Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1948 [PAGE 494]

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1947]

U N I V E R S I T Y OF I L L I N O I S

493

the members of the State Board for Vocational Education, and the presidents of state normal universities and teachers colleges. Under date of July 15, 1947, the Provost was instructed to represent and be spokesman for the University of Illinois at a special meeting of the Board for Vocational Education called by the Honorable Frank G. Thompson, Director of the Department of Registration and Education, and Chairman of the State Board for Vocational Education. One of the purposes of the special meeting was to hear one representative from the University of Illinois, as briefly as possible, at 1:30 p.m. on July 23 in Room 112 Capitol Building, Springfield, Illinois. The Provost did represent and speak for the University of Illinois at this meeting. H e was accompanied by Dean H . P. Rusk of the College of Agriculture, Dean W. B. Spalding of the College of Education, Associate Dean R. R. Hudelson of the College of Agriculture, and Professor H . M. Hamlin of the College of Education. During the same session the State Board for Vocational Education heard Mr. Charles B. Shuman, President of the Illinois Agricultural Association. Mr. Shuman joined the University of Illinois in protesting against the proposed action of the State Board for Vocational Education in recognizing Illinois State Normal University as qualified to offer a four-year program in the training of teachers of vocational agriculture. Should the State Board for Vocational Education reaffirm its previous action, the effect will be to continue the standards which prevailed during the five-year period from 1942 to 1947 and to make it possible for Illinois State Normal University to qualify for the training of teachers of vocational agriculture at or near the minimum set forth by the standards.

On motion of Mr. Fornof, and after discussion, this matter was referred to the President of the University and the Committee on Agriculture for study and recommendation to the Board.

APPOINTMENT OF PROFESSOR HENNING LARSEN AS DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES (10) On June 30, I presented to the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees a recommendation for the appointment of Professor Henning Larsen, now Head of the Department of English, as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for two years from September 1, 1947, at an annual salary of $12,000. Professor Larsen has been a member of the University of Illinois faculty since September I, 1939. H e became Acting Head of the Department of English in April, 1945, and permanent Head on September 1, 1946. H e will continue to serve as Head of the Department of English for the time being. The Committee approved this appointment, and its action is hereby reported for record. T h i s report w a s received for record. INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS (11) The increasing complexity of social life, resulting in greater demands on government at all levels for more expert services to the public, and the leadership of the United States in world affairs imposes on all branches of government greater and more difficult responsibilities than ever before in history. The University of Illinois through its professional colleges and schools provides training which is a valuable background to a student who later elects to enter public service, but the University has no organized program directed specifically to train students for public careers. Information and guidance has been provided for a number of years to students through an Advisory Council on University Training for the Public Service and through a bulletin on University Training for the Public Service, but this is a limited service and is inadequate for present needs. The State of Illinois officially recognized the need for adequately trained personnel in government service by the adoption of House Joint Resolution No. 17, 65th General Assembly, creating a commission to study the appropriateness of establishing at the University of Illinois a "Curriculum in Government." The report of this commission, submitted May 28, 1947, recommends that the University proceed as rapidly as possible to develop a broad program of teaching, research, and extension in government and public affairs. It is therefore proposed