Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1994 [PAGE 563]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1996]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

551

visibility was strong on the national level and successes in research, in scholarship, and in defining an urban mission are well known. The candidate mentioned that athletics can play a positive role in making an institution more visible and also stressed the need for constant supervision of this area of campus life. The candidate then described some past experiences in taking risks and in handling crises in response to a question from Ms. Reese on these topics. The candidate described a difficult personnel decision involving a long-term administrator, a problem in athletics that became public, and a problem involving students that was very controversial. In response to a question from Ms. Lopez regarding how UIC might engage the community more and provide access for under-represented groups, the candidate said that working with pre-college students was important particularly in areas such as math, science, engineering, journalism, and writing. The candidate then described several experiences in previous positions where working with community groups was important. The candidate also noted current efforts at recruiting more minority students to higher education and which ones were proving to be most successful. Mr. Lamont asked the candidate about experience with political and governmental constituencies. The candidate indicated comfort with such relationships and noted some corporate-university relationships that had been developed in previous positions. In response to a question about ability to build political relationships, the candidate indicated that this was a part of previous experiences and was not seen as a problem or a source of anxiety. To the question "What interests you about UIC?" asked by Mrs. O'Malley, the candidate said that it was the nature of UIC; it is a developing and vibrant institution and being the chancellor at UIC was very attractive. The candidate then asked the board members what their expectations of a chancellor for the Chicago campus were. Some board members mentioned improving the visibility of the Chicago campus and the need to make it more attractive to students at all levels. Others stressed the need to make UIC accessible to more students and to work with various groups to help more students come to UIC. Also, some stressed a belief that UIC should be more representative of the population of the city of Chicago and of the State. Another trustee stated a wish that there would be more development of areas of distinction for the Chicago campus. (Ms. Lopez left the meeting at this time.) The president and the board members then discussed the qualifications of this candidate for the position.

BOARD MEETING RECESSED

At 2:30 p.m., the board recessed, to reconvene at 3:30 p.m.