Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1944 [PAGE 120]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1942]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IV. GENERAL COMMENTS ON THE M A I N PROPOSALS

117

The Survey is right in proposing the transfer of more business matters to a business officer in order to give the President more time for contact with the departments. It is wrong in proposing (pp. 66-68) to isolate the President from the main purposes of the institution through a Vice President who would take over entirely his contacts with the education and research programs of the departments and the men responsible therefor. An officer who works with and assists the President in the development of the educational and research programs of the University can be of the greatest value. In the domain of educational policy, the present services of the Provost are of this nature and are now being extended and should be more extended. In the matter of general university research, the Dean of the Graduate School, as Chairman of the University Research Board, renders similar service to the President. The Survey is wrong in assuming that a Business Officer can exercise autocratic authority over matters affecting purchases, equipment, and nonacademic personnel in the educational departments. T h e business department will function best when, as in the past, it operates as an agency of service to the men who actually are the University. It must aid them to meet their needs in the most economical and expeditious manner, and in accordance with sound business practices, but always in close cooperation with the President. The recommendation for an officer to deal especially with public relations is a confirmation of a decision reached several years ago, but action on which has had to be deferred because of lack of funds. T h e exact duties of such an officer and his relations to other officers, however, must be very carefully studied. To think of him as a promotional expert is dangerous. T h e Survey was specified by the Board of Trustees as limited to a survey of the "business operations" of the University. 1 T h e instructions given to the firm by the President as authorized by the Board of Trustees indicated that the Survey would cover the "business operations, business departments, activities and methods of the University." 2 T h e letter of instructions also outlined the areas and subjects to be covered. It was definitely stated that the Survey would observe with "reasonable fidelity," "a distinct line of demarcation between business operations on the one hand and educational and scientific research work on the other." These instructions were accepted by the firm. Contrary to this specific limitation, the Report proposes a general reorganization of the University as a whole, in both its educational and business operations. It proposes changes in the methods and channels of dealing with research programs, student welfare, the functions of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and numerous other subjects whose business aspects are in a peculiar way ancillary to educational aims and purposes. There was also a definite understanding with the firm, in conversations between the Board Committee and other University representatives, confirmed later in writing by and to the President, that any conclusions which might be reached in the course of the Survey, and any suggestions which were considered in order, would be presented to the officers concerned for consideration and comment before the final report was completed and transmitted. This was not done. Only one general feature of the recommendations as now proposed was presented to the President in advance of the delivery of the final Report, and no comment or recommendation was discussed with any other officer. I have discussed these matters at length because in my judgment the Board of Trustees can make a tremendous mistake in studying and appraising this Survey if they do not keep constantly in mind the fundamental purpose and the unique nature of departmental organization, and the true character of a great university. Moreover, I am convinced that we can meet most of the justifiable criticisms of this Survey (many of which have been under discussion by our own staff) as to business management and methods with far less change in our organization and much less expenditure for salary funds than is proposed. The Administration's recommendations for action will be made after a detailed review of the Report has been presented to the Board of Trustees.

A. C. WILLARD

J For 2

extract from the minutes of the meeting of December 16, 1941, see page 112 above. For President Willard's letter of December 24, 1941, see page i n above.