Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1942 [PAGE 204]

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1941]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

201

REMARKS BY MR. OSCAR G. MAYER

Mr. Mayer at this point presented the following statement.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF T R U S T E E S :

I cannot refrain at this my last meeting as a member of this Board of Trustees from addressing a few remarks to you. 1 have found my six years of service most interesting indeed. I have felt the significance of the work in which we were engaged, and have always noted and appreciated the splendid spirit of devotion and loyalty to the University displayed by all members of the Board. There were at times vigorous differences of opinion, but never any question of sincerity. I have tried to analyze the source of this unselfish attitude and come to the following conclusions: It appears to me that our State University has greatly benefited from the wisdom of the framers of its founding statute in 1867, as amended in 1873. This statute set up a small Board of Trustees of nine people, to which were added the Governor of the State and Superintendent of Public Instruction, as members ex-officio. T h e smallness of the Board has, I feel, promoted frank, informal discussion and has at the same time permitted prompt, final action. T h e term of six years is sufficiently long to permit the Board member to become thoroughly familiar with and interested in the University's work, needs, and problems. The process of electing three members of the Board every two years allows the experienced members to initiate the newcomers into the work of the Board, and works against impetuous changes in general policy. T h e fact that the members of the Board receive no compensation was a move of the greatest wisdom, for it insures the presence of men on the Board who are interested solely in the University and not in any personal emolument or reward. Finally the most important feature concerning our University's Board is that its members are elected by the people of the State and are, therefore, responsible solely to them. While the University is an arm of the State, its work and responsibilities were recognized by the founding fathers to be such that it should be kept out of the maelstrom of current State business and politics; that it should be quietly governed by a Board which could operate without interference and under such conditions that the best purposes of the University could be served. T h e Board as the final authority of the University has sole authority to appoint its executive staff—the President of the University, its Comptroller, Secretary, and Treasurer. T h e President runs the University for and is accountable to the Board. H e brings to its attention practically all matters relating to the conduct of the University in all its phases. T h e management practices which have been installed and maintained by the Trustees of the University and its administrative officers are so thoroughly sound and business-like that no business concern could ask for closer controls. All purchases which can be made on precise specifications and sealed bids are so made, the award going to the lowest responsible bidder. T h e University has for many years had a most thorough system of accounting—under one of the ablest comptrollers in the University field, and the Board of Trustees have had the benefit of the accuracy of his work and the clarity of his presentations. T b e budgetary work of the University has been extraordinarily detailed, precise, and dependable. A system of internal audit has been maintained under which the University itself continually monitors its activities and accounting practices. Finally, the books of the University have been audited periodically during the year and at the end of each year by a firm of certified public accountants of highest national reputation—at the moment, A r t h u r Andersen & Co. H e r e is indeed an exemplary pattern of operation and control of which many private businesses could well be envious. T o be able to report that a situation such as this exists in a great public institution within our State is indeed a source of deep satisfaction and a great tribute to the democratic process. I have been so impressed with the high standard and workableness of the governing and management set-up at the University of Illinois that I would like to see this trustee form of government become a model for many other governmental units within our state, cities, and nation.