Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1946 [PAGE 465]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

462

BOARD OF TRUSTEES STATUS O F PROFESSOR H . A. R U E H E

[May 12

(21) At the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board on July 18, 1944 (Minutes, page 18), I presented a request from Professor H. A. Ruehe, Head of the Department of Dairy Husbandry, who has been on leave of absence without pay since February 1, 1043, for service as Secretary of the American Butter Institute, that he be retired from active service effective October I, 1944, and given the rank of Professor Emeritus. The Executive Committee took no action but referred Professor Ruehe's request to a special committee on which the President of the Board appointed Messrs. Davis, Jensen, and Fornof. In the meantime, Professor Ruehe has been continued on leave of absence without pay. He has now withdrawn his request for retirement and asks that he be continued on leave of absence without pay until September I, 1945, when he will return to University service. I recommend approval.

This matter was referred to the Committee on Agriculture for consideration and recommendation.

QUARTERLY REPORT OF THE COMPTROLLER (22) The Quarterly Report of the Comptroller to the Board of Trustees as at March 31, 1945.

This report was received for record.

CONTRACTS FOR REMODELING IN CHICAGO

(23) On November 30, 1944, the Board made an appropriation of $150,000 for capital additions, remodeling, and equipment in the Chicago divisions. It has not been possible to carry out the projects called for by this appropriation because necessary priorities have not been approved and, as a result, a number of changes had to be made in the original schedule. A number of urgent projects can still be carried out within the biennial period during which the funds are available, but it is impossible to complete detailed specifications and secure competitive bids. Out of total projects estimated at $77,150 the sum of $41,750 can be let on competitive bids or done by the University's own staff. The Executive Dean and the Physical Plant Department request that authorization be given to make cost-plus contracts for the remaining projects estimated at $36,400 with responsible contractors with whom the University has had dealings in order to expedite the work and finish it within the time limit. The Comptroller concurs and I recommend approval.

On motion of Dr. Meyer, this request was approved as an emergency arrangement in view of the circumstances.

TAXATION OF W R I G H T FARMS

(24) A communication from Dean Harno. The University was left some farms in DeKalb County under the will of Harry G. Wright, deceased. In the testator's will he indicated his wish as to how the property should be used, but he nevertheless expressly stated that the use of the property should rest in the sole discretion and judgment of the Board of Trustees. I have made a preliminary examination of the legal factors involved and am of the opinion that the University is in a position to claim exemption from taxation on this property. I have also talked briefly to John H. Armstrong, who is handling some tax exemption matters for us, and while he has not given me an opinion on this particular property, I take it his judgment is in accord with mine. Mr. Morey has sent me a letter from Professor J. B. Andrews, stating that he has interpreted the decision of the Board of Trustees to be that these farms are to be operated for profit for the purpose of supplying scholarships for worthy students to the College of Agriculture. He states also that he knows that the "attitude of the people in the county (DeKalb) toward the University would be much better for continued cooperation if the University did pay the taxes on these farms."