Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1994 [PAGE 561]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1996]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

549

state of declining resources. The candidate discussed the importance of forging new relationships with the corporate sector, the community, and other relevant institutions. Ms. Reese then asked for a description of the candidate's current position. The candidate described this and several other positions held previously, stressing a knowledge and appreciation of a complex campus, with a large health sciences component. Dr. Bacon asked about the candidate's view of how the east and west sides of UIC might be administered. The candidate asserted it would be most important to assure all that quality was present in all activities of the campus. The candidate noted that assuring advocacy groups that quality was the major goal for all programs on the campus would be a part of this. Mr. Lamont noted the responsibility UIC has for addressing urban issues and asked the candidate to discuss these and ways to approach them. The candidate said that the variety of programs at UIC should be considered a major asset for developing solutions to such problems, emphasizing that interdisciplinary cooperation is essential in helping solve complex urban problems. Next, Dr. Bacon asked for ways to make UIC more representative of the population of Chicago. The candidate stated that the campus should work with the public schools to recruit students by making them aware of UIC from a very early age. The candidate also stressed the need for a hospitable environment for recruiting faculty members. Mr. Mathew then asked about the candidate's philosophy of the role of student leaders and student leadership. To this the candidate said that student leaders are the conscience of a campus and stressed the importance of an ongoing relationship with student leaders and other students. Mr. Lamont queried the candidate on the matter of handling political relationships with the city of Chicago and the State. The candidate expressed comfort with these responsibilities and discussed prior experiences in Federal and State legislative work. Mrs. O'Malley asked the candidate to discuss the aspects of the job that seemed most interesting. The candidate indicated that the combination of academic programs and research endeavors, with a strong service commitment, notable on the campus, provided great interest and seemed to fit with previous personal experiences. Ms. Reese asked the candidate to describe an instance of crisis management. The candidate described an episode involving unfortunate budget decisions for another institution and an ensuing campaign to reverse these decisions. The candidate reported that the plan and strategy described proved successful. The candidate then asked the board members to describe the relationships among the three campuses of the University and the emphases stressed for each campus. The trustees then described the