Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1982 [PAGE 181]

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170

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[February 19

athletics and the Athletic Association at the Urbana-Champaign campus to be obsolete in terms of contemporary spectator presentation. A modern electronic scoreboard, which would include a message section to provide a greater range of information during football games (and a timing device for track meets), is proposed as a part of the promotion and marketing plan of the Athletic Association. The assumption is made that an overall improvement of the stadium and attendant facilities will improve ticket sales. In recent years, considerable sums have been spent on the restoration and other improvements of the stadium. This year the Athletic Association will install a new sound system and begin a five-year plan for further upgrading. Accordingly, the director of athletics and the Athletic Association have proposed that a replacement electronic scoreboard be constructed and installed, without cost to the University or the Athletic Association. It would be somewhat shorter than the present one (44 feet versus 72 feet), but higher (26 feet versus 10 feet). The scoreboard would be paid for by display advertising, presented on four panels, each 10 feet long by 4 feet high; and by approximately eight thirty-second messages displayed on the message board during an event. By agreement, the University would have the right to approve all advertisements. A number of other universities have recently installed message scoreboards with advertisement panels, it was reported. The recommendation is endorsed by the chancellor at the Urbana-Champaign campus and by the president of the University.

In the light of the committee discussion, Mr. Neal presented the following resolution to the full board now convened: That the Board of Trustees approve the solicitation of bids for the construction of a new stadium scoreboard with advertising as presented — but subject to the approval of the award of the final contract by the Board of Trustees. Further discussion focused on the specifications of bids now being solicited, the nature of the restrictions with regard to advertising, or to specific advertisers as they might be involved in the specifications or later in an agreement, and related matters. Mr. Neal made clear his view that the intent of the resolution was to favor the project generally but with the proviso stated so as to enable the board to examine the terms of any final contract before its execution. At length, the board approved the resolution by the following vote: Aye, Dr. Donoghue, Mr. Howard, Mr. Madden, Mr. Neal, Mr. Stone; no, Mrs. Day, Mr. Forsyth, Mr. Hahn; absent, Mrs. Shepherd, Governor Thompson. (The student advisory vote was: Aye, Mr. Maltese, Mr. Peterson; no, Mr. Silverman.)

REGULAR AGENDA

The board considered the following reports and recommendations from the president of the University. By consensus, the board agreed that one vote would be taken and considered the vote on each agenda item nos. 1 through 14 inclusive. The recommendations were individually discussed but acted upon at one time. (The record of board action appears at the end of each item.)