UCCSN Board of Regents' Meeting Minutes
09-02-1943
Volume 5 - Pages 378-383
REGENTS MEETING
September 2, 1943
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ross at 9:40 A.M.
Present: Ross, Wardin, Sirkegian, Mc Namee, Vice President
Gorman and Frank Leonard, representative of the Reno Evening
Gazette.
The Comptroller presented August claims for approval as follows:
Regents List No. 2, Checks Nos. 34-18 to 34-33 for a total of
$78,087.48; List No. 2, State Claim Nos. 34-020 to 34-034 for a
total of $27,500.82. Mrs. Wardin moved that the claims be ap-
proved.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
At 9:55 A.M. the Board of Regents convened in Executive Session;
Executive Session was adjourned and Regents reconvened at 10:55
A.M. Mr. Ross presented a letter from Regent Sheerin of Elko and
requested that it be incorporated into the minutes.
August 30, 1943
Mr. Silas Ross
Chairman of the Board of Regents
University of Nevada
Reno, Nevada
My Dear Sir:
I have just talked with Mr. Gorman and Mr. Sirkegian and
they have informed me that the proposed Regents' meeting for
Saturday has been changed to Thursday of this week. I have
explained to them that it will be impossible for me to be
present at that time.
I told them that I would outline my ideas concerning the
critical condition we now face in a letter to you, which I
ask be made a part of the record of the Thursday meeting.
It is my opinion that we cannot possibly make a selection of
a new President, without great consideration, which will
necessitate the elapse of more time.
In the meantime, I feel that Vice President Gorman should be
kept in charge of the institution until such time as the
Regents are able to make a permanent appointment.
If it is possible, I feel that copies of all applications for
the position of President should be sent to the members of
the Board of Regents, so that all members will have time to
study them before final action is taken at some future date.
If it is at all possible pictures should be made available
of all candidates for the position.
I see some difficulty attached to this program because of the
time of the year, as most available, outstanding men are tied
up with contracts by other Universities and, they would dis-
like leaving these institutions at the opening of a school
year.
I deeply regret my inability to be present at the meeting
Thursday, but realize it will work out better for the other
members and it seems to me that the temporary solution, I
mention, is the natural one to follow.
Sincerely,
/s/ Chris R. Sheerin
Member of the Board of Regents
Referring to the deaths of members of the University staff during
the past year, the Vice President suggested that a memorial serv-
ice should be held as soon as convenient after September 15th in
their honor. Those who have passed on during the past year are:
Mr. C. R. Townsend
Agricultural Extension Service October 17, 1942
Mr. Jesse A. Woolf
U. S. Bureau of Mines January 27, 1943
Mr. Edmund S. Leaver
U. S. Bureau of Mines June 13, 1943
Mr. A. P. Towne
U. S. Bureau of Mines June 22, 1943
Mrs. Mary S. Buol
Agricultural Extension Service August 9, 1943
Dr. A. C. Olmsted
Regent June 14, 1943
Judge George S. Brown
Regent August 9, 1943
Dr. L. W. Hartman
President August 27, 1943
Mr. Mc Namee moved that the Vice President appoint a Faculty
Committee on Memorials to work out plans.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
Chairman Ross appointed a committee - Mr. Sirkegian, Mrs. Wardin
and Mr. Mc Namee - to draw up resolutions on the deaths of Judge
Brown and Dr. Hartman.
Vice President read a letter from Major Fleischmann thanking the
Regents for sending the Standard Brands proxy to him.
Vice President announced that he had received letters from Elsa
Sameth, R. M. Oliver, J. R. Van Dyke, Otto R. Schulz and John
York expressing their appreciation for salary increases.
