Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1950 [PAGE 824]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1949]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

815

APPROPRIATIONS FOR PURCHASE OF FORESTRY AREA (6) The University has an opportunity to acquire a tract of 63.5 acres of timber land which is the only virgin forest left in the prairie states. It is a natural area representing an orginal and essentially undisturbed example of a prairie border forest. This land, known as the Isaac Funk Timber Tract, is north of McLean in McLean County. It would be a living museum of natural history and a resource for biological scientists. If the area is not acquired by the University or some other agency soon, the trees will be sold for timber. It will take $25,000 to acquire this land. Several members of the Funk Family have agreed to contribute up to $15,000. T h e University of Illinois Foundation is considering an assignment of $5,000 from Foundation funds. If $20,000 can be secured from these donors, I would recommend that the University put in $5,000. The University would have complete title to this property. I recommend that the Board of Trustees authorize the acquisition of this land and the assignment of $5,000 as the University's share of the purchase price, contingent upon donations of $20,000 from other sources.

Mr. Livingston took his place with the Board during the presentation of this matter. On motion of Mr. Herrick, this acquisition of land was authorized; the appropriation was made by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Fornof, Mr. Herrick, Mr. Livingston, Mr. McLaughlin, Mr. Nickell, Mrs. Watkins, Mr. Williamson; no, none; absent, Mr. Hickman, Mrs. Holt, Dr. Meyer, Mr. Stevenson.

CONTRACT W I T H VETERANS ADMINISTRATION FOR STEAM SERVICE (7) T h e contract with the Medical Center Steam Company to supply the University with steam from a central plant at the Chicago Professional Campus authorizes the University to furnish steam not required for its own use to any governmental agency, charitable institution, or other institution located in the Medical Center District under such conditions as may be agreed to by the University and such agency or institution. The Veterans Administration, which plans to build a large hospital at Polk and Damon Streets, desires to contract for steam from this plant at a price which will reimburse the University for the cost of producing the steam and for the additional capital outlay required to increase capacity and distribution facilities, amortized over a period of thirty years. Increases or decreases in the costs of labor, fuel, applicable taxes, or compliance with governmental regulations shall be reflected by changes in the basic rate. T h e contract would be to June 30 following establishment of service and would continue, subject to ( a ) availability of federal appropriations, (b) cancellation at the end of any year on sixty days notice by either party, and cancellation if the Veterans Administration closes the activity for which steam is being purchased. Provision would be made for mutual adjustment of the balance due the University for the unamortized portion of the capital investment in the event of termination of the contract. I recommend adoption of the following resolution authorizing a contract with the Veterans Administration which will include the provisions specified by University officers as indicated above:

RESOLUTION

Whereas, T h e Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, at its regular meeting held on May 21, 1949, approved a program whereby the Medical Center Steam Company will provide central steam service to the University and to other institutions in the Medical Center District, Chicago, Illinois, and Whereas, such program anticipated the making of such contracts between the University and other users as may be feasible and desirable, and Whereas, it is deemed to be feasible and desirable that the University execute a contract with the United States of America represented by the Chief, Procurement Division, Supply Service, Veterans Administration, for the furnish-