Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1964 [PAGE 1089]

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1044

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[February 19

of Southern Illinois University or the Teachers College Board may transfer jurisdiction of or title to any property under its or his control to the Authority when such transfer is approved, in writing, by the Governor as being advantageous to the State." The Department of Registration and Education has requested the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois to transfer to the Illinois Building Authority jurisdiction and title to property now owned by the University and on which the Addition to the Water Survey Building is to be constructed. The Vice-President and Comptroller and the Director of the Physical Plant recommend that such request be complied with on condition that title to the property revert to the University of Illinois when the Department of Registration and Education has completed the rental payments required by its lease with the Illinois Building Authority. I concur and recommend the adoption of the following resolution. 1

On motion of Mr. Johnston, this recommendation was approved and the resolution submitted was adopted by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Clement, Mr. Dilliard, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Johnston, Mr. Page, Mr. Pogue, Mr. Swain, Mrs. Watkins, Mr. Williamson; no, none; absent, Mr. Jones, Mr. Kerner.

STATEMENT BY MR. HOWARD W. CLEMENT, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD

Publication of an article by a University Professor of the Classics on the subject of the federal government has resulted in nationwide publicity and public reaction which have been major concerns of every member of the Board of Trustees. In view of this widespread public reaction and because of many inquiries by citizens to individual Board members, the matter, although not on the agenda or officially before this Board at this time, must receive attention. We have expressed our concerns to the President and he advises me that he has prepared a statement on the matter for presentation at this time.

STATEMENT BY DR. DAVID D. HENRY, PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY

During the past week, a member of the faculty in Classics at the University of Illinois has been involved in nationwide publicity concerning an article on the federal government which he published. Mr. Revilo Oliver, in this article, wrote on a subject beyond his University responsibilities, as a private citizen, for a non-university journal. Ordinarily, the University takes no notice of a professor's comment or conduct as a citizen. His right to dissent, to express unorthodox views, and to criticize is not only recognized, it is protected by the tradition of academic freedom at the University of Illinois, in the academic world, and by the Statutes governing the University. That Mr. Oliver's views are not shared by this academic community is certain. I believe my colleagues agree, as I said earlier, that his unsupported accusations, and his unreasoned and vitriolic attack on the character and patriotism of President Kennedy are beyond the bounds of good taste in public comment and the normal proprieties of public

1 This resolution was rescinded by the Board of Trustees on March 18, 1964, and therefore is not printed in these minutes. A revised resolution was adopted on March 18, 1964, and appears in the minutes of that meeting. — Secretary's Note.