university of illinois - UIHistories Project

1958] UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS I203
cooperate with midwest educational and research institutions in related areas
of mutual educational and research interests. The Laboratory has executed research
and development projects of importance to the Atomic Energy Commission.
Certain research and educational projects have been undertaken in
cooperation with universities because of mutual interests and benefits.
Participation by institutions in Argonne activities has always been accepted
as a mutually beneficial arrangement, the interchange of knowledge and experience
being of great value. To explore the matter of participation fully, an ad
hoc committee was appointed under the chairmanship of President John T.
Rettaliata of the Illinois Institute of Technology to study the future relationships
between the Argonne National Laboratory and the university communities.
One of the recommendations of this Committee is the incorporation of the
participating institutions and the provision of funds to employ necessary personnel
to represent the institutions at the Argonne Laboratory. This proposal was
submitted to and approved by the Council of Participating Institutions and a
special committee, headed by Dean Frederick T. Wall of the University of Illinois,
was appointed to implement this recommendation.
It is now proposed to organize a corporation under the title of "Associated
Midwest Universities." Each institution is asked to pay annual dues of $1,000.
The Head of the Department of Physics, the Dean of the College of Engineering,
the Dean of the Graduate College, and the Vice-President and Provost
recommend that the University of Illinois become a member of this corporation.
The proposed by-laws have been examined and approved by the Legal Counsel,
subject to certain changes he is recommending.
I concur and recommend that the Board of Trustees authorize membership
in the corporation as proposed, and that the appropriation of $1,000 be made
from the General Reserve of the University for payment of the first year's dues.
On motion of Mr. Williamson, this recommendation was approved,
and the appropriation was made by the following vote: Aye, Mr.
Herrick, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Johnston, Mr. Livingston, Mr. Swain,
Mrs. Watkins, Mr. Williamson; no, none; absent, Mr. Bissell, Mrs.
Holt, Mr. Nickell, Mr. Stratton.
CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF UNIVERSITY PRESS BUILDING
(16) The Director of the Physical Plant Department and the Vice-President and
Comptroller recommend award of a contract for $65,974 to the Harris Company,
Urbana, the lowest bidder, for the construction of the first unit of a new
University Press Building in the area north of Gregory Drive between First
Street and Oak Street, Champaign. This will house the offices of the University
Press; a recommendation will be submitted later, when funds are available, for
the construction of additions for the mechanical division (now in the basement
of the Administration Building) and for storage of paper stock and finished
products.
The Harris Company submitted a gross bid of $74,470. It is recommended
that the University accept two alternates: (a) substitution of acoustical tile
ceilings for plaster, a deduction of $1,068; and (b) substitution of a warm air
oil-fired heating system for an oil-fired hot water system, a deduction of
$7,428. Consideration is being given to the possibility of providing steam service
for heating the building by a connection with the University steam lines, but
this will require a separate contract. In that event, change orders will be
negotiated to eliminate the separate heating system and to provide for steam
heating installations instead. In the meantime, it is desirable to proceed with
the construction of the building by awarding the contract on the basis of the
lowest bid received.
Funds are available in an appropriation made by the Board of Trustees on
July 16, 1957.
I concur and recommend that the Comptroller and the Secretary of the
Board be authorized to execute this contract.
On motion of Mr. Hughes, this contract was awarded, as recommended,
and the Comptroller and the Secretary of the Board were