Vice President read a letter from Mrs. Mary B. Smith resigned as
Instructor in Journalism. Mrs. Wardin moved that the resignation
be accepted.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
Vice President recommended the plan of Professor Higginbotham to
assign part of the work in his Department to Dr. Laird and to
secure a newspaper man for part-time since no Instructor could
be secured in Mrs. Smith's place, be approved. Mrs. Wardin moved
that the Regents accept the proposed plan of Mr. Higginbotham.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
Vice President read a letter from Mr. W. O. Wagner asking for an
extension of his leave. Mr. Mc Namee moved, upon the recommenda-
tion of the Vice President, that the leave be extended for the
duration of the war and for 6 months beyond.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
Vice President read a letter from Foster Field Flying School in
Texas requesting a school pennant for the recreation room of the
"48 Club" and asked for authority to purchase such a pennant at
a cost of about $12.50. Mr. Sirkegian moved that this request
be approved.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
Vice President read a letter from Victor Hyatt of Los Angeles,
California, stating that he wishes to establish a scholarship of
$300 for a worthy Freshman student and the donor be permitted to
designate the recipient, subject to the approval of the Univer-
sity Entrance and Scholarship Committee. Mr. Sirkegian moved
that the scholarship be accepted.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
Vice President read a letter from the Associated Oil Company
regarding the clause in the fuel oil contract which states that
the fuel oil cannot be used in a central heating plant. It was
explained that this clause was inserted so that there would be
no conflict if and when fuel oil is rationed. Mr. Mc Namee moved
that the Chairman be authorized to execute the contract.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
Vice President reported that the Survey Committee for the Army
Specialized Training Program had met on the Campus August 6th,
had accepted the facilities of the University, had agreed to
send a contingent of cadets if and when the Army authorities ap-
proved. On August 31st a letter of intent was received authoriz-
ing the University to proceed with the necessary arrangements for
this detachment; the sum of $1400 to be paid by the United States
government, was allowed for the installation of:
Additional toilet facilities at Artemisia Hall $1113
Shelving in storeroom 200
Miscellaneous 87
Total $1400
As soon as possible an Army Contract Officer will come to the
University to prepare the formal contract. Vice President rec-
ommended that the Chairman of the Board be authorized to sign
this contract, and Mrs. Wardin made the motion to that effect.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
Vice President explained to the Board that we have 3 separate
programs at the University: (1) Army Air Force; (2) regular
University; (3) Army Specialized Training. Under these circum-
stances it is necessary that authority for arranging schedules,
assigning courses to the various Instructors and correlating the
instructional payrolls and other financial matters with the Comp-
troller's office, be centralized. After conference with all
concerned it was arranged that Dean Fredrick Wood, College of
Arts and Science, be designated as Academic Director for all 3
instructional programs. Vice President asked that the appoint-
ment of Dean Wood be approved, and Mr. Mc Namee made the motion
to that effect.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
Vice President reported that a committee composed of Dr. Griffin,
Dean Benson and Carl Horn had gone over the fraternity houses
(Alph Tau Omega, Lambda Chi Alpha and Sigma Alpha Epsilon) to
determine what it would cost to put them into shape for occupancy
by women.
(a) The A. T. O. House rental will be $2400 per year. It will
require $635 to make necessary alterations.
(b) The L. C. A. House can be had for $100 per month, and will
care for 19 women.
(c) The S. A. E. House can be had rent free, with the provision
that the house be left in a good state of repair. This
house will be used for men who would otherwise live at
Lincoln Hall.
Mrs. Wardin moved that the Board approve these arrangements and
that the Board express appreciation to the S. A. E. for their
fine cooperation.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
Vice President presented Dean Benson's report regarding the ar-
rangements that have been made to house the women in the A. T. O.
and L. C. A. Houses. All women will eat at the A. T. O. House.
Board will be furnished at $32.50 per month and room rent at $36
per semester as published in the University catalogue, the dieti-
tian to receive $140 per month and the cook to receive $100 per
month and board. Vice President suggested that if the revenue
received was not sufficient, any deficit should be paid from the
rent the government pays for the use of Artemisia Hall.
Vice President reported that owing to the fact that proceeds from
the 1-cent tax levy authorized by the Legislature as the State's
contribution to the University Pension Plan will not be available
until December 31st, the 1st deduction for the Pension Plan will
be made from salary checks issued December 31, 1943.
Relative to the Army Specialized Training Program, the Vice Pres-
ident stated that the Army officials were considering sending an
additional contingent of 500 engineers to the University for
advanced training. The Army had sent blueprints of the proposed
barracks for housing and feeding this contingent. These build-
ings would have to be constructed at State or University ex-
pense. No definite action could be taken in the matter by the
University until first, the Army made an official request of
the University, and second, until a definite proposition had
been received from the Army as to rent, etc., to be paid for the
use of the buildings so constructed; in other words, how long a
period of time it would take for the rent to reimburse the Uni-
versity for construction. The Army expects to have a definite
proposition for the consideration of the Regents within 60 days.
