Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1962 [PAGE 120]

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1960]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

117

interest of the faculty of the University, as well as that of the University's students and the citizens of Illinois, in proper consideration being given and appropriate actiou being taken by the Board to the proceeding involving Professor Koch. The resolution adopted by the Urbana-Champaign University Senate and the report and recommendations of its Committee on Academic Freedom to the President were accorded careful consideration and due weight by the Board in reaching its decision. The members of the Board were under the duty and responsibility to all concerned to and did take the action which, in their own considered judgment, was proper and to the best interests of the University. 6. The procedures followed in the Koch case were substantially in accord with the provisions of the present University Statutes which were adopted by this Board in 1957 after they were drafted by a Committee composed largely of faculty members and had been approved by the University Senate- If these provisions are now not considered to be proper and adequate, the Board of Trustees is willing to consider suggested changes in them. The University Statutes specify the channels to be used and procedures to be followed in submitting suggested revisions to the Board for its consideration. 7. The members of the Board subscribe fully to the commonly accepted principles of academic freedom and desire and intend to maintain them unimpaired at the University. They recognize the right of responsible expression of their views by faculty members even though the views expressed are unpopular or even untenable. In determining whether a public expression of such views is a responsible one, they have been and will be guided by the criteria appearing in the University Statutes and the above mentioned 1940 Joint Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure. In the opinion of the Board, Professor Koch's expression of his views, judged by those criteria, was not a responsible one. 8. The Board believes that the action taken in the Koch case was proper and in the best interests of the University and that the cause of academic freedom^ is strengthened by insisting upon exercise of the academic responsibility which necessarily accompanies it.

On motion of Mr. Johnston, the foregoing summary of the Committee's report was also adopted; and the Secretary was instructed to send copies of this summary and of the full report to all the signers of the open letter, with an appropriate letter of transmittal informing them that these constitute the Board's reply to the open letter.

COURT DECISION O N GARFIELD PARK LAND ACQUISITION

(30) Mr. Johnston, for the Committee on General Policy, called attention to the recent decision in the Circuit Court of Cook County, in the case of The People of the State of Illinois, Plaintiff, vs. Chicago Park District, a body corporate and politic, and The Board of Trusteesof the University of Illinois, a public corporation, Defendants, No, 60C 5203, with respect to the acquisition by the University of land in Garfield Park for the Chicago Undergraduate Division. This deeision holds that the Act of the General Assembly of Illinois approved July 22, 1959, authorizing the Chicago Park District to convey park lands to the University is unlawful, invalid, and unconstitutional. The Committee on General Policy has considered this decision and recommends that it be appealed without prejudice to any alternate sites which may be proposed by the city of Chicago and its City Planning Department. A conference of the Board with Mayor Richard J. Daley on this matter is scheduled for September 27, 1960.

On motion of Mr. Johnston, this recommendation was approved.

HEARING OF REPRESENTATIVES OF GARFIELD PARK COMMUNITY

At this point, Mr. Edward Rosewell, President of the Garfield Park Improvement Association, Mr, Gordon L. Mattson, Chairman of United Property Group, and Mrs. Ruth Lesei, representing the BradW-Honore Association, who had requested a hearing by the Board of Trustees, appeared before the Board. Mr. Mattson spoke for the group and the organizations they represent and also for a number of other