Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1946 [PAGE 387]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

384

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[February 24

T h e Balance Sheet of the Corporation in 1042 showed accounts payable to the firm of Pennie, Davis, Marvin, and Edmonds of $61,174.45. Mr. Marvin, of this firm, was the principal stockholder in the Corporation. At a meeting on February 21, 1945, the Board of Directors instructed the Secretary-Treasurer to ascertain the wishes of the Board of Trustees on the following questions: 1. Is it desirable to keep the Corporation in existence, at a cost of approximately $75 a year ? T h e University's preferred stock gives it some priority rights to the assets of the Corporation in case of dissolution. 2. Should the Corporation turn over the patents and assignments, with or without the stock, to the Foundation direct, or to the University?

H . E. CUNNINGHAM

On motion of Mr. Davis, the Secretary was instructed to consult Dean Harno on the legal phases of this matter and report to the Board.

R E P O R T O F P R O G R E S S , COMMITTEE ON PRESIDENCY

Mr. Davis presented the following report.

T h e special committee on the selection of a President of the University has held eight meetings. T h e average attendance has been four members of the committee, with sometimes the President or other members of the Board sitting in. President Willard has attended two or three meetings, and has given helpful advice. T h e chairmen of the cooperating committees—Major Lenox R. Lohr, for the General Advisory Committee, Professor Wilbur M. Wilson, for the University Senate, and Mr. George E. Woods, for the Alumni Association — have attended all meetings. The Chairman and members of the committee, and the chairmen of the cooperating committees, have received many suggestions, both by personal interview and by letter, and more than one hundred candidates have been nominated by one or more persons. T h e Secretary has collected biographical material concerning these nominees, and the sub-committees, particularly Professor Wilson's committee from the faculty, have made inquiries in person and by letter concerning those nominated, and reported to the committee. T h e Senate committee has held weekly meetings. No member of any of the committees has interviewed any of the nominees. T h e committee has eliminated the names of all nominees whose age would not permit them to give the University at least ten years of service, and of others whose educational background and experience did not promise a successful administration of the affairs of the University. At a meeting on February 15, the committee voted to make a report of progress to the Board, to the effect that two persons under consideration have unqualified approval and seem desirable, and to recommend that a special committee of the Board, to include President Livingston, Mr. Davis, and Mr. Jensen, be authorized and instructed to visit these persons and to inquire as to their availability, and to invite them to visit the University in the near future, to meet the members of the Board and of the staff. T h e Committee has also a list of several other men with good records, but is not ready to give any of them final approval before interviewing them. T h e Committee recommends also, in view of the fact that any of the men now under consideration would, in all probability, find it impossible to leave their present connection without adequate notice to their present employers, and in view of the committee's feeling that the new President should have at least six months in which to acquaint himself with the problems of the University of Illinois, including contemplated reorganization of the business and administrative departments, before formal inauguration and taking office, and with the assurance that President Willard will fully cooperate with his successor when chosen, that the Board take action to assure President Willard that it has no intention of asking him to terminate his active service prior to reaching the statutory age of retirement in 1046.

H. E. CUNNINGHAM CHESTER R. DAVIS

Secretary

Chairman

On motion of Mr. Davis, this report was approved and adopted, the special committee was appointed as recommended, and the Secretary