Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes – 1878 [Begin page 334] January 29" 1878 State Board met in the Secretary's Office at eight O'clock P.M. the following members were present at all the sessions of this meeting. H.G. Wells. J.W. Childs. Franklin Wells. A.S. Dyckman, M.J. Gard, and Pres. Abbot. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. President Abbot read a paper calling attention to several matters requiring the attention of the Board. Resolved that the papers recommending candidates for Steward be placed in the hands of the committee on Officers, and Employees. Resolved to adjourn till 8½ O'clock tomorrow morning. Jan'y 30" 8½ O'clock A.M. The Board met. Most of the forenoon was spent in making an examination of the work in Wells Hall. After which they had a recess for dinner till 1½ O'clock Board met at 1½ O'clock P.M. [Museum] Resolved that Prof. Cook be authorized to purchase the [Ister?] Collection of Fossils for the Museum at a cost of $75.00 and express [Syringe] Resolved that Prof. Cook be authorized to purchase a syringe at a cost not to exceed $10.00 and expressage. [Muskrats] Resolved that Prof. Cook be authorized to purchase a pair of white Muskrats at a cost not to exceed $10.00 [Bees] Resolved that Prof. Cook be authorized to sell eighteen colonies of bees @ ten dollars a colony. A recess was taken for Tea till 7½ O'clock P.M. The Board met at 7½ O'clock P.M. [Hortl. Foreman] Prof. Beal made a statement before the Board in relations to the Horticultural Department and advised the ingaging of a Foreman in that Department. [Williams Hall] Resolved that the Secretary be authorized to settle for the work done in Williams Hall at $900.00 for the contract and the charge made by the Walworth Mf'g Co. for extra work in boiler room and Society room. Resolved that the Building Committee be authorized to settle with Peale & Miller and the Walworth Mf'g Co. on the completion of their respective contracts. [Insurance] Resolved that W.G. Wells and the secretary to obtain an insurance on Wells Hall not to exceed $15,000.00 for a term not to exceed three years. [Steam Coil] Resolved that the building Committee be authorized to have a Steam Coil put in the west chimney for ventilation. [End page 334] [Begin pge 335] [Steward] The Committee on Employees reported that they did not wish to make a recommendation for appointment for Steward but that their preference was for Mr Fox of all the candidates now before them. [Fox] Resolved that Mr Fox be employed as Steward of the College with a Salary at the rate of 600.00 dollars per annum. [ " ] Resolved that Mr Fox be notified of his appointment and that he be requested to come on as soon as convenient not later than February 15". [Garden Foreman] Resolved that Mr. Frank [Sulley?] be employed as Foreman of the Horticultural Department from March 1: 1878 with a salary at the rate of $400. per annum. and board. [Vegetables etc] [Experiments] Resolved that the vegetable gardens of the College be in charge of the Foreman of the Horticultural Department he shall keep the books of the Department, manage the Labor and in winter shall assist the Gardiner in the work of the Green- house. He shall assist the Professor of Horticulture on his experiments in work upon the park, orchards, and in all other work falling within the Department of Botany and Horticulture. [Bdg. Hall Door] Resolved that the President and Secretary be authorized to have a door put in the west side of the Boarding Hall if possible [Engine Room] Resolved that the floors of the engine rooms of Williams Hall be grouted under charge of Prof. Carpenter. [Circulars] Resolved that the Secretary be directed to have 500 circulars printed to use in place of catalogues giving scheme of studies, other expenses and with such information as is generally desired by applicants for admission. [Repairs] Resolved that the Chapel, the Presidents offices, and the Secretarys office be repaired under the direction of the Secretary [Wells Hall Water] Resolved that a water supply for the Wells Hall be made by means of a pipe from the Steam pump of Williams Hall in charge of Prof. Carpenter. [Lady Students] Resolved that it is inexpedient to admit ladies as students into the College with the privilege of occupying rooms in Williams Hall in as much