Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1956 [PAGE 163]

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[November

29

EXECUTIVE SESSION T h e Board convened in executive session for consideration of the special order of business for which this meeting was called — the matter of the selection of a new President of the University.

PRESIDENCY O F T H E UNIVERSITY

In a n introductory statement, President Megran reviewed the developments in recent weeks in the selection of a President of the University. It was made clear in the reports and recommendations received by the Board of Trustees in Chicago on September 28, 1954, a t a joint conference with representatives of the Committees of the University Senate ( F a c u l t y ) , t h e Alumni Association, and t h e Citizens Committee, which have been assisting the Board of Trustees in the selection of a President of the University, that these Committees are in agreement that Dr. David Dodds H e n r y , Executive Vice-Chancellor of N e w York University, should be offered the position. Previous to this conference, several members of the Board had an opportunity to meet D r . and Mrs. H e n r y at a luncheon in Chicago on August 3 1 , 1954. 1 M r . Megran had arranged this meeting when he learned late in the summer that D r . and M r s . H e n r y were vacationing in Michigan and were available for such a conference. Subsequently, on November 23, 1954, M r . Megran notified the Trustees and the Chairmen of the Committees which have been aiding the Board that he had been requested by D r . H e n r y to remove his name from further consideration for the Presidency of the University of Illinois. Mr. Megran stated that the Board of Trustees must reach a definite conclusion today and determine further procedure. H e asked, "Does the Board want to accept D r . H e n r y ' s decision as final?" and then called for a discussion. Following this discussion in which all the Trustees participated, M r . Megran asked the Committee representatives to express themselves. All of them did so and with particular reference to his question. Their reports follow. The University Senate Committee, having reviewed its previous findings-and having made further inquiries, still recommends D r . Henry as its first choice and further recommends that the Board urge him to reconsider his announced decision. The Alumni Association Committee reported that it had made independent inquiry into D r . H e n r y ' s qualifications and is prepared to support the recommendations of the University Senate Committee. If Dr. H e n r y is not available, the Alumni Committee recommends that an attempt be made to secure agreement on some present member of the faculty. The Citizens Committee representative expressed the opinion that the Faculty Committee has done excellent work and that its recommendations should be supported. Following these presentations, the Committee representatives withdrew and the Trustees resumed their discussion of t h e question. Mr. Megran called on each member of the Board to express himself fully, and specifically on the question of a n offer of the Presidency to Dr. Henry.

1 The following were present at the meeting with Dr. and Mrs. Henry on August 3i ; Mrs. Holt, Mrs. Watkins, Messrs. Herrick, Hickman, Livingston, and Megran.