Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1894 [PAGE 165]

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166

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

$61,445; t h e amount for the present year, as the pay roll now stands, will be $76,080—an addition of $14,635. Of this increase $400 is to two professors, $300 to one assistant professor, and $3,150 to former instructors and assistants, or $3,850 additional pay to former members of the corps of instruction, leaving $10,785 to go to persons newly employed, without counting those who at the same salary take the places vacated by others. What may be termed new departments have been formed in philosophy, in economics and social science, in physiology, and in physical culture for women, while pedagogics has been separated and given a distinct head. Of the new teachers, two have been given the title of professor, and the others are ranked as assistant professors, instructors and assistants. Last year two fellowships were rilled; there are three now. A principal has been appointed for the preparatory school.

REGISTRAR.

The duties connected with the admission of persons desiring entrance to the University and with the term registration and records of students, heretofore devolving upon the regent, have been transferred to a newly appointed registrar and an office room has been provided for the purpose, as may be learned from the report of your executive committee. Mr. W. L. Pillsbury has been placed in this office, and these duties are to form a part of the already responsible matters entrusted to his charge. He has entered upon the work under the difficulties attendant upon any newly inaugurated business, with the added obstacle of having at this particular time many other things to which his attention is demanded. But the administration of the new office is successful from the start, and great relief is felt by myself as acting regent in the trying opening days of the term. Similar experience in some measure is anticipated throughout the year. All this indicates activity and growth. I am sure t h a t most of the members of the enlarged corps of instruction will find an abundance of demand upon their time and strength in the discharge of their regular duties, though it may prove t h a t there will be but few students in some of the new courses. The elective system now so largely introduced will, however, give opportunity to students to adjust themselves soon to newer and richer' offerings by the University and this will lead, it may be hoped, to better scholarship and merited renown, while the administration of affairs must be greatly improved.

REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS.

The material equipments and improvements of the University added since your last regular meeting are very evident to you all. Much attention has been given to the better fitting of the buildings for the work in hand. Repairs have been made where needed, many rooms have been newly painted and calcimined, blackboards have been renewed, much new furniture has been provided, the public offices have been remodeled, and separate quarters have been established for the preparatory school. A very much needed and highly appreciated improvement has been made in the construction of cement walks from the main entrance ways to t h e chief buildings. The city authorities of Urbana have been consulted again about a walk on Green street, and, while nothing has been done about it, members of the city council express themselves ready to vote for the improvement as soon as it seems possible to provide for the expense. The proposition is made to put down this walk at once if the* University will furnish t h e brick. I t seems to me this proposal might now be accepted in regard to a walk on the west side of Mathews avenue from Green street to the east door of Natural History Hall. This distance is 220 feet and the cost would be about $50.00 for a walk six feet wide. Some further needs for repairs, etc., on the buildings will, I presume, be presented by your committee on buildings and grounds.