Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1950 [PAGE 364]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1949]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

36l

In recognition of this the Board of Trustees on June 15, 1948, authorized the purchase of a 7,500 kw. generator, cooling tower, and condenser at an estimated cost of $1,300,000 to be constructed and paid for during the biennium of 1949-1951, contingent on the availability of funds. Since it takes a long time to secure delivery of this kind of equipment, the Board authorized placing the order early so that it would have a high priority. The allocation of only $5,600,000 for buildings at Urbana, of which $5,000,000 is for College of Veterinary Medicine and College of Agriculture buildings, does not include any money at all for additions to the power plant. The $15,400,000 building program for the Chicago Professional Colleges includes $1,500,000 for additions to the old power plant and extensions of the utilities distribution system. It is not enough to build a new power plant which is needed. The Commonwealth Edison Company of Chicago has agreed to construct and operate a plant to provide steam heating service for the Chicago Professional Colleges (this service will also be available to other institutions in the Medical Center District) under a plan whereby the University will eventually acquire the plant. Commonwealth Edison will also construct the utilities distribution system. Consequently of the sum previously allocated for capital improvements in Chicago, $1,300,000 could be released for other uses, and $200,000 retained for electric distribution lines and remodeling. If the $1,300,000 is allocated to Urbana-Champaign, funds will be provided for some of the safety improvements and other remodeling urgently needed and also for increasing the power production of the Abbott Power Plant. An additional 3,000 kw. generator and auxiliary equipment is necessary to provide the minimum power production capacity which will be needed by the end of the biennium of 1949-1951. This will not allow any excess for succeeding biennia. I request that the Board of Trustees authorize the President of the University to make the necessary revisions in the allocations of funds for buildings and other capital improvements for the biennium of 1949-1951 within the total of $21,000,000 which the Governor has recommended. O n m o t i o n of M r . L i v i n g s t o n , a u t h o r i t y w a s g r a n t e d as r e q u e s t e d . ILLINI UNION F O O D S E R V I C E AT UNIVERSITY C L U B IN URBANA (5) On June 23, 1947, the Board authorized a contract with the University (Men's) Club in Urbana, whereby the University assumed responsibility for food service at the Club, through the Mini Union. Meals were to be served to members and nonmembers at the same price. It was understood that every effort would be made to operate the program on a self-supporting basis. It has not been possible to accomplish this result. F o r the year 1947-1948, there was a net deficit of $6,705.48. F o r the period September 1, 1948, to March 31, 1949 (the Club was not operated during the summer months), the deficit was $8,388.03. These deficits have been absorbed by the Illini Union. T h e y are without any charge having been made for the use or operation of the building, or for utilities other than those directly required in food service. Some of the reasons for these deficits are stated as follows: 1. T h e gross volume of business has been considerably less than was anticipated when the arrangement was established. 2. Increasing food and labor costs have required higher meal prices and have reduced the total number of meals served. 3. Meal service requirements are irregular, with a rather large luncheon business but relatively small evening business. A review of the entire situation indicates that the food service is urgently needed and that it would be impossible to absorb the present patronage of the University Club at the Illini Union Building. This is especially true at the noon luncheon. Food service at the Club is not limited to Club members but is available and is used by other faculty and staff personnel who are not members. Club members receive no special consideration in the food service. Officers of the University Club urge that the operation of the food service at the Club be continued by the Illini Union as a service to University staff. It should be added that a considerable number of meetings of University organizations and visiting groups are held at the University Club and it would not be possible to find those facilities elsewhere on the campus.