Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1940 [PAGE 627]

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624

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[October 20

THEFT OF EQUIPMENT FROM RADIO TRANSMITTER BUILDING ( S O U T H FARM) (8) A report from Mr. J. F . Wright, Director of Radio Station W I L L , that during the night of October i, 1939, an unauthorized person or persons entered the Transmitter Building (South F a r m ) and took equipment belonging to the Radio Station, valued at approximately $250. Included in the missing items were 14 transmitting tubes, 1 tube set tester, I meter panel, 1 recording amplifier, and 1 radio receiver. ( T w o other receivers, belonging to student engineers, were also taken.) T h e following steps are being taken to guard against a repetition of such theft: (1) T h e Physical Plant Department will fasten securely upper sashes of windows, leaving only the lower sections free for use. (2) All defective locks will be replaced. (3) Heavy screenings will be placed over all windows. (4) Watchmen will check all windows and doors of the Transmitter Building on their first evening rounds.

This report was received for record.

CHANGE IN NAME O F UNIVERSITY WOODS TO WILLIAM TRELEASE WOODS (9) About twenty-two years ago the University purchased a tract of woodland (approximately 60 acres) in Champaign County about five miles from the University, since known officially as the "University Woods." This is not to be confused with the Brownfield Woods, which is another woodland area purchased this year. T h e Faculty Committee on Natural Areas and Uncultivated Lands recommends that in view of the important part played by Dr. William Trelease, Professor of Botany, Emeritus, in the purchase and former management of this first-purchased forested area, and in view of his scholarly achievements and his distinguished service to the University, State, and Nation, this area be officially named the "William Trelease Woods."

On motion of Mr. Pogue, this change was authorized, and the Secretary was instructed to prepare an appropriate resolution and send a copy to Dr. Trelease.

PIPING A N D BILGE PUMPS FOR POWER PLANT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (10) T h e Director of the Physical Plant Department submits a schedule of bids received on piping and bilge pumps for the tunnel of the Power Plant distribution system. A copy of this schedule and a statement concerning this contract are hereby given to the Secretary of the Board for record. T h e Director recommends that all bids be rejected because engineering estimates of the cost of piping and bilge pump installations are at least $10,000 below the lowest bid, and that the Physical Plant Department be authorized to install the piping and bilge pumps itself instead of letting a contract. In this connection it should be noted that the University's request for a State appropriation of $1,675,000 for a new Power Plant and Distribution System was based on a thorough engineering study of all phases of this project and conservative estimates of cost. Prices on all contracts which have been let since July 1, 1939, when funds for this project became available, have increased from 10 to 20 per cent over the engineers' estimates. This makes it all the more necessary to conserve funds in every possible way to insure completion of the Power Plant and Distribution System within the funds made available for this project by the General Assembly of Illinois. While it is the general policy of the University to have construction work done on contract, in this particular case, with such a material difference between engineering estimates and contractors' bids, the public interest clearly justifies the University in doing the work itself and thus taking advantage of a substantial saving in order that sufficient funds may be available to complete the P o w e r Plant and Distribution System project during the current biennium, and within the total appropriation.