Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1912 [PAGE 623]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1912]

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OE TRUSTEES..

579

WHEREAS, There does not seem to be any available plant in the city of Chicago which may be used forv a medical school at any price which the University would be willing or able to pay; therefore be it Resolved, That the medical and dental work now conducted by the University of Illinois in the city of Chicago, be closed on June 30, 1912. The vote was as follows: Ayes, Mr. Abbott, Mr. Anthony, Mrs. Bahrenburg, Mr. Grout, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Hoit, M r . Moore; noes, n o n e ; absent, Mr. Blair, Mrs. Bnsey, Mr. Deneen, Mrs. Evans, Mr. Meeker.

APPROPRIATION OF $250,000.00 TO B E ASKED.

The following additional resolution was adopted*: Be it further resolved, That the Trustees of the University request the Legislature, now in special session, for an appropriation of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00) tor the development of the work of research and instruction in medicine and public health at the site of the University in Urbana-Champaign. The vote was as follows: Ayes, Mr. Abbott, Mr. Anthony, Mrs. Bahrenburg, Mr. Grout, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Hoit, Mr. Moore; noes, n o n e ; absent, Mr. Blair, Mrs. Busey, Mr. Deneen, Mrs. Evans,, Mr. Meeker.

S T A T E M E N T I N EEGARD TO THE: MEDICAL SCHOOL. •

The president of the University was authorized to issue the following "Statement concerning the Medical school of the University,of Illinois:" The University of Illinois undertook some years ago in the city of Chicago an experiment in the work of medical education. As it had received no grant from the Legislature for the erection of a plant, it leased the buildings, ground, and equipment necessary for the use of a medical school from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the city of Chicago. The rental paid for this property was very reasonable, not exceeding, in fact, the fixed charges of the plant, counting in the interest on the mortgages and bonds and the -requirements of the sinking fund. The school has been conducted for some fifteen years under this general arrangement, with details varied from time to time. During that period the school has been greatly improved, and ranks today among the good American medical schools.

* This second resolution was adopted subject to the expected ruling of the Attorney General of Illinois on the question whether the General Assembly at its special session might increase the amount voted for the medical school at its last regular session. This ruling, received under date of April 11,1912, was as follows. ' . SPRINGFIELD, I I I . , April 11,1912. Hon. Edmund J. James, President University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois DEAR SIR—I acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 6th iast., in which, in referring to the proclamation convening the General Assembly in extraordinary session, you submit the question as to whether or riot the phraseology of the Governor's call would prevent the Legislature from granting a larger sum than $60,000.00 per annum to the University of Illinois for the maintenance, extension, and equipment of the College of Medicine. In reply thereto, I would say that the constitution provides that the Governor may, on extraordinary occasions, convene the General Assembly, by proclamation, stating therein the purpose for which they are convened: * " a n d the General Assembly shall enter into no business except that for which they were called together." Sec. 8, Article V, Constitution. On March 25,1912, Governor Deneen issued a proclamation convening the General Assembly in extraordinary session on March 26, 1912, to consider, among others, the following matter: " T o make an appropriation for the Medical Department of the University of Illinois." The general subject, therefore, upon which the legislature may legislate is for the purpose of appropriating money for the Medical Department of,the University of Illinois. The amount which will be appropriated, the terms and conditions of the appropriation, whether for one year or for a lump sum, whether for the use at Urbana or at another place in the State to be designated, are wholly matters of legislative discretion which may be exercised under the Governor's call. The Governor has not limited th$ Legislature to particulars in any appropriation. ~ Very respectfully,

W. H. STEAD,

Attorney General.