The Columbus weekly dispatch., 1908-04-16
University Trustees Meet.


A special from Jackson gives the
following account Of the recent meet
ing Of the board of trustees of the
State University, which is of interest
TO orr readers and the people Of the
State generally:
It appears from what is learned N
regard to the proceedings of the uni
versfty board of trustees at Oxford
yesterday that the mem bers of the
board were in no way unanimous as
to the question whether the salary
of the chancellor should be reduced
under the terms of the support fund
appropriation act and the emoluments
of the professors and heads of de-
partments put back 10 the former
scale or basis prior to 1906. This is
learned from a conversation with
Gov Noel, who returned this morn
ing from oxford, and was questioned
in regard to the proceedings. After
some other matters had received at
tention the salary question was
brought up in the form of a resolu-
ton providing that the reduction be
made similar to the same action by
the trustees of the two other colleges
to which the Burkitt rider applied.
This was defeated, Gov. Noel states,
by a tie vote, to 6, he himself sup
porting the resolution.
Next came a proposition that a sub
committee be designated with a view
to having the whole question consid-
cred advisedIy and legally, and deter
mine whether or not steps should be
taken to test the constitutionality OF
the amendment, and this, too, was
defeated by tie vote, those who had
voted for reduction voting adversely
on this proposition. The consequence
is that the trustees adjourned with
out having settled anything relative
to the salary matter, which remains
open and for future consideration;
just when being indefinite. 1t is
stated that pending final disposition
of the question there is an interest
account that can be drawn on for
support and necessary salaries, so
that no one is likely to suffer, for it
is a well known fact that the State
Treasurer will adhere to his position
and decline to honor the draft with
out legal sanction or judicial man
date
In the selection of officers Hon. D.
NJ Kimbrough, of oxford, was cho-
sen as chairman pro tenn, and Mr..
Porter reelected as secretary and
treasurer, no other positions being at
tended to at this session, these mat
ters being left pending until the June
meeting. 1t was decided that the
bids for all new work authorized by
appropriation be left open to the
competitive policy adopted by other
institutions. The new work, which
includes a $50, 900 heating and power
plant, s25, 900 dining hall. 1000
dormitory and $4,000 for repairs to
old buildings, both as to architects
plans and contractors bids is to be
done through competition in the open
market.
Considerable discussion ensued as
to a proposition that a subcommittee
be delegated as a building committee
of the board, to have charge Of all
the new work, the governor holding
that the board as a whole could not
so delegate their responsibility or re-
Iinquish their power as a whole for
the work entrusted to them, and that
the board itself must pass upon the
competition among architects, build
ers and supply men, this being their
highest function. The statutes are
very plain and cannot be otherwise
construed, so that the suggestion for
subcommittee was defeated, or
rather was not pressed.
The board spent a busy day, devot-
ing both the fore and afternoons to
the transaction of the many affairs
that awaited them, and at the next
meeting in June there viii be con
siderable more work with the ques-
tion OF salaries, which is at present
open, to be determined.