Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1948 [PAGE 197]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1946]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

195

T h e lowest qualified bidder is W a r n e r Construction Company at a guaranteed limit cost of $180,000 for foundation, and $1,820,000 for balance of general work, contractor to receive fixed fees as stated in the schedule, the University and contractor to share 75 per cent and 25 per cent respectively in any savings under maximum totals. An estimate of other costs in addition to those covered by bids indicates that the final cost of this building for 498 students and 10 residents and counselors may total $3,600,000. T h e University now has only about $600,000 of funds available for this project. (See Board Minutes, July 30, 1946, page 3.) A special appropriation of $1,000,000 will be requested of the next General Assembly to replace in part funds expended under this appropriation with the Governor's approval for temporary housing. F u r t h e r appropriations are being requested for 1947-1949 to supplement building appropriations made for 1945-1947, and $7,550,000 to extend the residence halls program. Authority now exists to borrow up to $1,500,000 for residence halls construction. A loan can not be secured unless it is possible to complete a project which will produce sufficient income to service the loan and then only to the extent that such income makes possible. The project can not be completed without additional appropriations. T h e situation has been reviewed in detail by the Provost, the Comptroller, the Chairman of the University Building Committee, and the University Architect. Because of the housing situation and the importance of getting additional projects started at once, these officers recommend, and I concur: 1. That a contract for the foundation work on the women's residence hall be awarded to W a r n e r Construction Company, the lowest bidder, subject to the following conditions: (a) When and if additional funds are available prior to August 1, 1947, the University will extend the contract by acceptance of the contractor's bid for the balance of the general work to complete the building. (b) If funds are not available prior to August 1, 1947, the contractor may refuse to accept the additional work, and the contract will terminate with completion of work authorized to that date. 2. That University officers negotiate with the contractor to secure structural steel or do other work which can be done within the limits of available funds before the close of the current biennium. T h e proposed contract conforms with the principles governing construction contracts approved by the Board on November 22, 1946.

The Comptroller presented this matter. President Stoddard discussed the policies involved, and stated that he felt the situation to be critical, and that it was most important to start construction of the foundation. On motion of Mr. McLaughlin, the award of contracts for the construction of the foundation was authorized, and the procedure recommended was approved.

REPORTS ON LEGAL MATTERS

At this point, Professor Britton, on request of President Livingston, reported on the following legal matters.

CHANGES IN CIVIL SERVICE CLASSIFICATION

Professor Britton recommended that the Board reconsider and rescind its action of October 22, 1946 (Minutes, page 125), receiving for record a list of revised descriptions of University Civil Service classified positions. On motion of Mr. McLaughlin, the action of October 22, 1946, recited above, was reconsidered. This matter was discussed at length. On motion of Mr. McLaughlin, the action of October 22, 1946, was