Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1984 [PAGE 606]

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1984]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

597

Membership in Illinois Transportation Research Consortium

(19) Since 1979, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, the Illinois Institute of Technology, and the two campuses of the University of Illinois have been developing multidisciplinary research projects and proposals in the transportation field to take advantage of the unique skills at the participating institutions. Several small projects have demonstrated the capacity of these institutions to work together consistently, effectively, and efficiently. Until now, activities have been coordinated through a comparatively informal consortium managed by administrators at each institution. It has always been anticipated that when the opportunity for support from a major grant, from the Centers of Excellence in Transportation program of the United States Department of Transportation ( D O T ) , or from other sources for cross-institutional multidisciplinary research was available, a separate formal organization would be created. It is now proposed to convert the informal consortium arrangement into a not-for-profit corporation. There is the opportunity for the new organization to obtain a $500,000 contract from the Transportation System Center of the D O T because of the unique combinations of skills offered by the consortium members. However, to qualify for an award, procurement regulations require the existence of a single managing entity. T h e proposed corporate structure described herein would meet the requirement. Further, Section 205 of the Surface Transportation Act of 1984, expected to be passed by the Congress, provides funding for ten "transportation centers" in the country, one for each D O T region. The level of funding provided is $1,000,000 per year per center, which must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the recipient. The act also provides that an eligible center may be an organization of two or more universities, acting as a unified entity, and that the combined budgets of the individual institutions may be counted toward the required matching funds. The establishment of the corporate structure proposed would provide the opportunity for the corporate consortium to obtain the maximum grant from the Department of Transportation. T h e corporate entity would be titled the "Illinois Universities Transportation Research Consortium," and would have its principal office at the Illinois Institute of Technology. The members of the corporation will be the four universities (Northwestern, Chicago, I I T , and Illinois) now participating in the informal consortium. T h e chief executive officer, or a designee, of each institution will serve on the board of directors. An initial contribution of $5,000 by each member is required, and any assessment thereafter would have to be unanimously approved by the board of directors. Certain matters deemed to be of fundamental importance may not be made effective without unanimous vote of all members of the board and they include: (a) selection or removal of the president of the corporation; (b) amendment of the articles of incorporation or bylaws; (c) contributions by members; and (d) compensation to officers a n d / o r staff. Any member may withdraw from the corporation by giving sixty calendar days written notice. Withdrawal will not relieve the member from payments due and owing at the time of withdrawal. T h e membership of an institution whose dues are in arrears for one calendar year may be terminated. The corporation may dissolve itself by a vote of three-fourths of its members. T h e corporation anticipates hiring a part-time grant and contract administrator. T h e corporation will prepare research proposals reflecting the expertise and interest of the faculty in the field of transportation at all member institutions. Upon receipt of any grant or contract, the corporation will subcontract the work to one or more of the member institutions or, if appropriate, to a member of the institution's faculty. Each institution will assume liability for the work subcontracted to it. The established indirect cost rate and other costs of the subcontracting institution will be applicable. It is expected that the faculty at the various institutions