Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1978 [PAGE 470]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1977]

UNIVERSITY OF IliLINOIS

457

threatens the maintenance of the quality, of the educational programs in the premier institution of this state. The board does not have before it an option that would correct the accumulated loss of real purchasing power to restore the University's financial position among its peer institutions. Therefore, of the alternatives presented to the board, the Medical Center Senate cannot support any option for a FY 1979 request that provides for less than a 10 percent increase in salaries, together with $8.2 million programmatic and deficiency moneys, totalling approximately $38 million. This does not speak to the urgent question of adequate funding of the State Universities Retirement System, which is a matter that requires the state's full attention, but which we believe should be pursued separately from the operating budget request. The senate respectfully requests the University to take the lead in seeking at least a 1 percent increase in the percent of the state budget appropriated to higher education in Illinois (from the present 12.92 percent to 13.92 percent, compared to the average 17 percent for the past ten years), providing an amount that covers this request. Under no circumstances would the senate support a request that provides for less than a 10 percent salary increase to begin to arrest the decline in real academic compensation and the inevitable effects of this on the quality of instruction, research, and public service. A similar communication had been presented to the trustees at the September meeting by the Urbana-Champaign Senate. SECRETARY'S REPORT T h e secretary presented for record appointments to the faculty and changes of status made by the president, resignations, leaves of absence, retirements, and a chancellor emeritus. A copy of the report is filed with the secretary. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD President Howard called attention to the schedule of regular meetings for the rest of the calendar year: November 18 (Friday), Chicago Circle; December 14, Medical Center. CALENDAR FOR 1978 January 18 — Urbana-Champaign February 15 — Chicago Circle March 15 — Urbana-Champaign April 12 — Medical Center May 17 — Chicago Circle June 21 — Urbana-Champaign July 19 — Medical Center September 20 — Chicago Circle October 20 (Friday) —Allerton House, Monticello November 17 (Friday) — M e d i c a l Center December 13 — Chicago Circle