Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1948 [PAGE 493]

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492

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[August 5

The following purchases and other expenditures incidental to the acquisition of this land and for the extension of utilities to the site are recommended: 607 East Springfield Avenue, Champaign $30 000 603 East Springfield Avenue, Champaign 18 000 Reimbursement to tenant at 603 East Springfield Avenue to secure possession by September 260 Extension of utilities service to the site 11 740 Total $60 000 The comparatively higher price of the property at 607 East Springfield Avenue is based on its present rental income of $400 a month and was the lowest price the owner would consider. Since the Board had authorized this land acquisition program, options were secured on these properties which expired August I, and required the payment of $1,000 on signing of the contracts, the balance to be paid on September 1 when possession of properties is given. The Executive Committee of the Board authorized the acceptance of these options, the execution of contracts for purchases, and the payment of $1,000 on each contract. I recommend that these actions be confirmed and that an appropriation of $60,000 from the General Reserve Fund be made for this property acquisition program, including the extension of utilities to the site.

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

PROGRESSIVE ADMISSIONS PLAN (8) Reports from the Registrar and from the Deans and Directors of the undergraduate colleges and schools indicate that the Progressive Admissions Plan authorized by the Board of Trustees on April 24, 1947 (Minutes, page 349), to govern the admission of new students to all undergraduate divisions for the first semester, 1947-1048, is working well. It was the understanding that the plan would be studied on the basis of experience during the summer and modified if it appeared necessary to do so in order to carry out effectively the University's policy to admit, within the limits of its resources and capacities, all qualified students desiring to enroll. As of July 16, the beginning of the third period of admission, it appeared that it would be possible to admit to certain curricula a number of students who are now barred because of their previous scholastic records. It seemed logical that any relaxation should favor residents of Illinois, who desire to transfer to the University and who are required to have a scholastic average of 3.5 (between B and C) in previous college work. It will be recalled that beginning on July 16, Illinois high school graduates are admitted regardless of rank in class, but there is no such relaxation for transfer students who are residents of the State. Consequently, as an administrative action I have authorized the Registrar of the University to admit to the University, beginning with the third period on July 16, transfer students, residents of Illinois, whose scholastic standing in previous college work meets the minimum standards of the University of Illinois curricula in which they desire to enroll. This authorization, of course, can be effective only to the extent that the capacities in the various divisions will permit the admission of students whose applications are pending, and who can be admitted under a general ruling applicable to all such cases. This report w a s received for record. REPORT ON THE TRAINING OF TEACHERS IN VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE (9) In accordance with the action of the Board of Trustees on the training of teachers in vocational agriculture (Minutes, June 23, 1947, page 388) I sent a letter summarizing the University's position to Governor Dwight H . Green, Superintendent Vernon L. Nickell, the members of the Teachers College Board,