Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1888 [PAGE 42]

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PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

45

MEETING OF J U N E

7, 1887.

The Board met at the University parlor, Tuesday, June 7 1887, at 3 o'clock p. m. Present—Trustees Bennett, Millard, McLean and McKay. Absent—Governor Oglesby, Trustees Dysart, Cobb, Earle and Eisenmayer. George B. Shawhan, of Urban a, and W. W. Clemens, of Marion, presented their commissions from the Governor appointing them members of this Board, and, having been duly sworn, took their seats. The records of the March meeting were approved. The Begent then read his report, as follows:

To the Trustees of the University of Illinois: GENTLEMEN: Another year in the calendar of the University draws to its close. While the year has had little of special note to distinguish.it from others, it has been marked by faithful and progressive work within the precincts of the University, and a large amo unt of what may be called missionary work has been done by its officers throughout the State in attending and addressing educational, agricultural, and scientific gatherings. The interests of the Universityjas affected by the action oi the legislature have made an unusual draft upon the time and care of the Regent The legislation now finished is as follows: 1. A bill appropriating for the use of the University $27,250 per annum, in these items: For taxes on lands in Minnesota and Nebraska For repairs and improvements in buildings and grounds For apparatus and material For mechanical shops For books and publications For specimens of natural history For metallurgical laboratory l?or general purposes of instruction $1,750 2,000 1,600 1.500 1,500 1,000 2,000 16,000 $27,250 2. A bill providing that as the terms of office of the present members of the Board of Trustees expire, their successors shall be elected by the people, instead of being appointed by the Governor. This bill adds the Superintendent of Public Instruction as an ex-offlcio member of the Board. 3. A joint resolution giving the assent of the State to the reception by the University of such money as congress may appropriate it for the support of an agricultural experiment station, and authorizing the organization and maintenance of such a station. 4. A bill appropriating for the State Laboratory of Natural History $7,300 per annum. The appropriations granted are perhaps all that could be expected from this legislature. They will maintain the University fairly upon its present basis, but do not provide for that expansion and development which its friends so earnestly desire, and which the good name of the State and its essential interests imperatively demand. The present financial condition of the University is one that requires the utmost caution in providing for needful purposes without exceeding the resourcoi within the control of the Trustees.