Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1994 [PAGE 207]

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1995]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

195

previous two interviews. Discussion included issues such as budget constraints nationally and locally and how universities might use resources better in order to maintain quality at levels now known. Issues of management of productivity were touched upon. Other matters discussed included research priorities of funding agencies and anticipated changes, changes needed in health care and diversity on campus and what one should expect in this area in the future. Other points cited were: the public relations challenge of making the strength of the University of Illinois known in the State and in the nation. The candidate noted that there is a need to communicate what the University is committed to as a university. State-wide issues were also discussed. These included relations with the Illinois Board of Higher Education, probable changes in the structure of the University if legislation concerning adding Sangamon State University to the University of Illinois is passed, and the pressing need to obtain funding for the University. This candidate also opined that relations with the State legislature, corporations in Illinois, the University of Illinois Foundation, and the Alumni Association needed to be enhanced and pursued with an eye to developing interactions among these groups. Considerable discussion also transpired concerning health care education and service and ways of meeting these responsibilities in the future at the University. This candidate summarized a vision for the University as one that should include those contributions the University of Illinois can make to the State and the nation and strong leadership that will protect the University from intrusiveness from external forces that would impede the advancement of the work of the faculty and staff. In conclusion, this candidate stressed the need for the board and the president to set a common vision and to proceed to articulate this so as to educate all publics as to what this is. The interview was concluded at 11:30 a.m. The board recessed until 12:00 p.m. At 12:00 p.m., the members of the board reconvened to meet with the fourth candidate. The board members' questions focused on the candidate's experience and other matters included in the list of questions delineated earlier in these minutes. The candidate's comments focused on the state of higher education and the changes observed for higher education nationally as well as several challenges noted for the near future. This candidate stressed the need to maintain the excellence of the University of Illinois and particularly to continue the momentum currently experienced by the Chicago campus. The candidate explained that having had experience in both public and private universities, there was a decided preference for public institutions because of the challenges in the arena of service and outreach. The candidate discussed experience in local, state, and national political venues in obtaining resources for higher education, particularly for research initiatives. In response to a question regarding crisis management experience the candidate had ample evidence to offer in the form of having carried out major budget