Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1980 [PAGE 563]

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552

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[March 20

EXECUTIVE SESSION T h e board considered the following items of business. On motion of Mr. Lenz, the board agreed that one roll call vote would be taken and considered the roll call vote on each of the next three items. Litigation Initiated by Deborah Brue and Roberta Farrick

(1) A complaint has been filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Case No. 80 C 378) by Deborah Brue and Roberta Farrick, employees of Northern Illinois University. T h e named defendants are the Board of Regents of Northern Illinois University, Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Sangamon State University, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, University of Illinois, University of Illinois — Chicago Circle campus, Western Illinois University and the Illinois Board of Higher Education. The complaint purports to be a class action brought under the federal Equal Pay Act, Titles VI and V I I of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act of 1871, and the federal and state constitutions. T h e plaintiffs and their putative class consist of all females who are employed as athletic directors, women's coaches, assistant coaches, and instructors in colleges and departments of physical education in women's athletics at the defendant institutions. T h e complaint alleges that Deborah Brue was employed at Northern Illinois University as an instructor of physical education, volleyball coach, and women's athletic director; and that Roberta Farrick was employed as an instructor coach. It is alleged that female coaches' salaries are disproportionately lower in relation to salaries of male coaches for essentially the same duties; that there are scheduling inequities and difference of athletic dollar support between men and women in athletics; that male coaches have been given more favorable contracts, salary increments, working conditions, and fringe benefits than female coaches. T h e plaintiffs assert that they have been deprived of property without just compensation, have been deprived of equal protection and due process of law, and have been discriminated against by the defendants on the basis of sex. The relief sought includes temporary and permanent injunctions against further sex discrimination; retroactive pay to remedy pay differentials; equal contract terms, working conditions, and fringe benefits for men and women coaches; an order directing the defendants to hire the number of female assistant coaches equal to the number of male assistant coaches hired, with equal pay; an order rewarding plaintiffs "constructive seniority" to a level equal to similarly situated males; and an extension of the probationary tenure period of plaintiffs to allow extended periods of preparation for tenure requirements. In addition, punitive damages in the amount of $250,000 are sought, together with attorneys fees and costs. The university counsel has recommended that he be authorized to take such steps as necessary or appropriate, including the employment of special counsel, to protect the interests of the University in this matter and to defend the action. I concur.

Litigation Initiated by Laura Shedore

(2) A complaint has been filed in the Illinois Court of Claims (Case No. 80-CC1343) by Laura Shedore seeking recovery of $100,000.00. T h e sole defendant is the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. T h e complaint alleges that on January 23, 1979, the claimant sustained in-