Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1958 [PAGE 116]

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1956]

UNIVERSITY 07 ILLINOIS

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this project in part from funds other than state appropriations, and it may be feasible to do this at the University of Illinois. Auditorium-Gymnasium A large Field House-Auditorium, multipurpose building, capable of accommodating 15,000 to 20,000 persons for Commencement, F a r m and Home Week, athletic and like events, and 5,000 to 8,500 for musical and other entertainment events, would be a practical way of satisfying a twofold University need. Moreover, the entire state could make very good use of a building this size, especially the downstate communities. A Digital Computer Laboratory T h e University has accepted a grant to be used on preliminary design studies for a new, very fast, and very versatile computing machine. The new machine would furnish service to the entire University and would be of great importance to research and education — particularly in engineering, applied mathematics, the social sciences, and commerce. Support for the construction of such a machine is anticipated from governmental, industrial, or other agencies. A new building of approximately 40,000 square feet of net floor area is needed to house the computing facilities and data processing machines. A University Art Gallery The University, which conducts one of the largest and most active art schools in the country, owns an important and comprehensive collection of works of art, but has no museum or gallery in which to display it. Many private and state universities have recognized the importance to the students and the community of furnishing space for displaying art works. Some schools have separate buildings which have been financed by alumni and special gifts. Remodeling for the Physical Environment Unit — Urbana-Champaign The Physical Environment Unit is of great importance in several fields of research and education. It supplements, but does not duplicate, the environmental facilities of the Animal Science Department and those planned for the Physiology Department in the new Biology Building. Staff members of the Unit are using the facilities for research and instruction; and the following University departments and divisions have used, or are now using, its services: Animal Science, Electrical Engineering, Geography, H o m e Economics, Institute of Aviation, Mechanical Engineering, Medicine, Physical Education for Men, Physiology, Psychology, Speech, and the State Natural History Survey. If the space adjacent to the present laboratory can be remodeled, further funds to support experiments and research can be anticipated from governmental, industrial, or other agencies. A Nuclear Engineering Building For the past five years, plans have been in progress for a nuclear engineering program in the College of Engineering. This new and dynamic program will become formalized in the 1957-59 biennium, based on preliminary courses now being offered. If the University would construct a building to house nuclear engineering and measurements laboratories and office facilities, the Atomic Energy Commission probably would provide the atomic fuel, laboratory equipment, and materials to a maximum value of $350,000. An Industrial Education Building Since 1917, the University of Illinois has been the only institution approved by the Illinois State Board for Vocational Education for the preparation of vocational-industrial instructors. T h e College of Education's Division of Industrial Education is not a self-contained unit; it not only exploits the resources of the University, but it also makes extensive use of the facilities of industrial establishments of the state in the operation of a cooperative program for the preparation of industrial education personnel. T h e r e is a heavy demand for graduates of this Division. Moreover, a new undergraduate curriculum was inaugurated during the 1955-56 academic year to prepare personnel specifically for assignments in training departments in industry.