Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1900 [PAGE 300]

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280

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

[April 18,

The roof of University Hall has been treated with paint in the same manner. The exterior wood work of University Hall was repaired and improved and all repainted so that further decay and damage has been arrested and the building has been given a much better appearance. The tower clock in University Hall has been cleaned and put in good condition; dials were repainted and lettered. This clock was first put in 21 years ago and has been doing service ever since. It was made at the University shops, by students, after a design by Professor S. W. Robinson, who was then in the chair of mechanical engineering. The clock was a gift of the graduating class of 1878. It is now in condition to continue its regular work for a good many years. The Committee thought best to close with sash and glass the open ventilators in the forge shop. These have been put in, some of the sash being hung so that the shop could be easily ventilated. The result has been a much better condition for the men working in the shops during the cold weather. The floor of the forge shop has been largely made of vitrified brick and by this means is now kept dry where the men are working, while before it was damp and sometimes wet. The walls of the forge shop, pattern room, and wood shop have been whitewashed. A few changes were made in the radiators of Engineering Hall so as to bring the apparatus to the highest efficiency, and the result has been satisfactory. The creek east and west of the shop and south of the boiler house has been improved by having its banks partly walled up and its line somewhat straightened, and thus fixed so that it will carry off water much better than before. Our experience during the high water last spring has suggested this precaution. Many minor improvements were made on the grounds and in several of the buildings during the summer and autumn. The most notable, perhaps, was-the laying of a large amount of cement walk. Walks have heretofore been laid by c o n t r a b a n d the cost has been 14 cts. per square foot. The work this year has been done by the day under the direction of the Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds. We were fortunate in having in our employ a man who was familiar with the making of concrete walks. He was made foreman of the labor gang. So far as we can see the walks put in by him are as good or better than any heretofore put down by contract, and they have cost the University about 11 cts. per square foot. Your Committee is of the opinion that it is best to have our walks laid in this manner hereafter, provided a man scan be employed who has the requisite skill to take charge of their construction. We can then obtain the very best walks that can be made at their actual cost. The President's house was repainted and redecorated during the vacation. This work was very much needed though the house is yet a new one. The pavement on Burrill avenue from G-reen street to Springfield avenue was finished in the fall after the opening of the session. The curbing is the best form of concrete curbing used in the pavements of Champaign and Urbana, and the pavement the best form of brick pavement made with concrete foundation. The grade of the avenue was raised considerably immediately north and south of the bridge so that now it is above the walk running on the east side of the pavement. This is especially noticeable in front of the Electrical Laboratory. It may be necessary later to elevate the walk. Improvements in Illinois Field have been made during the summer and fall and some work has been done during the winter. A considerable amount of cinders has been required for the construction of the track, and it was not possible to obtain at once all that were necessary. This lack has been the chief cause of delay. Drains have been laid which the Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds thinks sufficient to keep the field dry, though not so extensive as at first planned. If it become, necessary, the drainage system can be extended hereafter'and the new connected with the old so that all will be as complete when finished as if the work had been done at one time.