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Final IBHE address
as president: Vogel calls for broad-based coalition and stability Dear Chairman Steven Lesnick and Members of the Illinois Board of Higher Education: In January of 1986, I addressed this body for the first time. My remarks focused on the sacrifices that students, faculty and staff were making in order to make Illinois Universities among the best in the nation. I mention this today for two reasons: nostalgia and a sense of historical perspective. I anticipate this will be the last time I will be addressing you folks. I have appeared before you dozens and dozens of times and spoken to you about many topics. I have always been treated with respect and consideration. There have been times we have argued and times when I have been accused of preaching to the choir. More importantly, there have been times when we have accomplished things together. Effective July 31, I am resigning as President of UPI, the largest organization representing faculty and staff at our public Universities. I will be replaced by our present Secretary-Treasurer Susan Kaufman, who will continue the tradition of addressing the IBHE on important issues facing all of us. But, before I leave I would like to make two points: In 1986, I indicated
It was clear that the academic community was sacrificing its own financial security in order to make up for the stateÕs financial shortfall. Since that time progress has been made. That progress has seen our pension system placed on a far more secure financial footing and, prior to this yearÕs budget crisis, our tuition rates stabilized. Some of our Universities have actually established salary parity with comparable institutions throughout the nation. I am sure we are all proud of these accomplishments. Unfortunately today, Illinois public higher education is faced with a similar crisis. State under funding has placed our universities at risk. I know we are creative and dedicated enough to make the right decisions and the appropriate sacrifices in order to maintain our campusÕ academic integrity for a short term. I would suggest that we learn from some of the lessons of the past. After a period of stagnating budgets our universities were dealt a major blow when budgets were either cut or held constant by declining general revenue funds. It was at that time that UPI called for the establishment of a broad based group to develop support for our public universities. Some of you may recall that after the February, 1989 IBHE meeting, UPI hosted a Òsummit meeting.Ó This meeting resulted in the formation of a coalition composed of labor, community organizations, such as the League of Women Voters, student organizations and public servants. This coalition called ÒInvest in The FutureÓ marshaled more than 1,000 participants for a demonstration on the Capitol Steps. Speakers included the Governor, President Eikenberry, U.S. Rep. John B. Anderson and many from the higher education community. We demanded more funding. Shortly thereafter, we received it. The Illinois citizenry had taken their public universities for granted. We educated them. A similar education process is needed today. We need a broad based coalition to re-educate our citizenry about the vital role our public universities play in all areas of Illinois life. I am sure Susan will be meeting with you shortly to begin the process. We need to work together to restore our state funding. We need the appropriate resources to maintain our appropriate place in the academic community. I know I can speak for all of organized labor on this important need. It worked in 1989-1990 and it will work today. A second point that I would like to make is one that I also raise from an historical perspective. In the 16 and a half years that I have served as President of UPI, I have worked with over 40 different University Presidents, Chancellors and system Executive Directors. The total numbers of Vice-Presidents, Provosts, and Deans would obviously be much higher. I raise this because I believe this high level of turnover is not good for the academic programs of our institutions. Unfortunately, I have heard some in our community extol the virtues of this turnover because it brings in fresh blood and makes administrators uncomfortable and anxious. I donÕt agree. You must encourage your search and screen committees to seek out candidates who have proved their commitment to their institutions for more than a few years and look askance at those who move from one campus to another every two to three years. This can only create havoc in both the sending and receiving institutions. We need stability and academic consistency in a rapidly changing world. Dr. Kaufman will be working with you in the future to make our public universities even better than they are today. I thank you for your leadership in the past. I thank you for your leadership today and I thank you for your continued leadership in the future. In solidarity, Mitchell Vogel, President ### June 4, 2002
University Professionals of Illinois Press Release |
