Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1904 [PAGE 122]

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98

UNIVEBSITY OF ILLINOIS.

[June 8,

I t seems to me there is no difficulty about the matter, and that all that the Board had in mind when i t adopted the resolutions may be easily attained by a request that the President, in his discretion, send such reports and papers to members of the Board in advance of meetings as will be of aid to them and promotive of the best interests of the University. This, I am constrained to say, after full experience and reflection, and with no purpose to magnify my own importance, is as far as the Board may safely go with security to the interests which are committed to my official care in advance of a meeting of the Board. I n a Board meeting all the President knows and all the papers of his office are a t the disposal of the Board. Therefore I recommend that the resolutions referred to be rescinded and that the following be adopted: i "Besolved, That the President of the University be requested, in the exercise of his free discretion, to send to members of the Board of Trustees in advance of meetings such reports as may be made to him by the Deans or other officers of the instructional force, or any other papers, when such early distribution will be likely to aid Trustees in the better understanding of matters to come before the Board, and not be incompatible with what the President conceives to be for the best interests of the University.'' I could doubtless work my way along to the end of my administration without any very serious difficulty over this matter, but I never can hope to transmit my office to another with its functions unimpaired and its freedom assured without making this request, and the remainder of my administration will be made smoother and the future will be more secure if you will give i t your favorable consideration. \

It was moved to adopt the recommendations with regard to reports, and the motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas—Messrs. Bayliss, McLean, Bullard, Nightingale, Kerrick, McKinley and Mrs. Abbott and Mrs. Evans; nay—Mr. Hatch; absent— Governor Yates, Mr. Dickirson and Mrs. Alexander. President Draper's bill of $126.10 for official expenses from June 26, 1902, to May 26, 1903, was allowed and ordered paid. The Hotel Beardsley bill of $37.50 for entertaining a legislative committee was allowed and ordered paid.

FINANCIAL REPORTS.

The financial report of the Director of the Laboratory of Natural History, Professor S. A. Forbes, for expenditures from April 1, 1901, to March 31, 1903, was presented by the Secretary and referred to the Finance Committee. The Registrar, Mr. W. L. Pillsbury, presented statements of dues from students as follows: University students, second semester, 1902-3; preparatory students, second semester, 1902-3; College of Medicine students for summer term and regular term, 1902-3; School of Pharmacy students for year ending April 30, 1903; School of Dentistry students for year ending June 1, 1903; and these were referred to the Finance Committee.