Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1944 [PAGE 335]

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332

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[April 29

CURRICULUM FOR TRAINING W O M E N STUDENTS AS ENGINEERING AIDES (25) P r a t t & Whitney Aircraft, Division of United Aircraft Corporation, has been negotiating with the University to establish a curriculum for the training of college women as engineering aides. A representative of this company visited the University recently, conferred with a number of University officials, and also interviewed a number of women students. It appears quite likely that such a training program can be established. T h e curriculum will include 13 hours of elementary chemistry, 13 hours of elementary and intermediate physics, 9 hours of elementary mathematics, and 16 hours of elementary and advanced engineering subjects. It will cover a full calendar year, or three terms of 16 weeks. The program will be designed primarily for women who are seniors or graduates. T h e College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Agriculture have agreed to approve this special curriculum as a substitute for the last three semesters of their general curricula. Those who complete this training will be given employment by P r a t t & Whitney Aircraft, and as engineering aides they will replace men in various lines of work. P r a t t & Whitney Aircraft will grant scholarships to women who are admitted to this program. These scholarships will cover all fees and will provide allowances to the students for books and supplies, board and room, laundry and incidentals; and also an allowance to the University to pay a part of the cost of the instruction. I recommend that the Board approve this plan and authorize the appropriate University officers to complete the negotiations.

On motion of Mrs. Grigsby, this plan was approved and authority was granted as recommended.

LAND ACQUISITION AT URBANA AND CHICAGO (26) T h e Director of the Physical Plant Department has submitted through the Comptroller certain proposals for acquisition of additional parcels of property in both Urbana and Chicago needed to provide for future expansion. T h e Comptroller is of the opinion that consideration could be given to the acquisition of some of these properties during the current biennium. I recommend that the report be referred to the Committee on Buildings and Grounds for its consideration and recommendation to the Board at the next meeting.

On motion of Mr. Jensen, this recommendation was adopted.

ADDITION TO CONTRACT FOR REFRIGERATION SYSTEM IN RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL HOSPITALS (27) On January 23, 1943 (Minutes, page 239), the Board approved a contract, in the amount of $3,395.60, with the Burge Ice Machine Company, for the installation of refrigeration equipment in the Research and Educational Hospitals, to replace the ammonia central refrigeration system now in operation. Due to uncertainty whether funds would be available, the original contract did not include the drinking water system. It is now found that funds will be available within the biennial appropriation to extend the new installation to include the drinking water system in the entire Hospital, thus completely eliminating the present brine system. Unless this is done it appears that it will be necessary to leave the drinking water system without cooling, or to install unit coolers, neither of which would be satisfactory. T h e Burge Ice Machine Company has submitted a proposal for the new refrigeration system for drinking water at a fixed price of $1,550. This figure has been checked and approved by the Physical Plant Department. T h e Director of the Physical Plant Department and the Comptroller recommend that this addition be made to the contract with the Burge Ice Machine Company. I recommend approval.

Mr. Morey presented this matter. On motion of Mr. Davis, this addition to the contract was authorized.