fax" messages. I have been impressed by the number of alumni in all parts of the country who have written or called me. I wish to express my support of James Stukel and of our beloved president. Let us now put all of the contentious discussion behind us and go forward in the best interests of the University of Illinois.

T h e following item was then presented to the board for vote:

(1) Following a national search conducted over the last eight months, it is my pleasure to recommend the appointment of James J. Stukel, presently interim chancellor, as chancellor of the University of Illinois at Chicago, effective immediately. T h e