Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1946 [PAGE 605]

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602

BOARD OF TRUSTEES RESOLUTION—DEAN THOMAS E. BENNER

[July 25-26

After full discussion, and on motion of Mr. Fornof, the following resolution was adopted by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Davis, Mr. Fornof, Mrs. Grigsby, Mr. Livingston, Mr. McKelvey, Mr. McLaughlin, Mr. Nickell, Mr. Williamson; no, none; absent, Mr. Green, Dr. Luken, Dr. Meyer. The Secretary called Dr. Meyer on long distance, read the resolution to him, and received permission to record his vote in the affirmative.

Whereas, the Board has heard more than 100,000 words of testimony and seen 103 exhibits presented in the case for and against the retention of Dr. Thomas E. Benner, as Dean of the College of Education, and Whereas, all these conflicting claims seem to the Board to resolve themselves in one single issue; To wit, is it to the best interests of the University to retain Dr. Benner as Dean of the College of Education and can he hope to function satisfactorily and effectively in the office of Dean in view of the intense and fundamental clashes of personalities extending over so long a period of time between Dean Benner and the Deans and Directors necessarily associated with him in joint Universitywide undertakings; and Whereas, from the evidence presented to the Board and the conduct of the hearings, it appears to the Board that these differences are not likely to be resolved but that an atmosphere of conflict and dispute which will not be redound to the interests of the University would be perpetuated by the retention of Dr. Benner as Dean of the College of Education, and Whereas, the Board feels that the best interests of the University are paramount to the interests of one man and that no one man is indispensable in the work of the University, and Whereas, under the statutes of the University the terms of appointment of all Deans and Administrative Officers are for definite periods of time and do not carry the right of renewal; and Whereas, the term of appointment of Dr. Thomas E. Benner, as Dean of the College of Education, ends on August 31, 1945; and Whereas, it has been the rule and policy of the Board for fifty years to make no appointments to the University Staff except on the recommendation of its chief executive agent, the President of the University; and such recommendation in this case is not forthcoming; and Whereas, the Board is desirous in all things to uphold the authority and responsibility of the President of the University, therefore Be it resolved, that the recommendation of President Willard that Dr. Thomas E. Benner be not reappointed as Dean of the College of Education is hereby accepted and confirmed without prejudice to his status as Professor of Education on indefinite tenure. And Be it further resolved, that the testimony and proceedings be written up and together with all its exhibits be filed with the Secretary, and may be examined at any time by any Trustee or by Dr. Benner or his attorney and as the Board, by subsequent resolution, shall direct.

H. E. CUNNINGHAM

Secretary MATTERS P R E S E N T E D BY P R E S I D E N T WILLARD

During the recess for luncheon on Wednesday, July 25, the Board considered one matter, and just previous to the recess for luncheon on Thursday, three matters presented by the President of the University. The Comptroller was present during the consideration of these matters.

REMOVAL OF HANGAR FROM GRADY, ARKANSAS, TO UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AIRPORT (1) B y authority of the Board of Trustees, the University of Illinois has purchased from the Defense Plant Corporation a hangar at Matthews Field near