Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1980 [PAGE 611]

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[May 15

University, or to be a deprivation of civil or constitutional rights of the Iranian nationals affected. I t could conceivably result in personal liability for those University personnel responsible for the action. Accordingly, I recommend that the University continue to follow its present admissions policies." With regard to the second element of the resolution, concerning office space, Mr. Costello expressed the following opinion: " I n view of the objective criteria established for office space assignments to registered organizations at the Urbana-Champaign campus, and in view of the required open membership character of such registered organization, it appears that the net effect of that part of H.R. 694 which deals with office space assignments is to urge denial of space to an organization solely on the basis of the use of the word 'Iranian' in its title. In my view, a court would find a classification of organizations based on the use of the word ' 'Iranian' in the title to be arbitrary and capricious and not rationally related to a legitimate state purpose. I recommend that no action be taken with respect to this part of H.R. 694." T h e report of the university counsel was received and a copy is filed with the secretary. Presentation, Resolution for William H. Rice At the request of President Forsyth, Mr. H a h n presented and moved the adoption of the following resolution with regard to William H. Rice. To William H. Rice: Among the loyal servants of the University who have given unusually effective service to this institution is Bill Rice, for over two decades administrative assistant to the president in charge of legislative relations. His has been a substantial contribution to the welfare of the University of Illinois. In the language of the General Assembly, which recently honored him, "he became a valued and knowledgeable friend of ours . . . (he was) our good friend and a friend of Governors Stratton, Kerner, Shapiro, Ogilvie, and Walker." A native of Bloomington, Normal and El Paso, Illinois, Bill Rice was a member of the Class of 1940 of the College of Commerce. H e served as president of his fraternity and vice-president of the Interfraternity Council, and, with a legion of other Ulini departed the campus in 1941, enlisting in the Navy as a Seaman 2nd Class. H e served the Navy for four and one-half years. H e helped recruit the original "Flying Illini" Naval Air Force Squadron, serving as a carrier-based Navy fighter pilot on thirty-eight missions and earning three decorations. Bill Rice has been associated with the University since 1945. H e was with the Alumni Association and the Athletic Association prior to his