Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1980 [PAGE 388]

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1979]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

377

Resolution — Urbana Senate T h e president presented Acting Chancellor Cribbet who summarized briefly a resolution approved by the Urbana-Champaign Senate on September 17, 1979. T h e resolution addressed the plan for improved compensation as reflected in the University's operating budget request for 1981. Copies of the resolution had been distributed to the trustees. Mr. Cribbet also introduced Professor Kenneth Andersen of the Urbana Senate Council who was attending the meeting on behalf of the council. T h e text of the resolution is as follows: Be It Resolved, That the Senate reaffirms its strong support of the goal of reaching third in compensation in the Big Ten by reduction of the fiscal 1980 gap by one-third each year, more nearly commensurate with the nationally recognized academic stature of the University and with the academic goals of the departments and colleges. Such a University-level goal, and steady progress toward it, is very important to the prevention of erosion in the academic quality of educational and research programs as departments compete with others to hold and attract faculty and staff. There is a deep concern that this year's request of 9.7 percent is neither sufficient to achieve a "Third of the Way Toward Third" nor adequately to recognize the equity considerations raised by the current extraordinarily high 13.1 percent inflation rate on real incomes. Requests in fiscal 1979 and 1980 were reduced at least 2 percent at higher levels. When persons who retire or leave often are not replaced in an effort to try to reduce the erosion of real salaries and competitiveness, one effect is an increase in the number of students per FTE that can also erode quality. The Senate commends President Corbally, Vice President Brady, and their staffs for their support of the goal of reaching third in the Big Ten within three years and the planning effort that has been involved. The Senate hopes that you who hold the future stature of the University as your trust will formally adopt and actively participate in achieving this goal as your goal for our University. President Ikenberry stated his belief that the budget requests were realistic and sound, reflecting well the University's priorities. H e reemphasized the intent of budget planning and of the budget request to attain the objectives stated in regard to faculty compensation and a determination on the part of the administrative officers to pursue the objectives. Old and New Business Mr. Forsyth called on Trustee Lenz, who supplemented the report on the U r b a n Health Program by reviewing briefly the discussion and the debate at the Board of Higher Education meeting. He corrected some inaccuracies in the statements made in criticism of the program and reiterated the University's general reassurance of a clear determination to support the program. REGULAR AGENDA T h e board considered the following reports and recommendations from the president of the University. Annual Operating Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 1979-80 (1) The University budget for operations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1979,