Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1970 [PAGE 729]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1969]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

729

President Henry reviewed the history of the University's effort to work toward equal opportunity in University construction projects. H e noted that the institution, as one agency, is limited in its freedom to act in a complex situation and expressed concern that results had not met expectations. H e reported that the sentiment of the faculty and student body strongly favored intensified effort and that there was a general sense of frustration shared by all. The subject now is receiving attention from the Illinois Board of Higher Education and a committee has been established to make recommendations affecting all state construction, including construction at universities. President Henry stated that recommendations concerning procedures are expected to come to the Board of Higher Education in the next month or two and that University representatives would be consulted. In the light of this general state-wide concern, the President expressed the view that the University should not act unilaterally. H e recommended that the Board take no action at this time and that the Chancellor at Urbana so advise the Senate of the status of the question at the state level and report to the Senate on the presentation of the question to the Trustees at this meeting.

Mr. Jones stated that the Board of Higher Education should be aware of the University's concern and expressed his own view that the "Philadelphia Plan" (as now articulated at the federal level with respect to federally supported projects) be looked upon as the minimum position to be taken. Following general discussion and at the suggestion of Mr. Stone that a tone of general support of equal opportunity be expressed at this time, Mr. Jones moved that the resolutions of the Urbana Senate and the general subject be referred to the Committee on General Policy. The motion carried.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN SUPPORT OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS

Mr. Jones suggested that consideration be given to the allocation of funds and application of priorities in support of equal opportunity programs. He expressed specific interest in the expansion of student aid, including tuition waivers, to permit the admission and support of additional disadvantaged students in the College of Law. He emphasized this field in view of its potential leadership and in view of the fact that the University of Illinois at Urbana maintains the only publicsupported school of law in the state. He suggested that additional resources be made available, even if reallocation of existing tuition waivers and other funds would be necessary. In the general discussion following this proposal, the President of the University indicated the difficulties inherent in withdrawing funds from other colleges in support of a single college. Mr. Stone suggested that a logical resource would be the private community, particularly the business community, indicating that he would be willing to work on a committee to seek support in that direction. It was pointed out that the Board's pattern of granting tuition waivers could be changed but that the granting of waivers would meet but a portion of the total costs of attending the College of Law. Mr. Stone expressed the view that the University's limited funds made it undesirable to withdraw funds from one college to help another; rather that the question was one of securing additional funds from other sources. He offered to be of personal assistance in providing (and in seeking the support of others to obtain) the funds needed.