Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1962 [PAGE 1161]

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1158

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[ O c t o b e r 18

A Materials Science Laboratory at the University of Illinois was authorized by Congress in 1960, but appropriations were not made. A bill appropriating $5,600,000, the estimated cost for the construction and equipment of the laboratory, was introduced in the recent session of Congress, and it was anticipated that the bill would pass, since the Congressional Joint Committee on Atomic Energy had strongly endorsed it. However, the bill failed on September 25, 1961, presumably because some members of the Congressional Committee were of the opinion that the construction of such facilities should be financed through annual rental payments to the University instead of by appropriations. It is anticipated that plans and contracts can be developed within the next twelve months with federal agencies for the proposed laboratory and its programs. Negotiations are underway to determine the feasibility of financing the building through borrowing and repayment over a period of time. O n m o t i o n of M r . S w a i n , t h i s r e p o r t w a s r e c e i v e d f o r r e c o r d , and w a s r e f e r r e d to t h e C o m m i t t e e on Buildings a n d G r o u n d s for considera t i o n of w a y s a n d m e a n s of f i n a n c i n g t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f a M a t e r i a l s S c i e n c e L a b o r a t o r y . T h e B o a r d also r e c o r d e d its a p p r e c i a t i o n of the w o r k of C o n g r e s s m a n M e l v i n P r i c e a n d o t h e r s w h o h a v e b e e n involved in t h e efforts t o s e c u r e f e d e r a l l e g i s l a t i o n a u t h o r i z i n g a M a t e r i a l s S c i e n c e L a b o r a t o r y a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y of I l l i n o i s . REPORT ON DEVELOPMENTS IN MEDICAL CENTER DISTRICT (15) Vice-President Joseph S. Begando of the Chicago Professional Colleges reported on recent developments in the Medical Center District, the present status of the University's land acquisition program in the District, and relations with the Medical Center Commission. Members of the Commission had been invited to the meeting and were guests of the Board at luncheon later in the day. Dr. Walter H. Theobald, President, and Mr. Thomas J. Downs, Treasurer of the Commission, and Mr. George McLester, Executive Director of the Medical Center Commission, were present. A t this point, M r . H a r e w o o d joined the meeting. MEETING OF ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNING BOARDS (16) Mrs. Frances B. Watkins reported on two meetings she attended as an official delegate of the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois: the 1961 Annual Meeting of the Association of Governing Boards of State Universities and Allied Institutions held at the University of Nebraska, October 10-14; and a Midwest Regional Conference held at Michigan State University sponsored by the Association's Committee on Regent Responsibility for University Participation in Education Abroad. Professor PI. W. Hannah of the Colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine also attended this meeting as a representative of the President's Office. M r s . W a t k i n s s t a t e d t h a t t h e A s s o c i a t i o n h a s a c c e p t e d a n invitation w h i c h s h e t e n d e r e d t o h o l d its a n n u a l m e e t i n g in 1 9 6 4 a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y of I l l i n o i s . REQUEST OF MR. RAYMOND TIMPONE (17) Mr. Raymond Timpone of Urbana and Champaign requested, and was granted, an opportunity to present a statement to the Board. H e was accompanied by Mr. Robert Regal, a student at the University, who also made a statement. Mr. Timpone requested the Board to discontinue the proceedings in eminent domain it has instituted to acquire the property of the Cosmopolitan Club at 605 East Daniel Street, Champaign, which he has purchased, and to cease its efforts to acquire the same on the grounds that he needs this property for the expansion of his business in the area which adjoins it. Mr. Regal stated that he was circulating petitions among students in support of Mr. Timpone's request and that these would be delivered to the Board of Trustees at its November meeting. President Williamson stated that this request would be referred to the appropriate Committee of the Board.