as there are no rooms upon the same floor with the Steward's rooms that can be spared for them to occupy. [Power for Farm] Moved and Seconded that the Committee on Farm Management and Prof. Ingersoll be authorized to expend $500. for [Motives?] power for the Farm Department or so much of it as may be needed for the purpose for which it is appropriated. [Corn House] Resolved that the Farm Committee and Prof. Ingersoll be authorized to put up a Corn House at a cost not to exceed $500. [End page 335] [Begin page 336] Adjourned till 8½ O'clock tomorrow morning. Board met at 8½ A.M. [Smoking] Resolved that smoking be prohibited in Wells Hall and that Mr. Miller be authorized to see that this resolution be carried into effect. Adjourned to meet at the call of President Abbot and the Secretary. R G Baird Sec'y April 16" 1878 State Board of Agriculture met in the office of the Secretary The following members were present during all the sessions of the meeting. Pres. H.G. Wells. J. Webster Childs, Franklin Wells, Milton J. Gard, Pres. Abbot. The following members of the faculty were present during the first evening session. Dr. R.A. Kedzie. Prof. A.J. Cook W.J. Beal, R.C. Carpenter and O.L. Ingersoll. After the members of the Faculty presented matters of interest in connection with their several Departments it was, resolved that the Committees visit the Farm and Garden tomorrow immediately after dinner. Resolved to adjourn till tomorrow at eight O'clock A.M. Wednesday eight O'clock A.M. [Ch. Lab. Seats] Resolved that Dr. Kedzie be authorized to put additional seats in the Chemical Lecture room and that the expenditures for the Same be charged to the Chemicals Deprtment Fund. [Fence] Resolved that the Horticultural Department be directed the to put up a fence between ^ Secy's garden and the Arboretum three feet from the hedge and to put in a gate to the garden. [Die Stock] Resolved that Mr Carpenter be authorized to purchase for the Boarding Hall a new die stock and six dies, the cost not to exceed $12.00 [Steam Valve] Resolved that Mr Carpenter be authorized to have the valve seat and valve of the steam pump accurately planed during the coming vacation. [Microscopes] Resolved that Prof. Beal be authorized to expend a sum not to exceed $15.00 for Microscopes. [Hose] Resolved that Prof. Beal be authorized to purchase 75 feet of hose for the Green House. [End page 336] [Begin page 337] [Ice breakers Dam] Resolved that Mr Carpenter be authorized to expend the balance of the River Appropriation in building necessary ice breakers above the College bridge, and in building a dam across the Red Cedar River, at or near the site of the former dam [Society Room] A petition was presented from "Literary Eclectic Society" for a room to be fitted up in the Mansard of Williams Hall [Gymnasium] Also A petition from the Students for a Gymnasium. The above petitions were both laid on the table. President Abbot was requested to inform the petitioners of this action. Adourned till three O'clock The Committee did not get through with their inspection of the Farm and Gardens in time for an afternoon Session. Evening Session [Wells H. Boiler Room] Resolved that Mr Carpenter be authorized to have constructed a plank protection to the West Stone Wall in Wells Hall boiler room. [Blg. Hall Oven] Resolved that the matter of building an oven at the Boarding Hall be left in charge of the Committee on buildings and College property. [Reaper] Resolved that Prof. Ingersoll be authorized to purchase a combined reaper and mower [Gr. House] Resolved that $20.00 be expended on plants for the Green House. [College Basemt.] Resolved that the Horticultural Department remove offen- sive and decaying matter from the basement of the College Hall, and arrange the windows so as to secure good ventilation of the basement. [Mechl. Dept.] Resolved that the report of Prof. Beals in regard to a mechanical Department be received and placed on file [Boiler Room] Resolved that the ceiling of the Boiler room of Williams Hall be repaired as a protection against fires, under direction of President Abbot. Resolved that when we adjourn we adjourn to meet on Monday evening next preceding this Junior Exhibition unless previously called to gether in extra session. [Carpenter] Resolved that the Secretary. Prof's Ingersoll and