Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1871 [PAGE 143]

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135 The Committee charged with the choice of a Superintendent of Building, have employed, temporarily, Col. Shattuck. Under hi3 directions the excavations, not provided for by the contract, have been made; and two wells have been sunk for the Mechanic Hall, and two for the new University Building. The Agricultural experiments are going forward under the charge of Hon. W. C. Flagg. The general work on the farms and Horticultural grounds is more satisfactory in character that in any former year, and the condition of these departments is steadily improving. The machine shop has been provided with some new and valuable machinery, and the patterns are in preparation for a new steam engine, of sixteen horse power, for the new Mechanical Building. Changes and improvements are in progress in the University Building, to fit it for the largely increasing numbers of students. Every room was bespoken for the next year, before the close of the past term, and seventeen names were left on file of students for whom no rooms remained. The applications now daily coming to hand, make it evident that something will need to be done to meet the demand for rooms the coming year. Doubtless, something will be done by private enterprise, and already there are parties proposing to erect cottages for the occupancy of the students. Should they fail, then it may be necessary for the University to carry out the plans heretofore proposed for the erection of a group of cottages. In the new arrangements, provision is to be made for the greater convenience of female students, of whom a much larger attendance is expected next year. Having decided to attempt the education of young women at the University, it is due that every practicable provision shall be made to afford them the highest facilities for such education as they may need. Having this in mind, I recently visited the School of Design at the Cooper Institute, in New York city, to ascertain how far its plans are adapted to the University. In the selection of additional teachers—especially the teacher of drawing—the wants of our female students should be held in view. I n accordance with your vote, the annual circular has been issued, and 20,000 of the same, in paper form, are now being distiibuted through the State. I herewith present the Bookkeeper's statement, and the accounts to be audited. J. M. G K E G O K T ,

Regent.