Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1892 [PAGE 18]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

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fer to name it, a chair of psychology and pedagogy. This should command the services of a vigorous, well balanced, and effective man, who will deserve the best salary t h a t the University can pay. I can scarcely conceive a step which would so well commend the University to the educators of the state, as would this, and I most confidently commend it to your attention. 6. Our course in ancient languages—one t h a t the University of Illinois, if it claims such a title, can scarcely afford to be without—has long suffered for the want of a distinct instructor of the Greek language. I do not wish to intimate t h a t the work in this language has not been conscientiously and thoroughly performed. Such an intimation would be an unjust reflection upon an accomplished professor. But this language needs it„ own definite recognition. We do not get our proper quota of students in this department because the teachers of the state, looking at our catalogue, think they see t h a t we are not adequately prepared for their instruction. I recommend the early appointment of a professor of Greek. 7. I would recommend the appointment of a professor of French, did I not believe t h a t a change now would be an injustice to the incumbent, who was appointed last June, and has in good faith entered on the discharge of the duties assigned. But while it seems to me t h a t equity and fairness forbid any present action, I would have such an understanding as should make it easy to have a suitable nomination ready at the end of the current year. 8. An instructor in preparatory English ought to be furnished in t h e winter and spring terms. Professor Brownlee's legitimate business is growing with the constant growth of classes. Instead of his carrying this preparatory work, there is grave question whether he should not have an assistant in his work with the University classes. Weekly contact with the essays and oratory of 350 students, is work which needs to be tried to be appreciated. I t is possible t h a t in this place there may be found an opening for the woman we have so long desired, if perchance we may find a woman for the opening. These propositions, if they should meet your approval, will require t h e use of about $11,000 per annum. I t may be t h a t ~you will think t h a t as far as it is necessary and wise to go now. One or two other things I would mention. 9. I t seems to me t h a t the University can and should pay its Business Agent something more than the pittance he now receives for the business he transacts. He handles in and out this year nearly $100,000 in money; he keeps accounts and collects pay from 500 students; he acts as banker for a large number of them, taking deposits and keeping bank books in sums individually too small to yield any profit in any way, yet amounting to a very considerable aggregate of care and responsibility. He is in his business office every day in the week except Sunday, and every week in the year, except maybe ten or twelve days between warrants in the summer. He does as much teaching as his colleagues average, who receive the same salary for instruction; and for all this extra work, care, and responsibility he receives the sum of $300 a year. His integrity is unquestioned and his industry unbounded. He has not complained to me, nor does he imagine t h a t I will present to you this paragraph; but I submit t h a t he should have more compensation, from somebody, for this business agent's work. 10. We have a new Military Hall, which has always been counted, in part, as a place for a gymnasium. There is a considerable equipment of apparatus. There is a great and growing desire for gymnastic exercise and for athletic sports. This is an existing fact. People may say let the boys exercise in the shops and on the farm. The same men will advise their boys t h a t fish will not bite them if they do not go near them. The University has never yet given to this matter the attention which the exigencies of the case demand. The management has been left largely in the hands of the boys. Sometimes the most reputable have held the helm. Sometimes the other and opposite class. I must ask you to consider