Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1946 [PAGE 1158]

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1946]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

"SI

RECOMMENDATION FROM FACULTY COMMITTEE ON PATENTS (4) Dr. George C. Decker, Entomologist in the Agricultural Experiment Station and the State Natural History Survey, reports that during the course of research on a fellowship sponsored by the Monsanto Chemical Company, Dr. C. J. Weinman, Special Research Assistant on the project, and D r . H e n r y L. Morrill of the Monsanto Chemical Company have collaborated and pooled their information and ideas relative to certain individual chemical compounds and series of compounds which might prove effective in controlling mites. In their work one compound, chlorinated orthonitrobiphenyl, was found to have good miticide properties and although perhaps not outstanding in this respect, the Monsanto Chemical Company has deemed it advisable to apply for a patent covering its use as a miticide. Since Doctors Morrill and Weinman jointly conceived the idea, based on previous knowledge of other compounds, that this material might have miticidal properties, in fairness to all the two men should be considered as joint discoverers. In consideration of the merits of this discovery it appears that although chlorinated orthonitrobiphenyl has miticidal properties and formulations of the material may be patentable, the discovery is not phenomenal, and in view of the large amount of work now being done in an attempt to discover new and better miticides, it is very doubtful if this compound will ever have any great commercial value. T h e Faculty Committee on Patents has considered this discovery and is of the opinion that there is little chance the University would benefit by patenting the discovery. T h e Committee, therefore, recommends that the right to make the application for the patent be released to the two discoverers.

On motion of Mr. Williamson, this release was authorized as recommended.

COMMITMENTS AGAINST ANTICIPATED APPROPRIATIONS (5) The Board of Trustees has already been advised that the internal budget for 1046-1947 is being compiled on the basis of the use of an estimated additional $1,500,000 of income from student fees and government compensation for instruction to veterans, in excess of the biennial budget estimate and of the amount of legislative appropriations. Since these receipts must go into the State Treasury in the University Income Fund, they must be appropriated before they can be expended. The Board has also been advised that the establishment of a branch of the University in Chicago would involve an additional expenditure estimated at $1,250,000, of which $750,000 would come from student fees and government sources, and the remainder would be needed from state tax revenues. T h e Board on May 29 indicated its intent to ask the General Assembly for these additional appropriations. T h e Legal Counsel has advised that, in view of constitutional and statutory limitations, the Board of Trustees is without authority to create any liability or indebtedness in excess of funds actually appropriated or on hand in the treasury of the University. H e recommends that a clause be attached to each term appointment and to each order or contract which might involve an expenditure in excess of the funds already appropriated, the clause to read substantially as follows: "You are advised that the University anticipates additional appropriations from the General Assembly in order to meet this appointment ( o r d e r ) and its payment may be contingent on such additional appropriation." H e advises that failure to do this might result in members of the Board and University officers signing such contracts being held personally liable thereon. I recommend that the inclusion of such a statement in appointments, orders, and contracts made under the 1946-1947 budget and in connection with the proposed branch of the University in Chicago be authorized. O n m o t i o n of M r . F o r n o f , t h i s r e c o m m e n d a t i o n w a s a d o p t e d .