Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1882 [PAGE 238]

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Provision should be made for another instructor if the class should be found larger than is now expected. I nominate the following persons for reappointment in their several positions: Cecil H. Peabody, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Nelson S. Spencer, Foreman in the Architectural Shop, Jerome Sondericker, Instructor in Drawing, Howard Slauson, Assistant in Chemistry, Mrs. Abbie Wilkinson, Instructor in Vocal and Instrumental Music. I take the liberty to remind the Board that Prof F. W. Prentice has been in their employ for the last ten years, continuously, that his chair is an important one, and that its duties have been always well discharged. Would it not be proper that his salaryshould be put on the §ame grade with that of full professors, at $1,800 per annum? I present a request from Mr. W. B. Braucher, student-leader of the band. He will be satisfied with a moderate compensation; the duty is one requiring more than ordinarytact and attention, has been well performed for two years, and I think he should be paid. I transmit a report from Prof. I. O. Baker asking for a small assignment for engineering instruments, and another upon the reconstruction of the Astronomical Observatory. They have been made after fall consultation and I concur in each. I present estimates from Prof. Eicker for repairing the ceiling of the upper story of thewest wing of the main building. I recommend that this repair be made, and that the room be assigned for use as a Museum for the College of Engineering. Authority should be given to the Mechanical Department for carrying forward such improvements in heating and ventilation as may be found feasible within the limit of the State appropriation for that purpose. A communication concerning certain changes in the Machine Shop was referred at your last meeting to the Committee on Buildings and Grounds, whose report is presented for your concurrence. I concur in the requests made by Prof, flicker for appropriations for the Carpenter'sShop. I desire to call your attention to the University printing office. The machinery and material therein were bought by funds raised in part by subscription and obtained in the larger part from an appropriation of the Legislature. Without doubt all this is the property of the State, and is under your care. As you have directed that all other movable property of the University should be inventoried at regular periods, it seems proper that the same regulation should apply to this. For some years this property has been managed by the students, although thereappears on record no order or authority for such use. The matter of its management, and of the publication of the "Illini," has become a source of some difference of opinion, not to say of bitterness, among the students. The paper itself, as a -representative of the University, should receive attention. I s u g g e s t First: That the present business manager of the "Illini" be instructed to turn over to» University the property of the printing office, and that a full inventory of the same be made and put on record, as provided in the ease of other University property. Second: That the subject be referred to a committee to report at your next meeting what rules, if any, are needed for the future conduct of this enterprise. I have information that the students' society, known as the Scientific Association, has. disbanded. The Adelphic Society asks permission to exchange its room for that formerly used by the Scientific Association. The report of Prof. Morrow is herewith transmitted. Profs. Boos, Bicker, Crawford and Prentice ask leave of absence during the summer vacation. Bespectfully submitted. June 6, 1882. S. H. PEABODY.

ILLINOIS INDUSTEIAL UNIVEESITY,

June 2, 1882.

To the Regent and Board of Trustees of the Illinois Industrial University: GENTLEMEN: I would very earnestly recommend that the services of Mr. N. S. Spencer be obtained for the next year, if possible, as foreman of the Architectural Shops. Mr. Spencer has exhibited excellent qualities during his previous occupancy of this position, having been very faithful to the interests of the University, and also very successful as a manager and a teacher. It is proposed, if it meets with your approval, and he is employed for the coming year, that he superintend the ordinary work of the shop and teach the classes in shop practice, as in the past; also, that the remainder of his time, which would probably be considerable, be devoted to the construction of a series of models of architectural constructions which are very urgently required for the instruction of the classes in elements of construction and graphical statics. I believe that a fairly complete series could be completed by Mr. Spencer during the year, and which would be new and original, adapted to the usual methods of construction, and far superior in its practical value as an aid for teaching purposes, to the models made in Europe, besides being a great deal cheaper. It will probably be the best opportunity for obtaining such a collection of models that will ever occur. Very respectfully submitted, N. CLIFFORD BICKER.