Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1952 [PAGE 1426]

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1952]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

1523

INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH O N EXCEPTIONAL C H I L D R E N

President Stoddard and Mr. Nickell presented a proposal that there be established at the University an Institute for Research on Exceptional Children. Its function would be to carry on and direct research on physically and mentally handicapped children; to study ways and means of coordinating the state's services in this area of public welfare; to study gifted children; and to offer advanced programs of study. They pointed out that the state of Illinois is currently expending upwards of $39,000,000 per year on such programs. On motion of Mr. Nickell, the Board approved the proposal to establish the Institute with the understanding that a plan for its organization and a budget will be submitted for approval later.

REPORT OF T H E COMMITTEE O N GENERAL POLICY ON ILLINI U N I O N BOOKSTORE

Mr. Johnston, for the Committee on General Policy, presented the following report:

Chicago, June 19, 1952

M R . P A R K LIVINGSTON

President, Board of Trustees University of Illinois 20 North Wacker Drive Chicago 6, Illinois

DEAR M R . LIVINGSTON:

At the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, held last October, you turned over to the Policy Committee a letter received from Mrs. Eunice C. Creamer having to do with the competitive situation, as she put it, involved between the Union Bookstore and the University of Illinois Supply Store (a co-op) and directed that the Policy Committee give full weight to all of the facts presented and those we could collect together and report back to the Board our findings and recommendations as to the disposition that should be made of this situation. The letter addressed to you by Mrs. Creamer is returned. In addition thereto, Mr. R. D. Follett, vice-president of Wilcox & Follett Company, 1255 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, publisher of books and who operates a bookstore at Champaign, likewise has filed objections to the University of Illinois operating a bookstore in competition with what he terms is a tax paying, privately owned bookstore. T h e Illini Union Bookstore is the continuation of a book exchange organized by the Illini Union in the early 1920's. It became a full-fledged bookstore in its present location in 1932. When the Illini Union was built it took over the operation of the book exchange. The University feels it has an obligation to operate the Illini Union Bookstore in order to assure the students an opportunity to purchase their books and supplies at a reasonable cost. The operation of the bookstore has benefited the students without the expenditure of University funds. Information which we have developed indicates that the protestants have presented their objections to the operation of the Illini Union Bookstore on numerous occasions and a full explanation has been given as to the reasons for the operation of the store on each occasion. The supreme court of Illinois recognizes that the University has a right to operate a bookstore and that in so doing the property was used for a public educational purpose. While procedure differs, bookstores of a similar nature are operated at many of the colleges and universities throughout the country. The Illini Union Bookstore pays rent for the facilities used on a per square foot area basis, the same as all other occupants of the building. It has not been assessed for local taxes on personal property. The State Department of Revenue has ruled that the Bookstore is not liable for sales tax, hence it can not collect or pay such a tax.