Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1920 [PAGE 860]

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856

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[June 15,

The growth of the University will require the transfer of various departments from their present location to new locations. Professor White is at the present time making a detailed study of the situation of the various departments in reference to this transition period. It is believed that in this transition and growth it will not be necessary to remove or abandon any existing buildings until they have passed their period of usefulness. In connection with this study of Professor White, we feel that provisions for immediate growth can be taken care of by the building permanent structures on the south campus, rather than by adding to the present old buildings or by erecting temporary structures. Inasmuch as the campus plan is designed to direct the growth of the physical portion of the University for years to come, its adoption should not be looked upon as a program requiring the early expenditure of large sums of money, but should be viewed as a means of governing the placing and the construction of buildings and facilities as they are required from year to year by the development of the University, to the end that the University will in its final development conform to the comprehensive plan now to be established. The adherence to this plan, and the elimination of questions of temporary expediency, will assure the proper location of all buildings, planting, roads, and other facilities, thus leading toward the ideal ultimate development, without the expenditure of any greater sums than would be required for a haphazard growth. When the ideal solution has been analyzed sufficiently to establish its merit and to show that it represents a practicable development from the present situation, it can be adopted by the Commission. When so adopted, we can then proceed with the study of details and the preparation of drawings required for record and for properly presenting the scheme to the Trustees, the legislature, and the public. On the assumption that the Commission will be able to approve the general scheme within the next month or six weeks, it is our expectation to complete the presentation drawings by November of this year. Of the utmost importance in the study of the campus development is the question of roads, trees, planting in general, approaches, etc. It is our intention to engage the services of the best landscape architect available to assist in working out the details of this work. As the landscape work generally will be somewhat in advance of building construction, it is of great importance that it be developed in the general plan. The problem when first presented appeared to be fraught with considerable difficulties, but as it has been studied these difficulties become less formidable. It is a fortunate circumstance that the property which is needed for the development is> for the most part, already in the possession of the University, and available for this use. This property is in the direction of the natural expansion of the University, and includes the high ridge to the south of the present development which forms an ideal site for the University. The harmonizing of the present development and of the plans which had previously been developed for the growth of the University with the proposed ultimate growth that we are planning, appeared at first to be a very difficult matter, but as now developing it is found that the plans which had been developed previously require but slight modification to fit into the ultimate scheme. And furthermore, it seems that existing buildings can continue in service so long as they are physically fit.