Vice President reported that he had a questionnaire from the Navy
as to the possibility of the University accepting a naval train-
ing contingent of 2100. Suggestion was made to Navy officials
that we could not handle 2100 with present facilities, but the
University would be glad to have an inspection officer visit the
Campus to determine how we could help the Navy in its programs.
The Board of Regents recessed at 11:40 A.M. and met as the Board
of Control of the Agricultural Experiment Station.
The Board of Control adjourned and reconvened as the Board of
Regents.
Vice President read a telegram addressed to Mrs. Hartman stating
that about $50 would be sent to the University of Nevada for
purchase of Physics books in memory of President Leon W. Hartman
by friends of Paul at the Bell Telephone Laboratory in New York.
Vice President gave an informal report of the funeral of Dr.
Hartman at Oakland, August 31st. Dean Thompson and Major Howard
represented the University and about 25 others were able to at-
tend, including Regents Ross, Wardin and Sirkegian and Vice Pres-
ident Gorman.
Vice President reported that the request of R. M. Oliver for a
leave of absence to enter the employ of the University of Cali-
fornia was denied after consultation with and upon the recommen-
dation of Dean S. G. Palmer of the College of Engineering.
Vice President reported that it had been brought to his attention
that Lt. J. P. Puffinbarger of the United States Navy, who had
been granted a leave of absence from the University August 1,
1942 for the duration of the war, had been making unfair, unjust
and scurrilous criticism of the University, its Board of Regents
and of its late President, Dr. L. W. Hartman. After discussion,
Mrs. Wardin moved that Mr. Gorman be authorized and directed to
handle the matter along the lines outlined to him and to report
at the next meeting of the Board of Regents.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
Mr. Mc Namee moved that the Comptroller be authorized and di-
rected to pay to the estate of Dr. Hartman $600, the balance due
on the contract with Dr. Hartman for the year ending September
30, 1943.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
Mrs. Wardin moved that the Regents extend the use of the Presi-
dent's house to Mrs. Hartman, rent free, until such time as a
successor to President Hartman is named.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
Mr. Sirkegian moved that Mr. Gorman, in addition to his present
duties as Comptroller and Vice President, be made Acting Presi-
dent at a salary of $600 per month, effective September 1, 1943
until such time as the Board of Regents select a permanent Presi-
dent.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
Mr. Mc Namee moved that Mr. Gorman be authorized to employ such
help as he deems necessary in the Comptroller's office and to
fix the salaries thereof.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
Chairman suggested that a Vice Chairman be appointed. Mr. Mc
Namee moved that Mrs. Wardin be named and that the Executive Com-
mittee consist of the two local members, Mr. Ross and Mrs.
Wardin.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
Chairman Ross suggested that we should send out formal engraved
announcements of the death of President Hartman and asked Mr.
Gorman to take care of this matter.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
Acting President reported that it seemed to be to the best inter-
ests of all concerned that women students be excluded from the
old Gymnasium which was being used almost exclusively by the
Army cadet contingents, that tentative arrangements had been made
with Superintendent Vaughn of the Reno Schools to permit the
classes for Physical Education for Women to be held in some of
the gymnasiums of the Reno Schools, subject to the approval of
the School Principals concerned. Acting President recommended
that women students be excluded from the old Gymnasium and that
Dr. Wood and the Acting President be authorized to complete ar-
rangements with the school authorities for the use of school
gymnasiums for classes in Physical Education for women. Mr.
Mc Namee moved that the recommendation be approved as outlined
by the Acting President.
Mrs. Wardin Aye
Mr. Sirkegian Aye
Mr. Ross Aye
Mr. Mc Namee Aye
It was agreed that all applications for the Presidency be cleared
through the Chairman of the Board and be considered only at regu-
lar or called meetings of the Board of Regents.
Meeting adjourned at 2:00 P.M. with the understanding that the
next meeting will be at the call of the Chairman.