Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1992 [PAGE 114]

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102

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[November 13

Wall, treasurer; and Dr. Michele M. Thompson, secretary. In addition, the following persons were also in attendance: Mr. Donald K. Coe, director, University Office of Public Affairs; Mr. Kirk Hard, executive assistant to the president of the University; and Mr. R. C. Wicklund, associate secretary.

EXECUTIVE SESSION1

President Lamont, referring to Section Two of the Open Meetings Act, stated: "A motion is now in order to hold an executive session to consider information regarding the appointment, employment, or dismissal of employees or officers, to discuss pending, probable, or imminent litigation, the acquisition of real property, to discuss campus security, and to receive legal advice from counsel." The motion was made by Ms. Reese and approved unanimously.

Report from Chair of Search Committee for Chancellor, Urbana-Champaign campus

At the first executive session, attendance was limited to the trustees, President Stanley O. Ikenberry, Secretary Michele M. Thompson, and Dr. Jesse Delia. President Ikenberry thanked Dr. Delia for joining the board and asked him to report on the progress of the search. Dr. Delia opened his remarks by stating that one aim of the search committee is to find a person who can start quickly to perform the tasks expected of a chancellor, without much training. He explained the reason the committee deems this important is that there are several issues of considerable importance that will confront a new chancellor immediately. These are: management of the campus budget, strengthen the internal environment of the campus to encourage students and faculty in these difficult times, raise funds for the campus as a part of the planned capital campaign, and also manage the demanding time schedule of the chancellor. Dr. Delia stressed again at this meeting that this search has been characterized by efforts to reach out and tap a very diverse pool of potential candidates. To date he reported that 1200 direct contacts have been made with individuals considered prospects for this position; 20 percent of these by Dr. Delia himself. The committee now has 160 applications and nominations on file. Of this number, 50 percent have campus-wide experience, 10 percent are minority group members, and 25 percent are women. Dr. Delia noted that with the recent announcement of Vice Chancellor Robert M. Berdahl's departure to become president of the University of Texas, the committee felt even more strongly the need to find candidates who could function effectively almost immediately upon entering the position.

1 T h e previous day, as a part of the Committee on Academic Affairs meeting, the trustees visited classes on the Cnicago campus and met with students and faculty.