Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1994 [PAGE 215]

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1995]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

203

Meeting with First Candidate

At 4:30 p.m., the members of the board met with the first candidate. This candidate began by discussing the perceived mission of the University, particularly the Chicago campus, the candidate advised that support of problem-solving research, interdisciplinary research, and greater efforts focused on making the Chicago campus recognized for its strengths nationally were important. The candidate also noted the importance of involving the corporate sector, mostly located in Chicago, in more ways with the University as a whole. The role of the University Hospital was also discussed by this individual, particularly in terms of increasing patient access to the hospital and building networks in the region for referrals to various specialists at the University Hospital. A recommendation for creating centers of excellence in medical specialties was made. With regard to securing resources from Federal funding sources the candidate emphasized the need for careful and well orchestrated lobbying in Washington and contingency planning for possible reductions. In response to questions from the board about how the candidate would respond to the political environment in Illinois, particularly in Chicago, this individual responded that the president should have a definite commitment to the City of Chicago and in terms of political interactions the candidate indicated that a plan for managing these would have be worked out with the board. This individual discussed experience with undergraduate education and stressed this as a vital part of the University's purpose. Also, a discussion of the candidate's resilience revealed several important career experiences where this was tested and good experience gained in managing budget problems in all sectors of a university community. The candidate described past activities concerned with getting alumni involved with a university and stressed that having a strong emphasis on undergraduate education was important for this group. Discussion followed on potential changes in the governance of higher education in Illinois and the possibility of adding Sangamon State University to the University of Illinois. The candidate commented and asked questions regarding these items and expressed some concerns. At approximately 6:00 p.m., the candidate's spouse joined the group. The board members posed questions to this person about time available to be involved in University activities. They were assured that both partners regarded the presidency as a "family position." To complete the interview, the board moved to another room for dinner with the couple. Professor Bahr, Professor Johnson, Dr. Thompson, and Ms. Mary Ann Finnegan, staff person for the committee, were also present during the dinner but were seated at a separate table. This portion of the meeting concluded at 8:00 p.m.