Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1880 [PAGE 140]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

138

Another question at length meets us full in the face. The shrinkage of the regular income of the University from its endowment funds, has already compelled you to reduce below a safe point the salaries of the regular Professors, and forbidden the increase of those of some of the assistants whose long and faithful service and increasing usefulness deserves such recognition. There is also a need, becoming annually more pressing, that one or two additional chairs, notably those of Physics and History, shall be filled. In a similar crisis, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri came to the aid of their State Universities and granted them annual or permanent appropriations to meet current expenses. The restoration of the salaries reduced and the reasonable increase of others would, as I compute, require $4,000, per annum. The filling of the two additional chairs would cost $4,000 per annum; making $8,000 a year more than our present resources will allow. A small appropriation of $500 is very much needed for the Military department, for instruments for the band, and for side arms and equipments for the officers. The present instruments of the band are owned partly by the members of the band, and partly by the University. Those belonging to the University were purchased several years ago, and most of them had been some time in use. They were never in complete accord, as instruments of the same set are designed to be, and some of them have become useless through age and long use. The Legislature has never been asked for anything for this important department of the University, except for the naked drill hall. Its recognized usefulness may well entitle it to this reasonable amount of aid from the State. I lay before you herewith a communication from Miss Allen, asking your attention afresh to the long mooted question of a proper Dormitory and Housekeeping building for the female students. Permit me to recall to mind the arguments I have repeatedly had the honor to lay before you in this behalf. The old Dormitory building, never fit for the purpose for which we have been obliged to use it, has steadily deteriorated and demands a complete reconstruction. With the material in it, there might be erected a building for the lady students, which would be of great importance to that side of our work, and to the important department of Domestic Science. The northern half of the grounds, inclosed with a high sheltering fence, would give to the young ladies the much needed opportunities for out-of-door exercise now provided at Yassar, Wellesley, and Smith colleges for women. The lack of a proper Dormitory building has subjected the young women coming here for education, not only to greater expense than that incurred by their brothers, but has also acted often as a barrier against their coming at all, since many parents refuse to allow their daughters to attend an institution where no safe provision is made for their care and comfort. It is for the trustees to determine whether the time has come when they may hopefully ask the General Assembly for the necessary appropriation. It should be remembered that our Legislature, always mindful of the serious disadvantages and embarrassments under which woman labors in her efforts to gain an education and to better her condition in life, have uniformly shown a disposition to deal liberally, and to do all in their power to aid her efforts. It is doubtful if any claim of the University would receive a more favorable consideration, than this, if fairly presented and heartily urged. No plans have as yet been worked out in full for the reconstruction of the building, but Prof. Kicker has made some'estimates based upon general data, of the requirements of the new building, and thinks the work and new material would cost $25,000. The amount required for heating, furnishing and fencing would be not far from $12,000 or $13,000. It cannot be doubted that some such provision for female students is needed, and is needed now. Any delay in asking or obtaining the appropriation for it is a delay, to the same extent, of the advantages which would come from it.

HEATING AND VENTILATION OF THE MAIN BUILDING.

Prof. Kicker has been making some plans and estimates for the changes required in the heating and ventilation of the main building. They contemplate the removal of the heating boilers, and also the water closets, from the basement where they now are to a new building in the rear of the main building. J. M. GREGORY, Regent.

Prof. S. W. Shattuck, Business Agent, presented the following report:

CHAMPAIGN, I I I . , December 17, 1878.

Hon. Emory Cobb, President Board of Trustees Illinois Industrial University: SIE:—I have the honor to make the following report, as business agent, for the three months ending November 30,1878: Paper A, gives the current appropriations, with expenditures and receipts under the same. Paper B, is a list of the State appropriations, and expenditures under them. Paper C, is a list of bills on which warrants have been drawn, presented for auditing. Paper D, is a credit warrant voucher in favor of Agricultural Department, which the Board is asked to pass upon. Respectfully submitted, S. W. SHATTUCK, Business Agent.