Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1986 [PAGE 337]

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326

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[July 18

EXECUTIVE SESSION President Shepherd, referring to Section T w o 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, and to discuss pending, probable or imminent litigation against or on behalf of the University and to discuss the acquisition of real property." T h e motion was made by Mr. Forsyth and approved unanimously. T h e university counsel, Mr. Higgins, reported briefly on the item before the Executive Session, Wade vs. Lynn, et al. H e discussed the legal implications and nature of settlement alternatives. T h e recommendation follows: Wade versus Lynn, et al. (Maintenance Contract)

(1) In April 1984, during the course of eye surgery at the University of Illinois Hospital, the oxygen to Anthony Wade was turned off; and he received nitrous oxide for about six minutes. This caused irreversible brain damage, which now requires that Mr. Wade receive total care. At the time, he was 29 years old. There is a need to pay for the expense of his care. Since this is a case of absolute liability, the University and its carrier, the Insurance Company of Ireland, are in the final stages of negotiation for a maintenance contract to pay the costs associated with Mr. Wade's care. The University's exposure in this case is $100,000 of the first $20 million. The balance is insured with the Insurance Company of Ireland and two other insurance carriers. The university counsel has recommended that authorization be given to enter into an agreement, as well as a second agreement with the Insurance Company of Ireland, in which the insurance company agrees to pay all costs in excess of $100,000 directly to Mr. Wade's estate. The University funds are to come from the self-insurance fund. I recommend that authorization be given to make the agreements described.

O n motion of Mr. Logan, authorization was given as recommended by the following vote: Aye, Mrs. Day, Mr. Forsyth, Mrs. Gravenhorst, Mr. H a h n , Mr. Howard, Mr. Logan, Mr. Madden, Mrs. Shepherd, Miss Smith; no, none; absent, Governor Thompson. (The student advisory vote was: Aye, Mr. Becker, Mr. L a m m ; no, none.) Mr. Higgins also presented a sample format for a confidential report of current litigation that would be submitted from time to time to the trustees. At President Ikenberry's request, the two chancellors commented on the state of recruitment efforts for deans and other senior officers at each of the campuses. In the instance of the dean of the College of Business Administration at Chicago, Dr. Langenberg reported that the search is expected to be completed soon and it may be necessary to make an announcement within the next few days, in advance of the next meeting of the board in September. T h e appointment will be subject to confirmation by the board at its next meeting.