Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1868 [PAGE 125]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

113

ments and the preparations of grounds, buildings and apparatus for the proper work of the institution. Immediately after the Board meeting held the 7th day of May, 1867, at which the location of the University was finally fixed, contracts were made for stone and other materials for the necessary alterations and improvements of the University buildings. A contract was also made for grading the grounds, as directed by the Board. While these contracts were being fulfilled, the necessary measures were taken for the sale of the scrip, ordered by the Board to be sold, and for the location of such as was ordered to be located. In August, the grading being nearly completed, and the cut stone being ready, the work was begun in earnest upon the building, and it has been steadily pushed forward with vigor, several men having been employed all the winter. After the Board meeting in November, I held a conference with the meckanics, and arranged with them to prosecute the work with such speed that all should be fully completed before the time set for the opening of the term. The work on the interior was fully completed as proposed, though much more was found to be done than was anticipated, and the materials are prepared for the completion of the portico ; but the continued cold weather and the subsequent almost continuous rains have, till the present, prevented the work from being put in place. Two or three days of fine weather will serve to finish it. It ought to be stated that Mr. VanOsdel of Chicago, was requested by the Executive Committee to prepare plans for the portico, but his drawings having been in some way detained in the Express Office, the then acting Superintendent procured other plans from a master builder in Champaign, and the work was commenced upon these latter plans. But after the last Board meeting, finding Mr. YanOsdel's plans lying in the Express Office, I directed that these plans should be followed. The winter set in so soon after the meeting of the Board that nothing could be done towards completing the fences around the grounds, except to procure the additional materials. As soon as the ground is sufficiently settled to set the posts, this work will be finished at once. The fact that with all this effort the work is not entirely done, evidences the wisdom of the policy of the Board of delaying the opening of the Institution till this spring. It is now clear to every reasonable man that it would have been impracticable to get the building in readiness to open in the fall; even if the more difficult work of ripening the plans, securing a faculty, and sufficiently advertising the opening could have been effected. The delay has given time to make the institution known. Had the opening been delayed till the coming autumn, even greater advantages would have been gained. While the mechanical work on the building and grounds was going forward, strenuous efforts were put forth to awaken public interest in the University—to secure an understanding of its plans, and to secure students. A system of prize scholarships was proposed to raise the endowment of, at least, one such scholarship in each county of the State. A competitive examination was provided for throughout the several counties for honorary and prize scholars, and examination papers were received from a majority of the counties, showing that thus, at the outset, the interest in this examination had extended very widely, and affording great encouragement that in the future it may become an element of great power and usefulness both to the Public School interests of the State and to the University itself. It is certain that this examination has brought into the University several students who would never have come but for this influence, and we may reasonably conclude that if the plan shall be hereafter prosecuted efficiently, it will lead hundreds into

—10