Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1946 [PAGE 879]

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872

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[October 18

DEGREES CONFERRED (18) The University Senate recommends conferring of degrees in the Urbana and the Chicago departments on those candidates who completed the requirements for their degrees at the close of the summer terms of 1945. The Secretary of the Board of Trustees has been given a list of these candidates (see pages 804-003). 1 concur. O n motion of M r . Williamson, these degrees were awarded as recommended. REPORT ON STUDENT HOUSING (19) A report from the Dean of Students and the Director of the Physical Plant Department summarizes the University's student housing problem as of the present time, and is submitted herewith for consideration by the Board. On request of the President of the University, Dean T u r n e r presented this report, containing the following recommendations: A. Although the present situation is serious, the future seems to be even more critical if enrollment estimates are accurate and, therefore, the permanent housing program submitted to and approved by the Board of Trustees at its meeting on July 30 should be reaffirmed. B. If funds are available in addition to the specific state appropriation for housing, temporary housing facilities should be constructed. A decision, however, should be reached at once as to the type which will be considered acceptable, in order to make the facilities available for February and September. The following program is recommended if funds are available: 1. Converting the Gymnasium Annex and Engine Annex into a barrackstype housing unit for 300 men students, at a cost of approximately $35,000 to $40,000, to be available for use in February, 1946. 2. If the shortage of housing facilities still seems probable for September, 1046, and the students accept the type of housing in I above, that the West Great Hall of the Stadium be converted for the same type of housing for 300 students, at a cost of approximately $40,000 to $45,000. 3. The Board of Trustees at its meeting on August 29, 1945, rejected a proposal for the installation of trailers for married couples and requested your office to secure a reduction of Chanute Field personnel living in Urbana. If efforts on this alternative are unsuccessful, we recommend the reconsideration of the trailer project at the earliest possible date. C. We recommend that the Governor again be advised of the University's housing problem with the hope of securing additional funds for the construction of temporary and permanent housing facilities if a special session of the Legislature is called. D. We recognize the above will fall far short of providing facilities for the future enrollments predicted by the Bureau of Institutional Research, and, therefore, recommend that, in addition, the Board authorize the President to limit enrollment through selective methods to the housing facilities that are available. D u r i n g the presentation of this matter, M r . Davis was in the chair. President Willard, Director H a v e n s , and Provost Griffith commented on various phases of the housing situation. O n motion of M r s . Grigsby, the project of converting the gymnasium annex and engine annex into a barracks-type housing unit for men students was approved, and an appropriation of $40,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary was made for the purpose, by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Davis, M r . Fornof, M r s . Grigsby, Mr. Livingston, M r . McKelvey, Mr. McLaughlin, M r . Williamson; no, none; absent, M r . Green, Dr. Luken, D r . Meyer, Mr. Nickell.