university of illinois - UIHistories Project

1956] UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 71
foregoing which renders it unlikely that it can and will be confined to the claims
sued upon by Crouch-Walker, can be and is limited to the litigation of those
claims. Upon several occasions during the past four years when the institution
of suit by one or more of the above mentioned claimants against the University
appeared imminent, or it appeared that it would be necessary for the University
to take legal action because of some emergency with which it was then confronted,
the Legal Counsel, with the approval of the then President of the
University, discussed the situations then presented with Mr. Albert E. Tenner,
Jr., of Chicago and ascertained that the latter would be available to assist him
in representing the University in such litigation. Consequently, Mr. Tenner, in
addition to being a very competent and experienced attorney, is familiar to
some extent with the nature of the above mentioned claims and their history.
Accordingly, the Legal Counsel recommends that he be authorized to employ
Mr. Jenner and Mr. Prentice Marshall, who is associated with the law
firm of which Mr. Jenner is a member, as special counsel for the University
in the suit instituted by Crouch-Walker and in all litigation to which that suit
may give rise, upon the basis of the fees customarily charged by attorneys of
their qualifications and experience in litigation of such nature in the Cook
County courts.
I concur.
On motion of Mrs. Watkins, this authority was granted.
GIFT OF FUNDS FOR FACULTY CLUB
(18) Mr. Livingston and President Henry presented a letter from a donor,
who wishes to remain anonymous for the time being, offering the University
$10,000 to start a fund for the construction of a faculty club. The donor's
check for this amount was presented with the letter.
It is the present intention of the donor to give the same amount annually
for a period of years and to endeavor to get a number of other donors to pledge
a minimum of $50,000 each, payments to be made over a period of five years,
for this project. He also has in mind securing many smaller subscriptions.
Several years ago the University acquired the property of the University
Club of Urbana (the men's faculty club). The clubhouse has now been razed to
clear the land as part of the site for the new Biology Building. The University
Club has merged with the University of Illinois Women's Club and the two are
occupying the latter's quarters. These are inadequate, and for some time University
officials have been studying ways and means of securing non-state funds
to assist in financing the new building. On June 16, 1955 (minutes, page 379),
the President of the University submitted to the Board of Trustees a proposal
that the University participate with the two clubs in a program to enable them to
acquire a new clubhouse with the recommendation that the Board give it favorable
consideration. Both organizations have agreed to such a program. This
proposal was referred to the Committee on General Policy for consideration and
advice to the Board. Subsequently (May 22, 1956, minutes, pages 1061-62),
the Board authorized the purchase of properties at 1003 South Sixth Street
and 507 East Chalmers Street, Champaign, as part of the University's campus
expansion program and a site for a new faculty clubhouse.
All members of the Committee on General Policy, and Presidents Henry
and Megran, have participated in conferences with the donor of the initial grant
and the Committee recommends its acceptance.
On motion of Mr. Johnston, this offer was accepted and the President
of the University was requested to express to the donor the
grateful appreciation of the Board of Trustees for his generous gift.
Mr. Swain suggested that the record show that this gift is a recognition
by the donor of the need of some facilities at the University for which
it can not seek state appropriations.
The check was deposited with the Comptroller, and copies of the
pertinent correspondence relating to the gift have been filed with the
Secretary of the Board.