Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1994 [PAGE 209]

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1995]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

197

concrete and positive results from the involvement. This candidate articulated the land-grant philosophy in modern terms of assisting in educating people to help solve contemporary problems in urban areas as well as rural and structuring university services to reach out to serve many publics in a variety of venues. The candidate described considerable experience in academic personnel and labor relations. This candidate also told the board members of nearly 30 years of experience in various forms of learning technology and emphasized a shift in focus from teaching to learning for use of this technology. Further, the candidate described considerable experience in resource allocation and planning for reallocation of resources. The candidate's experience in dealing with state legislatures was notable and particularly in the area of making the case for resources for higher education. The candidate exhibited good experience in raising funds through a capital campaign, too. In addition, there was evidence that the candidate had built considerable corporate support for one institution. This candidate reported improving the ranking of one institution and described that this was done by making the image of the institution a priority. The candidate indicated that more focus on public relations had been an important part of this. There was also a discussion of crisis management and the candidate explained in detail how a crisis involving campus security had been managed — to good ends. The candidate also stressed the need to build confidence among the faculty by careful listening and providing situations for imparting important information. In addition, the need to learn the traditions of an institution was noted. The candidate expressed comfort with the administrative structure of the University and emphasized the need for setting University priorities that would balance campus needs with University-wide needs. As to addressing the health care education, research, and service needs, the candidate said that contingencies were needed for support if Federal support diminishes. The need for new alliances and networks was cited as essential for functioning in the contemporary health care environment. The candidate expressed the need to develop stronger ties with alumni, calling this group perhaps the best friend a university has, as it provides broad-based support. There was a brief break at 6:30 p.m. and the interview then continued over dinner that included the trustees and the candidate. Dr. Bahr, Dr. Johnson, Dr. Thompson, and Ms. Finnegan were present at a separate table in the room. The interview concluded at 8:00 p.m. The board discussed the interviews until 8:40 p.m. and then recessed to reconvene at 8:30 a.m., Sunday, February 12, 1995.