Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1956 [PAGE 466]

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1955]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

463

The question of taking hospital facilities out of use is one to give cause for concern. However, over a period of several years the average occupancy of the hospital has been only about 20 per cent of the number of beds which would be available if the change were made. ( T h e entire capacity is 153 beds, but during the past three years one complete floor has stood unused at all times, thus giving a working capacity of 106, which would be the same for the future. This maximum was reached only once in four years for a short period in 1952-53.) A s to reserve for an epidemic, an additional 50 beds would be of little avail under such circumstances, and emergency facilities of large scope would have to be commandeered, and we would be in a position to do that promptly. The question as to availability of funds in relation to other needs of the University would still have to be considered by the Committee on Nonrecurring Appropriations and evaluated accordingly. However, the cost appears moderate in relation to the gain. I do not give high credence to the anxiety of the Medical Society Committee over the policy of the Health Service relating to the local doctors. O u r concern must first be the welfare and service of students, but I believe the policy of the Health Service has been liberal toward local practitioners and there is nothing to indicate that such a policy will not continue or that it will be unduly jeopardized or handicapped by bringing these two services together. It is my own judgment that the advantages of this move definitely outweigh the disadvantages and that the objections raised are only partially valid. Nevertheless, in view of the questions raised, particularly those by the student representatives, I favor giving more time to the consideration of the problem since I believe such a move should be made only after all factors are cleared and as near as possible full concurrence secured by all who are affected. T h e r e fore, while expressing to you my opinion that the proposed move is justified and desirable I favor postponement of final action for further study and clarification of some of the problems still unresolved. Cordially yours,

LLOYD MOREY

President On motion of M r s . Holt, this report was accepted for record, and action on the proposed relocation of the U n i v e r s i t y H e a l t h Service was postponed. PRESIDENT'S REPORT This being the last scheduled meeting of the B o a r d of T r u s t e e s during the academic year 1954-55 and the last meeting in which he will participate as P r e s i d e n t of the University before retiring from active service, President M o r e y presented a s u m m a r y report of his administration during the year 1954-55. Copies of his report were distributed at the meeting, and a copy has been filed with the Secretary of the Board for record. H e stated that p r i o r to A u g u s t 31, 1955, he will compile and send to the members of the B o a r d a s u m m a r y of the annual reports to him of the Deans, Directors, and other officers. President M e g r a n thanked P r e s i d e n t M o r e y for this report. TESTIMONIAL TO PRESIDENT LLOYD MOREY

At this point Mr. Herrick asked for the floor to present a scroll with the following tribute, signed by all members of the Board of Trustees and the Secretary of the Board, to President Lloyd Morey:

, j.hrough the whole span of your active life you have served the University 01 Illinois with great ability and zeal, and generations of teachers, students, and associates in the Business Office have known you and honored you. Today, on the eve of your retirement, the Trustees of the University join in paying special