Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1914 [PAGE 757]

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1914]

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

755

On behalf of the committee and of the association, I hereby request that action be taken by the trustees in effect like the following: Since the Alumni Association of the University of Illinois has undertaken through regularly constituted channels to raise $150,000 for a Gregory Memorial Building and Art Collection and has expressed a preference for a building site, therefore be it resolved: (1) That the action of the Association in this relation meets our hearty commendation and approval. (2) That the site represented on the new campus plans by the east and west wing of the L-shaped building ground plan west of the Auditorium and south of Lincoln Hall be assigned for said memorial building, and that permission is hereby given for the publication of such assignment. This definite action is asked for as an aid in conducting a campaign for subscriptions and to show the favor of the trustees. I may say that I visited last week the University of Michigan, where such a memorial building has recently been erected on the campus at the expense jointly of the Alumni Association and the Board of Regents (Trustees), the latter contributing $50,000 of the total cost of $206,000. It too is used in large part for a r t collections, of which they now have a fine display. The building, which is a notable one, and its contents are a great inspiration to the higher life of the University. Very truly yours,

T. J . BURRIIiL,

Director of Campaign. On the recommendation of President James and on motion of Mr. Hoit, the hoard voted to approve the request of Dr. Burrill and to assign the site immediately west of the Auditorium and south of Lincoln Hall as a location for the proposed Gregory Memorial Building.

S I T E ASSIGNED FOR S M I T H M E M O R I A L MUSIC BUILDING.

(3) The following communication from Mr. Thomas J. Smith, a former trustee of the University: To the Board of Trustees, University of Illinois: It has been my purpose, for a little more than ten years past, to provide means for the erection of a music building on the grounds of the University of Illinois as a memorial building to my,wife. Inasmuch as she was something of a musician herself and was greatly interested in the success and welfare of the University, and an absolutely devoted friend of the University, I know of no better way to perpetuate her memory than to say to the Board of Trustees that I have provided in my will, such sum of money as may result from the closing" of my estate, after the payment of expenses and minor bequests, which I am hoping shall not be less than $200,000. While I am in no sense a musician, there is nothing dearer to my heart than the development of music. It is the greatest thing in the world and contributes more to the happiness and pleasure of people than anything within my knowledge, aside from the necessary living expenses of human beings. I am, aware that building space on the campus is becoming a matter of great concern to the Board of Trustees and to the authorities of the University, and I make this communication to the board, asking that if the board approves the enterprise which I propose, they make an assignment of space for the erection of a building which I hope may soon materialize. I have been shown t h e site, by the President and Professor White, east of the Auditorium, corresponding to the site west of the Auditorium which the alumni desire for the Gregory Memorial Building, and the site is very satisfactory to me. I would therefore ask that, if the board favorably considers these suggestions, the particular space of ground be assigned for that building. Most respectfully submitted,

THOMAS J. SMITH. URBANA-CHAMPAIGN, ILL.J June 8, 1914.

On the recommendation of President James and on motion of Dr. Montgomery, the site immediately east of the Auditorium was assigned as a location for the Tina Weedon Smith Memorial Building for the School of Music. The President of the University was instructed to convey to Mr. Smith the thanks and appreciation of the Board of Trustees. LOCATION OF WOMEN'S RESIDENCE HALLS. At this point the question of the location of the women's residence halls was introduced. Mrs. Busey offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the board express its preference for the Nevada Street site for the Women's Residence Hall and direct the Finance Committee to secure options for the purchase of lots 23, 24 and 25 on the south side of Nevada Street, between Matthews and Lincoln avenues. Mrs. Evans moved to amend by the substitution of the Armstrong site for the Nevada Street site. The amendment was lost by the following vote: Ayes, Mrs. Evans; noes, Mr. Abbott, Mrs. Busey, Mr. Hoit, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Moore; not voting, Mrs. Henrotin, Mr. Trevett, Miss Watson; absent, Mr. Blair, Mr. Dunne, Mr. Meeker.