Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1982 [PAGE 545]

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534

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[May 20

— When will steps be taken by the General Assembly and the governor to enhance the revenue base for Illinois state government to the level necessary to meet the minimum obligations in a responsible manner? -— And, what are the implications of each of these imponderables for the University of Illinois for the next academic year and for the longer term ? In the face of this ambiguity, we continue to report to the people of Illinois the problems the University confronts as it works to maintain quality and stability in our academic programs. Since the last meeting of the board, I have met with the Senate Appropriations Committee on three occasions; with the Illinois Association of School Administrators; with labor leaders from Illinois; and with leaders of the General Assembly. The Illinois Advocates are now functioning and our alumni are in communication with members of the General Assembly. Through appearances on public television's Illinois Press and the public affairs program of Chicago radio, WCFL, and other steps, we have worked to move education higher on the public policy agenda. The most encouraging impression to date is the high regard in which the University of Illinois is held and the deep affection we enjoy throughout the state of Illinois. The University's story has received a sympathetic hearing. I have yet to be told that the way to solve our problem is to make more cuts; or to give up on the drive to restore fiscal stability to the State Universities Retirement System. There is agreement that the University of Illinois and the rest of higher education in this state need stronger support. T h e frustration comes in finding the dollars. Illinois has in the past and can in the future afford to support responsibly a first rate university. It is with such a conviction that we must move forward. And we are moving forward with the campaign to strengthen private support for the University. On May 7 and 8, members of the Presidents Council and the University of Illinois Foundation convened for the annual spring meeting in Chicago. Several records were set: — Attendance reached an all-time high. Some 360 persons attended the banquet. — Membership in the Presidents Council exceeded 1,000 members for the first time in the history of the University. Individual gift commitments totaling $6 million were made by Clayton T. Miers and his sister, Daisy, of Decatur, Illinois. This will provide funds for a Clayton T. Miers distinguished faculty position; seminars in Chicago, Decatur, and other Illinois communities; scholarships; and a host of related research and support services on behalf of the School of Architecture at the Urbana-Champaign campus. In addition, a giving program of approximately $4 million is being formulated by Lester A. Euell, of Daytona Beach, Florida, to support the Department of Finance in the College of Commerce and Business Administration at the UrbanaChampaign campus. This will lead to establishment in the college of an Office of Technical Analysis and support for a distinguished faculty position, as well as other related activities, in the areas of investment theory and technical analysis. With these two major gifts and many others, the $100 million Campaign for Illinois has now achieved pledges and receipts of some $75 million. Put another way, in some two-and-a-half years from the kick-off of the campaign, we have receipts and pledges within striking distance of our initial goal in 1984. What seemed three years ago to be exceedingly ambitious, if not impossible, now seems possible. The significance of the Campaign for Illinois, however, goes beyond the additional $100 million in private support. It will raise the level of sophistication and ambition in the years ahead to develop private support from alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations. This is crucial to the quality of the University, to