Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1982 [PAGE 403]

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BOARD OF T R U S T E E S

[October 15

friends. It is from these sources that the University of Illinois over the years has derived its greatness. It is from this point of departure we will pursue our aspiration to be the preeminent public university in America. T h e president said that if the recommendation with regard to consolidation was approved, the date for its implementation would be September 1, 1982. H e indicated his intent to bring with the recommendation in November his plans for a smooth transition of administration. T h e Board of Trustees reconvened in regular session at 11:15 a.m. BUSINESS PRESENTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY President Ikenberry recognized and introduced observers from the campus senates and from the University Senates Conference. 1 President's Reports President Ikenberry presented a report on selected topics of current interest, copies of which were distributed at the meeting, and a copy was filed with the secretary of the board. President's Report on Other Matters and on the Reorganization of the College of Medicine Much has happened since this board met a mere 28 days ago. T h e University of Illinois Foundation held its annual meeting immediately following the September meeting of the Board of Trustees. Attendance set new records. In 1979, 319 alumni and friends of the University participated in the gathering; in 1980 the figure rose to 380; and this year, some 500 alumni and friends of the University participated — over a 50 percent increase during the last three years. It was reported that some $51 million had been pledged to the Campaign for Illinois and that the campaign continued to be on target. People were electrified by the announcement of a magnificent commitment by Marajen Stevick Chinigo of Champaign in excess of $5 million that will eventually lead to the endowment of a distinguished university professorship at Urbana-Champaign, monies for construction of a radio and television broadcast facility, and unrestricted funds to provide added flexibility in meeting special needs on the Urbana-Champaign campus. Announcement was also made of the endowment of a chair in the name of Denton Thorne at the Chicago Circle campus by the Coleman Foundation. Overall, I came away encouraged that the momentum so essential to the ultimate success of the Campaign for Illinois continues. Related to the broad area of private support is a growing interest around the country in exploring and developing new relations in joint research and development efforts between industry and universities. One reads of new initiatives almost daily, although activity in major public universities seems to be moving more slowly than at major private universities. There is a growing interest in this area among faculty members on each of this University's three campuses. In addition, there has been an expression of interest by the governor's office in stimulation of the economy in high-technology areas and the need and opportunity to draw on the scientific and technological resources of the University of Illinois and other universities more effectively.

1 University Senates Conference: Elmer B. Hadley, professor of biological sciences, Chicago Circle; Urbana-Champaign Senate Council: Jerry S. Dobrovolny, professor and head of Department of General Engineering; Medical Center Senate: Ruy V. Lourenco, Edmund F. Foley Professor of Medicine and head of Department of Medicine, Abraham Lincoln School of Medicine; Chicago Circle Senate Committee: Frank Tachau, professor and chairperson of Department of Political Science.