Beal be a committee to employ a Carpenter at a Salary not to exceed $1.50 a day and board [or?] $2.00 and board himself. Resolved that we now adjourn. R.G. Baird Sec'y [End page 337] [Begin page 338] August 26th 1878 Board met in Secretary's office at 8 OClock PM The following members present H.G. Wells J.W. Childs Franklin Wells, G.W. Phillips. M.J. Gard & Pres. T.C. Abbot The following members of the Faculty met with the Board Several at this evening session & reported respecting their various Departments [Prof?] Kedzie Fairchild. Beal Carpenter & Ingersoll Resolved to adjourn till 8 OClock A.M tomorrow Tuesday 8 OClock AM Board met Franklin Wells as Chairman of the finance committee presented a report of the condition of the finances of the College which report was accepted [Catalogue] Resolved that the Faculty be authorized to have a Catalogue for 1878 printed of 3500 Copies [Analysis Slips] be authorized Resolved that Dr. Kedzie ^ to have printed 2000 slips of Analysis of Soils [Com. on Carpenter] Resolved that the work done by the College Carpenter be in Charge of a Committee consisting of Secretry Baird prof's Beal & Ingersoll [Museum Bal.] Resolved that Prof. Cook be authorized to expend the balance of the museum fund in accordance with the recommendation submitted to this Board by the Faculty. Resolved that when this Board hold a meeting in Detroit at the time of the State Fair on Tuesday eve Sep't 17th at the Russell House [Fair Exhibit] Resolved that each Dep't exhibiting at the State Fair shall have an officer or employee at the Fair the to take charge of & exhibit ^ College property. Adjourned till 2 OClock PM Board met at 2 OClock P.M. [Stone] Resolved that the Stone left over from Wells hall be put in Charge of Prof. Ingersoll & that an account of what is done with the Stone be kept & that when taken from his charge the amount be charged to the Dep't taking it. [8c. wages] Resolved that the maximum rate of wages paid to Students after this term (Term ending Aug. 27th) be eight cents an hour [Field to Garden] Resolved that field No 1 be transferred from the farm to the Horticultural Dep't of the College [Picnics] Resolved that the rule forbidding picnics on the College Grounds be rescinded & that the matter be left with the Faculty of the College [Fire Brick] Carpenter Resolved that Mr ^ be authorized & requested to purchase for the Halls Such fire brick as may be [End page 338] [Begin page 339] required & to oversee the work of repairs in brick & iron [Prof. Carpenter] Resolved that Mr Carpenter be appointed Professor of Mathem- atics & Civil Engineering from & after Jan'y 1st 1879 [Microscopes] Resolved that Prof. Beal be authorized to purchase two microscopes at a cost not to exceed twenty dollars each [School House] Resolved that the Faculty be granted permission to erect a building at their own expense to be used by them for a by the Faculty School house. the location for said building to be selected ^ with the approval of Mr Oliver the Landscape Gradiner [Advertising] Resolved that the Chairman of the committee on College Accounts be Authorized to approve the bills contracted by Prof. Ingersoll for Advertising Stock. [Bdg Hall Horse] Resolved that the Horticultural Department take the Boarding Hall horse in try him with one of their teams & meanwhile give the Boarding Hall the use of the Brown horse Meeting Adjourned R G Baird Sec'y September 17th 1878 The Board met at the Russell House Detroit. The following members were present J.Webster Childs. Franklin Wells Geo W. Phillips Milton J. Gard & Pres. T.C. Abbot On motion the reading of the minutes was dispensed with till next meeting [Lot 16] Resolved that the Prof. of Agriculture be authorized to expend labor on lot No 16 under direction of the Farm Committee [Fence] Resolved that the Hort. Dep't be authorized to build a board fence on the West South & East sides of the nursery & on the West & South sides of the pasture lot back of the Secretary's barn [Bulbs] Resolved that Prof. Beal be authorized to expend ten dollars for bulbs for the Green House [Bdg. H. Horse] Resolved that the Steward be authorized to sell the Boarding Hall horse at a Sum not less than $115.00 Board adjourned to meet at the call of Pres. Abbot & the Secretary. R G Baird Secretary [End page 339] [Begin page 