Senate Executive Committee Resolution Whereas, The position of President of the University of Illinois will become vacant with the retirement of James Stukel; Whereas, The position of Chancellor of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will become vacant with the departure of Nancy Cantor; Whereas, The controversy surrounding Chief Illiniwek has become an emotional issue, both for those people who favor the retirement of the Chief and for those who do not, that is distracting and harming the campus and University; Whereas, There appears to be no compromise that would satisfy the parties on either side and resolve the controversy occasioned by the Chief; Whereas, The continued controversy about the Chief opens a President and Chancellor to personal attack and is detrimental to their effectiveness; Whereas, It may be difficult at best to recruit outstanding leaders for the University and for the Urbana-Champaign campus as long as this controversy remains; and Whereas, The Board of Trustees has an opportunity now, prior to the selection of a new President and Chancellor, to act in the best interests of the University and of the campus, to create an environment conducive to attract the excellent leadership the University merits; Resolved, That the Board formally take action to retire Chief Illiniwek at this time in the best interests of the University of Illinois and of the Urbana-Champaign campus.
Approved by the UIUC Senate Executive Committee
February 9, 2004
Approved by the UIUC Senate
February 16, 2004