Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1894 [PAGE 104]

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PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES

105

member of the faculty continuously for this purpose, and assignments to this duty are made here from volunteers, each to serve about half a month. This again is understood to mean attention to business, No one accepts the place with an idea t h a t it will give him a chance to see the general Exposition. The chairman of t h e faculty committee on the Exposition submits the following communication:

U N I V E R S I T Y OF ILLINOIS, J u n e 5, 1893.

Dr. T. J. Bumll, Acting Regent, DEAR SIR: At your request I have the honor to present the following statement as chairman of the committee of the faculty on the University exhibit at the World's Columbian Exposition: This exhibit was mainly in place when the Exposition was formally opened May 1st. Most that remained to do was done in the next few days. There are still some departments of the exhibit in which some things are not installed, partly because of the pressure of work upon those in charge, partly because some articles could not be forwarded until the close of the term, and partly because of delay in decision of some questions by t h e state commission. The exhibit, however, is much more nearly complete than are many of the exhibits by educational institutions in the department of Liberal Arts. As it was thought best t h a t I should be in charge of the exhibit during most of the month of May, I am able to speak with some positiveness concerning it, and have no hesitation in saying t h a t it will be of vast value to the University. I t is not only much larger than the showing made by any other university, but is more varied and complete, more fully showing the facilities and methods of work in all its departments. I t is evident t h a t it will be seen by very many more people than will visit the exhibits in the galleries containing the educational exhibits in general in the Liberal Arts department. Especially will the people of our own State see it. The interest taken in it is very gratifying. Multitudes fail to give it any careful study, but many persons manifest their surprise and gratification at its extent and interest. Many thousands of the citizens of Illinois will here get their first impressions concerning the methods and requirements of and for modern high class and technical education. Already many from other portions of this country an d from foreign lands have given the exhibit appreciative observation. The fact t h a t the University exhibit proper is placed alongside those by the State Laboratory of Natural History and the State entomologist is fortunate for all interests. The plans agreed upon by ,the commission provide for the constant attendance of one member of the faculty of the University, whose expenses are to be paid, and of either two or three students or instructors, who are to be paid $75 a month. A serious question is the danger of injury to or loss of articles exhibited. Already several articles have been stolen. Some things are necessarily exposed. In some cases the protection can only be slight. I t will be practically impossible so to guard the exhibit as to prevent possible danger of theft. With the condition of the funds at the disposal of t h e commission it is hardly probable it would assume the liability. During my stay at the Exposition I was increasingly impressed with the fact t h a t its close will give us a great opportunity for making collections of great value to us. In some cases the collections can be secured by exchange; in many cases, I believe, articles of much interest would be given us, especially by representatives of foreign exhibits or those from distant states. I suggest the importance of the preparation of a plan for systematic work in this direction. In most respects our relations with the commission have been pleasant and satisfactory. In regard to a few questions we feel t h a t decisions have been made which were incorrect and unjust. I take pleasure in