340] Monday Nov 18th 1878 The State Board of Agriculture met in office the Secretarys ^ at 8 OClock P.M. The following members were present at all the Sessions of this meeting H.G. Wells. Franklin Wells J. Webster Childs Geo W. Phillips Milton J Gard A S. Dyckman & Pres. T.C. Abbot During the first evening Session all the members of the Faculty were present and made sugges- tions to the Board in connection with their respective departments. After which the Board adjourned to meet tomorrow morning at 8. OClock Tuesday Nov 19th at 8 A M the [B.S.] The minutes of the past two meetings were read & approved Board met ^ The following resolution was passed. Resolved that the Degree of Bachelor of Science be conferred upon the following persons who have completed their course of Study at the College. George E Breck. Henry F Buskirk. Henry V. Clark. Theodore P. Caulkins. Eugene Daven- port. Harry E Emmons. Charles C Georgeson Eugene Gregory. Richard H. Gulley. Frank W. Hastings. Carlton V. Hinman. Will L. Holdsworth Emmon O. Ladd James P. Lewis Robert T. McNaughton James E. Miller Jay R. Monroe. Henry E Owen Joel. S. Pardee. William K. Prudden Edward J Rawson Albert A. Robinson Frank E. Robson Ralph D. Sessions Charles F. Shilling Fremont & Skeels Clement J. Strang. James Troop S. Satterlee Trowbridge Elisler D.A. True. After Signing the diplomas the Board took a recess till 3 OClock P.M in order to attend the exercises of the graduating Class. [Fair, extra] Moved & Seconded that Prof Beal be paid ten dollars, as compensation to Mr Halsted for teach- ing during the Professor's absence at the State Fair. Motion did not prevail. [Furnishing] Moved & Seconded that that Prof Ingersoll be authorized to purchase a Carpet for the Farm House parlor, & parlor bed room Carried It was Resolved that the Several Committees take charge of the suggestions made by members of the Faculty & report regarding them to the Board [End page 340] [Begin page 341] [Prine 3¾ A. to J.L. & S.R.R.] It was resolved that the Secretary be author- ized to pay Mr John Prine three 50/100 dollars per acres (for the 3 ¾ acres released to the J.L. & S R R. Co previous to the Sale of 40 acres to Mr Prine in 1865,) and interest from the time of purchase to date at 7 per cent. Board adjourned till 8 O.Clock to morrow morning Wednesday morning Nov 20th 8 O.Clock A.M. Board met [Deed to A. Walker] It was Resolved that H.G. Wells President of the Board & R.G. Baird Sec'y be a Committee to rectify the mistake in the conveyance of land to Arnold Walker in 1871 with power to do what seems to them necessary in the matter. The Board proseeded to the consideration of the estimates to be presented to the Legislature for the years 1879 & 1880 till noon when they took a recess till One Oclock P.M. Board met at one Oclock PM & resumed the consideration of the estimates till Six O.clock when they took a recess till 7 OClock. Board met & Seven OClock PM & continued to Consider the estimates [Salary Prof. Carpenter] Moved & Seconded that the Salary of Prof. Carpenter be at the rate of one thousand five hundred dollars per annum after Jan'y 1st 1879. [ " ] Moved & Seconded in amendment that at the rate of it be ^ two thousand dollars per annum the Amendment was lost. [ " ] The original motion was then voted upon & Carried. [Salary, Gulley] Moved & Seconded that the Salary of Frank A. Gulley be at the rate of Six hundred dollars after Jan'y 1st 1879. Motion did not prevail. [Ladies Hall] Moved & Seconded that an item of Six thousand dollars be put into the estimates for the Construction of a ladies hall Carried [Matron] Moved & Seconded that Six hundred dollars be put into the estimates for a matron's Salary for the year 1880 Carried [Ladies' Hall] Moved & Seconded that one thousand dollars be put into the estimates to furnish the Ladies Hall. Carried [End page 341] [Begin page 342] [Ladies' Hall] Moved & Seconded that the building Committee be authorized to obtain plans & Specifications for a ladies Hall, provided they are furnished without cost. Carried [Wire Fence] It was resolved that Prof Beal be authorized to inclose the pear orchard with a wire fence. [Adam Oliver] It was resolved that Pres. Abbot be instructed to have Mr Oliver decide how many pear trees (not to exceed five) shall be removed from the South West Corner