RS.08.01
November 5, 2007

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
URBANA-CHAMPAIGN SENATE

(Final;Action)

RS.08.01         Prefiled Resolution on Academy on Capitalism and Limited Government Fund (ACLGF)

(it will be moved to substitute this resolution for one presented at the October 1 Senate meeting

Whereas, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is committed to free and scholarly exchange of ideas,

Whereas, the University has long-standing and well-tested policies and procedures in place for quality assurance of the education offered at Illinois through rigorous review of educational and academic decisions including development of courses, creation of curricula and hiring of faculty,

Whereas, the University Statutes states that, “… each senate shall determine for its campus matters of educational policy,

Whereas, our University students, faculty and alumni expect us to maintain and protect the traditions, policies and procedures established for making academic and educational decisions that have made this University the highly regarded institution it is today,

Whereas, the Academy on Capitalism and Limited Government Fund, hereafter referred to as “the Fund,” was established at the University of Illinois Foundation,

Whereas, the Fund intends to accomplish its stated goals through the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,

Whereas, the Fund is not and can not be established at the University as an academic unit through appropriate procedures stipulated in the University Statutes,

Whereas, a number of founders and board members of the Fund as well as publications disseminated by the Fund have publicly stated that the Fund intends to sponsor development of courses and curricula, direct research, hire faculty and impact other educational and academic decisions made at the University,

 

Be it therefore resolved that, educational decisions made at the University including development of courses and curricula, establishment of majors, minors and other academic credentials must remain the exclusive authority of the faculty and the Senate through shared governance with the University administration and with the approval of the Board of Trustees,

Be it resolved that, academic decisions including appointments of faculty, endowed professorships and chairs, postdoctoral candidates, fellows, scholars and other academic staff as well as sponsorship of research, lectures and conferences must remain the exclusive authority of the faculty and appropriate administrators based solely upon the principles of academic freedom, excellence, and respect for multiple points of views,

Be it resolved that, the Senate applauds the Chancellor for his statements in his letter of September 24, 2007 to the members of our Senate relative to the aforementioned resolutions including his commitment to shared governance,

Be it resolved that, the Senate requests that President B. Joseph White and Chancellor Richard Herman make clear to the founders, board members and others affiliated with the Fund the aforementioned resolutions and make clear to them that there will be no compromise on those issues,

Be it resolved that, the Senate supports the formation of the ad-hoc Senate Advisory Committee established by the Chancellor to oversee and recommend on matters that come before him related to the Fund, that we ask the Committee to actively participate in and assist the Chancellor in implementing all matters resolved in this resolution,

Be it resolved that, we request President B. Joseph White, Chancellor Richard Herman and the Senate Advisory Committee to conduct a thorough review of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Fund, the Foundation, and the University, and deem the same acceptable only if it reflects each and all matters expressed in this resolution,

Be it resolved that, the Senate expects that all matters stated in this resolution be applied to any entity similar to the Fund that may already exist or that may be established at the University or the Foundation in the future.

 

Sponsored by Senator Belden Fields
LAS 18-1 08

Endorsed by the Senate Executive Committee
October 15, 2007