Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1970 [PAGE 845]

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1970]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

845

T h e D i r e c t o r i s s u e d a n i n v i t a t i o n t o j o i n a c o n d u c t e d t o u r of t h e p o r t i o n s of A l l e r t o n P a r k t h a t m i g h t b e affected b y t h e M o d i f i e d Project. APPEARANCE O F MR. KUNSTLER AT URBANA

This matter had been the subject of a special meeting of the Board of Trustees on March 2 at which time the Board approved by a vote of six to three the following motion by Mr. Timothy W. Swain:

On the basis of recent past experiences at other campus communities surrounding Mr. William Kunstler's appearance, and in view of present circumstances at the Urbana campus, I move the Board find that a clear and present danger exists and request the administration to defer the appearance of Mr. Kunstler scheduled at the Urbana campus on March 3 as essential for campus security. I n introducing the m a t t e r again, M r . H u g h e s m a d e the following statement: The University of Illinois is a state university. Its academic and nonacademic staff as well as the administration are state employees. This University does not belong to the faculty, to the students, or to the administration. It belongs to the people of the State of Illinois. Its Board of Trustees is the elected representative of the people and is charged with over-all responsibility for its operation. Title to the property is held in the name of the Board of Trustees. The enabling legislation creating the University over one hundred years ago delegated to the Board of Trustees these broad powers, authority, and responsibility. W e as a board can not and will not dodge this responsibility. As President of the Board, I have been in close (almost daily) contact with the administration and have taken such actions as I thought were necessary to carry out the responsibility of office as a representative of the citizens and taxpayers of Illinois and in the best interest of the University. Violent disturbances and confrontations must and will be prevented if we are to avoid further damage to the public image and support of this great and distinguished educational institution. M r . H u g h e s stated that he h a d had informal conversations with individual T r u s t e e s on this m a t t e r a n d that he understood M r . Grimes w a s p r e p a r e d t o offer a m o t i o n . O n m o t i o n of M r . G r i m e s a n d a f t e r g e n e r a l d i s c u s s i o n , t h e f o l l o w ing a c t i o n w a s a p p r o v e d . T h e v o t e w a s : A y e , M r . C l e m e n t , M r . Grimes, M r . H a h n , M r . H u g h e s , M r . Jones, Mr. Steger; no, M r . Page, M r . S w a i n ; absent, G o v e r n o r Ogilvie, M r . Stone. In the interval since March 2 when the Board of Trustees took action concerning the appearance of Mr. William Kunstler at the Urbana campus, the Trustees have followed closely the situation at Urbana and have been kept fully informed by the administration. The Board action on March 2 was based on a judgment that a clear and present danger existed at that time. This no longer appears to be the situation. The Trustees reaffirm the authority in the possession of the administrative officers, as provided in the existing policy statement concerning campus speakers, and expect that authority to be exercised. This authority specifically recognizes the need to maintain appropriate balance by the presentation of differing points of view; and authorizes the denial of the use of University premises when an administrative determination is made that there is a reasonable probability that violence or serious disruption of the University's functions may result. The full policy statement is as follows: In selecting speakers, sponsoring organizations should take cognizance that University premises and facilities are dedicated to the special function of education. University premises may not be used for (a) violating or inciting the violation of local, state, or federal law, the policies of the Board of Trustees, or University regulations; or (b) direct commercial solicita-