Possible new U of I board would look to future

[August 05, 2009]  CHAMPAIGN -- If Gov. Pat Quinn follows the advice of a commission examining the admissions scandal at the University of Illinois and asks school trustees to step down, day-to-day operations at the school's three campuses wouldn't be much affected, university officials and outside experts agree.

But what would happen in the months that follow could say a lot about where the university heads in the years to come.

The Illinois Admissions Review Commission voted last week to recommend that all nine voting trustees resign following revelations that the university maintained a list of politically connected applicants and admitted some over better-qualified candidates. Two trustees, board chairman Niranjan Shah and Lawrence Eppley, have quit. Quinn hasn't commented on what he will do.

The panel plans to release its report with its recommendations to the governor in Chicago at its final meeting Thursday afternoon.

A Quinn spokeswoman declined comment Tuesday on the governor's plans.

While the board oversees the campuses in Champaign-Urbana, Chicago and Springfield, it doesn't have a major role in their operational nuts and bolts. Trustees vote on measures that university staff members have researched and choose university leaders such as the president and campus chancellors.

[Associated Press; By DAVID MERCER]

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