Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1982 [PAGE 427]

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BOARD OF T R U S T E E S

[November 19

tions, and gain the academic benefits, this will, in turn, contribute to a strengthening of the University overall. It is my belief the time has come for the Board of Trustees to take action on this matter. All pertinent studies have been completed. Although there is not complete consensus on this complex policy question, it is clear to me that there is, throughout the University and particularly in the two campuses most directly affected, a strong and heartening spirit of genuine cooperation to work constructively and effectively within the organizational framework ultimately decided by the board. Accordingly, I recommend that the Board of Trustees act now to unite the Chicago Circle campus and the Medical Center campus under the administration of a single chancellor, effective September 1, 1982; and that the unified campus be designated, "the University of Illinois at Chicago." It should be clear that the unification of the two campuses will be evolutionary in nature, just as the benefits will be evolutionary. Further, it must be clear that we will preserve the unique character of the Medical Center and its ability to conduct specialized programs in the health sciences and professions. It is intended that the responsibility for day-to-day operations of the Medical Center will continue to be vested in a single individual reporting to the chancellor and as at present there would continue to be direct access to the Office of the President on matters of health sciences policy, operations, and finance without compromise to the authority of the chancellor. As the trustees know, Dr. Joseph S. Begando, chancellor of the Medical Center campus, has expressed his desire to retire effective August 31, 1982; and Dr. Donald H . Riddle, chancellor of the Chicago Circle campus, has indicated an intention to retire when a chancellor for the unified campus has been selected. Both chancellors however, have stated their willingness to adjust their plans as necessary to serve throughout the period of a search for a new chancellor of the University of Illinois at Chicago. In accord with the procedures specified in the University Statutes, I intend to initiate the search for a new chancellor as promptly as possible. Further, I have asked the two chancellors, effective with this action, to serve as cochairmen of a transition committee, the purpose of which will be to make the transition toward unified operation as smooth and effective as possible. The membership of the committee will be appointed jointly by the chancellors; the president of the University will serve, ex officio. There will be many additional matters to be resolved in the course of time. Nearly all of those who have studied the question agree that a single chancellor will need to be advised by a single faculty governance structure. It will be the responsibility of the senates to determine precisely how the senates of the two campuses can best be unified. Other questions will be addressed by the faculty and administration as time goes by. All such matters can be handled in an orderly way through the normal academic and administrative channels. This action is a significant step for the University of Illinois and a significant decision for the Board of Trustees. It comes to the board after extended discussion and analysis. I present the recommendation with the conviction that it is in the best long-range interest of the University. F o l l o w i n g p r e s e n t a t i o n of this i t e m , P r e s i d e n t I k e n b e r r y a s k e d e a c h c h a n c e l l o r t o s p e a k briefly t o p r e s e n t t h e p e r s p e c t i v e of his o w n c a m p u s o n this q u e s t i o n . E a c h e x p r e s s e d his o w n e n d o r s e m e n t of t h e r e c o m m e n d a tion o r ( i n t h e i n s t a n c e of t h e M e d i c a l C e n t e r ) a c a m p u s p o s i t i o n of c o o p e r a t i o n a n d r e s p e c t for t h e p r e s i d e n t a n d for t h e B o a r d of T r u s t e e s in f u r t h e r i n g t h e objectives of t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n . T h e r e w e r e g e n e r a l expressions of c o n f i d e n c e in t h e p r o c e d u r e s e m p l o y e d in t h e s t u d y of t h e q u e s t i o n of c o n s o l i d a t i o n .