of the pear orchard & that he shall have Mr Oliver plant stakes to designate the location of the path to the Laboratory. The following report was presented and adopted To the Board of Agriculture Your Committee on Farmer's Institutes present the following report on the Institutes for 1879 [Institutes] In the opinion of your Committee it is very desirable that Institutes Should be held in Counties where Institutes have not been held, until the different Sections of the State have been visited. [ R ] It is also desirable that the Secretary of the Board should write to applicants who have failed to get an Institute giving the reason for Such failure and Suggesting that a new application be made at some future time. We also Suggest that the Secretary keep on file all the applications for Institutes which are or may be received. Applications have been received from nine places for Farmer's Institutes for next winter namely Bay City. Flint. Oxford. Howell. Charlotte Battle Creek. Centreville. Dowagiac. & East Saginaw. We recommend that an Institute be held at each of the following places and at the times stated to be attended by the respective members of the College Faculty: the Institutes to be conducted in the Same manner & upon the Same conditions as the Institutes of former years namely, the citizens to bear all the local expenses & to furnish one half of the lectures & papers Bay City. Bay Co attended by Prof. Carpenter Pres. Abbot & Dr Kedzie Feb'y Flint Genesee Co. July 16th & 17th attended by [End page 342] [Begin page 343] Professors Fairchild. Beal & Carpenter Charlotte Eaton Co Jan'y 13th & 14th attended by Professors Beal Fairchild & R.F. Kedzie Howell Livingston Co Jan'y 20th & 21st attended by Professors Ingersoll Cook and Secretary Baird Centreville St Joseph Co Jan'y 23d & 24 attended by Prof Cook Pres. Abbot Prof Ingersoll & Mr Cassidy Dowagiac Cass Co Jan y 28th & 29th Dr Kedzie Secretary Baird & Frank A Gulley These Counties have never had a Farmer's Institute The first named member of each delegation will be the Committee on behalf of the Faculty to work up the details of the meeting make out a programme etc except in the Case of Dowagiac where Milton J. Gard will make the necessary arrangements If for any reason it becomes necessary to Change places on many of these assignments, such exchange may be made provided it is done before the lists are published We recommend that the Secretary attend all the above Institutes if he can do so We recommend that an appropriation of $300.00 dollars a year be asked from the Legislature to pay the expenses of the Farmer's Institutes & for ill- ustrating the subjects presented etc. J. Webster Childs\ Milton J. Gard | Committee A.S.Dyckman / Adjourned to meet at 8 O.Clock tomorrow morning Thursday morning 8 A.M. [Repairs] Board met: Moved & Seconded that Pres. Abbot & the Secretary be authorized to have the necessary repairs made on the Halls in Connection with the cleaning. Carried [Ice House] Moved & Seconded that Prof. Carpenter be authorized to oversee the Construction of an ice house near the bank of Cedar River Said building to Cost not to exceed one Hundred & fifty dollars Carried [Ladies' Hall] Moved & Seconded that the item put into the estimates for a ladies hall, and the severeal items connected with this be submitted to the Governor & the Legislature as an independent estimate Carried [End page 343] [Begin page 344] [Ladies' Hall] Moved & Seconded that the motion designating six thousand dollars as the amount to be put into the estim ate for a ladies hall be reconsidered Carried Moved & Seconded that ten thousand dollars be asked for to build a ladies hall Carried [ " ] Moved & Seconded that the motion designating one thousand dollars or the sum to be put into the estimates to furnish the ladies hall be reconsidered. Carried It was resolved that two thousand be the sum asked for to furnish the Hall [ " ] It was resolved that an item of one thousand dollars be put into the estimates for a female teacher for the year 1880 [Stock] It was resolved that the college hereafter keep herds of short horns & Ayrshires only & keep of other breeds only Such specimens as are needed for purposes of instruction. Board adjourned to meet at the Call of Pres. Abbot & the Secretary. R G Baird Secretary [End page 344]