East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-05-16
A PLEA FOR OREGON's UNIVERSITY

The East Oregonian takes pleasure
in publishing the following concise and
comprehensive statement of the needs
of the University Of oregon, in hopes
that many who do not now understand
may be enlightened and may vote to
sustain the university appropriation at
the coming election;
Eugene, Ore, May II, 1908.
TO THE PEOPLE:
Based upon estimates submitted to
the proper COMMITTEES, the last legis-
latnre, by more than two-thirds vote,
passed an act, appropriating s125,000
annually, for the support and main
fenance of the University of Oregon,
and for the construction and furish-
ing of additional buildings, purchase
of equipment, etc.
A referendum has been invoked on
the bill, and it will be submitted to the
voters at the coming election in June
for approval or rejection. In view OF
these facts the regents have thought
IL best to make the following state
ment.
Since 1901, the university has de-
pended for its resources upon the an
nual appropriation of S47,500, carried
by the act of that year, together with
the interest on the University fund, in
cidental fees, and interest on the Viii
lard fund, amounting to about $10,-
GOO a year, and special appropriations
&rom time to time. The act of 1901
was intended, with the revenues from
other sources, primarily to cover the
necessary current expenses at the time
Of its adoption. It has been neces-
sary to supplement the account there
of, from time to time, by special ap-
propriations, that Of 1906 being S62,-
500.
The purpose of the bill now pending
is TO merge in one act all appropria-
tions. The amount thereof is based
on careful, and what is believed to bu
conservative estimates, and in the
opinion of the regents is necessary
10 bring the university up to ano
maintain it at the standard of eff
cheney which the educational interests
of the state require.
The bare cost of maintenance is
now approximately $4,000 a year.
Additional instructors are needed in
several Of the departments, which will
bring the amount for maintenance to !
Ss5. 900 or $4,000 a year. The library |
which touches all departments alike, |
will require an annual expenditure of !
at least $4,000 a year, for some years,
10 bring it to the proper standard Of
efficiency.
More Room Needed.
Provision should be made imme.
1iately for the accommodation Of the
women Of the university by furnish
ing and heating the present cottage
and by the construction Of additional
cottages or a general dormitory. This
II is estimated, will take about $780,
900. New buildings are needed for
class, laboratory and recitation pur-
poses, at cost Of approximately $751;
900. The heating, power and water
plant must be enlarged, at an expense
of $4,000 or $4,000 TO meet the de-
mands upon it for heating. irrigation,
and fire protection. AS soon as funds
are available, the campus should be
enlarged, to meet present and future {
needs, by acquiring additional grounds
by purchase, If satisfactory price
can be obtained, and If not, by con- {
Barely Enough for Needs.
These several items will cost from
$125.OOO TO $150,OOO, and together
with others, developing with the
growth Of the university, will absorb
the entire amount carried by the
present bill, and additional revenues,
over and above the expenses Of main
tenances. for number Of years to
come.
This covers, in a general way, the
needs Of the university as we see II, I
and the use to be made Of the pro- '
posed appropriation. 1
There Is another matter which
should be alluded to. The invoking
OF the referendum has restricted the
since January 1, 1907. to
the annual amount appropriated by
the act OF 1901. and about 10000 a
year from other sources. making a to- |