Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1954 [PAGE 498]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1952]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

495

with the work and that it would not accept the contracts ofifered. New bids have been taken and the Director of the Physical Plant and the Comptroller now recommend that a contract for this work be awarded to the Square Deal Electric Company, Urbana, the present lowest bidder, at a price of $7,059. Funds are available in the state appropriation for 1951-1953 for this project and have already been released by the Governor. I concur and recommend that the Comptroller and the Secretary of the Board be authorized to execute this contract. In the meantime, the deposit of $173 submitted by the Brunkow Electric Company with its bids is being retained. With the concurrence of the President of the Board, the Committee on Buildings and Grounds has been asked to study the University's policy and practice governing awards of contracts in the light of this experience and to make recommendations to the Board.

On motion of Mr. Fornof, this contract was awarded.

GIFT OF ARCHIE F. WILSON OF FLOSSMOOR (7) Mr. Archie F. Wilson of Flossmoor, Illinois, wishes to give the University a valuable collection of about six thousand specimens of wood and a library collection in relation to it which will eventually constitute a portion of the herbarium of the Department of Botany. He desires to keep and use both the collection and library in his home during his lifetime. Mr. Wilson has given the collection to the University now but will retain it in his home during his lifetime. I have accepted this offer and report it for record. The Comptroller and the Secretary of the Board have executed an agreement between Mr. Wilson and the Board of Trustees relative to the custody and use of the wood collection and library. Air. Wilson has executed a Deed of Gift which is now in possession of the University.

On motion of Mr. Johnston, the action of the President of the University was confirmed.

GIFT OF PAINTING FROM MR. AND MRS. MERLE J . TREES (8) Mr. and Mrs. Merle J. Trees of Chicago offer the University, through the University of Illinois Foundation, a painting by Ruisdael, "Wooded Landscape with Water," as their 1952 contribution to the "Emily Nichols Trees (Class of 1905) and Merle Jay Trees (Class of 1907) Collection" of paintings at the University of Illinois. The appraisal of this painting made by the Art Institute of Chicago is $11,000. I recommend acceptance of this gift.

On motion of Mr. Grange, this painting was accepted by the Board, with appreciation.

BEQUEST OF JENNIE C. LEE (9) On February 11, 1939, it was reported to the Board of Trustees that the University is a residuary legatee in the estate of Jennie C. Lee, of Salt Lake City, Utah. The will provided that a sister had a life interest in certain trust property and that on her death a part of such property was to be paid to the University for use as a student loan fund. The life tenant has now died and the estate is in process of final settlement. All the liquid assets of the estate have been converted into cash by the Trustee. However, there remains a small tract of land located in Salt Lake County, various mining claims and other miscellaneous assets which the Trustee advises have little or no value. The Trustee advises that $50 constitutes a very good price for the University's two-thirds interest in the land. The trust company also will attempt to dispose of the mining claims and other miscellaneous assets to a family which has some interest in these claims for an estimated $500. The Legal Counsel and the Comptroller have studied this matter and recommend that these assets be converted into cash and that the following resolution be adopted: Resolution WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, a corporation, has acquired an interest in the following assets under the terms of the Last Will