Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1988 [PAGE 294]

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284

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[June 11

EXECUTIVE SESSION

President Howard, referring to Section Two of the Open Meetings Act, stated: "A motion is now in order to hold an executive session to consider information regarding the appointment, employment, or dismissal of employees or officers, to discuss pending, probable, or imminent litigation, the acquisition of real property, and to discuss campus security." The motion was made by Mr. Forsyth and approved unanimously. I. The board, meeting with the vice president and comptroller and secretary present, received information from Vice President Bazzani comparing salary and benefits of the president of the University with presidents at comparable institutions, in particular, the public members of the Big Ten and of selected states elsewhere. In recent years, the general objective has been to set the president's salary at approximately third place in the Big Ten; however, currently it rests considerably below that figure. Mr. Bazzani reviewed the perquisites and other benefits available to the president, generally comparable to those for other university presidents. He suggested that a structural adjustment of $10,000, placing the president's salary at $125,000, would establish the University's ranking at fourth within the Big Ten. There was general discussion, trustees expressing various views on the matter, including concern as to "compression" with other salaries near that of the president but below it; the level of salaries for the executive management group itself, etc. [Action later by the General Assembly and the governor led to no general salary increases at this time. See page 287 and subsequent minutes.] This executive session adjourned at 8:30 a.m., reconvening at 8:40 with the other general University officers present.

II. Outside Liability Insurance

Mr. Bazzani reported on current negotiations in the London market regarding such insurance and its relationship to a university hospital consortium to seek broader and better coverage through group purchase. He will continue to report on this matter, although it may be necessary to consummate negotiations within the next 30-60 days, in which case the Executive Committee will be consulted. University Counsel Higgins reported on pending litigation with regard to insurance coverage and related matters and the executive session adjourned at 9 a.m.

BOARD MEETING AS A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE1

Beginning at 9 a.m., the board met as a Committee of the Whole to

1 On the previous day, June 10, 1987, meeting! of the Finance and Audit Committee, Buildings and Grounds Committee, and the board meeting as a Committee of the Whole were held. Tne Finance and Audit Committee received a report on steps being taken to increase the efficiency of cash management; the board meeting as a Committee of the Whole received a detailed report on campus security at Urbana. Following the committee meetings, the trustees toured new athletic facilities at the Urbana campus.