Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1980 [PAGE 126]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

116

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[October 20

SECRETARY'S REPORT T h e secretary presented for record appointments to the faculty and changes of status made by the president, resignations, leaves of absence, and retirements. A copy of the report is filed with die secretary. SUGGESTIONS FOR ACCELERATING BOARD BUSINESS Mr. Lenz asked that study be given to means of expediting board action on routine agenda items, perhaps by the development of a "consent agenda" (a list proposed for summary action, that might be proposed and departed from at the option of individual trustees). H e also suggested the grouping of like items for a single roll call to reduce repetitive roll calls. It was agreed the secretary would attempt to develop some procedures along these lines. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD President Howard called attention to die schedule of regular meetings for the remainder of the year: November 17, Medical Center; December 13, Chicago Circle. H e also announced that an executive session had been requested and would be convened after the meeting to consider reports on pending litigation. RECESS AND EXECUTIVE SESSION Following a short recess, the board reconvened in executive session and considered the following items of business: Litigation Initiated by James Freidag (35) A complaint has been filed in the Court of Claims of the State of Illinois (Case No. 78 CC 1523) by James Freidag against the University. The complaint seeks damages in the amount of $100,000 for injuries alleged to have been incurred by plaintiff on October 30, 1977 during a "pick-up" basketball game at the Intramural-Physical Education Building on the Urbana-Champaign campus. The plaintiff alleges that he was a student of the University at the time and was willfully and maliciously struck and injured by another student. It is alleged that the University did not properly supervise the use of the intramural facility or take reasonable steps to prevent the use of the same by persons who the University knew to have a propensity for violence. The university counsel has recommended that he be authorized to take such steps as are necessary or appropriate, including the employment of special counsel, to protect the interests of the University in this matter and to defend the claim. I concur. T h e student advisory vote was: Aye, Miss Kooper, M r . Sobotka, Mr. Watson; no, none. O n the motion of Mr. Lenz, authority was given as recommended by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Forsyth, Mr. H a h n , M r . Howard, Mr. Lenz, Mr. Livingston, Mr. Neal, Mrs. Rader, Mrs. Shepherd, Mr. Velasquez; no, none; absent, Governor Thompson.