Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1940 [PAGE 271]

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268

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[March 14

connection with the Grand J u r y investigation of conditions in Champaign. These have included the rental of a house for offices and sleeping quarters for the staff and the use of a University car for local transportation. I recommend that an assignment of $3,000, or so much thereof as may be needed, be made from the General Reserve Fund to cover these and other expenses.

On motion of Mr. Jensen, this appropriation was made as recommended, by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Jensen, Mr. Karraker, Mr. Mayer, Mr. Moschel, Mrs. Plumb, Mr. Pogue; no, none; absent, Mr. Adams, Mr. Cleary, Mr. Horner, Dr. Meyer, Mr. Wieland.

LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING A U D I T O F ACCOUNTS AND INVESTIGATION OF METHODS O F C O N D U C T OF PROCEEDINGS OF STATE AGENCIES (37) A bill has been introduced in the 61st General Assembly ( H . B. 238) which would give the State Department of Finance certain additional duties and p o w e r s ; specifically (new language is in italics): " T o audit, investigate, review and examine or cause to be audited, investigated, reviewed or examined at any and all times, the accounts, operations and methods of conduct of proceedings of every private corporation, institution, association, board, commission, commissioner, department, institute, or agency of the State of Illinois receiving appropriations from the General Assembly." Another amendment in this bill would authorize and empower the Department of Finance to examine the accounts of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, which however does not concern the University. T h e present law gives the Department of Finance supervision over the accounts, reports, and operations of the departments which are under the Civil Administrative Code, but does not apply to the elective officers, including the Board of Trustees of the University. T h e proposed amendment would give the Department of Finance very broad powers with respect to every agency of the State, including the elective officers and the University. It would not only provide for an audit of financial transactions, but would include the right to investigate and review operations and methods of conduct of proceedings. Such a provision would have the effect of putting the Department of Finance in a position superior to that of the constitutional officers of the State and of the Board of Trustees. Under present laws, the Department of Finance is given the authority to prepare biennially a State budget. T h e University is required to file its budget requests with the Director of Finance. T h e law further provides that "The Director of Finance may, in his discretion, make further inquiries and investigations as to any item desired." It would seem that this power is ample to enable the Department of Finance to secure information that it may need concerning the financial operations of the University or any other elective division of the State government. T h e Auditor of Public Accounts, a constitutional officer, is empowered by law to audit all accounts of state officers and agencies. In view of the effect of this proposed legislation on the status of the Board of Trustees, it is being brought to the attention of the Board.

The Comptroller presented this matter and commented on it. The President of the University was authorized and requested to express the objections of the Board of Trustees to this legislation, on the ground that it impairs the autonomy of the Board and is obstructive to the proper and efficient conduct of the University.

VISIT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF ILLINOIS (38) In accordance with the custom of many years standing the General. Assembly of Illinois has been invited to make its biennial inspection of the University on April 27 and 28. T h e program will conform to that of previous years. T h e delegation will arrive late Thursday afternoon, April 27, and will have dinner in a body that night. Friday morning will be devoted to an inspec-