ILLINOIS - The University of Illinois Board of Trustees

78 BOARD OF TRUSTEES [September 20
“President Corbally has submitted to me a letter which is one of
the most carefully written and effective letters I have read.
“In it Jack advised this board of his resignation as president of
the University of Illinois effective one year hence-September 1,
1979.
“If there were any persuasion this board could employ to change
this decision, we would adopt it. Jack came to us in 1970. These years
have been perhaps the most challenging and trying times higher edu-
cation has known. Jack has led us through these years with great skill,
determination, and wit. We have endured and even prospered in very
large part because of his abilities. He has been the best person possible
to lead this University in these times.
“However, as much as we would selfishly like to keep Jack as
long as possible, he has persuaded me that his decision is based on
sound reasons and the future happiness of Jack and Betty. Therefore,
we have to put aside our own wishes and be glad we kept you this
long.
“I think Jack would now like to describe to you the background
for his decision, and his future plans.”
At this point, President Corbally spoke to the subject of his resigna-
tion and distributed copies of his letter to President Howard dated Sep-
tember 1, 1978. The text of the letter is as follows:
Honorable G. W. Howard I11
Howard Building - Box U
Mount Vernon, Illinois 62864
Dear Bill,
I have been contemplating my personal career plans for some time, particularly
because of my belief that one’s tenure in a chief executive’s position in a major and
comprehensive organization should not exceed six to eight years. By August 31.
1979, I will have served a total of ten years in university presidencies - two years
at Syracuse University and eight years at the University of Illinois. While such a
position always will contain more unfinished than finished business, there are a
number of accomplishments at Illinois in which I take some pride. I do feel, how-
ever. an increasing sense of repetitiousness in the tasks of my position. It is, then
clearly time for me to develop new career opportunities which I can undertake
with renewed enthusiasm.
I have great respect and affection for the University of Illinois and I have
explored with appropriate individuals the possibility that I might join the faculty
at Urbana-Champaip I am pleased to know that that possibility is available to
me. The University of Illinois Foundation is about to undertake a major capital
funds campaign. While the leadership of that campaign will need to come from
the Foundation staff and especially from the president of the University, I believe
that with the concurrence of the president and of the Foundation staff I can be
of assistance in that effort. I could and would explore other ways in which I might
be of assistance to the University, but my primary goal is to return to teaching,
research, and outreach activities in the academic fields of educational administra-
tion, higher education, and educational policy. It was this work for which I pre-