The Committee for University Planning and Budget spent Friday trying to slim down.

One issue was keeping minority members on the CUPB. Currently, President Lou Hencken has appointed a minority member to the CUPB, but that position was made permanent under the recommendation.

There had been support for a minority member elected from another position, but that plan was not approved.

“I don’t think you can adequately represent more than one constituency,” said Jocelyn Tipton, the library/media services representative.

The representation of unions on the CUPB was a major sticking point.

The University Professionals of Illinois insisted on retaining a seat, pointing toward the Illinois Higher Education Labor Relations Act. This act requires that unions have access to planning that might affect their employment.

The UPI is the largest union on campus and represents faculty members but union representation did not receive full support.

“I’ve got nine different (trade) unions,” said Gary Reed, representing the employees in the business affairs office. “And each one of them is going to want representation.”

None of the trade unions gained a seat under the measure.

Numbers were intentionally kept lower than many suggested.

“I think we should get the lowest number possible and add others as the congregation demands,” said Allen Lanham, library dean.

Since the CUPB is effectively a creation of the president, the vote was made to send a recommendation to Hencken. This required a simple majority, unlike an amendment to the bylaws, which requires a two-thirds vote to succeed.

The recommendation cuts the membership down from 37 to 24.

Hencken said he would address the issue at the next Board of Trustees meeting.