Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1950 [PAGE 1091]

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[April 19

I concur and recommend (1) an appropriation of $16,869 and (2) that the Comptroller and the Secretary of the Board be authorized to execute the above contracts. O n m o t i o n of M r . L i v i n g s t o n , t h e s e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s w e r e a d o p t e d a n d a u t h o r i t y w a s given as r e c o m m e n d e d , by the following v o t e : Aye, Mr. Fornof, Mr. Herrick, Mr. Hickman, M r s . Holt, Mr. Livingston, Mr. McLaughlin, D r . Meyer, M r . Nickell, M r s . W a t k i n s , M r . W i l liamson; no, none; not voting, Governor Stevenson. APPROPRIATION AND CONTRACTS FOR MICRO-ANALYTICAL LABORATORY (30) Present facilities for micro-analysis in the Noyes Laboratory are inadequate. The room used for this purpose is in the west half of Noyes Laboratory which is subject to severe vibration from trucks on Mathews Avenue. Accurate use of the micro-balances requires freedom from vibration. In addition, the air-conditioning system has for many years caused difficulties and there have been numerous breakdowns during periods of heavy work. The service work of the micro-analytical laboratory has increased to such an extent that it has been necessary to send to commercial laboratories many of the analyses that could otherwise be done by the University. It is proposed to remodel Rooms 151 and 154 of Noyes Laboratory and to install an air-conditioning system to maintain the rooms at 75 degrees F. temperature and at 55 degrees relative humidity. Bids have been received for this project indicating that the work can be completed for $19,830. T h e Committee on Nonrecurring Appropriations has reviewed this and recommends an appropriation of this amount. T h e Director of the Physical Plant and the Comptroller recommend the award of contracts to the lowest bidders in each case as follows: General work — C. H . Siems, Urbana $3 950 Plumbing, heating, and other piping work — J. L. Robinson, C h a m p a i g n . . . . 4 200 Air-conditioning w o r k — Schroeder's, Champaign 7 265 Electrical work — Brunkow Electric Company, Champaign 815 I concur and recommend (1) an appropriation of $19,830 for this purpose and (2) request that the Comptroller and the Secretary of the Board be authorized to execute these contracts as recommended.

On motion of Mrs. Holt, these recommendations were adopted and authority was given as recommended, by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Fornof, Mr. Herrick, Mr. Hickman, Mrs. Holt, Mr. Livingston, Mr. McLaughlin, Dr. Meyer, Mr. Nickell, Mrs. Watkins, Mr. Williamson; no, none; not voting, Governor Stevenson.

FUNK FOREST NATURAL AREA (31) On September 29, 1949 (Minutes, page 815), the Board of Trustees authorized acquisition, partly through purchase but largely through gifts, of a tract of 63.5 acres of virgin forest land in McLean County. Acquisition of this land has been consummated. This tract is of great scientific interest to biologists. It is a fine example of the timber which nature through the centuries developed in central Illinois. As such, its preservation by the University fits into a world-wide plan of biologists to maintain for scientific study representative tracts of undisturbed timberland. It affords biologists in Illinois a unique opportunity to study prairie-grove forest. The property is valued at $30,000. The land, valued at $5,ooo, was given by the owners — four members of the Funk family. Largely through the efforts of Mr. Eugene Funk, Jr., an alumnus of the University, other members of the Funk family gave $15,000 toward the purchase. This sum was given through the Mini Achievement Fund. For members of the Funk family the establishment of the Funk Forest Natural Area serves as a memorial to their pioneer ancestor, Isaac Funk, who settled in central Illinois in 1823 and who acquired the original patent from the