Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1952 [PAGE 31]

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BOARD O F T R U S T E E S

[July 25

in the state appropriation for the construction of the East Chemistry Building. I concur and recommend that the Comptroller be authorized to execute this change in the contract.

On motion of Mrs. Watkins, authority was given as recommended.

CHANGE IN GENERAL CONTRACT FOR C O N S T R U C T I O N OF VETERINARY MEDICINE BUILDING

(22) In awarding a contract for $701,859 to the John Felmley Company for the general work in the construction of the Veterinary Medicine Building, credit was taken for two alternates on recommendation of the Physical Plant Department, viz: Substitution of "knob and rose" type of door hardware for escutcheon plates — deduct $1 264 Substitution of "Integra Locks" for those specified — deduct 847 The contractor specified that either one, but not both, alternates could be taken so that it was incorrect to take credit for both deductions. The "Integra Lock" is a better lock for this particular building than that specified by the architects in the base bid and the Physical Plant Department recommends that it be used. However, this choice will not permit acceptance of the credit for the substitution of "knob and rose" type door hardware for escutcheon plates; and the contract should be amended by restoring the $1,264 deducted for the first alternate. Even with this adjustment the John Felmley Company is still the lowest bidder. The Director of the Physical Plant and the Comptroller recommend that the contract be amended accordingly. I concur and request that the Comptroller be authorized to execute this change.

On motion of Mr. Livingston, authority was given as recommended.

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION INSTRUCTIONAL CONTRACT

(23) On November 29, 1949, the Board of Trustees was advised of difficulties which had arisen with the Veterans Administration. That agency had insisted on making a deduction from its instructional contracts with the University of Illinois and other land-grant institutions for funds paid under the original Land-Grant Act and supplementary laws. Repeated efforts to get the Administrator to change this action being of no avail, the Association of Land-Grant Colleges and Universities, with the support of other national educational organizations, requested Congress to pass legislation which would make such deductions impossible. Such legislation has been passed and approved by President Truman. The Veterans Administration is now prevented from applying as a credit to any payment to educational institutions for a specific purpose, any funds appropriated for other purposes under other acts. It further prevents the Administrator from seeking credit for any non-federal funds, including state funds, in any similar manner. Estimated adjustments in amounts paid, or payable in future, to the University under its contracts, from the inception of the program through the life of the G. I. law, may reach $500,000. This represents the amount the University may gain by the passage of this legislation. The importance of this action by Congress, however, extends beyond present relationships. A vital principle has been protected, namely, the integrity of appropriations made for general educational purposes. Such appropriations are exempted from application to specific special contracts and operations. Comptroller Morey was the first institutional officer to call attention to the effects and implications of the actions of the Veterans Administration. With my encouragement, he worked steadily to secure the support of the Land-Grant Association, which eventually was given unanimously and enthusiastically. He also was one of the witnesses before congressional committees. That the testimony of the various witnesses was impressive is indicated by the record of discussion and action in both houses. The University, therefore, may feel that its efforts have been rewarded. As in the past, we shall continue to cooperate fully with the Veterans Administration.

This report was received for record.