Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1890 [PAGE 112]

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PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD O F TRUSTEES.

115

U N I V E R S I T Y OF ILLINOIS, Dec. 10, 1889.

Prof. T. J. Burrill, Acting Begent, University of Illinois, SIR: I n accordance with your request I have the honor to submit t h e following report of the condition of the work under my direction. I would state t h a t the condition of the old companies is quite up to the point usually reached at this season, there being no question as to their ability to drill well. The new companies are quite large, including a total of one hundred and fifty-one new students. Their progress thus far has been very satisfactory, there having been more good instructors available this year than ever before since I have been on duty here. The drills this term are quite short, owing to lack of light in the drill hall; and next term they will be discontinued entirely for part of the term, on account of lack of heat. By request I have been in general charge of the gymnasium this year, and take pleasure in informing you t h a t there is much interest shown in t h a t work. There are now one hundred and ten students, members of the different1 gymnastic classes, with an average daily attendance of from fifty to sixty. The instructors, Messrs. Moore, Hanssen, and G-illiland, seem to be giving entire satisfaction thus far; but in view of the importance of the work, I respectfully recommend t h a t a skilled instructor be employed as soon as th.e resources of the University will admit. I t seems to me very important t h a t measures should be taken for heating and'lighting the new drill hall; the fact t h a t it will be used as a gymnasium, making it especially so, it being dangerous to allow young men to exercise violently in a cold room. I respectfully recommend t h a t twenty dollars be appropriated for the construction of gallery targets and payment for necessary labor in connection therewith. I take pleasure in reporting t h a t Mr. "W. C. Hazleton, of Forest Glen, Illinois, (late Capt. 8th Illinois Cavalry) proposes to donate to the University a medal, to be competed for annually through the military department under rules which will be submitted to the Trustees for approval at their next meeting. His intention is, I know, to furnish a fine medal worth from $25 to $50, and he would be pleased to have such action taken by the Trustees in the case as to indicate whether or not his proposition meets their approval. I am, sir, very respectfully yours,

C. B. H O P P I N , 1st Lt. 2d Cavalry.

A donation has also been received from Colonel Henry C. Merriam, 7th Infantry, U. S. A., of one Merriam pack or knapsack, a patented article t h a t has been widely adopted for the armies of Europe as well as for the soldiers in the United States.' A suitable acknowledgment of this should be made. The matter of gymnasium and practice therein, mentioned in the report of Lieut. Hoppin, is one t h a t calls for serious consideration and wellordered action. I n this respect the University is greatly behind the recognized necessities of physical culture for students, and may well emulate the example of other institutions of similar kind, even of several of less note in perhaps all other respects than the University of Illinois. During t h e year the students have purchased and placed in the drill hall $125.00 worth of gymnastic apparatus, money being for the most part the proceeds of an athletic entertainment given last year by them in Champaign. Those who now wish to practice in the gymnasium pay 50 cents a term for a ticket, and with the money so secured instructors are employed from among the students, three being now in such service. The room is opened for this purpose from 9 to 10 a. m. and from 3 to 4 p. m. five days in the week, and from 10 a. m. to 12 m. Saturday. As shown by the report, it is well patronized.