Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1936 [PAGE 152]

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[March 12

2. Broken or worn connectors or selectors might cause a short that would burn the entire exchange. Mr. Smith states that he has recently found shorts in the side wipers that have burned off the wires. 3. A fire on the switchboard might deprive the University of 735 intercommunicating telephones and throw all of this load on the existing 265 Bell phones, which are not properly located nor sufficient in number to carry the entire load. 4. T h e unsatisfactory condition of the intercommunicating phones is causing an increased demand for Bell phones and therefore increasing the operating expense. 5. In case of a breakdown of the intercommunicating exchange, at least 100 Bell phones would probably have to be installed at once, which would cost approximately $875 for the first month and $675 per month thereafter. New intercommunicating equipment would probably not be available for operation until six months after an order had been placed. T h e 100 Bell phones for a sixmonths period would mean an additional cost of $4,160 in rental. 6. We are also certain that even if the exchange should last until Mr. Smith retires on September 1, 1936, its life would be very short after that time. A final report and comparative analysis of the costs of a new system and the maintenance of the present one will be submitted later. In the meantime the above is presented to show what may be expected if no provision is made in the next biennial budget for the purchase of a new exchange. T h e studies thus far made indicate that a private intercommunicating system will require the lowest operating costs, and that either a new system must be installed or additional funds must be provided for even the minimum number of Bell Telephones which will have to be added to replace the present intercommunicating system. This matter was referred to the Committee G r o u n d s for consideration a n d report. on Buildings and

R E P O R T ON LEGISLATION A F F E C T I N G G E N E R A L ASSEMBLY S C H O L A R S H I P S (10) A report that the Senate Committee on Education of the 59th General Assembly held a hearing on March 6 to consider statements from the representatives of the University concerning Senate Bill 136, which proposes to provide two additional scholarships for each member of the General Assembly for 1935 and 1936. T h e effect of an increase in the number of scholarships on the University's budget was explained. The proponents of the bill suggested that any amendments which may be desirable may be offered on the floor of the Senate, and the Committee finally reported the bill out with the recommendation that it do pass.

This report was received for record.

R E P O R T ON LEGISLATION TO ABOLISH TUITION F E E S (11) On March 6 the Senate Committee on Education of the 59th General Assembly considered Senate Bill 198, which would exempt residents of Illinois attending the University from paying any tuition fees, and invited representatives of the University to make statements concerning the effect of this bill on the University's budget. It was stated to the Committee that if the bill becomes a law the Legislature would have to appropriate not less than $750,000 per year additional money from t a x funds to make up for the loss of income from student fees. T h e Committee voted that the bill be tabled. T h i s report was received for record. R E P O R T O N I N D E P E N D E N T SURVEY O F B U D G E T (12) A report that by agreement with the Governor, Mr. A r t h u r Andersen, of Arthur Andersen and Company, has been retained as the accountant to serve with Dr. W. W. Charters, of Ohio State University, to make the Independent Survey of the University's budget for 1935-37.