Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1956 [PAGE 279]

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276

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[March 30

The remaining increase in appropriations is already committed to fixed items. Hence readjustment to find added funds for salary increases will be very difficult. It will be necessary, through the Administrative Budget Committee and the University Council, to review the entire budget in the light of the total recommended. Capital The University's revised request for capital appropriations totalled $22,955,000. The Governor has recommended appropriations of $8,815,000. (See Schedule C.) The items allowed in the capital budget are all important and urgent and will help materially in meeting problems of space and obsolescence. The sum allowed for a Biology Building will enable us to make a substantial start on this important project and improve our serious situation in this area. The Band Building is long overdue and very welcome, and the allowance for the addition to the heating plant will not only take care of immediate needs but will give us some reserve for future loads. Every item included in the capital requests is urgently needed at this time. The most serious omission is the addition to the Architecture Building. Failure to secure it will place us in a critical situation in the departments which this addition would serve. These departments are already seriously overcrowded, and it is not unlikely that the University may have to curtail enrollment in these areas to avoid further increases which could not be accommodated in existing space. Failure to secure any appropriation for residence halls is also a serious handicap. Legislation which may make it possible to finance these halls completely on a long-time basis is under consideration. It is too early to say whether it can be successful. No funds are allowed for studies of Future Development. The University requested an amount for each of its three locations: Urbana-Champaign, Chicago Professional Colleges, and Chicago Undergraduate Division. Absence of such provision will be a great handicap in advance planning necessary to look ahead intelligently and to be ready to proceed promptly with construction when capital appropriations are made. Summary The budget submitted by the Governor represents a recommendation to the General Assembly. The recommendations are subject to review by the Appropriations Committees of both houses and by the full bodies of both houses. Bills passed by the two houses are then subject to final review by the Governor. It is still possible to request the General Assembly to reinstate the original requests of the University in part or in full. In fairness to the staff and to the departments, this possibility should be fully considered. Finally, I quote from my statement to the Board on October 27 when the biennial budget was presented for its action: " W e shall, of course, bear in mind that the State also has major obligations to other essential agencies and activities. W h a t can be finally allotted to us is a matter for the State administration and General Assembly to determine. We will cooperate in their effort to make the most equitable application of available resources. When that is done, we shall proceed to do the best job we can with the amount finally appropriated to us." Schedule A University of Illinois Biennial Budget for Operations 1955-57 Governor's Recommendations General University Revenue Income {Tax) Fund Fund Total A p p r o p r i a t i o n s for 1953-55 (excluding Services for Crippled Children, Institution for Tuberculosis Research, Agriculture Premium Fund Appropriation, and appropriation for auxiliary enterprises) $64 726 649 $8 250 809 $72 977 45» Total Increase requested by the University 17 173 351 1 579 191 18 752 542 Reduction by the Governor 9 122 400 9 122 400 Total Increase recommended by the 9 630 142 1 579 191 Governor 8 050 951 Budget for 1955-57 recommended by the Governor $72 777 600 $9 830 000 $82 607 600