Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes - 1858 [Begin page 35] Office of Sec. Board of Educa’n Lansing, Feb. 3d, 1858. [No Quorum] The Board met pursuant to a call of the Secretary, at 9 o’clock A.M. Present W.J. Baxter and the Sec’y. There being no quorum, the Board adjourned till to-morrow morning at 8 o’clock. February 4th, 1858. The Board met pursuant to adjournment. Present. John R. Kellogg, W.J. Baxter and the Secretary. A letter was read by the Secretary from George Willard, stating that he would not probably be in attendance. The consideration of matters connected with the Agricultural College, and conferences with [End page 35] [Begin page 36] officers of that Institution, engaged the attention of the Board during the forenoon session. Sessions of the Board were held during the afternoon and evening, when the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted. [Preamble] [Funds Exhausted] Whereas the funds appropriated by the Legis- lature for the support of the Agricultural College have been expended, and whereas it is essential for the preservation of the property already invested in the Institution now in successful operation, that it should be continued without interrup= tion, and whereas we believe it to be the earnest desire and determination of the People of the State of Michigan to sustain said Institution and to afford it all reasonable facilities for accomplish= ing the great objects for which it was established therefore, [$500. per mo. asked of State Treasurer] Resolved. That the State Treasurer be re= quested, with the approbation of the Governor and other State officers, to set aside the sum of $500.00 per month, from and including January 1st, 1858, to and including December, 1858, to the Agricultural College Fund to be drawn by the Board of Education for the support of said Institution. [Bd. of Educ. Responsible] Resolved. That if the above request be granted, we will, as a Board, use all honorable means to procure an appropriation by the next Legislature, to refund the amount so advanced, and that we will, in any event, save the Treasurer harm= less in the premises. The Secretary, pursuant to the direction of the Board of Education, communicated the foregoing Preamble and Resolutions to the StateTreasurer, under this date, (Feb. 4th,) with the request, on the behalf of this Board that it receive the favorable consideration and action of the Treasurer. The Treasurer engaged to give the matter his consideration and communicate to this Board his decision before leaving Lansing. The Board adjourned till to-morrow morning. Ira Mayhew, Sec. [End page 36] [Begin page 37] Lansing, Feb. 5th, 1858. The Board met at the office of the Secretary, purusant to adjournment, at 8 o’clock. Present. Messrs. Kellogg, Baxter, and the Secretary. After freely and fully [canvassing?] the whole matter, the following preamble and reso= lutions were unanimously adopted: - [Horticultural Professorship Suspended] Whereas, in the opinion of this Board, the suc= cess of the Agricultural College would be greatly promoted by the appointment of a Professor of English Literature to [2 words illegible in original] the duties of the Professorship the commencement of the ensuing term; and whereas we are restrained by the Statutes in the amount to be paid to professors, to a sum precluding the possibility of such ap= pointment, without retrenchment in some other department; and whereas, in the opinion of this Board the Horticultural Department, in the present uncultivated State of the Farm, would suffer least from retrenchment and delay: there= fore. Resolved. That with the consent and approval of the Professor Horticulture, the Salary and duties of said Professor be suspended, from and after the close of the present term, and until the further action of this Board; and that such position of the duties of of said professorship as are indispensable, be in the mean time devol= ved upon the President of Said Institution. [T.C. Abbot English Literature] Resolved. That Mr. T.C. Abbot, of Ann Arbor, be, and he is hereby appointed Professor of English Literature in the Agricultural College with a Salary of $1000.00 per annum, commencing from the time he shall enter upon the duties of his Professorship. [Treasurer protem] Resolved. That Prof. J.C. Abbot be appointed Treasurer Protem. of the Agricultural College, and that he be expected to enter upon his duties as Treasurer, at the time of entering upon the duties of his Professorship. Resolved. That the Secretary of this Board be requested to notify Professor Abbot of his appointment under the two preceding resolu= tions, to inform him, of the state of the Funds [End page 37] [Begin page 38] applicable to the support of the college, to request his acceptance of the appointment, and to make arrangements as he shall be able, to secure the services of such Professor, at a smaller sum, temporarily, than the contemplated Salary. [Religious Services] Resolved. That after the present term religious services be held once on each Sabbath, at the College, to be conducted exclusively by those connected with the Institution. The following Preamble and Resolutions were unanimously adopted:- Whereas. J.C. Holmes, Esq. Professor of Horticulture, has indicated his concurrence in the proposition to suspend his salary and duties in connection with his Professorship, from and after the close of the present term, until further action by this Board, and Whereas he has recently furnished and moved into the House he now occupies on the College Farm: therefore, [Prof. Holmes/ Dwelling] Resolved. that Professor Holmes have the privilege of continuing hsi present occupancy of the House and