Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1896 [PAGE 93]

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96

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

ment upon a very satisfactory basis at an expense which will not exceed $1,500.00 or $1,633.03 p3r annum, and which is likely to b3 very much less than that. I respectfully recommend the appointment of Mr. Walter Howe Jones as director of the department of music to be established. I also recommend the appointment of an instructor in vocal music. I also recommend the appointment of Mr. William L. Steele to a special musical scholarship in the University. Mr. Steele is now a student in the University in his junior year. A most worthy man, an excellent student with unusal ability, he has been of considerable assistance to us in a musical way during1 the last two years. During- that time he has led the military band. While he is much interested in University music, he feels that he cannot devote so much time to the matter without injury to his regular work, and I do not think it ought to be expected. He is willing to take two years in which to perform the work required in his senior year, and devote half of his time to general University music, for a compensation of $300.00 a year. I think it would be a unique compliment to him and an excellent arrangement for the University to bestow upon him a special musical scholarship of the value of $300.00 a year for the next two years. Taking the foregoing recommendations into consideration and also some other changes in the corps of instruction, of which it is not necessary to speak here in detail, I recommend that the corps of instruction with titles and salaries for the next year be determined as in the schedule submitted herewith. This schedule is made without any reference to the advisability of action by the Board of Trustees covering the general change of salaries for members of the corps of instruction or any classes thereof, but it is made with some special reference to what I conceive to be the special claims of individuals. Beyond all this I am constrained to say that I think the best interests of the University call for the establishment of a course of Domestic Science, but I have not been able to see my way clear for any particular recommendation upon that subject as yet.

REORGANIZATION OF THE SHOPS.

It seems to me that the situation in the mechanical shops is decidedly unfortunate. There is a lack of system, plan, and neatness in the shops. The men in charge of the shops have been selected, I fear, without sufficient reference to educational interests. The work of the shops will lack practical results unless it is closely allied to educational interests. I think a policy should be pursued which will bring intellectual development and manual skill into more intimate relationship. It seems to me, also, that there is an unfortunate association of commercial interests in our shop practice. The present arrangement is not only unfortunate educationally, but I think it is unfortunate from a business standpoint. I am constrained to believe that it is costly to our educational work and far from economical for our business interests. I am unable to see why two wood shops should be maintained and think one of them should be abolished without delay, in the interest of good work as well as of economy of space and of instructors and foremen. Beyond all this it will be necessary to remove the heavy iron-working machinery placed upon the second floor of the mechanical building. It not only causes the building to vibrate, but leads to apprehension as to its safety. A special appropriation has just been made by the legislature to cover the expense of these changes, and, while we are making the changes which it seems to me are imperatively necessary, it seems to be a proper time to make changes which are desirable. I therefore recommend: 1. That a new shop one story high be erected on the east side of the avenue leading from University Hall to Military Hall directly south of the old railroad track, and that this shop run east and w%st with the head against the avenue. 2. That the iron-working machinery on the second floor of Machinery Hall be removed to this shop.