Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1888 [PAGE 69]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

72

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

On motion, the reading of the minutes of the June meeting was deferred, and, on motion, those of the meeting of September 13 th were approved. The Begent read the following report, which was received and referred for further deliberation:

REGENT'S REPORT.

To the Trustees of the University of Illinois: GENTLEMKN: The first subject whfch I desire to call to your attention is that of arrangements for instruction during the year now beginning. The filling of the vacant professorship of mechanical engineering was very carefully considered. Efforts to find, or to secure when found, competent aid from other institutions, proved unsatisfactory. It was equally certain that aid could not be expected farther from the Secretary of the Navy. I am informed that with only a single exception no naval officer is now detailed for college duty. I had understood that Professor Woods, who had served the University with satisfaction for four years, had become fixed in his determination to return to his profession. He was already on board the Trenton, which was under orders to sail immediately. I believed it for the best interests of the University to offer him the nomination of the full professorship, with the full salary of $2,000 per annum, which nomination he has accepted, subject to your approval. I am confident that this is the best solution of the question which could be made. I ask that this nomination be confirmed. Mr. S. W. Stratton declined to serve longer as instructor in mathematics, and, under authority given at your last meeting, I have engaged Mr. E. R..Boyer to perform this service for the coming year, at a salary of $600. Mr. Boyer is a graduate of the Normal University, has been a high school principal ot some experience, and has lately closed a term of service as county superintendent of Fulton county. Mr. Boyer's inducement for coming here is not so much the salary earned, but the opportunity offered for pursuing his own studies in the school of natural history. Miss Anna E. Maloney, of Washburn, 111., has been appointed as instructor of music, to succeed Miss Maud Kimball, who has resigned. Mr. C. E. Eggert has been reappointed instructor in modern languages, and Miss Essie G. Dana as instructor in free hand drawing, to assist Professor Roos. Mr. Bedros Tatarian has been appointed second assistant in the chemical laboratory. The new year has opened with an unprecedented increase of students in the college of engineers. The number of the first years 1 students in the machine shops requires divisions into three sections, and I have been forced to engage aid temporarily, which will probably be needed during the whoie year. I ask your approval of the appointment of Mr. F. D. Baker, at $20 per month. A similar need exists in the class in projection drawing, which is more than twice as large as can be profitably taught by one person, while the needs of the programme will not permit the class to be divided, and part taught at another hour. I have therefore to ask leave to employ an assistant for such time as may be needed, at $20 per month. Lieut. H. H. Sargent, U. S. A., having asked to have his detail as military instructor here cancelled, on account of the ill health of his wife, application was made to the Secretary of War for the detail of another officer. He has sent to the University 1st Lieut. Curtis B. Hoppin, 2d Cavalry, U. S. A., and this officer has entered upon his duties. We are confident that the military department is ~in good hands. The exhibit made by the University at the eduoational exposition at Chicago, July 5-16, was very satisfactory. The cost of preparing this exhibit was paid from the appropriation of $100 made at the J u n e meeting. A similar exhibit was sent to the State Fair at Olney. The last exhibit is in the same line as the first, and both have been made at an expense not greater than the amount authorized; but as no definite authority was given for it, I have to ask your approval, and your authority for payment of the bills incurred. The expense to the University of the Chicago exhibit was That of the exhibit at Olney was Total $60; 82 3815 $98 97

The following items of improvement have been completed-during the summei vacation: Additional cases in Professor Forbes's room, cost $136.80; appropriation $150.00. The preparation of a room for electrical experiment in the basement of east wing was less expensive than was estimated, as it was found possible to avoid laying a new floor. Of the $300 appropriated, $154.06 has been used. Something more will be needed for shutters at the windows. The fence ordered on west side of ca;mpus is not yet finished. The connection with the water pipos of frhe Union Water Supply Company was made, and the water admitted to the buildings on the second day of July. The cost to the University of the fittings, etc., laid as ordered, has been $378.32, an excess above the appropriation, of $28.32, for which an appropriation is asked. A check valve should be added to each building, to guard the plumbing against ^excessive pressure when the water works use extra force in case of fire.