Minutes of the
NIU Board of Trustees
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

June 6, 1996 - NIU Hoffman Estates Education Center

June 19, 1996 - Homes Student Center, Northern Illinois University

The meeting was called to order on Thursday, June 6, 1996 at the NIU Hoffman Estates Education Center by Chair Myron Siegel at 9:05 a.m.  Recording Secretary Mimms conducted a roll call of Trustees.  Present for the meeting were Vice Chair George Moser, Secretary James Myles, Trustee Robert Boey and Chair Siegel. Also present were Trustee David Raymond.  President John La Tourette and Parliamentarian Ken Davidson.  Having noted the presence of a quorum, the meeting proceeded.

VERIFICATION OF APPROPRIATE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

Chair Siegel asked Parliamentarian Ken Davidson for verification of appropriate notice of public meeting.  Mr. Davidson confirmed that all proper notices had been prepared and posted.

MEETING AGENDA APPROVAL

A motion was made by Vice Chair Moser, seconded by Secretary Myles, to approve the minutes of February 21, 1996.  The motion was approved.
 

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY

Agenda Item 5.a. - Personnel Transactions

President La Tourette presented background information on Dr. Alfonzo Thurman, presently Acting Dean of the College of Education, and recommended his appointment to Dean of the College of Education.  Dr. Thurman has been at Northern for several years, holds the rank of professor in the college and has served as associate dean of the college, administrative assistant to the provost and director of the Office of Special Projects.  He holds the M.S. and Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor of Science Degree in English from Wisconsin State University-LaCrosse.  His appointment, which has significant support within the college, is the result of a national search.  Dr. Thurman is also highly regarded by those in the state working in public education.  In the last ten years, there has been some drift away from the college’s historic strong interface with the school districts in northern Illinois and throughout the state, and with the State Board of Education.  Dr. Thurman is working to restore those contacts and to again develop the reputation of the college as a very important provider of teachers in northern Illinois and principals, superintendents and other leaders in public education.

Before calling for approval of the recommendation, Chair Siegel commented on Northern’s historic reputation in the education field stating that NIU‘s network reached from top to bottom, in higher education as well as in elementary and secondary education.  “We have to be very sure that the message is delivered to the College of Education,” Chair Siegel stated, “that we want to see those relationships reestablished and we want to move back to where we were ten or fifteen years ago as the predominant and premiere provider of educational instruction in the state.”

Secretary Myles stated that he supported the comments of the Chair and those of Trustee Boey regarding the need to pursue the university’s public service mission in all fields.  Mr. Myles asked the Board to be informed of measures being taken to reestablish those relationships.  Chair Siegel stated that the subject should be handled through the Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Personnel Committee chaired by Trustee Myles.  President La Tourette suggested to Chair Siegel that a summary of these remarks be shared with the Provost and himself with the suggestion that the way in which academic units interface with the region in terms of partnerships with business, industry and government, as well as education, be a topic for Mr. Myles’ committee at an appropriate time.

Chair Siegel called for a motion appointing Dr. Thurman as Dean of the College of Education.  Trustee Boey moved for approval, seconded by Secretary Myles. The motion was approved.  President La Tourette noted that Dr. Thurman is the first African American appointed as a dean at the university.

President La Tourette then presented recommendations for 1996-97 sabbatical leave changes.  Vice Chair Moser questioned the cancellation of a sabbatical leave.  President La Tourette stated that the cancellation was at the faculty member’s request. Trustee Moser moved approval; Trustee Boey seconded.  The motion was approved.

Agenda Item 5.b. - Professional Services Transactions

Under the delegation of authority given Dr. La Tourette in January, approval was given to contract with an individual in Naperville for $85,000 to provide training services for Business and Industry Services.  Given the volume of activity and the demands for this kind of training, the director has asked that the original amount be raised from $85,000 to $125,000.  The Board’s approval is required for contractual services over $100,000. Dr. La Tourette indicated that this type of action will not be required after the Board approves the new Board Regulations at the June 19 meeting.  Chair Siegel called for a motion to approve the item.  Vice Chair Moser made the motion, seconded by Trustee Boey.  The motion was approved.

Chair Siegel asked for a motion to recess to executive session to consider minutes of previous executive sessions, personnel matters, collective bargaining matters, property matters, and legal and risk management matters.  Vice Chair Moser made the motion, seconded by Secretary Myles.  A unanimous roll call vote was taken.  The meeting was recessed to executive session at 9:35 a.m.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE RECONVENED AND ROLL CALL

The Executive Committee meeting was reconvened by Chair Myron Siegel at 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19, in the Regency Room of the Holmes Student Center at Northern Illinois University.  Recording Secretary Mimms conducted a roll call of Trustees.  Present for the meeting were Vice Chair Moser, Trustee Boey and Chair Siegel.  Also present were Trustees Susan Grans, George Moser, David Raymond, Manuel Sanchez and Willie Fowler, President John La Tourette and Board Parliamentarian Kenneth Davidson.  Not present was Secretary James Myles.  Having noted the presence of a quorum, the meeting proceeded.

VERIFICATION OF APPROPRIATE NOTICE OF CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC MEETING

Chair Siegel asked Parliamentarian Kenneth Davidson for verification of appropriate notice of public meeting.  Mr. Davidson confirmed that all proper notices had been prepared and posted.

Chair Siegel stated that an Executive Committee Meeting was held on Thursday, June 6, at the NIU Hoffman Estates Center, where an agenda was approved which included routine matters as well as action on recommendations from the university President.  The committee considered and approved recommendations on personnel transactions and a professional service contract.  Thereafter a motion was proposed and approved to adjourn to executive session to consider matters authorized for closed meeting discussions under Section 2 of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.  The Executive Session was held at the Woodstock Conference Center later on June 6 and concluded that afternoon.

At Woodstock the committee approved minutes of previous executive sessions, discussed personnel matters, collective bargaining matters, property matters, and legal and risk management matters.

Chair Siegel stated that the committee meeting was reconvened in open session to complete the approved agenda.  There being no Other Matters to be considered, Chair Siegel entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting of the Executive Committee.  Trustee Boey so moved, seconded by Trustee Moser.  The motion was approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:20 p.m. 
  
Respectfully submitted,
 
 

Sharon M. Mimms
Recording Secretary