Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1946 [PAGE 1086]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1946]

UNIVERSITY OF

ILLINOIS

IO79

T h e Legal Counsel stated that the B o a r d could legally b o r r o w these funds and pledge the income. O n m o t i o n of D r . M e y e r , t h i s p r o j e c t w a s a p p r o v e d i n p r i n c i p l e , a n d t h e p r o p e r officers w e r e a u t h o r i z e d t o n e g o t i a t e f o r t h e p u r c h a s e of l a n d f o r s i t e s a n d f o r t h e p u r c h a s e of p r e f a b r i c a t e d h o u s e s . RELEASE OF F U N D S IN APPROPRIATION FOR STUDENTS' RESIDENCE HALLS

The Comptroller presented the following item for the President of the University.

The State appropriations to the University for the biennium of 1045-1047 for buildings and other capital improvements include $1,500,000 for "Students' residence halls and equipment." T h e Board of Trustees is also authorized by law to issue bonds not to exceed $1,500,000 to finance the purchase or construction of students' residence halls. The original plans were to use this appropriation and borrowing power to erect the following buildings: i. Residence hall for approximately 450 women; estimated cost $1,500,000. T h e sum of $27,000 has been assigned for architectural work on this project. 2. Apartment building for married students, approximately 200 units of two and three r o o m s ; estimated cost $1,000,000. T h e sum of $37,125 has been assigned for architectural work on this building. Immediately after this legislation was enacted and approved, steps were taken by the University to prepare plans and specifications for these buildings. Plans for the women's residence hall will be ready to submit to contractors for bids on or before June 1, 1046. With the sudden termination of World W a r II in August, 1945, and the ensuing demobilization of the armed forces, large numbers of veterans began returning to the University of Illinois in the fall of 1945. Immediately steps were necessary to find facilities for these veterans. As a part of its housing program the University secured from the Federal Public Housing Authority 275 portable houses which were assigned to married veterans enrolling in the University and placed in service at the beginning of the second semester 19451946. T h e Federal Public Housing Authority has allocated 371 additional units (310 for married students and 61 for single students) which are now being installed. On recommendation of the Board, the Governor approved an allocation of $500,000 from the $1,500,000 State appropriation for students' residence halls and equipment to pay the University's share of the cost of these temporary housing projects. T h e Federal Government will pay a part of the cost, and it is estimated that the cost to the University of the houses already in service and now being installed will not exceed $400,000, leaving $100,000 for other uses. The University has also converted the Gymnasium Annex-into a barrackstype of dormitory housing 300 men. A separate recommendation is being submitted to the Board of Trustees to authorize converting the Ice Skating Rink and the West Hall of the Memorial Stadium into similar dormitories which will provide housing for 700 men. T h e estimated cost of this conversion is

$120,000.

T h e University is also confronted with a problem of housing for its staff. T h e increase in enrollment requires additions to the faculty, and housing is not available in Urbana-Champaign for new staff members. A recent survey indicates that as of September, 1946, there will be a deficiency of an estimated 685 housing units for faculty and other employees. Completion of the apartment building for married students will contribute to the relief of this situation, since graduate students who are part-time instructors could also be housed in such a building. Because of the necessity of proceeding as rapidly as possible with all projects that can be financed by the State appropriation and through bond issues, it is recommended that the Board request the Governor to release the balance of $935,875 in the appropriation for students' residence halls and equipment and that this fund be allocated as shown below, with authority to make transfers between allocations within the total. ( T h e previous releases by the Governor total $564,125, of which $500,000 was