UI trustees Chairman Niranjan Shah resigns from board
University of Illinois trustees Chairman Niranjan Shah has resigned from his seat on the board.
In a letter Monday to Gov. Pat Quinn, Shah said he is "not in public service for self-aggrandizement and therefore have no interest in a protracted process regarding my role" in the admissions scandal that has plagued the university.
The governor issued a statement Monday afternoon accepting the resignation.
"I thank him for his years of service and efforts to promote diversity at the University of Illinois," the governor's statement said. "A search for his successor will begin immediately."
Sha is the second UI trustee to resign. Former board Chairman Lawrence Eppley submitted his resignation last week and urged his fellow trustees to do the same.
"I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to accomplish many things in my six years as a U of I trustee," Shah said in a statement, "including helping cut tens of millions of dollars in costs, encouraging the attraction and retention of renowned faculty, promoting diversity at the University at every level and giving a voice to individuals from different backgrounds who otherwise have been excluded from the University's processes."
"When I became a Trustee at U of I in 2003, many of the stakeholders in the University of Illinois system - trustees, university administrators and staff, legislators and others - operated under a set of rules and norms that seemed appropriate at the time. Today, I recognize that those rules are changing with the times, and I think that change is a very good thing.
"One of the first changes being proposed by the (Mikva) Commissioners is that the trustees should resign. I have said all along that I would welcome the Commission's recommendations and would abide by them. There's no need to wait for the Commission's final report. My resignation will take effect in 90 days, or as soon as a replacement is found. I will do anything I can to help provide as smooth a transition as possible, for the sake of the university I am so proud to have served.
"I sincerely welcome this new era and the prospect that the work of the Governor's commission will come to fruition."
"giving a voice to individuals from different backgrounds who otherwise have been excluded from the University's processes."
What a jcks. The only people he "gave a voice to" were his relatives or people who paid him off.
Did he "give a voice" to his own secretary, who he blamed for all of his problems?
This situation has stunk for years. This Board has driven the University to new lows. The N-G should be ashamed that it took a paper from 130 miles away to expose the utter filth that Blagovich and Jones swept into office.
This is so typical in Illinois, and probably other states, people enter into positions of power and authority so they and their family and friends can reap the benefits. Our forefathers would be highly incensed that we have allowed our politicians and local leaders to pull the wool over our eyes like they have. Would anyone be willing to name one truly honest Illinois politician?
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