Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1994 [PAGE 566]

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[March 22

office in Chicago and other work with various State legislators had been comfortable and successful. Ms. Reese asked the candidate to describe a crisis and how the candidate had handled it. This candidate described a budgetary recision that required the University to return several million dollars to the State. This entailed severe program cuts on campus that were very difficult, including disbanding one unit. The candidate explained that this was the final step taken to streamline the budget process on campus and the most difficult. Trustee Mathew then asked what the candidate thought of the quality of life of students on the campus. The candidate indicated that there was much to be done in this area, saying that most commuter students have experienced little of the campus outside of the classroom. The candidate said much needed to be done to make the campus more hospitable. Trustee Lopez asked how faculty at UIC would find opportunities for interdisciplinary research, particularly minority faculty and how the candidate would go about hiring more minority faculty. The candidate said that UIC is making progress in recruiting more minority faculty and is doing well in retaining these faculty also. Trustee Lamont asked the candidate how the environment on the campus could be improved for minority faculty and students as well as staff. The candidate referred to the chancellor's groups on the status of various minority groups, stating that these groups bring "early alerts" to the chancellor and often enable problems to be addressed before they become critical. Trustee Lamont then invited the candidate to ask the board members questions. The candidate stressed the importance of the decision the board members had before them and thanked them for the interview. The president and the board members then discussed the qualifications of this candidate for the position.

BOARD MEETING RECESSED

The board recessed at 5:30 p.m. to reconvene at 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 22, 1996.

BOARD MEETING RECONVENED

At 10:10 a.m., Friday, March 22, 1996, the board members reconvened to meet the fourth candidate. Members of the board present were the same as those mentioned earlier in these minutes, with the exception of Dr. Gindorf and Mrs. O'Malley who were absent along with those who were noted as absent on March 21. Mr. Lamont asked this candidate to relate past experience in higher education to the needs of the Chicago campus. The candidate stressed experience in urban institutions and the lessons learned from this experience about the needs of urban institutions. The candidate then described the characteristics of other