Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1958 [PAGE 114]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1956]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

III

2. Due consideration, however, must also be given t o : a. T h e need for the University to grow in its overall objectives of education, research, and extension, which requires the support of new and expanding programs. b. Preserving the state's investment in buildings through a long-range safety and modernization program. c. T h e need to balance auxiliary services with the University's capacity for instruction and housing. This means that with continued growth facilities such as administrative offices, physical plant functions, student services, etc. will also have to be increased. C. T o Improve Use of Present Space. 1. By studying the use made of present space on all campuses, the Committee is making every effort to obtain optimum efficiency in the use of existing facilities. This should include initiating a program of air conditioning certain facilities in order t o : a. Increase the efficiency of working personnel during the summer, and b. Attract additional summer session enrollments, thereby increasing the overall usefulness of the University's capacity throughout the year. 2. In determining the relative crowding in various areas, the Committee found the amount of building space devoted directly to instruction is frequently overestimated. a. F o r example, at Urbana-Champaign, out of the total space (excluding housing), the classrooms, seminars, lecture rooms, and laboratories represent approximately So per cent of the total area. Thus, the space for accommodating increased enrollment is only 50 per cent of the total University area. b. In general, the heaviest use of existing space is at the Chicago Undergraduate Division, where only freshman and sophomore work is offered, with Urbana-Champaign at a Somewhat lower level because of its large enrollment in professional and graduate programs. D. T o Postpone Replacement of the Temporary Academic Facilities in UrbanaChampaign During 1957-591. The use of space in temporary facilities, not only for housing, but for academic and general University purposes as well, has resulted from a continued land-acquisition program and subsequent remodeling of the houses thereon for University occupancy. a. This space now being used is equivalent to that of three buildings approximately the size of Gregory or Mumford Halls. b. T h e land this space occupies is reserved for future 'expansion. 2. Replacement of these temporary facilities should be planned in order to eliminate substandard facilities, to reduce relatively high operating costs, and to free the land for future expansion. Such replacements, however, probably must be deferred beyond 1963 because of the urgent need to utilize all available facilities to accommodate the increases in enrollment. E. T o Maintain Adequate Housing in Urbana-Champaign. 1. There is greater flexibility in enrollment capacity than in housing; so the key to enrollment expansion at Urbana-Champaign is the construction of additional housing facilities. 2. The University must assume the responsibility of providing adequate housing and food-service facilities for practically all future enrollment increases. F. T o Recognize the Vital Need for Early Planning. 1. In developing the program through 1963, more emphasis should be given in the future to land acquisition. a. In general, land must be acquired in the biennium prior to that in which construction is to be started. ( F o r example, land for a housing program should be acquired in the 1957-59 biennium for construction in the 1959-61 biennium.) b. In addition, other land must be acquired for long-range expansion, which could be available in the interim either for temporary general use or for parking.