Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1946 [PAGE 1083]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1076

BOARD OF T R U S T E E S

[April 18

CONVERSION OF UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS INTO HOUSING

(32) I recommend that the Board of Trustees authorize the conversion of the Ice Skating Rink and the West Hall in the Stadium into dormitories for men students. I present herewith letters from Director S. C. Staley of the School of Physical Education, Professor Louise Freer, Head of the Department of Physical Education for Women, and Professor Douglas R. Mills, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, concerning the effects on the programs of physical education, recreational sports, and intercollegiate athletics of converting gymnasia facilities into dormitories. On motion of M r . McKelvey, the President of the University was authorized to request the Governor to release $120,000 from the appropriation for residence halls for this purpose. O n motion of Dr. Meyer, this recommendation was approved, and $120,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, was appropriated, if and when released, to meet the expense of conversion, by the following vote: Aye, M r . Davis, Mr. Fornof, M r s . Grigsby, M r . Livingston, M r . McKelvey, D r . Meyer, M r . Nickell; no, none; absent, M r . Green, Dr. Luken, M r . McLaughlin, M r . Williamson.

APPROPRIATION FOR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

At this point, the President of the Board presented a request from the Alumni Association for an additional appropriation of $5,000. O n motion of M r . Davis, this request was referred to the Committee on Alumni for consideration (see below, page 1077).

APPROPRIATION FOR TEACHER TRAINING AND RESEARCH IN EDUCATION OF FARMER VETERANS

(33) Under the provisions of Public Law 346 (the "G. I. Bill of Rights" Act of Congress) veterans may receive Federal subsistence pay while enrolled in a training program known as "on-the-job training." The program includes training in farming. The Governor of Illinois has designated the Superintendent of Public Instruction as the State official responsible for approving facilities and programs of this type in Illinois, and the Illinois State Board for Vocational Education has been designated by the Veterans Administration as the agency for training farmer veterans under the provisions of P. L. 346. The program places a large responsibility on the public schools of the State. Thus far more than 250 high schools have been approved for participation. Most of the Illinois high schools in rural areas will have to participate in the program because of the demand for such training from veterans. The State Supervisor of Agricultural Education estimates that 200 special teachers will be required in addition to the 340 regular teachers of vocational agriculture to provide training in the first year of the program. If a high school does not have a teacher of agriculture, it will be necessary to employ a special teacher for the veterans' classes. These teachers, both regular and special, will need the services of the University's staff in Agricultural Education. The services which can be rendered are as follows: 1. The preparation of printed and mimeographed materials on the purposes of veterans' education in agriculture, the organization and management of classes, teaching procedures, evaluation of the veterans' progress, and other aids. 2. Assisting in conferences and short courses for teachers of veterans. 3. Keeping closely in touch with the program as it develops, making available to teachers generally the suitable new practices which individual teachers originate, and otherwise providing a "clearing house" for ideas on the education of farmer veterans. 4. Studying systematically the program as it develops, so that research reports may be made during its progress and at its close. The staff of the State Board for Vocational Education will be fully occupied with the administrative and regular details of the program, so that most of the