Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1892 [PAGE 161]

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164

UNIVERSITY O F ILLINOIS.

S P R E A D I N G INFORMATION CONCERNING T H E U N I V E R S I T Y .

At the instance of the committee of the Faculty on advertisement and publications, the Faculty adopted the following outline of methods for securing a fuller recognition abroad of the merits and value of the University : 1. The preparation of circulars descriptive of the University and of the colleges and special departments, and their systematic distribution by all connected with the University. 2. Correspondence and information. (a) The writing of notes and articles for professional and special journals by members of the Faculty. (b) A press bureau to furnish information concerning the University and its various departments to students who write to home papers and to correspondents of the general press. 3. Attendance upon and participation in meetings and conventions of professional, general educational, scientific, and literary associations. 4. Interest in public questions. 5. Lithographs of buildings and appliances to be sent to public schools and other appropriate places. 6. Publications and bulletins. 7. Publishing of roll of students with home and local address. 8. Advertising the University through the use of some of the facilities of the technical departments" without charge, a fund to be provided therefor. Much of this work can be done without expense, save of the time and energy of those who gladly offer to help in every feasible way to make the University known throughout the length and breadth of the land. But money also is required. Items one and five may be attended to at once, if it is thought desirable to do so. Fifty dollars for the first and $100 for the other is deemed a reasonable estimate of the amount of money needed for the contemplated work. As to item three, difficulties are presented. I t is certainly very desirable t h a t members of the Faculty should attend many public meetings, and some of our men have often''done this at an average expense to themselves of something like $100 per year. Sometimes this is distinctively for their own professional benefit; but if so, it is likewise beneficial to the University. Sometimes the University only derives good from the visits. I t does seem appropriate t h a t then it should bear at least some of the expense. But such a practice could be easily criticised, and would undoubtedly be open to abuse. Does something like the following, as a general rule, seem appropriate to you? Make an assignment of some definite sum for the purpose; from this fund pay one-half the traveling expenses; leave the decision as to what particular trip-expenses shall be thus paid to the executive committee of the Faculty. This is not free from objections, but may be considered a contribution towards the solution of a problem not new to you. The sixth item is an important one, which I hope may receive your approval. The agricultural and horticultural departments now have the advantage of the Experiment Station, in the bulletins of which ascertained knowledge may appear. Other matter has sometimes been published in the volumes containing the transactions of the Trustees. This, however, does not properly meet the felt want. I t would certainly be desirable in the way of advertisement if papers of high grade should be issued as bulletins of the University, or of its various departments. These should be in part for gratuitous distribution, but also put on sale in some regular way. I t is not probable t h a t there would be many of them, and the cost