Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1916 [PAGE 42]

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42

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

[July 11,

On motion of Mrs. Henrctin, the general design of the building submitted by the State Architect was approved. RELATIONS OF T H E UNIVERSITY W I T H T H E STATE ARCHITECT. At the request of President James, the Supervising Architect made a statement concerning the relations existing between the University and the State Architect, to the effect that under the present system it is impossible to prepare plans for buildings in advance of appropriations. The Auditor of Public accounts has ruled that the State Architect may collect fees only on the basis of contracts actually awarded. If a branch of the State Architect's office could be installed at the University, the preliminary plans for proposed buildings could be prepared here at less expense than at present, and the cost could be deducted from the State Architect's commissions. All such plans would be submitted to the State Architect for approval and would bear his name. Mr. Dibelka said that he desired to cooperate with the University in every possible way, and that he was in favor of some arrangement similar to the one outlined by Prof. White. On motion of Dr. Montgomery, President Abbott was requested to appoint a committete* to act with the Supervising Architect and the State Architect in formulating the terms of a plan for cooperation with the State Architect, and to report the plan to the board. BUDGET AND BUILDING POLICY. President James made the following statement concerning the policy of the University with respect to the budget and the letting of contracts for new buildings: The process of budget making for the present biennium has been an extremely difficult one, owing to a number of peculiar circumstances. Aside from the. usual, somewhat insistent, demands from the various departments for increase in their allowances, which is always with us, a change in the method of keeping the funds of the University compels a continual readjustment of budget proposals. Under the interpretation of the Supreme Court in this State, money in the State treasury on the 30th day of September, following the close of the biennium, reverts to the treasury and must be reappropriated if the various institutions are to have the benefit of it. This compels us to adjust our budget so that the appropriations granted by the Legislature can be used up within the biennium. The board can no long-er appropriate the sum of $100,000 for a building and hold that sum in the treasury until the building is completed and paid for, as any balance in the hands of the State Treasurer would revert on the 30th day of September, no matter what contracts the board might have entered into. This may necessitate, as a consequence, for example, the starting of two or three buildings which the University needs, instead of the completion of one, with the money which may be set aside for this purpose, owing to the impossibility of finishing a building within the time. » The ever increasing regulation of University affairs by the State Civil Service Commission makes it difficult to adopt and maintain an efficient system of business and clerical administration. The dependence of the University upon the office of the State Architect for preparing plans has introduced another embarrassing and retarding element in the making and execution of building plans. Our present appropriation bill is quite different in form from any preceding one and the uncertainty as to the interpretation which the State Auditor and State Treasurer might put upon its provisions proved a still further source of embarrassment. The unexpectedly large appropriations for the purchase of land during the biennium. has been another serious difficulty in the way of providing for pressing necessities for equipment and increase of force in the various departments. I am at the present time therefore able to present only a part, of the budget for the coming year—that relating to the appointment of members of the instructional staff. As soon as the Registrar has completed the classification of positions under the Civil Service Law, I shall be able to submit the clerical and administrative budget. The expense budget must, to a certain extent, wait upon the determination of these two. The Trustees have adopted a general building program as follows: Addition to the Chemistry Building $250,000 Administration Building 125,000 School of Education Building 120,000 Engineering and Ceramics Building 120,000 Woman's Residence Hall 100,000 Total $715,000 * President Abbott later announced the following committee: The Finance Committee and the Supervising Architect.