Barn on the Agricultural College Farm, until next Fall, and until the further action of this Board. [Finances] [advertising $53.] The Secretary reported the following certificates as filled by him since the last meeting of the Board, to wit: - to J.C. Holmes, Oct. 30th. 1857. for use as Treasurer of the Agricultural College. $1500.00; and on account of bill rendered for Furniture for Boarding Hall. $23.36; to J.C. Holmes, as Treasurer of the Agricultural College under the Statues. $1000.00 on the 12th of Nov.; do. Nov. 27th, $3,000.00; do Dec. 16th. $2,000.00; do. Jan’y 26th. 1858, $1108.70; do. under date of Oct. 23d 1857, to cover amount that had been advanced by the Treasurer without certificate, $1000.00. Also, to [H.?] Barns, publisher of Detroit Tribune, Jan. 21st, 1858. for advertising proposals, postponement and andopeningof Agricultural College, $53.50. The Board voted the allowance of % of Phinney, Tobias [etc.?], for work done for Agric’l College to date, $27.50. The Board having disposed of the business before them, adjourned at 10 o’clock P.M. Ira Mayhew, Secretary. [End page 38] [Begin page 39] Office of Sec. Board of Educa’n. Lansing, July 8th, 1858. The Board met pursuant to call of the Secretary. Present: Messrs. Willard, Baxter & Secretary. In the absence of the President Mr. Willard was called to the Chair. [Shearer, Steward Resigned] The resignation of Mr. [J.M.?] Shearer, the late Steward was received and accepted, and is placed on file. After receiving and considering communica= tions from the President and officers of the College, the Board took a recess till 1/2 past 1. P.M. July 8th 1/2 past 1. P.M. The Board met pursuant to adjournment. Present. the same members as before. [Steward’s Salary] Resolved. That the Salary of the Steward be fixed at Six hundred dollars a year; including house rent, use of furniture, and the Board of himself and Family, not exceeding four persons in all. [Assistant Chemist Dropped] Resolved. That the authority conferred upon the Prof. of Chemistry, Jan. 14, 1857, to employ an assistant, be and is hereby revoked. The Board adjourned till to-morrow morning. July 9th, 1858 The Board met at the office of the Secretary at 8 o’clock A.M. Present: Messrs. Willard, Baxter & the Secretary, on motion it was [Brown, Steward] Resolved. That Mr. George A. Brown be, and he is hereby appointed Steward of the Agricultu= ral College for the remainder of the present term, on a Salary at the rate of $600.00 a year. [Finances] The Secretary reported the following certifi= cates drawn since the last meeting of the Board pursuant to instructions, to wit: March 29th. to J.C. Holmes, Treasurer of Agric’l College, $122.95; June 7th. to J.C. Abbot, Treasurer of Agric’l College, $2,500.00; do. June 25th $500.00; do. July 18th $500.00. – The Board adjourned to meet at the Normal School Building Wednesday before the close of the present term. Ira Mayhew, Sec. [End page 39] [Begin page 40] Normal School Building. Ypsilanti, July 21st, 1858. The Board of Education being in session at the Normal School Building, and Messrs. Baxter, Willard and the Secretary being in attendance, a commu= nication from president Williams. of the Agric’l College, dated July 17, 1858, was laid before the Board by the Secretary, which communica= tion is placed on file. Upon considering the contents of the aforesaid paper, the following resolutions were adopted. [no Money Making at College] Resolved. That in the opinion of this Board both the Law under which the Agricultural College is organized, and the best interests of that Institution, preclude us from giving permission for, or in any manner sanctioning the pursuit of, any employment for gain within the walls of the Institution other than is provided for both the officers and Professors regularly employed. Whereas a majority of the applicants for admission to the Agricultural College have to be rejected for want of accommodations, and whereas the law required students to enter for a period of not less than one entire term, (except for providential reasons.) therefore, [Forfeiture of wages by Desertion] Resolved. That when students leave the College prior to the expiration of any term, (except for providential reasons, for which they shall be excused by the Faculty,) they shall receive no pay for labor previously performed, during that term, but the same shall be deemed forfeited by reason of such desertion or abandonment of the Institution. [Time of Settling for Board & Labor] Resolved. That from and after the commence= ment of the next term of the Agricultural College, the times of determining the price of board, and of Settlingwith Students shall be as follows: The price of board for the term shall be determined on the third Wednesday of January and July of each year, at which times students shall be required to settle for board to those days, respectively. The price of labor shall be determined, and the settlement with students for the balance of board, and for labor, shall be made at the close of each term, [End page 40] [Begin page 41] any credits for labor being allowed on the board of the latter part of the term, and balances either way being settled at the end of the term. [No Vacation July Fourth] Whereas. The question has been raised as to the propriety and legality of a short vacation embracing the Fourth of July. therefore, Resolved. That in the opinion of this Board such vacation would not only be unauthorized by law, but injurious to the industrial interests of the Institution. The Board resumed Normal School business. Ira Mayhew. Secretary Office of Sec. Board of Education. Lansing Oct. 27, 1858. The Board met at the office of the Secretary on Monday