Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1948 [PAGE 373]

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372

BOARD O F TRUSTEES

[May 27

years ago when the Cavalry and Field Artillery were mechanized, the horses were removed. A part of the Stables was assigned to the Chemical Engineering Division of the Department of Chemistry during the war for use in research work on military problems for the United States Office of Scientific Research and Development. The rest of the building was used for storage. Since the war the Chemical Engineering Division has continued to use part of the building for graduate research work. Early in the morning of April 30 a fire originated in the northeast wing in the space assigned to Chemical Engineering. The fire apparently originated in or around equipment used in the development of a new sulphur burner. Other sections of the building were also seriously damaged. They had been used for the temporary storage of furniture received from the Federal Public Housing Authority, storage of materials purchased in connection with the Physics Research Laboratory, and general storage. The north unit and connecting center area are a complete loss and in the judgment of the Director of the Physical Plant Department, in which the Professor of Military Science has concurred, the University would not be justified in expending funds for rebuilding this unit now, although at some future time expenditures may be necessary to provide housing for mechanized equipment. H e estimates the cost of repairs and replacements necessary as follows: Repairs to and replacement of housing equipment $ 250 Replacement of doors and other construction materials purchased for the Physics Research Laboratory 2 300 Replacement of insulating materials purchased for temporary warehouse being constructed as a Federal W o r k s Agency project 525 Removal of north section of Stables and repairs to south u n i t . . 14 800 The Director recommends that: 1. The south unit be repaired to the extent necessary for its use as a warehouse ; and that the north and center units not be rebuilt. 2. The cost of replacing the destroyed and damaged materials purchased for the Physics Research Laboratory be charged against funds for the construction of that building. 3. The repairs and replacement of the temporary housing equipment be charged against the State appropriation for student housing. 4. A special appropriation of $15,325 be made for (a) removal of debris and reconstruction of south unit, and (b) replacement of insulating material purchased for the temporary warehouse. Losses of chemical research equipment will be charged against Government funds provided for the research programs for which the equipment was being used. Contracts with the Government provide allowances for indirect costs of such projects and these funds are available to apply on the loss. I concur in these recommendations, including the appropriation requested.

On motion of Mr. Fornof, these recommendations were approved and the appropriation was made, by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Fornof, Mrs. Holt, Mr. Livingston, Mr. McKelvey, Mr. McLaughlin, Mr. Nickell, Mr. Williamson; no, none; absent, Mr. Davis, Mr. Green, Dr. Luken, Dr. Meyer.

FIELD OFFICE FOR SMALL HOMES COUNCIL (17) The Small Homes Council was established by the Board of Trustees in September, 1044, to coordinate the resources of the several divisions of the University and focus their research and other services on the small home problem. In May, 1045, the Board authorized setting up a "Home Research Center" for demonstration and experimentation. On June 30, 1945, a special appropriation of $50,000 was made by the Board for the Home Research Center of the Small Homes Council; $20,500 was assigned for the purchase of property, and the balance was set aside as a reserve for purchase of other properties and to develop the physical services such as drainage, drives, and other improvements required for the construction of the first technical research homes.