Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1896 [PAGE 48]

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PROCEEDINGS OF BOAED OF TRUSTEES.

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^ated the requests of the different departments for additional help, and has endeavored to discern the imperative needs of the^ University and to see in what directions funds for its extension and upbuilding should be applied to secure the largest future results. While the requests from the different departments show an intelligent grasp of their work and commendable enthusiasm in its prosecution, we have felt it necessary to ignore very many requests altogether, and to reduce materially the sums asked for in others, when we -come to consider all the interests of the University together and to lay plans for its wise and harmonious future development. If the University is to continue the course of expansion and growth upon which it has entered, and gain the position which the State University of Illinois should occupy among the universities of the neighboring states, and do what it well may m the educational work of Illinois, we are of the opinion that it would be wise for the legislature to make appropriations for the following additions to the plant. In most cases the additions are vital to meet the demands which the increasing number of students and the developing interests of the. State make upon the University; in all cases they are highly desirable. The sums asked for are arrived at by careful inquiry and are the result of the best judgment we have. They are as moderate in amount as we dare suggest when we remember our obligations to the future and that the State <?an no longer afford to erect structures which are not impressive in appearance, suited to the uses of modern university life, and constructed of such materials and in such ways as will endure:

Library and Audience Hall $250,000 00 Museum addition to Natural History Hall 80,000 00 Astronomical Observatory 15,000 00 President's House 20,000 00 Central heating", lighting, and power plant 55,000 00 Extending the equipment for College of Engineering 80,000 00 Apparatus and appliances 6,000 00 Increase of scientific collections and cabinets 4,000 00 Improvements in the Chemical Laboratory 5,000 00 Furnishing Engineering Hall 20,000 00 3,000 00 Materials for shop practice Dairy building 40,000 00 Laboratory for vegetable physiology 2,500 00 Paving street and laying side-walks 9,300 00 Eire protection 3,000 00 Additions to libraries 20,000 00 Taxes on Minnesota lands 3,200 00 For a small temporary building and equipment for work of the Biological Experiment Station on the Illinois River 5,000 00 Total

$621,000 00

The operating expenses of the University have materially advanced during the last two years. They now reach the sum of $56,000 annually, over fixed revenues, as nearly as can be estimated. Taking into consideration the continually increasing difficulty in maintaining former rates of interest on investments, the added cost of maintenance of plant as new buildings are added, and the imperative necessity of offering additional courses and improving the instruction, it will at least be necessary for the legislature to appropriate the .sum of $80,000 annually, for ordinary running expenses; and for half of the operating expenses of the Biological Experiment Station, $2,500, the other half being borne by the State Laboratory of Natural History. Respectfully submitted,

S. A. BULLARD, N. B. MORRISON,

Committee.

The report of the committee was approved. On motion of Mr. Morrison, $300 was appropriated for the purchase •of additional cases for the geological department. On motion of Mr. McLean, $130 was appropriated for the purchase <of a typewriter and cabinet for the use of the College of Engineering,