Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1994 [PAGE 379]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1995]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

367

PRESENTATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY

Chair Lamont opened the meeting and asked President Stukel to begin his presentation. President Stukel first reviewed for the trustees information that he had gleaned about the University and particularly what works well and what needs to be changed. He explained that this information was gathered through talking with administrators and faculty throughout the University over the past two months. He indicated that he planned to stress service from the administrative side of the University and less bureaucracy. From his study of the current state of the University the president indicated that he had learned the following things: 1. There is a great pride in the University that exists among all interviewed. 2. That planning is a problem within the University — primarily because an institutional perspective is not uniformly applied. 3. Service in most areas needs improvement. 4. New ways are needed to break through the bureaucracy. 5. Responsibility and authority are not always linked as they should be. 6. More team work between the campuses and the University administration is needed. 7. There are some problems related to the Administrative Information Systems and Services unit's ability to respond adequately to all who need the services of this unit. The president then indicated that he wanted four levels of administration within the University. These were the department, the college, the campus, and the University. President Stukel next discussed the importance of keeping both internal and external constituencies in mind and being prepared to deliver service to both kinds of groups. He emphasized the importance of service delivery being linked to administrative control. He noted that he hoped to improve management relations between the University level and the campus level and to reduce the tension that can ensue when service and accountability are not combined. Dr. Stukel indicated that the planning process for the University will integrate University and campus administrations. As a first step toward that he stated that the chancellors would henceforth include the campus business affairs administrators (assistant vice presidents for business and finance) and the campus legal counsels in their cabinets. (The Chicago and Urbana campuses had already included the campus legal counsel in the chancellor's cabinet). Next, President Stukel stated that he had a plan to improve the University's business operations. This included: 1. Development of a bench-marking process.