Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1980 [PAGE 348]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1979]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

337

good humor, and have faith; and, above all, make sure that your life—-your individual life — is always a life of real relevance." For this stewardship and for this persona] leadership of the University in a critical decade of its existence, the Board of Trustees conveys its heartfelt thanks and its warm respect and affection. His has been a service of distinction — and real relevance. A d o p t e d by rising v o t e of t h e trustees.

Response by President Corbally

In response, the President expressed his appreciation for the generous comments that had been made about his service but indicated he could not in truth accept them. "Rather," he said, "I pass these tributes back to those whose work is reflected by the President. First, to the members of the Board, the present members as well as all of those with whom I have worked since 1971, I give my heartfelt thanks. Trustees deserve regularly the thanks of all who are interested in the University for their long hours of dedicated service; service given without remuneration and often at considerable cost to them. Trustees are occasionally accused of being 'rubber stamps' for the administration. This accusation is not so. T h e Board plays a key role in the shaping of those things brought to this table and in influencing the character of items before they are made ready for presentation. Through delegation and through a stoic willingness to accept blame for the results of delegation, the Board permits the University to be a true community of scholars. Indeed, it is I who must present my thanks to you and to your predecessors for the magnificence of your service to the University of Illinois." He also expressed satisfaction in the tradition and practice of the Board in maintaining a close relationship between Trustees and general officers, rather than a separation of the two groups. This partnership is symbolized by the seating of general officers with the Trustees at the Board table as decisions are discussed and made. He added his thanks to the general officers and to all the staff, noting that "much of what a University president does is to stay out of the way to enable good people to do well the things they can best do." "All of us recognize that it is the faculty and staff who perform the essential functions of the University, and I am glad that the Board resolution emphasizes 'all' of the staff. I n my eight years here I have met literally thousands of persons at all levels within the University, and I believe from this perspective that I have a greater feel perhaps than anyone else in the University for the consistently high quality of our faculty and staff. It is a magnificent group of men and women and it is they whom we must visualize as we discuss budgets and programs and other details of administration." With regard to students, he noted that, unlike some, he did not believe students should be inordinately active in administration, however much they might be consulted in areas of interest to them. "They have a limited period of time in which to be students and that is precious time that can be wasted if they try, in fact, to run the University. I have tried to be honest with students and have been satisfied that they have been honest with me." Again, he noted, "When we speak of quality, we are speaking of extraordinarily high quality in the students of this University." Finally, he expressed satisfaction in the tasks of working with members of the legislature, with governors, taxpayers, labor leaders, the full range of constituencies and citizens of Illinois. "Deserved or not," he said, "when this Board chooses a president it imposes upon the individual a great opportunity and a great responsibility. The person you choose to sit in this seat at the head of your Board table has thrust upon him the possibilities of making great contributions to all of higher education in the United States. I am sure that the outstanding new president whom you have chosen will take full advantage of these possibilities. Thank you for permitting me to work with you on behalf of this great University of ours."