Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1880 [PAGE 253]

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THE SCHOOL OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE

is left without a Professor, and the University without a Preceptress, by the resignation of Mrs. Gregory. While I would avoid any interference with the duties of the Committee which you have appointed to consider this matter, I ask leave to suggest a single thought upon the principle involved. I believe that both Dr. and Mrs. Gregory had very clear and positive ideas as to the scope of the work in this School, the ends to be attained by it, and its value to its graduates, the University, and the public. The means by which those ends were to be secured, and the details of instruction.were doubtless subjects of experiments, subject to modification, improvement, or rejection, as the experiment should progress. If it is your wish that these ends should still be sought, and these experiments should be continued, it will be necessary that they should be entrusted to some lady whose ideas of the work are high and comprehensive, whose capacity for it is assured, and, above all, whose convictions as to its value, and of her duty in regard to it, are settled and imperative. A woman who has the necessary character, ability and zeal, may have to undertake the work on a plane lower than that which Mrs. Gregory had reached, but she would mount the ascent more quickly, because the road has already been surveyed and partly graded. If, on the other hand, you assume that the course in this School has no valuable aim, or one unknown, or even one that cannot be formulated, and that the whole i^ an experiment into darkness; if you should appoint a person, otherwise of the most desirable qualities, who is, I will not say inimical, but not positively friendly to this course, it will speedily become a dead issue, and one very soon to be removed from our present programme of work.

STATE APPEOPEIATIONS.

I have received a communication from Hon. Jas. P. Slade, the Superintendent of Public Instruction of this State, asking for a report of the progress of this University during the last two years, and I am informed that the Trustees are required by law to make a similar report to the Governor of the State by the end of the present month. In each of these reports a statement will be expected as to the grants which will be asked of the Legislature during the next session. I respectfully suggest that this subject, already receiving your earnest attention, may be considered so early that the results of your deliberations may be brought to the notice of these officers in time for their consideration, and, as may be hoped, for their approval and earnest advocacy. I am informed that it is your wish that the University should place in the State House in Springfield an exhibition which may fully illustrate our scientific and practical work in the several colleges and schools, and that this work should be done before the Legislature convenes. I earnestly approve this design, and shall work zealously in its execution. An appropriation will be needed to refit cases for a suitable display of the exhibit, and to pay for freight, labor and contingent expenses. I lately received a request for an exhibit of our elementary work from the Machine and Carpenter shops, to be placed in the Exposition Building at Chicago. The occasion appeared to be one which it were unwise to neglect, and a selection of shop-work, models and drawings was forwarded. I ask that you will authorize the payment of the expenses of this display, which I think should not exceed $25.

APPEOPEIATIONS.

I ask that you will make the usual appropriations for the ensuing six months, as per schedule of the Business Agent, and I recommend the following special appropriations, asked by the several Professors, whose communications are herewith transmitted: For cases in the room of the Professor of Agriculture $200 00 For expenses of shop practice, Machine shop, per month 20 00 For expenses in the Architectural shop, per month 20 00 For frames in Printing Laboratory, College of Engineers 10 00 For apparatus and repairs in Physical Laboratory 360 00 For cases in the Museum, cabinet case fund 300 00 For models for School of Civil Engineering, to be made at shops 25 00 For books and periodicals 1,000 00 For music and leader of the choir, Fall term., 25 00 I invite attention to Prof. Bicker s request that the salary of Mr. Spencer, Foreman of the Agricultural shop, be made $40 per month from September 1 to July 1. The wages seem to be well earned by Mr. Spencer. I also ask your attention to the request of Prof. Morrow, that a house be provided for a farm laborer. I present herewith the quarterly report of the Head Farmer, Mr. E. L. Lawrence. Mr. Lawrence desires attention called to the fact that his year, as now arranged for convenience of accounts, ends with the first of December, while his service, contracted for by the year, began on the first of March, and he wishes that that may be taken into account in his final settlement. I lecommend that authority be given to the Faculty to employ instructors in Vocal Music and in Elocution, to be paid by the fees accruing from their several classes. Mr. A. B. Baker, the efficient and ubiquitous Janitor of the main building, asks that his compensation be raised to $50 per month. From a familiar knowledge of the nature and quality of his labors and cares, I am led to think his request reasonable. Bespectfully submitted. S. H. PEABODY, Regent, pro tern.