UIHistories Project: A History of the University of Illinois by Kalev Leetaru
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Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1876 [PAGE 184]

Caption: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1876
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184

and a possible greater damage. It seems like training a monitor's great guns on a cockle shell, b u t since what might be otherwise treated as a youthful fancy or folly has a sort of dignity lent to it by their foreign relationships, and since it may come to injure the more important public interests of the University itself, it may be wise for you to provide a remedy. I had hoped that this new institution, with its grand public aims and its high purpose might escape the incension of three effete follies of the older colleges, and that our students would prove too manly to be caught by these traditional tinsels of a more barbarous time. Nor am I now without hope that a simple resolution of disapproval passed by you, and a request to the society to throw away its mask or its charter, may awaken the more manly impulses of our western young men, and lead them to discard this tattered toggery of the college lads of the older States. The Calisthenic classes, under Miss Allen, have more and more demonstrated their utility as a. means of physical culture, and of maintaining that health without which young women can n o t safely pursue long and severe courses of study. These exercises were witnessed during this past term by the members of the State Medical Society, and a warm and hearty approval accorded to them. I believe there is no longer any objection to the passage of such a rule as Miss Allen desires, that all female students shall take part in these exercises, unless excused by the proper a u thority for cause. Great care, it is true, will be needed, and will doubtless be had, not to compel into these exercises those whose physical condition will be injured rather than benefited by the drill. 10. The exhibit of the University for the International Exhibition at Philadelphia was duly forwarded and is now in place. I believe it will be found true that no other single institution in this country makes so large and varied an exhibit, and 1 trust that in most respects its excellency will compare favorably with that of others, both American and foreign. The preparations for this exhibition have been more expensive than was anticipated, and the labor of putting it in place largely exceeded our expectations. Mr. Coddington, our foreman, was sent down to aid in erecting the cases, his expenses being defrayed by the Teachers' Centennial Fund. It seems but just that his wages for the time employed shall be paid by the University,, which shares so largely in the State Exhibit. The large and costly cases made at our shops for this exhibition will of course be for sale at its close, and must be disposed of for what they will bring. Some of the Faculty have expressed desires that one or more of these cases may be secured for permanent use here. It is already known to you that I was elected by the United States Centennial Commission t a serve as one of the judges in the International Exhibition now in progress. Supposing that I was to be at leisure during the summer, and after consulting with the President and such members of the Board as I found time to reach, I accepted the important trust, and on the 24th of May went to Philadelphia to meet with my fellow judges from Europe and America, who assembled on t h a t day. I ought to say that by extra hours of labor I completed more than the usual term work in my class, and provided tor my short absence, so that nothing was left undone of my ordinary duties here. If my resignation is accepted, I shall be at liberty to return at once to Philadelphia to resume my duties there. Respectfully submitted, J. M. GREGORY.

The Regent submitted with the above, reports from Professors and Instructors of classes, and of departments in charge. The Regent's report, with the enclosures, was received. The Board adjourned to meet at8 P. M.

EVENING SESSION.

The Board met as per adjournment. Leave of absence was granted, as requested, to Profs. Webber, Pickard, Crawford, Shattuck, Taft, Robinson, Burrill and Ricker; also, to Mr. Hays. Prof. Pickard's request for advance of vacation salary was granted. The recommendations of the Regent were taken up. The closing of the windows looking upon the court from the Museum and Library was referred to the Executive Committee with power to act. The Executive Committee were authorized to employ, on the nomination of the Regent, an additional instructor or tutor in connection with the Preparatory Department. The Committee on Course of Studies made the following report^ which was adopted :

To the Honorable Board of Trustees of the Illinois Industrial University : Your Committee to whom was referred the examination and revision of Course of Studies for t h e coming year, beg leave to report that, after examining the courses submitted by the Regent and Professor of Agriculture and consulting the Regent and members of the Faculty, we a p proved and presented the course submitted by the Regent, with some changes. All of which is respectfully submitted. D. GARDNER, W. C. FLAGG, Committee*

The Board adjourned to 8 o'clock of the following morning.