Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1886 [PAGE 61]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

53

PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF T R U S T E E S - S E P T E M B E R , 1885,

The Board met at the University parlor on Tuesday, September 8, 1885, at 3:30 P. M. Present—Trustees Bennett, Eisenmayer, Earle, Eollansbee, McLean, Millard and Pearman. Absent—Governor Oglesby, Trustees Landrigan, Cobb and Paden. . The minutes of the last two meetings were approved. The Regent, Dr. Peabody, then read his report, which was received and laid over for farther consideration.

REGENT'S REPORT.

To the Trustees of the University of Illinois: GENTLEMEN—Pursuant to instructions given me at your last meeting, and since then by the Executive Committee, efforts have been made to till suitably the vacancies in the corps of instruction. The professorship of mining engineering has been tendered to Professor Theodore B. Comstock, of Cleveland, Ohio. He was graduated at Cornell University, and was afterwards a professor there, and has had an experience of several years as a superintendent of mines in Colorado. In both capacities, as instructor and as miner, he brings an excellent record. He has accepted the position, and will enter upon his duties at the beginning of the year. His salary will be $1,800 per annum. The professorship of rhetoric and oratory has been offered to Professor James H. Brownlee, of the Southern Normal University at Carbondale, 111., at a salary of $1,800 per annum. He holds the question of acceptance under advisement. ^iPMiss Josephine A. Cass has been engaged as instructor in ancient languages and acting preceptress. She is a graduate of Wellesley College, Mass., and has taught some years in the preparatory department of that institution. Miss Helen B. Gregory, one of our own alumni, and a lady well and favorably known to many of you, has been engaged as instructor in modern languages. I am not prepared to make any report in the department of veterinary science. An extended canvass has not found the person to whom this important subject should be intrusted. It is probable that some temporary arrangement, as contemplated in your instructions of last meeting, will carry this work forward until a suitable appointment can be made. With this exception, the ranks of the corps of instruction are tilled, and all arrangements are completed for carrying forward efficiently the work of the coming year. The indications are good for a full attendance.

IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIRS.

The work on the lire-walls in the mansard roof approaches completion. The brickwork and plastering are done; tinner's wrork and most of the carpenter's work is iinished. The decoration of the society halls must wait a little for the thorough drying of the walls. The expenditures in this account thus far amount to $1490.35. The whole of this improvement will cost considerably less than the original estimates. Some work will be done this fall upon the improvement of ventilation, but most of this must now go over until another season. The improvements in the zoological laboratory, and in fitting up quarters for the Stu,te Laboratory of Natural History, have been more expensive than was anticipated. The bills thus far amount to $519.19, while the estimates were but $400. Of this expense about $100