ILLINOIS - The University of Illinois Board of Trustees

19791 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 333
Dr. J. B. Wade, who was an intern at the time of the incident referred to in the
complaint. The complaint alleges that on December 2, 1977, the University and
Dr. Wade were negligent in connection with a proctoscopy procedure performed
on the plaintiff at the University of Illinois Hospital. Damages in the amount of
$200,000 are being sought.
The university counsel has recommended that he be authorized to take such
steps as are necessary or appropriate, including the employment of special counsel,
to protect the interests of the University in this matter, to defend the action and
to provide representation for Dr. Wade, all in accordance with the University’s
risk management and self-insurance program.
I concur.
The student advisory vote was: Aye, Miss Kooper, Mr. Sobotba, Mr.
Watson; no, none.
On motion of Mr. Watson, authority was given as recommended by
the following vote: .4ye, Dr. Donoghue, Mr. Forsyth, Mr. Hahn, Mr.
Howard, Mr. Lenz, Mrs. Shepherd, Mr. Stone, Mr. Velasquez; no, none;
absent, Mr. Neal, Governor Thompson.
Litigation Initiated by Stephanie P. Martin
(57) A claim has been filed in the Illinois Court of Claims (Case No. 79 CC
0974) against the University by Stephanie P. Martin, a student, who is seeking re-
covery of $250,000 for injuries she alleges she has suffered, and also of $100,000 in
punitive damages. The same individual has filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of
Champaign County (Case No. 79 L 593) against the University and Cindy Heathe,
a teaching assistant at the University, in which judgment is sought against Cindy
Heathe in an amount sufficient to compensate the plaintiff for her injuries, costs
of suit, and punitive damages.
Both documents relate to an accident involving a University van on May 22,
1978, in Mexico in connection with a field trip carrying course credit from the
Department of Anthropology at the Urbana-Champaign campus. The plaintiff
alleges that she was a student enrolled in the field trip course and was injured by
reason of the negligence of the University’s teaching assistant, Cindy Heathe,
while driving a University van in which the plaintiff was a passenger or by reason
of the negligence of the University in making the trip arrangements. There are
alternative allegations that the plaintiffs injuries were due to the wilful or wanton
acts or omissions of Cindy Heathe and the University.
The University counsel has recommended that he be authorized to take such
steps as are necessary or appropriate, including the employment of special counsel,
to protect the interests of the University in these matters.
I concur.
The student advisory vote was: Aye, Miss Kooper, Mr. Sobotka, Mr.
Watson; no, none.
On motion of Mr. Howard, authority was given as recommended
by the following vote: Aye, Dr. Donoghue, Mr. Forsyth, Mr. Hahn, Mr.
Howard, Mr. Lenz, Mrs. Shepherd, Mr. Stone, Mr. Velasquez; no, none;
absent, Mr. Neal, Governor Thompson.
There being no further business, the board adjourned.
EARL W. PORTER
Secretary
WILLIAM D. FORSYTH, JR.
President