Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1946 [PAGE 467]

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464

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[May 12

The above document was referred to a special committee of the Board (Minutes, November 30, 1944, page 296), which, on December 12, 1944, reviewed the report and unanimously adopted it as amended (Minutes, January 20, 1945, page 337)- By Board action (Minutes, November 30, 1944, page 323), this document has been published and widely distributed. The Commission to Survey Higher Educational Facilities in the State of Illinois had also made a study of the junior college problem, and had come to conclusions similar to those reached by the study authorized by the Board of Trustees (Minutes, December 18, 1943, pages 790, 799). As a result of the Commission's study of junior colleges, Senate Bill No. 153 was introduced in the 64th General Assembly on February 27, 1945, by Senator Everett R. Peters. This bill amends certain sections of the School Code so as to provide for the development of public junior colleges under the general supervision of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, to be maintained by an increase in local taxes and by a grant of fifty dollars per unit of average daily attendance from funds appropriated by the General Assembly. From time to time, the attention of administrative officers of the University of Illinois has been called to discussions of the need for a four-year liberal arts college in the Chicago area. In some cases, it was proposed to create a Chicago City College under the auspices of the Chicago City School Board. In other cases, a branch of the University of Illinois has been proposed. On January 30, 1945, Representative Elroy C. Sandquist of the 25th Senatorial District, Chicago, introduced House Bill No. 73, for the creation of a four-year city college under the control of the Chicago Board of Education. On April 24, 1945, Senator Richard J. Daley and a number of other senators introduced Senate Bills No. 386, 387, and 388, dealing with the same subject. On April 26, 194S, the same gentlemen introduced Senate Bill No. 414, calling for an appropriation of three million dollars to the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois in order to carry out the objects set forth in Senate Bills 386, 387, and 388. Senate Bill 386 states that the University of Illinois is authorized and directed to establish and maintain normal colleges in all cities throughout the State having a population exceeding 500,000 inhabitants. Senate Bill 387 states that the Trustees of the University of Illinois are authorized and directed to establish and maintain junior colleges in all cities throughout the State having a population exceeding 500,000 inhabitants. Senate Bill 388 amends the organic act establishing the University of Illinois by authorizing and directing the Board of Trustees to establish branches or departments of the University in all cities throughout the State having a population exceeding 500,000 inhabitants, wherein courses of instruction as shall best serve to provide liberal and practical education customarily offered at the college or university level will be offered; and to offer such other courses of instruction as the University may determine, and confer suitable degrees therefor on students who satisfactorily complete such courses. At its meeting on April 6, 1045, the Board of Trustees received a report from the Provost of the University regarding these various events, and the Board appropriated $1,000 to cover the expenses of a suitable study, such study to be for the information of the Board in formulating its policies regarding the bills presented to the General Assembly (Minutes, April 6, 1945, page 428). On Monday, April 30, the Provost of the University, with the approval of the President, met with the following persons, who had at different times expressed an interest in a four-year college in Chicago, for the purpose of discussing the entire situation in broad terms: Dean R. B. Allen; Senator Richard J. Daley; Mrs. Helen W. Dormitzer, Woman's City Club of Chicago; Alderman George D. Kells, Chicago Council; Mr. Leverett S. Lyon, Chicago Association of Commerce; Mr. James B. McCahey, President of Chicago School Board; Alderman Bertram Moss, Chicago Council; Mr. Frank S. Riegheimer, Attorney to Chicago School Board; Mr. Hans Schenk, City Club of Chicago; Miss Frances E. Schmidt, Chicago Woman's Club; Mr. Harland C. Stockwell, representing Mr. Douglas Sutherland, Civic Federation.