Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1938 [PAGE 307]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1937]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

305

is required t o submit a budget to the Department of Finance, and the Department has authority t o call on the University, as well as other departments, for any necessary information relating to that budget. Authority to audit the accounts of state departments and institutions is vested by the State Constitution in the Auditor of Public Accounts. The University for many years has provided for audits by independent public accountants, and copies of their reports are filed with the Governor. This bill would have given the Department of Finance extremely broad inquisitorial powers over all elected State officials, including the Board of Trustees. It was passed by the House, but failed to pass in the Senate. VI. Additional Scholarships A bill (H.B. No. 522) was introduced by Representative Nicholas L. Hubbard of Mt. Pulaski, a t the request of one of the county superintendents of schools, increasing the number of County Scholarships in counties having a population of over 40,000. The objections of this bill were explained to the sponsor and he did not press its passage. VII. Southern Illinois State Normal University A bill (H.B. No. 585) was introduced by Representative C. D. Johnson of Belleville and Representative Sidney Parker of Texico providing that the Southern Illinois State Normal University a t Carbondale be made a branch of the University of Illinois and that its management be transferred to the Board of Trustees of the University. The House Committee on Education recommended t h a t this bill be not passed, and it was tabled. V I I I . Illinois Budgetary Commission House Bill No. 662, introduced by Representative James P. Boyle of Chicago, which was passed, establishes the Illinois Budgetary Commission, which consists of the Governor as an ex-officio member, the Chairman of the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House, two members of the Senate, and two members of the House. This Commission is authorized to make a thorough study and investigation of all State expenditures and income from all sources, to formulate and recommend a plan for the standardization and classification of all salaries and other compensation for services rendered to the State, and to report its recommendation to the Governor not later than September 1 preceding the convening of the next General Assembly. The Commission is required to submit a duplicate of its report to the General Assembly. This bill will undoubtedly affect the University. I X . State Employees' Benefit and Retirement Fund House Bill No. 906, introduced by Representative Benjamin S. Adamowski of Chicago, providing for a pension system for State employees was introduced late in the session. Sponsors of the bill did not refer it to the University officials, nor discuss it with them, prior to its introduction. As originally drawn, the pension plan would be optional, but the bill was completely redrafted on June 9, and in the amended form it would have included every member of the University's staff and every employee including part-time assistants and student employees. To protect the interests of the University the bill was amended to eliminate the faculty and scientific staff from its provisions, but leaving the way open for the Civil Service staff to be included, if the board which will administer this plan deems it advisable. The plan requires a deduction of five percent from the salary or wage of every employee included and applies to all salaries up to $3,000.'

This report was received for record and action on the various matters was deferred until later in the meeting.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO COURSES IN CHEMISTRY (2) T h e anticipated registration in the Department of Chemistry for 1937-1938 is so large t h a t the number of laboratory desks available will not accommodate all of the expected students. Consequently it will be necessary to put into effect measures regulating registrations in courses in Chemistry. The problem was referred to the Committee on Educational Policy for its consideration, in consultation with reprel On July 19, 1937, subsequent to this meeting of the Board, House Bill No. 906 was vetoed by the Governor.