Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1990 [PAGE 288]

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276

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[June 13

Resek, vice president for academic affairs; Dr. James J. Stukel, chancellor, University of Illinois at Chicago; Dr. Morton W. Weir, chancellor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and the officers of the board, Dr. Craig S. Bazzani, comptroller (and vice president for business and finance); Mr. Byron H. Higgins, university counsel; and Dr. Michele M. T h o m p s o n , secretary. In addition, the following persons were also in attendance: Mr. Donald K. Coe, director, University Office of Public Affairs; Mr. Kirk Hard, executive assistant to the president of the University; and Mr. R. C. Wicklund, associate secretary. EXECUTIVE SESSION President Wolff, referring to Section T w o of the O p e n Meetings Act, stated: " A motion is now in o r d e r to hold an executive session to consider information regarding the appointment, employment, or dismissal of employees or officers, to discuss pending, probable, or imminent litigation, the acquisition of real property, to discuss campus security, and to receive legal advice from counsel." T h e motion was made by Mr. Grabowski and approved unanimously. Litigation Mr. Higgins r e p o r t e d on litigation concerning the death of a patient, Jose Damiani, in the course of neurosurgery conducted at the University Hospital. According to Mr. Higgins, a settlement of approximately $1.0 million is expected. This is to be r e p o r t e d at the July board meeting. T h e attending surgeon in this case is no longer with the University. Mr. Higgins next r e p o r t e d to the board that negotiations were still in process for the acquisition of the Circle Court shopping center property in Chicago. According to Mr. Higgins, the Jewel food store located in this shopping center is not favorable toward the University's interest in acquiring the Circle Court property. Next, Mr. Higgins indicated that in the board agenda, t h e r e was an item seeking authorization to initiate condemnation proceedings for property for the Urbana-Champaign campus. H e explained that if this step is necessary the proceedings will probably commence within the next two weeks. Report from the Vice President for Business and Finance Dr. Bazzani described for the b o a r d a problem the University had with Illinois Power for purchase of natural gas in Urbana-Champaign. A new tariff that took effect this year is the issue in contention. Illinois Power contends that the University owes m o r e than the University interprets the law to require. Dr. Bazzani noted that the University is holding $200,000 in escrow until the issue is settled. Dr. Bazzani then r e p o r t e d on a labor union dispute at the U r b a n a campus. This involved the construction laborers local in Champaign-