Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1884 [PAGE 197]

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201

BOAKD MEETING—SEPTEMBEK 4, 1883.

The Board met in the University parlor, on Tuesday, September 4, 1883, at 4 P. M. Present—Messrs. Bennett. McLean, Millard, Paden and Pearman. ^Absent—Gov. Hamilton, Messrs. Landrigan, Cobb and Follansbee. The records of the meetings of June 5 and June 22, 1883, were read and adopted. The Kegent's report was then read and received:

To the Trustees of the Illinois Industrial University: GENTLEMEN—The most important topic which will come before you at this meeting is the policy to be adopted in regard to the lands owned by the University in Nebraska and Minnesota. Those in Nebraska, in particular, have come to such a condition as demands that some line of procedure should be determined at once. If nothing more is done, it seems desirable that the lands be made to earn their cost, so that the Trustees may no longer be compelled to go to the Legislature for the payment of taxes. The subject will be brought before you in the report of a committee, which will be laid before you in the course of the present meeting. I desire to call attention to a r»roposition now before you, offering to the University the lots south of the Mechanical Hall, between the track of the Urbana Horse Railway and the Arboretum. The price seems reasonable, and the lots should not be allowed to pass into other hands, as that might cause much inconvenience to the University, at some later time if not now. A diagram has been prepared which will illustrate the matter. The work ordered by you at the last meeting in various departments is in progress, and will be ready for report at the next meeting. 'I present the quarterly report of the Agricultural Department. The farms present constant and decided improvement, in fact and in appearance. The repairs at the north barn, ordered at the June meeting, have been made, and have required but a small part of the appropriation made for the purpose. I suggest that authority be given to use so much of the remainder of that appropriation as may be needful for painting the same barn. I further suggest that the appearance of the farm-house on the South farm would be much improved by painting and such minor repairs as that would require, and that $150 be appropriated for that purpose. In the University building the gentlemen's hat and coat room is a source of considerable annoyance. It is most conveniently situated, but has scanty room, and is too much a place of resort and lounging. I think it would be well to increase the number of boxes, etc., in the room, and then to employ there an attendant who shall receive all articles left on deposit and give checks therefor. The increased box-room will cost about $25. An attendant can probably be hired for say $5 per week. I ask your attention to the list of appropriations presented by the Business Agent for the next six months. I recommend that $1,000 from the State appropriation for books' and publications be assigned for the purchase of books for the Library, and that authority to expend the same be given to the usual committee. Attention is asked to a communication from Prof. Burrill, herewith reported. Mr. Sturtevant, of Boston. Mass.. has presented to the University, for use in the new blacksmith shop, one of his patent blowers, with the requisite supply of blast gates, —a very valuable donation. S. H. PEABODY, Begent.