Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1956 [PAGE 281]

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278

III.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[March 30

Chicago Undergraduate Division University Request Governor's (as revised RecommenFebruary 7, dation Project 1955) Educational and Engineering Studies of Future Development 250 000 Grand Total ?22 955 000 $$ 815 000 Defer: Land (Chicago Undergraduate Division) $6 500 000 Animal Hospital (Chicago) I 750 000 Library (Chicago) 1 750 000 Drug and Horticultural Experiment Station (Chicago) 900 000 Remodeling (Chicago) 2 750 000 Total Deferred #13 650 000 Resolution of t h e University of Illinois Chapter of the American Association of University Professors At the request of the University of Illinois Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, President Morey presented the following resolution adopted at a meeting of the Association held in Urbana-Champaign March 29, 1955: WHEREAS, the Governor, in his budget message of March 28, 1955, has proposed for University of Illinois salary increases an amount equal to only hall the sum requested by the University administration and the Board of Trustees, and WHEREAS, this action fails by a wide margin to correct the serious inequity in University salaries which has developed in recent years, and WHEREAS, as a result of this inequity, staff members are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain a decent standard of living and staff morale is being adversely affected, and WHEREAS, a substantial number of staff members have left, and many others are considering leaving the University, for positions in industry and in other universities because of this salary situation, thereby impairing the high teaching and research standards expected of a great university, It is hereby resolved: 1. That the Association officially expresses its grave concern as to the salary situation and the dangers it contains for the current and future welfare of the faculty and the University, and for the educational needs of the people of Illinois; 2. That the officers of the Association express this concern in writing and by personal representation to the members of the legislature; 3. T h a t a committee of the Association be sent to Springfield to testify at the forthcoming legislative hearings on the budget in support of the original request of the University; 4. That this committee also confer directly with the Governor in order to present a full picture of the implications of his recent proposal; 5. That the members of the Association and all academic and nonacademic members of the University staff be urged to exercise their rights as citizens to enlist all possible public support and to call upon the Governor and the members of the state legislature to support the salary request by the University, and 6. That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Board of Trustees, urging them to continue to support and press for the salary request originally made by them.

This resolution was received for record. It was unanimously agreed to leave the matter of the biennial budget and building program to the President of the University, the President of the Board, and the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Board for further consideration and discussion with the Governor and other state officials.