UIHistories Project: A History of the University of Illinois by Kalev Leetaru
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Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - 30 Year Master Plan (Tilton & O'Donnell) [PAGE 15]

Caption: Book - 30 Year Master Plan (Tilton & O'Donnell)
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6

History of Campus Plan

ground around it graded and fenced. Under the guidance of the Regent, and following the policy of the University, the labor that was required of students then was turned largely to continuing the improvements of the grounds. The. first catalog says of the students: They accomplished, altogether, a large amount of valuable work, and were proud to point to the grounds fenced, planted with trees, and ornamented by their own labor The labor is compensated in proportion to the ability andfidelityof each laborer, the maximum compensation being eight cents an hour. The trees and shrubs planted were chiefly those given by Mr. Dunlap, with many additional donations of bedding plants. The chief interest in early days centered in the main University area, substantially the greater part of the present campus. The Griggs farm, destined for sale, was practically disregarded. To shape for use the barren fields that formed the farm was one of the toughest problems for the pioneers. The "head farmer" in his first report made urgent request for tight fences to protect the University property from stock running at large and other destructive agents "since everything we have exposed is liafble to the depredations of unscrupulous persons." At the meeting of the Board of Trustees in November, 1868, the Horticulture Committee presented its first comprehensive report on the division of the tract known as the farm. The committee proposed that this entire area of 160 acres be planted in orchards and forest plantations and that the north part of the strip crossing "the new street that is located East and West" (Green Street) form an arboretum, "so far as practicable to make the same ornamental, on the ground plan of a park, for the use of the University, and the citizens of Urbana and Champaign." For this development, the committee recommended asking the legislature for an appropriation of $11,000 a year for two years. The report and recommendation were referred to the finance committee which in turn incorporated them in its request for appropriations. This request,