Academic Senate

SC.04.03

September 29, 2003

University of Illinois

Board of Trustees Meeting

September 11, 2003

September 11, 2003

The meeting convened at 8:35 a.m. in the Public Affairs Center, Springfield, with recognition of the victims, families and rescue workers involved in the 9/11 events of 2001. Chair Eppley called for a moment of silence.

Trustee Ken Schmidt installed Springfield Student Trustee Andrew Hollingshead. Roll was then called with all trustees present. President Stukel then introduced university administrators and senate observers. This was immediately followed by the public comment session. Two presentations were made: a pro-Chief Illiniwek statement by a long-time alumnus; and a statement of concern about an agenda item that involved outsourcing cleaning services at a building on the Chicago campus. Concerns related to the potential use of non-union employees, and possible reduction in the UIC workforce. In addition to the speaker, six union members from UIC were present. (In later Board discussions, Board members were assured that the contract specified union members as cleaning crews)

Presentation and discussion of Board items began with Chancellor Manning presenting items relevant to the UIC campus. There were many questions from Trustees about leasing space and whether the UI followed bidding procedures and got the best cost. Chancellor Cantor presented UIUC related-agenda items resulting in questions about appointments and contracts for administrators and coaching staff. Vice Presidents Gardner and Rugg presented budget and capital construction information. VP Rugg's report generated extensive discussion about construction and capital projects; the potential for regulatory relief in state requirements for university construction projects; and, a request that VP Rugg provide the Board's Building and Grounds Committee with advance information about agenda items so there is time to review and address issues of concern prior to Board meetings. University Counsel Tom Bearrows presented information on legal and statutory matters. This generated recommendations for revisions to some of the language in the documents presented that were subsequently incorporated into the approved documents.

At 10:50 the Board recessed for a meeting of the Board as a whole. President Stukel stated that the operating budget for FY04 included a 15% increase in restricted funds (grant, donor, etc.). He also acknowledged the work of faculty in teaching, research, outreach and governance and was very complimentary about the commitment shown during difficult budget times. VP Rugg and Michael Provenzano presented the FY04 budget; VPs Gardner and Rugg presented the FY05 budget request; and, Dr. Richard Traver provided a report on University Audit matters during the Budget and Audit Committee's report.

At 12:30, the Board moved into Executive Session, followed by lunch at 12:50.

At 1:50, the Board recessed for committee meetings. The Academic Affairs Committee presented an engaging and informative session on the work of UIS Professor Michael Lemke's research and teaching about the floodplains in Illinois. UIS Senate Chair Pat Langley reported on the work of the UIS Senate during the past year. Of particular note is that UIS is moving to a portfolio approach to personnel decisions for faculty, including promotion and tenure.

The Finance and Investment Committee provided a presentation on UI investments. The University Hospital Committee reported on trends in health care costs and the impact on the UIC hospital. The report of the Technology and Economic Development Committee was presented by Jim Weyhenmeyer due to VP Chicoine's absence for jury duty.

When the Board reconvened at 3:15 p.m., standard business was conducted including approval of minutes, the President's report, and the report of Board Chair Larry Eppley (including a somewhat vague and unsettling reference to a Strategic Planning Committee for the UIUC campus). When Trustee Schmidt asked about the status of the litigation regarding the change in pay date, University Counsel Bearrows suggested that this was a minor matter. When asked about the status of delays in student financial aid, the Board was assured that this matter is being worked on. The response to a question about the cost of domestic partner benefits indicated that the demand and subsequent cost was lower than expected so far.

Student Trustees then provided reports from their respective campuses.

Regular agenda items 1-9 were approved, with Trustee Schmidt abstaining on item 8, an amended operating agreement for the research park. Roll call items were approved with Trustee Bruce abstaining on item 18 (a legal settlement), Trustee Carroll voting "present" on item 20 (purchases, including services in which a minority-owned company's bid was not accepted due to lack of inclusion of all the services requested in the RFP), and Trustee Ginsdorf voting "present" on item 1, appointment of the Dean of the UIC Honors College.

Materials distributed at this meeting have been placed in the Senate Office.

Submitted by

Nancy P. O'Brien

UIUC Senate Observer