Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1988 [PAGE 450]

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[January 7

Committee on Academic Affairs will meet in February to receive information on a recommendation to convert the academic calendar at the Chicago campus from the quarter system to the semester system, effective in 1990. Detailed information will be provided, and there will be a n opportunity for members of the Chicago campus community to comment on the recommendation at the committee meeting. Resolution, Illinois Budget Crisis At a meeting of the board as a Committee of the Whole on the previous day (January 6 ) , the trustees received a comprehensive report on the effect of the State's budget crisis on the University of Illinois in the present year. I n the course of discussion, the point was m a d e that ultimately, if the State is unable to provide the funds needed, the only course the University can follow is to explore reductions in enrollments and in programs in accord with resources available. It was pointed out, however, that this is extremely difficult to do effectively and can only be done over an extended period of time. President Ikenberry outlined the strategic efforts to be undertaken to mobilize public support and legislative attention to the broad needs of education in Illinois, including the problems facing higher education. A speakers bureau will be established and friends of the University from a variety of sectors in the State will be asked to help. Trustees will be asked t o suggest ways in which they can contribute. I n accord with the discussion, the following resolution was presented: Resolution on Budget Crisis in the State of Illinois Whereat, the State of Illinois, through education improvement initiatives begun in 1985, recognized that a strong educational system at all levels is crucial to the long-term economic development of this State and to improving the quality of life for all Illinois citizens; and Whereas, the State has looked to its institutions of higher education to help lay the groundwork in research and development to attract new business and industry to Illinois, especially in areas of high technology; and Whereas, the University of Illinois has repeatedly demonstrated its special strengths in the research and development enterprise and has produced a remarkable return on State resources invested in academic programs by attracting hundreds of millions of dollars in Federal and private support in science and engineering while maintaining a high quality instructional program for which demand from students has never been higher; and Whereas, the State of Illinois Fiscal Year 1988 budget cuts have seriously slowed progress on educational improvements at all levels and left support well below FY 1987 levels; and Whereas, the impact of this budget crisis has been especially severe upon the University of Illinois, where faculty and staff compensation has fallen to last in the Big Ten; where mid-year tuition increases have been required and enacted; where academic program support has been cut; where facilities renovation and equipment replacement funding has been