Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1988 [PAGE 446]

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436

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[January 7

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.

Acquisition of Land, Illinois Central Gulf Railroad, Champaign

(1) In August 1987, the National Science Foundation approved a proposal from the Department of Physics at the Urbana campus for the construction of a 450 MeV Microtron Accelerator, a cooperative agreement for which budgeting soon will be determined by Congress. This project will be located at the Nuclear Physics Laboratory and a building addition will be required. T h e Illinois Central Gulf Railroad is willing to sell a portion of its eastern right-of-way, 2.31 acres in all. Located between Stadium Drive and Kirby Avenue (Champaign), its width ranges between 60 and 70 feet for a distance of 1,680 feet. T h e north 650 feet could be used to expand the present site of the Nuclear Physics Laboratory. The additional land will allow great flexibility in the design of the addition, now unavailable. In particular, it would permit the location of several elements of the addition further west, making possible expansion to the east and the inclusion of more sophisticated equipment later. The additional land could also be used to provide for an access road. T h e railroad has offered to sell the 2.31 acres since it is a single parcel, bordered entirely by the University between two major intersecting streets. T h e balance of the land will be valuable on an interim basis for storage, parking, and for future campus expansion. Accordingly, the president of the University, with the concurrence of the appropriate administrative officers, recommends that the University acquire the parcel from the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad at a price of $50,400. Private gift funds in the Office of the President are available for this transaction.

On motion of Mr. Forsyth, this recommendation was approved by the following vote: Aye, Mrs. Calder, Mr. Forsyth, Mrs. Gravenhorst, Mr. Howard, Mr. Logan, Mrs. Shepherd, Miss Smith, Mr. Wolff; no, none; absent, Mr. Hahn, Governor Thompson. (The student advisory vote was: Aye, Mr. Evenson, Mr. Wylie; no, none.)

Perry vs. Mays (Authorization for Settlement)

(2) T h e case identified above is brought by a former employee of the University at the Chicago campus who alleges that he was laid off from his position as acting superintendent of the laundry by reason of his race. Both the prosecution and defense rely heavily upon circumstantial evidence to establish or repudiate the allegations. The university counsel's evaluation of the facts lead to the conclusion that the jury could decide either way. For this reason, and in light of the damages claimed by the plaintiS, university counsel has recommended that the Board of Trustees authorize a settlement of $125,000. T h e action would be without admission of fault