Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1880 [PAGE 172]

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170

EVENING SESSION.

The board convened as per adjournment. Present as before. Dr. Gregory read the following report, which was received.

REPORT OF REGENT. To the Trustees of the Illinois Industrial University. Through another college year our great work has moved on quietly and in good order, the University, fountain-like, pouring its silent streams of light and learning into the minds of its hundreds of students, to be by them, in due time, diffused in a thousand ways throughout the communities of the State. Are we not liable some times to forget the real importance and grandeur of our work in our watchfulness over the machinery with which it is performed? The real power of a great University, such as this has now become, can scarcely be overestimated. Standing related on the one side to the gigantic school system of the State, and inspiring that system to better and higher work, it stands connected on the other side, by means of its graduates, with the great leading industries and professions of the people, sending its annual company of recruits to swell their ranks or fill the vacancies which dealh constantly makes in the working battalion of men. Falling like showers and running as hidden streams, Learning and Science enter the great fields of the public life, and only in the lapse of time, and by the greener and larger growths, are their presence and power made known. The work of the term has been done, in most cases, with the usual fidelity and success. The • umber in attendance, as is usual in the spring terms, has been less than in the fall and winter terms. The total attendance for the year has been larger than in any former year, amounting to 417. The numbers in the several courses and classes can \\e seen by reference to the reports of the Professors and Instructors. Reference is also made to the annual catalogue for interesting information in regard to the residence, college and classification of our students.

FACULTY AND ASSISTANTS.

1. I recommend for the coming year the re-appointment of Charles E. Piekard as Teacher of English and Ancient Languages in the Preparatory classes. I repeat the recommendation of last year that his salary be made at least $60 a month. * 2. I recommend also the re-employment of F. W. Parsons as book-keeper and as teacher of book-keeping, and repeat the recommendation for the increase of his salary. This will be necessary if you wish to retain his services longer. I ask attention to his statement and request for leave of absence during the summer. 3. M. A. Scovell is at present Instructor in Agricultural Chemistry. By your usage, the Instructors and Assistants are appointed annually and for one year only. Their salary is counted for ten months. As Mr. Scovell has now approved himself as t good and valuable Instructor for some years, and as his services will be needed permanently in this department, I respectfully recommend that he be raised to the rank of Assistant Professor, with such salary as your funds will permit. His permanent appointment would, according to precedent, make his present salary continue through the year and thus give him an increase of $150 per annum. » 4. If the resignation of Prof. Webb, which is now before you. be accepted, I respectfully, and with the concurrence of the Faculty, recommend that Mr. I. O. Baker be raised to the rank of Assistant Professor, and be assigned to the chair of Civil Engineering, with such salary as your funds will allow. The remark made of Mr. Scovell will hold also in the case of Mr. Baker. 5. I recommend the re-appointment of Mr. Charles I. Hayes as Assistant in Botany and Horticulture. Mr. Hayes is under service the entire year, and his salary is paid the twelve months. If the salaries already asked be increased, that of Mr. Hayes ought also to be increased. 6. I recommend the re-appointment of Mr. F. W. Prentice as Teacher of Veterinary Science. Dr. Prentice has thus far held the post of Lecturer, with no requirements except to give a daily lecture, and conduct a clinic during one or two terms. But he has, of his own good will, given two hours a day to his classes, and conducted a clinic throughout the year. The interest in Veterinary Science has of late so largely increased, and its importance to the stock growers of the country is beginning to be so largely appreciated, that a pressure begins to be felt upon us to develope this part of our work into a full school of Veterinary Science with power to grant the usual degrees. A report upon this subject, made by Prof. Morrow to the Faculty, and communicated herewith, gives some interesting and important facts. If our plans were not already as large as our present means will justify, I should urge this matter upon your immediate attention. As it is, I simply recommend that the rank of Dr. Prentice be raised to that of Professor of Veterinary Science, and that the increase of instruction in this department be provided for as soon as funds can be obtained. I ask attention to Dr. Prentice's report of cases and his request. The other appointments are understood to be permanent, and I do not, therefore, ask any attention to them, except to repeat my recommendntions heretofore made, for an increase of the salaries of those whose long servi e entitles them to be ranked in common