Hogan Resigns effective July 1

Here is the text of the letter from BOT chair Christopher Kennedy

March 22, 2012

I write today to inform you that University of Illinois President Michael
J. Hogan has tendered his resignation, and I have accepted it on behalf of
the Board of Trustees. President Hogan will remain with the University as
President through a transition period until July 1.

President Hogan joined the University at a very challenging time, when it
had just weathered a long and very public controversy around admissions
and enrollment practices, had major gaps in the administrative team, and
was under such significant financial constraint that furloughs and salary
freezes were required. The Board sought out a reform-minded leader and was
glad to find Mike Hogan, a veteran and accomplished educational leader
with a distinguished record, who was committed to carrying out an
exhaustive mandate of change with a sense of necessary urgency. We were
not the only university pursuing him. Ultimately, he chose to lead the
University of Illinois because of its reputation and his belief that he
could make a difference.

In his nearly two years as President, Mike accomplished a great deal, and
the University owes him a debt of gratitude for moving a number of tough
initiatives forward. Among the achievements: the University netted more
than $30 million in recurring annual savings through major administrative
efficiencies that have been reallocated to support academic and research
programs, offsetting declines in state funding and late payments from the
state. He has successfully recruited a highly talented leadership team and
implemented the first merit-based salary increase in three years. There
have been no furlough days on his watch. During his tenure, state
appropriations have remained essentially level, notwithstanding the state
budget crisis.

It has not been easy. Some of what Mike Hogan was compelled to do was not
popular, but he did what this University needed over the past 20 months,
and we thank him for his hard work, perseverance, and achievement.

The Board feels that the most appropriate next step in university
leadership should come from a proven administrator with a track record of
collaboration and success within our University.

On Friday, the Executive Committee of the Board will meet to appoint
long-time University of Illinois leader Robert Easter to assume the role
of president-designate. Bob stepped up for this university in some of our
toughest days, as interim chancellor immediately following the
disappointing and disruptive days of 2009, and he repaired and rebuilt the
campus both literally and figuratively. Bob started at the U. of I. as a
doctoral student, and then 36 years ago, as a faculty member. He was dean
of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences before
acting as interim provost and then interim chancellor, then retiring, just
briefly, last October. He came back again and currently serves as interim
vice chancellor for research on the Urbana campus. Dr. Easter views this
University as a great educator of students and a research powerhouse
destined to fulfill our land-grant mission though new ideas that create
businesses, jobs and new taxes to benefit the state. He has the trust of
alumni and trustees past and present, as well as faculty, administrators
and staff, and always, the best interest of students at heart. Following a
transition period, he will be president beginning July 1.

The Board joins me in wishing Mike well and in welcoming Bob back to play
another key role for our beloved University of Illinois.

Sincerely,
Christopher G. Kennedy
Chairman, Board of Trustees