Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1954 [PAGE 526]

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1953]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

523

impressed with the devotion to their task of all the University personnel responsible for the preparation of the budget. H e expressed the opinion that the greatest threat to the economy of the country is the continuous increase in taxes and that the greatest benefit would come from reduction of taxes. H e added that everyone should do all he can to combat inflation and to eliminate its threat to the economy. H e emphasized statements made by Mr. Johnston in presenting the Committee's report that the University's budget estimates for 1953-1955 are a sound, practical presentation of what is needed to maintain the status of the University, that while the Trustees fully recognize the needs of the University, they are also conscious of the effects of increased taxation, and finally that the Board will operate the University to the best of its ability on whatever appropriation is made. At the conclusion of the discussion, Mr. Johnston moved that the report of the Committee be adopted, that the budget for 1953-1955 be confirmed, and that the President of the Board and the President of the University be empowered to use these estimates in presenting the U n i versity's budget to the Governor, to the Illinois Budgetary Commission, and to the appropriate committees of the General Assembly. This motion was adopted by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Fornof, Mr. Grange, Mr. Herrick, Mr. Hickman, Mrs. Holt, Mr. Johnston, Mr. Livingston, Mr. Megran, Mrs. W a t k i n s ; no, none; absent, Mr. Nickell, Mr. Stratton. At this point the Board recessed for a meeting of the Committee on Buildings and Grounds.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Board reconvened in Executive Session, with all members present who were in attendance during the open session. The Board took up consideration of the following reports and recommendations from the President of the University and from the Committee on Buildings and Grounds.

HONORARY D E G R E E FOR CARL S A N D B U R G (18) The President requested authorit3' to confer the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (Litt.D.) at the February, 1953, Commencement Exercises on Carl Sandburg in accordance with a recommendation of the University Senate Committee on Honorary Degrees which will be transmitted to the Senate. Since the Senate will not meet until Monday, February 2, and it is unlikely that there will be another meeting of the Board until after the exercises, this advance authorization is needed. O n m o t i o n of M r . J o h n s t o n , a u t h o r i t y w a s g i v e n a s requested. PAYMENT FOR LEGAL S E R V I C E S ON W A R N E R C O N S T R U C T I O N COMPANY C O N T R A C T S (19) The late Judge John H . Armstrong, Champaign, was employed as special counsel for the University in the controversy with the Warner Construction Company with respect to its contracts for the construction of the Lincoln Avenue Residence and the utilities distribution system. His services covered the period beginning January, 1949, and continuing until his untimely death in June, 1952. Since it was not feasible to fix an appropriate fee at the time he began his work it was understood that the President of the University would recommend to the Board of Trusees a mutually agreed upon fee. Partial payments, totaling $6,800, were made to Judge Armstrong for legal services up to June, 1951, and he was also reimbursed for payments made by him for expenses incurred totaling $137.94. No final bill had been submitted at the time of Judge Armstrong's death. The President of the University therefore had asked Messrs. Robert Z. Hickman of the Board of Trustees, Ralph F . Lese-