Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1920 [PAGE 859]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

19203

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS REPORT OF PROGRESS ON CAMPUS P'LANS

855

Mrs. Blake presented a report of progress on the campus plans drawn up by the Consulting Architect, Holabird and Roche.

Acting on authority from the trustees of the University of Illinois, we, during the past several months, have been studying a campus plan for the University. For the past few months we have worked under the direction, and with the assistance, of the special commission appointed from the Board of Trustees and the Faculty. I*1 these studies we have had the cooperation of Professor James M. White, who has furnished us with valuable data, has advised with us in reference to various ideas and schemes that have been under consideration during previous years, and has assisted in coordinating the proposed scheme with existing conditions. The general scheme as now developed contemplates the continued growth southward. Ultimately, the land occupied will include the ridge which extends in an east and west direction across the University farm. This ridge, with the intervening high points, has sufficient variation in elevation to permit an interesting landscape development and provide building sites having a beautiful outlook on the surrounding country. Sketches have been made expressing this general scheme in a comprehensible way, and these are being used in studying the correlation with the existing plant. In solving this problem of preparing a comprehensive plan for future growth, it has been our aim, first, to establish the ultimate ideal as to location and general arrangement, disregarding almost wholly all temporary difficulties and physical obstructions. With this ideal fairly well established, the scheme is being modified to meet the major difficulties that would interfere with its consummation. The minor difficulties, and especially those of a temporary nature, can doubtless be overcome as the detailed plans are developed. Professor White's last study of the campus development included the area between the auditorium and the cemetery. As a result of our combined efforts we have arrived at an arrangement of the various colleges in what might be termed their eventual positions. This study has shown that Professor White's arrangement of the south campus requires but slight modification in order to properly .connect with the ultimate deyelopment farther south. Although the required modifications are slight in amount, they are very vital in importance because the wrong location of a building might seriously interfere with the development of the ultimate plan. This shows the absolute necessity of having the general study on the broadest possible basis before additional buildings could properly be placed. This point is entitled to the greatest emphasis, as the placing of such a building as the Library or other important structure, if not in harmony with the ultimate scheme, would create a situation that could not be rectified. It is for the purpose of solving just such a question as the Library site that the whole development of the campus scheme is made.