Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1938 [PAGE 253]

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1937]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

251

on April 26, 1937, to meet at the University with representatives of the State Department of Finance to scrutinize the budget. President Karraker called on the members of the committee for a report. Mrs. Plumb reported that the committee had met at the University on April 29 and 30 with representatives from the State Department of Finance, including Director S. L. Nudelman, Mr. William McClain, Mr. M. P. Akers, and Mr. J. J. Donoghue, and that after consideration of the budget during the two days, Director Nudelman had stated that he could not find any items in the budget which were unnecessary or in excess of the needs and requirements of the University, but that the budgetary situation in the State was such that he believed that an arbitrary reduction of two million dollars in the amount asked for the University from State funds was necessary. Mr. Moschel and Mr. Pogue concurred in this report. The board discussed the matter fully. President Karraker stated that it was his belief that the Governor and the State Department of Finance would not be satisfied with a reduction of less than two million dollars in the amount asked by the University. On motion of Mr. Cleary, the following was adopted: Whereas, the Board of Trustees has received a request from Mr. S. L. Nudelman, Director of the State Department of Finance, that the Board reduce the University budget by a minimum of two million dollars, be it Resolved, that the Board deems it impossible to make such a reduction without materially injuring the University. This resolution was adopted on roll-call by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Cleary, Mr. Mayer, Mr. Moschel, Mrs. Plumb; no, Mr. Adams; not voting, Mr. Karraker, Mr. Pogue; absent, Mrs. Freeman, Mr. Horner, Dr. Meyei", Mr. Wieland. Mr. Adams said that he voted against the resolution because he thought it undiplomatic and out of order. Mr. Mayer presented the following: Reiterating its previous position that the budget of the University of Illinois for the biennium of 1937-1939, as submitted to the State Department of Finance, is necessary to maintain the standards and prestige of the University, and that the elimination of construction items merely postpones necessary physical improvements—nevertheless, in an effort to meet the request of the Governor that this budget be reduced in view of the condition of State revenues, Be it resolved by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, That the President of the University is requested to recommend to the Board reductions in the budget of the University, in the total amount of $1,250,000, not less than half of which is to be taken from the permanent improvements budget. On motion of Mr. Mayer, this resolution was adopted by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Adams, Mr. Karraker, Mr. Mayer, Mr. Moschel, Mrs. Plumb; no, Mr. Cleary, Mr. Pogue; absent, Mrs. Freeman, Mr. Horner, Dr. Meyer, Mr. Wieland.