Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1940 [PAGE 120]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1938]

U N I V E R S I T Y OF I L L I N O I S

"7

tration, the improvement of radio offerings, and development of extramural extension work. A more complete analysis of this item and further details will be presented later in this meeting of the Board. If the University is to keep pace with rapidly changing social and economic conditions, it is essential that we have the resources to adjust our educational programs to meet new demands. T h e reputation of the University and of the State for its University are at stake in this respect. H-a. Additions to expense and equipment $275 000 T h e current expense and equipment budgets of departments were radically reduced during the years of seriously curtailed income. These reductions have been only partially restored. Requests of the deans and directors for further additions are materially in excess of the amount recommended by the Advisory Committee, which is considered a minimum requirement. This figure also includes increased operating costs in new buildings being added to the Physical Plant during the current biennium. H-b. Non-recurring special equipment $200 000 One of the most serious situations with respect to the expense and equipment budget is the difficulty of providing for major replacements resulting from both depreciation and obsolescence. Rapidly changing conditions necessitate frequent changes in equipment in order to keep instructional programs at a level with industrial, professional, and social progress. These needs are especially acute in the engineering, agricultural, and other scientific departments. I. Contingent Fund $100 000 T h e Board of Trustees has already put itself on record with respect to the importance of a more adequate contingent fund. T h e general reserve of the University has shown a material reduction in the past few years as compared to the amount during the decade prior to 1930. In its present condition it is entirely inadequate to protect the Board against unexpected emergencies. Building Budget W i t h respect to the building budget, the items included for the most part are those which have been before the Board for some time and with which the Board is fully familiar. T h e necessity for a new power plant has been obvious for several years, and the need is now greater as a result of the buildings under construction. Since the report of the Special Building Committee was prepared, consulting engineers have been engaged to survey the whole problem. Their report has just been received and will be submitted to the Board at its next meeting. If the recommendation contained therein for the erection of a new plant in a new location is adopted, the amount necessary for this purpose will be $2,000,000. This amount has been included in the budget as submitted subject to further discussion of the entire problem. The three items of improvements and addition in the Chemistry Building and new agricultural laboratories, totaling $500,000, are essential to take care of Chemistry, which in turn necessitates new provision for certain agricultural activities. This latter provision, however, is needed irrespective of the Chemistry problem. T h e question of men's dormitories also has been clearly recognized and, since such projects can be made partially self-liquidating, only a portion of the total cost is needed by way of appropriation or Federal grant. T h e item of $200,000 for general improvements of buildings and campus is intended to make possible further rehabilitation of our older buildings which are structurally sound by installing modern facilities in lighting, heating, ventilation, plumbing, acoustics, and internal arrangements. Funds for such purposes now will mean less needed for new buildings later, as well as better utilization of what we already have. T h e Director of the Physical Plant has submitted a list of major items totaling $375,000, many of which are essential for the next biennium, so that the amount suggested is $200,000 instead of $100,000 mentioned by the Building Committee. T h e problem of equipment for the second unit of the Medical and Dental Building in Chicago is not entirely solved. T h e original estimate of cost of