Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1873 [PAGE 155]

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151 On motion, the bids for heating apparatus in the new building were opened, and after reading, referred to Mr. VanOsdel, the architect, for report. The Eegent submitted the following report:

Gentlemen of the Executive Committee, Illinois.Industrial University : I have the honor to make the following report: According to your instructions, the following advertisement was published in Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati and Champaign papers : '•' To CONTRACTORS—The Trustees of the niinois Industrial University will receive proposals— 1st—For heating apparatus, complete, to heat, perfectly, the whole of the new University Building in the coldest winter weather. 2d—For the completion of the above mentioned building, according to the plans and specifications of the architect, which may be seen at the Kegent's office in the University ; also, at the architect's office, in Chicago, after May 26, 1873. 3d—For any one class of the work and material required to complete the said building. ' The Trustees reserve the right to reject any or all bids or plans, or parts thereof, if they shall deem it necessary for the interest of the State. All proposals must be directed to ' Trustees of the Illinois Industrial University,' and indorsed ' Illi nois Industrial University Proposals.' They will be delivered at the Regent's office in the University by four o'clock P. M., on June 4, 1873. If one or more contracts are awarded to any party under the above mentioned proposals, a good and sufficient bond in each case, to insure the fulfillment, will be required. The bond for the first class will not be discharged until March 1, 1874. Work, under ail classes, must be completed within ninety days from the time the contract is signed. S. W. SHATTUCK, Regent pro tern.

URBANA, May 19, 1873. J . M. YANOSDEL, Architect. For the Trustees.'1

The architect not coming to Champaign, as was expected, I consulted with him in Chicago. The advertisement was issued immediately after. Parties from Chicago, Cincinnati and other places have answered to it. Under the authority granted at your last meeting, Mr. John Mann, of Urbana, a competent mechanic, was engaged at a compensation of $3 per day to take the inventory of the material on hand for finishing the University Building, and amount of unfinished work, also assist the contractors in getting a correct idea of the condition of matters. He commenced work May 19. and has given satisfaction. According to the specifications under which bids to complete the building will be made, the University will be called upon to furnish all the necessary flooring and moulding for it, which matter will de mand your immediate attention. I t is thought sufficient lumber is now on hand for this purpose, but it will require going through the dry houses and working up. But little has been done to the grounds of the new building. Student labor sufficient could not be had, and it was not thought desirable to employ laborers from outside until a closer personal attention could be given to the matter. If thought best I will give this attention after the close of the term. Five hundred dollars can well be spent on the grounds in front of the building. The specimens of soils of the State wrhich you authorized to have removed from Sxjringfield have not yet been moved, as Mr. Worthen thought it necessary to have some member of the Faculty go to Springfield to attend to the packing of them, and no one had the time to do it. A team has been procured for the Horticultural Department, the horses costing $240. I believe it to be necessary that action should be tuLen at your present meeting to provide for seating the Chapel, and for the Library and Cabinet cases. The Chapel seats and Library cases should be in by the first of September. This can be, but it requires immediate action in order to have it well done. Prof. Carey, the Librarian, has had some plans and estimates for the Library cases made. Prof. Taft is having the same done in regard to thoae for the Cabinet. Several communications from Professors, in addition to those received at your last meeting, call for your attention. Action in regard to confirming, or not continuing the engagement of Mr. W. L. Card, is called for. I am glad to be able to say to you, gentlemen, that though two of the most important members of the Faculty have been absent during the greater part of the term, the work of the University has been carried on to the general satisfaction of the students and public, I believe. This good result has been gained by the hearty co-operation of all members of the Faculty present and the general good will of the students.