Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1994 [PAGE 119]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1994]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

107

does is select a president and the search committee work was very important to this end. He stressed that the search committee and his firm were working very cooperatively. He commended President Ikenberry for his fine assistance in laying out several aspects of the presidency for the board. He indicated that his firm's involvement in the search would be most evident at the beginning and at the end, for the reasons noted by Professor Bahr above. This would be in identifying prospects and in checking on their backgrounds later. In closing, he urged all to be patient and to realize that the best candidates will have to be cajoled and courted. He too stressed the importance of confidentiality and emphasized that the prospects had to be protected. He advised against contacting friends who might know the prospects, stating that this could prove very dangerous for the search process. Mr. Funk also discussed the competition for well qualified candidates but assured the board that the quality of the University of Illinois would diminish competition considerably. Dr. Bacon asked about confidentiality and the interface of this with the Open Meetings Act. It was explained that this was an open meeting and that this practice would be followed until specific individuals were discussed. At that time, the sessions would be closed. Further, the committee's deliberations would be apart from the board and in confidence. Ms. Reese inquired about a closing date for nominations. Professor Bahr replied that there would be no deadline for nominations but that the search would be open until the position was filled. Professor Bahr added that she hoped to bring recommendations to the board at the end of January. Mrs. Calder asked how many names the committee would forward to the board. Professor Bahr indicated that the committee would hope to forward six to eight names to the board. To Mrs. Gravenhorst's question about gathering background information on prospects, Professor Bahr spoke of the individual curriculum vitae that individuals would provide and Mr. Funk explained that he would utilize the LEXIS/NEXIS computer searches. Lastly, Mr. Rose and Mr. Didato-Castillo asked if students might meet with the committee to share their ideas. Professor Bahr assured them that the committee would be amenable to this and urged the students to contact her about arrangements for this.