university of illinois - UIHistories Project

1957] UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 271
QUARTERLY REPORT OF THE COMPTROLLER
(17) The Comptroller presents his quarterly report to the Board as of December
31, 1956.
This report was received for record and a copy has been filed with
the Secretary of the Board.
LEASE OF LAND FOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH
(18) The Electrical Engineering Department has been conducting research in
radio direction finding for over ten years under a contract with the U. S.
Navy. A small temporary RDF installation was set up in 1950 at the University
Airport. This installation will not be available for future use because (a) it is
no longer adequate for the general expansion and additional requirements of the
program, a part of which involves classified research, and the installation is near
the end of its physical usefulness, and (b) the Institute of Aviation plans to
install radio-navigation equipment to enable planes to use the Airport during
poor visibility and to expand the runway system. The plans of the Institute and
the needs of the RDF research group are incompatible because of limited space
available, the impairment of accuracy of the RDF measurements by the installation
of navigation and landing facilities, and the hazard to flying of an enlarged
RDF installation in its present location.
With the approval of the Navy Department, preliminary negotiations have
been conducted with the Twin City Development Co., Champaign, Illinois, hereinafter
referred to as the Company, for the leasing of land on which to place a
new RDF installation. It will be necessary to have a third party buy the land
and in turn lease it to the University with an option to purchase. A thorough
search of areas geographically and topographically acceptable and negotiations
with land owners has resulted in an offer to sell to the Company suitable tracts
of land. A total of eighty and one-half acres is required.
The land will be used for a research program closely associated with the
one for which another leasing of land was previously authorized by the Board
on June 27, 1956. The two projects complement each other, and it is desirable
that the installations be close together.
The Company is now able to purchase the desired sites, totaling eighty and onehalf
acres, for $63,395, or an average of $788 an acre. It will lease the land to the
University for $50 an acre per year. Liquidated damages of $27,570 must be paid.
All costs will be reimbursed by the Navy.
The Dean of the College of Engineering and the Vice-President and Comptroller
recommend this land acquisition after formal approval of all details by
the Navy.
I concur and recommend that the Comptroller and the Secretary of the
Board be authorized to execute all necessary documents.
On motion of Mr. Johnston, this land acquisition program was authorized,
subject to final approval by the Executive Committee.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FOREIGN DISPLACED STUDENTS
(19) In April, 1949, the Board of Trustees established ten scholarships, covering
tuition, laboratory, library, and supply fee, and the Illini Union Building service
charge, for awards to displaced persons who desire to enroll as students at the
University of Illinois and who meet the requirements for admission. This was
in response to appeals from a number of organizations to the University for aid
to foreign students and displaced persons. The Campus Chest, an undergraduate
organization which raises funds for contributions to charitable, health, and
other welfare causes, provided other financial assistance. These scholarships
were for four years and have now expired.
The Committee on Special Undergraduate Scholarships has recommended
that fifteen such tuition and fee scholarships be established for displaced persons
or refugees who desire to enroll in the University and who meet admission
requirements. Various community organizations and student organizations will
sponsor such students by providing board, lodging, and funds for incidental
expenses.
This request is, in effect, for renewal and extension of the number of the