Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1944 [PAGE 314]

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1943]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

3"

The Comptroller commented on this matter. On motion of Mr. Jensen, the appropriation was made as recommended, by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Davis, Mr. Fornof, Mrs. Grigsby, Mr. Jensen, Mr. Karraker, Mr. Livingston, Dr. Luken, Mr. McKelvey, Dr. Meyer, Mr. Nickell; no, none; absent, Mr. Green.

LAPSING OF APPROPRIATION FOR BAND BUILDING (21) T h e following letter from the Comptroller is a memorandum of a conference which the President of the University had with Director A. A. H a r d ing of the University Bands, Director C. S. Havens of the Physical Plant Department, Mr. E. L. Stouffer, Architect in the Physical Plant Department, and Mr. Lloyd Morey, the Comptroller, on March 17 to discuss the status of the appropriation made for the biennium of 1941-1943 for the construction of a new Band Building. As stated in this letter, it is the recommendation of the officers of the University concerned that this appropriation be permitted to lapse unused for the reasons indicated. I further recommend that the Board of Trustees go on record at this time approving the Band Building as the first new building for which funds will be requested in the future when it is possible to proceed with such construction work. March 18, 1943

DEAR PRESIDENT W I L L A R D :

I am submitting this memorandum of a conference with you, participated in by Directors Harding and Havens, Mr. Stouffer and myself, on the question of the disposition of the unexpended balance of the State appropriation for the current biennium for the new Band Building, $125,000. About $119,000 remains unexpended in this appropriation. T h e expenditures made consist of those incident to the preparation of detailed plans and specifications for the building. T h e appropriation expires, unless re-appropriated, on September 30, 1943. It is impossible to carry out the construction of the building between now and that time on account of government restrictions. T h e problem is presented as to whether the appropriation shall be allowed to lapse or whether a re-appropriation shall be requested, or whether the balance shall be used for other purposes as the Appropriation Act permits. T h e appropriation was made before a detailed study of requirements was completed. Consequently it was only a general estimate. It is now found that to construct the building and provide the facilities needed and in the location desired (which will be the present location and thus involves moving the present structure for continued temporary use during the period of construction) will require an outlay of $175,000. Consequently, even though the present balance is re-appropriated, an additional apppropriation of about $50,000 would be necessary to carry out the project. T h e State administration is not looking with favor on capital appropriations for the coming biennium. T h e administration is recommending that this division of the State make plans for post-war capital projects, and when the war ends early consideration will be given to provision for them. Since there is no certainty as to whether this project can be carried on during the coming biennium, it appears doubtful whether the administration would favor the impounding of the balance in the present appropriation. Even if that were done the building could not be completed without an additional appropriation which doubtless could not be secured at this time. While the Appropriation Act would permit the use of this fund for other purposes, there are no projects of pressing necessity for which the money is urgently needed at this time and which can be carried out under present federal restrictions. It is believed that the restoration of the Band Building appropriation can be accomplished most readily if the entire balance in the appropriation is permitted to lapse and then a request for its reinstatement with the added amount necessary to cover it adequately is again made as a Number I item at the earliest appropriate opportunity. In view of all these considerations it was the conclusion of the group mentioned that it should be recommended to the Board that the unexpended