Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1988 [PAGE 502]

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492

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[March 10

tion. Its primary purpose will be to improve the quality of education in urban schools through research focused on the schools as organizations, on teachers and administrators, children, the process and content of instruction, and the relationship of schools to their communities. T h e center will give particular attention to the problems associated with elementary and secondary schools in the Chicago metropolitan area. T h e goal is to work toward a better understanding of these problems and their potential solutions through: (1) research addressed to critical educational issues; (2) making available conceptually coherent and intellectually rigorous professional programs for educational professionals in urban environments; (3) coordinating the transfer of educational interventions; (4) developing a model of technology transfer; and (5) implementing programs to enhance minority preparation for and representation in higher education. A major priority will be the impact upon minority students, their academic and social achievement, and their readiness to succeed in postsecondary educational programs and employment. T h e chancellor at Chicago and the acting vice president for academic affairs have recommended approval. The University Senates Conference has indicated that no further senate jurisdiction is involved. I recommend approval, subject to further action by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

On motion of Mr. Wolff, this recommendation was approved.

Establishment of Student Legal Service, Chicago

(21) T h e chancellor at the Chicago campus has recommended that the Student Legal Service, begun in October 1985 for a two-year trial period, be established now on a permanent basis. The program is designed to evaluate students' legal problems and give appropriate advice and assistance in solving them. T h e current staff includes one attorney hired on a contractual basis and several volunteer law students. T h e services include review of legal documents, assistance with insurance claims, and mediation in attempting to resolve disputes. Students facing court or administrative hearings are provided a case evaluation. Students who need services beyond those supplied by the Student Legal Service are given an extensive referral list to assist them in locating an attorney. Those students who must represent themselves because of inability to retain private counsel and ineligibility for free legal services elsewhere are assisted in preparing court documents. During the 1985-86 academic year, the students' attorney provided legal assistance to 713 students in 520 cases. Last year, 1,039 students received assistance in 864 cases. If funding is recommended by the Student Fee Advisory Committee, legal representation by the attorney or law students will be added to the service (under the guidelines consistent with the Urbana Student Legal Service plan). T h e Student Fee Advisory Committee has indicated its willingness to continue to support the Student Legal Service with student fee revenues. I recommend approval.

On motion of Mr. Wolff, this recommendation was approved. By consensus, the board agreed that one roll call vote would be taken and considered the vote on each agenda item nos. 22 through 36 inclusive. The recommendations were individually discussed but acted upon at one time. (The record of board action appears at the end of each item.)