Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1880 [PAGE 239]

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If your efforts to secure additional funds shall fail, it may then become a serious question whether the University can be maintained in its present extended form, since it will involve not only the continued over-work of men growing gray in the service, but also the perpetuation of low salaries, exposing you to a constant drain of your best men to more liberally paying institutions.

ECLECTIC COUESE.

I communicate herewith a full course of optional studies, showing certain required studies, and a list of permissive or optional studies, out of which students, not candidates for a degree, may select an elective course which will entitle them to the honors of graduates without sacrificing their freedom of study. This course was adopted after careful deliberation by the Faculty, and is recommended by them to be adopted as a part of the plan of the University. It adds no new feature or new work, but guards the elective course of studies from abuse by idle or incompetent students. That freedom of studies which we inscribed on the banners of the University at the very outset ought never to be sacrificed, but it must necessarily be restricted by the powers of your teaching force. Every enla1 gement of this force will allow a corresponding enlargement in the liberty of choice of studies. While the great leading institutions of our country are steadily throwing down the old barrier of restricted and obligatory courses of study, the State of Illinois will certainly not endure that its chief seat of learning shall go back to the antiquated narrowness of old-time Colleges, on any such plea as the need to guard idle and worthless students from the consequences of their indolence. Such students may be the better for being held under the reins of a strict prescription, but learning itself must suffer by making such prescription the rule for all. The close of the Preparatory department will release to some extent, the instructors, and increase the teaching force in the proper College work. There is an increasing demand for this in the number of post-graduate students, who seek to obtain higher instuction and for whom some provision ought to be made. I mention in this connection the application of the Professor of Mathematics for additional assistance in the Freshman instruction to enable him to meet the demands for advanced work. Thus far these demands, in his own as well as in other departments, have been met by the volunteer efforts of the several Professors. During the past year several post-graduates have been carried through advanced courses oi study required for their second degree. Eespectfully submittted. J. M. GBEGOEY, Regent.

Mr. Cobb, chairman of the Board, presented the resignation of Dr. Gregory, Eegent. Mr. McLean moved, and was seconded by Mr. Scott, that the resignation of Dr. Gregory as Eegent be accepted, to take effect on the 1st of September, 1880. The motion was carried. Mr. Gardner moved that a committee of three be appointed by the Chair, with Mr. Millard as Chairman, to draw up appropriate resolutions. The motion was carried and the Chair appointed Messrs. Millard, Gardner and McLean. After a short recess, the committee reported the following preamble and resolutions:

WHEEEAS, Dr. John M. Gregory, our esteemed and beloved Eegent, who has been at the head of the Illinois Industrial University from its birth, and to whom the people of the State of Illinois owe a debt which can never be repaid by mere words, has presented to the Board of Trustees his resignation of the trust so long and faithfully held by him; therefore, Resolved, That while this Board accepts the resignation of Dr. Gregory, it does so with feelings of regret, and while compelled to lose his valuable services in the future management of the University, the Board takes this occasion to express and extend to Dr. Gregory its appreciation of his past services in behalf of the University, the harmony and good feeling which exists between himself and this Board, and the valuable services and affectionate devotion on his part to the welfare of this Institution and all connected with it. Resolved, That the Illinois Industrial University is and ever will be a monument to the name, fame and genius of Dr. Gregory. That in him this Institution has had, for over thirteen years a constant, faithful and devoted friend to the cause of higher education as applied to the practical and useful arts, as well as to a full and complete University system,which he has crystalized and incorporated in the system of education adopted by the University. Resolved, That this Board, in its own behalf as well as in behalf of the people of the State of Illinois, desires to, and does hereby, express its thanks to Dr. John M. Gregory for his long and faithful services in behalf of the University, and while we are compelled to part with him, we shall ever remember and appreciate the services he has performed for