Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1946 [PAGE 975]

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968

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[January 5

STATEMENT O N UNIVERSITY STAFF APPOINTMENTS BY T H E COMMITTEES O N UNIVERSITY ORGANIZATION A N D EDUCATIONAL POLICY P r o f e s s o r R . R . H u d e l s a n , A s s o c i a t e D e a n of t h e C o l l e g e of A g r i c u l t u r e , C h a i r m a n of t h e U n i v e r s i t y S e n a t e C o m m i t t e e o n E d u c a t i o n a l P o l i c y , a n d a m e m b e r of t h e . s p e c i a l f a c u l t y c o m m i t t e e o n G e n e r a l U n i versity Administrative Organization, read the following statement, which he h a d been asked by t h e t w o committees to present to the Board a n d w h i c h h e filed w i t h t h e S e c r e t a r y f o r r e c o r d . T h e action of the Board of Trustees on December n , 1945, in regard to the Director of the Division of Special Services for W a r Veterans raises a question of major importance to the University of Illinois and one in which the University Faculty is vitally concerned. In asking that this action be rescinded President Willard is upholding a principle that should prevail throughout the University, and as the spokesman' for the Faculty he should be given all possible assurance of support. We, members of. the Committees on Educational Policy and Administrative Organization, can speak only for ourselves since we have been authorized only to study organization and to report to the Senate. However, the question at issue is one to which. we have given serious attention, and we believe that we take the position that the Senate would take in regard to it. The. appointment by the Board of Trustees of Col. Frederick as Director at a time when President Willard's appointment of Col. Hannah to that position was officially before the Board for confirmation was a clear violation of sound practice and of the rights of the President and the Faculty, irrespective of whatever negotiations led to the introduction of Col. Frederick's name. According to the by-laws of the Board of Trustees, the Board can make appointments only on nomination by the President. According to the action of the Board in establishing the Division of Special Services for W a r Veterans the President is to appoint a Director. Again according to the University of Illinois Statutes the President may make emergency appointments aod ask the Board for confirmation. T h u s in appointing Col. Hannah the President was exercising powers specifically delegated to him. I n negotiations with -Col. Frederick a member of the Board could act only as an agent of the President and as such must be governed by his instructions as agent. Among those-instructions is the official request for the confirmation of the appointment of Col. Hannah on November 23 which must be taken to supersede any previous instructions in conflict with it. In order to conduct the affairs of the University it is necessary that specific duties and responsibilities be assigned to various officers and members of the Faculty. Officers to whom these duties and responsibilities are assigned must be given sufficient authority to enable them to discharge their duties if they are to be held responsible. Once this authority has been delegated it should not be recalled without a new assignment of duties and responsibilities. W e consider those provisions in the by-laws of the Board of Trustees and in the University of Illinois Statutes, delegating authority to the President for recommendations to all positions on the University staff, essential to successful performance of the University's functions. This we hold to be true whether the appointments are to the administrative staff or to the teaching faculty. In further support of this view we refer to a comprehensive "Survey of Land-Grant Colleges and Universities" published as Bulletin (1930) No. 9 by. the Office of Education of the U. S. Department of the Interior. This study made under the supervision of a "National Advisory Committee" of educators draws the following conclusion (page 66, Vol. 1 ) : " I n order to administer properly the affairs of the institution the president should have complete authority over the selection of all officers, members of the staff, and other types of employees. T h e general practice is for the president to make recommendations of appointments to the board which is vested with the power of election." GENERAL DISCUSSION

O n the invitation of President Livingston, a general discussion took place, in which M r . Creighton C. W e b b , Commander of American Legion Post 909 (University of Illinois student p o s t ) , a n d other veterans took part.