Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1990 [PAGE 389]

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1991]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

377

the charges have been investigated by University staff and representatives of the Labor Board. Dr. Bazzani and other administrators involved believe the charges are not material and that the practices followed by the union were legal and not substantially different from those of any o t h e r union organizing drive. Contract with Learfield Communications In response to some inquiries regarding the University's revenue contract with Learfield Communications to broadcast games from the U r b a n a campus, Dr. Bazzani r e p o r t e d to the board that this contract was not one that involved a bid process, but r a t h e r a response to a RFP (request for proposal). In lieu of a performance bond, the University required of Learfield a lien on their receivables. This firm offered the University substantially m o r e in revenue than other firms that responded. Further, the University checked the firm's performance with others prior to signing the contract and found the Learfield offer to be very attractive. T h e y offered to carry the games on 49 stations. Further, the contract provides that the University can cancel at any time. Mr. Grabowski and Mr. Lamont voiced concern about the decision to allow a lien on the company's receivables instead of a performance bond. Chancellor Weir responded that the University's Purchasing Division did check with o t h e r institutions and discovered that Learfield had delivered in similar fashion for these other institutions. H e did note that the process took too long, considering that there was neither a b o n d n o r a contract. During this process the campus did ask the second bidder what they could provide and found that it was much less than the Learfield offer. Dr. Weir assured the board that he would evaluate the contract and the service in November and December 1991. Report from Legal Counsel Mr. Higgins apprised the board members of a suit filed against the University as well as the Illinois Department of Public Aid and the Illinois D e p a r t m e n t of Children and Family Services. This concerns an alleged failure to place medically fragile babies in foster homes. This suit has been filed by Mr. Patrick Murphy, the Public Guardian for Cook County. Next, Mr. Higgins r e p o r t e d to the board that in the continuing efforts to acquire the Circle Court shopping center in Chicago, the University now has m o r e facts and may be able to successfully acquire this and avoid condemnation proceedings. This could involve an offer to the Reconstruction T r u s t Corporation and looks favorable for the University at this time.