morning, Oct. 25th, pursuant to ad- journment from the last Normal School meeting, and notice from the Secretary. Present. Messrs. Kellogg, Baxter and the Sec’y. After a brief session, without the transaction of busines for record, the Board took a recess to attend the examination at the Agricultural College, during the day. The Board met again in the evening. present the same members as before, and George Willard, making a full Board. The Board continued in open seession from day to day, till Wednesday, attending the examinations during the day, and considering matters connected with the College from time to time. The following resolutions were adopted: - [President’s Report] Resolved. That that the President of the Ag= ricultural College be requested to prepare and Submit to this Board by the first of Decem’r next, a brief report, embracing the following particulars: [Exams] 1st. The amount expended for the Agricultural College from April first, 1858, to the date of the report, and an estimate of the necessary ex= penditures for the Institution to January first, 1859, with a particular statement of items and objects. [End page 41] [Begin page 42] [Debts] 2d. A full statement of the indebtedness of the Agric’l, College up to January first, 1859, including all amounts due for balances, giving items and particulars. [Repairs] 3d. Needful repairs before Janaury 1861, and the estimated cost thereof. [Professors] 4th. Additional Professors required. [Farm Map] 5th. A map of the Farm, indicating, sofar as practicable, Surface, Streams, improve= ments, buildings, etc.. etc. [Added Buildings] 6th. Necessary buildings, and improvements required before January, 1861, including plans for buildings, their location, and the estimated cost of their erection, having in view the accommodation of at least two hun= dred students. [Estimates] 7th. A detailed statement of the appropriations required to meet the wants of the Institution for the same length of time. 8th. Any further suggestions deemed of im= portance to the success of the Institution. [Legislation] 9th. Legislation required to promote the interests of the Collge. The functions of the Professor of Horticulture having been suspended, and with them those of the late Treasurer of the College, therefore, [Holmes’ Bond] Resolved. That J.C. Holme’s Bond as Treasurer of the Agricultural College be released. [Course of Study] [French or German Out, Entom, Metero- ology etc. 2 parts to 1st term etc] Resolved. That the course of Study adopted by the Faculty of the College, and presented for the ap= proval of this Board, be and the same is hereby referred back to the Faculty, with the request that they amend it by striking out French or German, and inserting Entomology, Mete= orology, and other studies specified in the law; and by further changing it so as to embrace but two terms: (dividing the long one into first and second parts,) and that they submit the same to this Board the 30th of November, or as soon thereafter as may be. Resolved. That when this Board adjourns, it do so to meet at the office of the Secretary the 30th of Nov. inst. at 8 o’clock A.M. [End page 42] [Begin page 43] Secretary’s Office Lansing, Nov. 30, 1858. The Board met pursuant to adjournment, Wednesday Nov. 30th. at 5 o’clock A.M. Present. W.J. Baxter, Geo. Willard and the Secretary. A communication was received from J. R. Kellogg, indicating his inability to be present at this meeting of the Board. In the absence of the President of the Board, the Rev George Willard was chosen President pro tem. [Reports] The Board received the Report of the Agricultural College, prepared pursuant to a resolution of this Board at its last meeting, which report was ordered printed, and will appear with the accompanying documents, of the Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Board took up the preparation of a Report to the Governor, embracing both the Normal School and the Agricultural College, which report will likewise be published as an accmpanying document to the Super= intentdent’s Report. The Board, after continuing in session through the day and evening, adjourned to meet at the Office of the Secretary at 8 o’clock to-morrow morning. December 18, 1858. The Board met pursuant to adjournment. Present, the same members as before. The Secretary called the attention of the Board to an unsettled account with Geo. W. Maher, late Superintendent of Buildings, when it was [Maher’s Acct.] Resolved. That Geo. W. Maher’s account for Two hundred and nineteen and 43/100 dollars [End page 43] [Begin page 44] for balance of Salary as Superintendent of repairs on Agricultural College, and of building Cottage Residences for Professors, be allowed, and the usual certificate be drawn in payment thereof. [Mayhew’s Acct.] Resolved. That the account of Ira Mayhew for expenses incurred as Secretary of this Board, since Oct. 1857, including an account for Livery for himself and the Board with J. LaRue, etc., be allowed at $132.50. [Board of Professors] Resolved. That Professors C. Tracy, and T.C. Abbot, be charged the same sum per week for board that has been established for students during the same terms respectively. [Old Acct.] Resolved. That $100.00 be allowed to S. M. Holmes, State Treasurer, to cover an amount advanced by him to S.M. Bartlett while acting as agent of this Board in 1856, the same not having been hitherto embraced in the Certificates of this Board. The Board, after continuing in session through the day and evening, and agreeing upon a Report to the Governor, adjourned at 10 o’clock P.M. to meet at this office on the Call of the Secretary, in the early part of January 1859. Ira Mayhew, Secretary [End page 44]