Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1904 [PAGE 266]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

242

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

[Deo. 8,

connect with its line on Wright street. This permission is to be given only upon the agreement of the Eailway Company to withdraw wholly from all use or occupancy of the said strip of land which it may be occupying within three months from the time when said franchise shall have been granted by the City of Urbana. And upon the conveyance and permission herein referred to the litigation between the University and the Eailway Company shall be settled.

THE SCHOOL OF PHARMACY.

Ever since we have had possession of the School of Pharmacy, it has occupied a rented building at No. 465 State street, Chicago. The location has for some reasons not been desirable but still it has been in proximity to the business area and many of the drug stores of the city from which the school draws many students. As there is room for the school in the building occupied in p a r t by the College of Medicine and in p a r t by the College of Dentistry and as the occupancy of a p a r t of that building by the School of Pharmacy would aid in meeting the expenses of the building, i t seems well that the School of Pharmacy should be transferred to it. I t is therefore recommended t h a t the School of Pharmacy be moved to our own building in Chicago after the present year and that the Business Manager cause quarters to be fitted up for i t and adjust the matter of rent with the other interests involved.

PROPOSITION CONCERNING H O U S E FOR DIRECTOR OF THE EXPERIMENT STATION.

I transmit a letter from the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Director of the Agricultural Station, proposing that the University erect and maintain a house for the Director of the Experiment Station and offering to give a site on Wright street opposite the University grounds for the purpose, if the University will do so. I have advised that officer that I do not approve the proposition but would submit it to the Board if he desired, and he has expressed the wish t h a t I do so. Because the suggestion does not commend itself to my judgment, I would not have i t inferred that I am unmindful of the good purposes of Dean Davenport in the matter. I disapprove the proposition on the broad ground that I do not think i t good policy for the University to go farther than i t has gone in providing houses for its officers, unless i t shall seem necessary for the protection and care of its property. Aside from the broad question the following considerations appear to be against this particular proposition: There is no money appropriated for this purpose and to use funds provided for other purposes would involve the necessity of explanation and defense. I see no reason for erecting a house for the Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station which would not apply with equal force to a very considerable number of other University positions. An arrangement of this particular kind would in a moral and honorable, if not in a legal sense, bind ourselves and our successors to continue in office one who had given a site for such a house, when we are bound to keep ourselves and our successors wholly free in such a matter. Saying this, it is well for me to add, which I do with pleasure, that Dean Davenport's services are very satisfactory to the University, indeed t h a t they have deserved our warm commendation. Even this would not warrant us in ignoring the obvious principle suggested. And, moreover, it is quite possible that i t may seem well a t some time to separate the offices of Dean of the College of Agriculture and Director of the Experiment Station, and that we should remain free to do that, and in case it should be thought wise we should be free to assign the present incumbent of both to the one for which he may seem best adapted.