UCCSN Board of Regents' Meeting Minutes
11-18-1944
Volume 5 - Pages 425-430
REGENTS MEETING
November 18, 1944
The regular meeting of the Board of Regents was called to order
at 9:30 A.M. in the President's office. Present: Regents Ross,
Henningsen, Sheerin, Sirkegian; Comptroller Gorman and President
Moseley. Regent Mc Namee was absent because of illness.
The minutes of the previous meeting, September 9, 1944, were
approved.
President Moseley reported informally on the following items:
(1) Public Relations. The Alumni Newsletters, which Dr. Griffin
has prepared, have met with approval and hundreds of letters
have been received from men and women in the armed forces
expressing gratitude and pleasure in receiving them. Vari-
ous organizations have held meetings on the Campus and
others have been invited to do so. The facilities of the
University are being made available, as far as possible,
to citizens of the State.
(2) Legislature. The President would like the Board to tell
him that he is responsible for presenting to the Legislature
the needs of the University. This was the desire of the
Board. All programs pertaining to any part of the Univer-
sity organization must come through the President's office.
If people, other than University personnel, wish to assist,
they, too, should coordinate their programs with those of
the University Administration. When the program is decided
upon, the entire Board and the Administration of the Univer-
sity should stand behind it.
(3) Academic Standards. Standards must be maintained and raised
if possible. In order to do so, money is needed for re-
search, increased salaries, better equipment for laborato-
ries and library. This is necessary in order that we might
attract better quality of personnel and keep them, along
with the progressive personnel which we now have. The
President promised that, when people are hired from now on,
they will be chosen most carefully, and only after personal
interview.
(4) Student Activities. An expression was asked from the Re-
gents as to how strong he should go with this program --
whether to go along with it for a time or to boldly take
a decisive action in the matters of (a) hazing, (b) fra-
ternity situation (hell week), (c) conduct in Dining Hall,
(d) rowdyness in general, such as the boys crashing the
gates of the girls' parties in the Gymnasium. The sense
of the Board was that the President should take some action
so that these matters will not get out of hand; that this
action must be gradual with especial effort made to direct
leaders among student affairs; good traditions should be
upheld and strengthened and bad traditions allowed to die.
Since hell week and hazing are carried on in high schools,
that would be the logical place to start a reform, if pos-
sible, and such a campaign was suggested.
President Moseley presented the following recommendations for the
consideration of the Board:
A. Recommendations for Degrees
None.
B. Recommendations on Personnel
(1) That, effective November 1, 1944, Dr. E. W. Lowrance,
Associate Professor of Biology, be granted a leave of
absence without pay for the remainder of the school year
to accept a temporary teaching position in the College
of Medicine of the University of Kansas.
Upon motion of Mr. Sheerin, passed unanimously.
(2) That, effective October 26, 1944, Lt. Col. E. Lewis
Field, Inf., U. S. A., be appointed Professor of Mili-
tary Science and Tactics, replacing Maj. John C. Howard,
Inf., U. S. A., transferred to the University of Cali-
fornia, Berkeley, California.
Upon motion of Mr. Sheerin, passed unanimously.
(3) That Dr. Robert S. Griffin be allowed $225 for his extra
services in connection with Army Contracts. The Army
Auditors and later the Army Settlement Board came to
Reno just as Dr. Griffin was making arrangements for
his Summer vacation, and, as a result, he worked through
the entire Summer without a vacation.
Upon motion of Mrs. Henningsen, passed unanimously.
(4) That, effective December 1, 1944, the salary of Carl
Horn be increased from $250 to $275 per month, in recog-
nition of Mr. Horn's long years of service at the Uni-
versity and to equalize, so far as possible, his salary
with the standard union rate paid for service of this
kind.
Upon motion of Mr. Sirkegian, passed unanimously.
C. Recommendations on Policy
(1) That the action of the general faculty at a meeting on
September 7, 1944 be ratified in approving a major in
Business Administration leading to degree of Bachelor
of Science in Business Administration.
Upon motion of Mr. Sheerin, passed unanimously.
(2) That all necessary legal and legislative steps for ac-
quiring property north of the Campus, consisting of 13
acres at $1000 per acre, totaling $13,000 be authorized.
Upon motion of Mr. Sheerin, passed unanimously.
(3) That all necessary legal and legislative steps for
granting a right of way to Mrs. Rickard across the
north boundary of University property in order to give
her access to her property, be authorized.
Upon motion of Mrs. Henningsen, passed unanimously.
(4) That all necessary legal and legislative steps to grant
a right of way to Washoe County for a county road across
the Fleischmann Farm, be authorized.
Upon motion of Mr. Sirkegian, passed unanimously.
(5) That the Comptroller be directed to draw up a legisla-
tive enactment and, after approval by the Attorney Gen-
eral, to submit it to the Legislature authorizing the
Regents -
(a) to handle University property according to their
best judgment;
(b) to accept gifts;
(c) to eliminate the requirement of endorsement of the
Presidents and faculties of 3 Universities from the
qualifications of the President of the University;
(d) to exempt University property from taxes because we
have no money with which we can legally pay taxes.
Upon motion of Mr. Sirkegian, passed unanimously.
(6) That the President of the University be authorized to
make application to proper authorities for a wave length
for FM radio pending the acquisition of a University FM
radio broadcasting station.
Upon motion of Mr. Sheerin, passed unanimously.
(7) That the Regents grant a scholarship in the sum of $50
per semester for one year to the winner of the radio
history quiz conducted by the B. Ellis Associates.
Upon motion of Mrs. Henningsen, passed unanimously.
President Moseley reported that Eldon C. Grafton, Assistant Pro-
fessor of Structural Engineering, has returned to the University,
having been released from the Army because he is now overage.
During the time of his absence, he had been advanced in rank to
Associate Professor (see minutes of January 7, 1944).
Mr. Ross suggested that we take all reasonable steps to connect
our property north and south by the purchase of a strip of land
from Mr. Neilson. The Board agreed. Comptroller Gorman had
conference with the owners of the property relative to selling
it to the University. Mr. Neilson was not favorable, but agreed
to give the matter consideration.
Approval of the Board was requested on the following lists of
claims approved by the Executive Committee of the Board:
List No. 3, dated September 30, 1944, Regents Checks Nos.
45-41 to 45-65, inclusive, for a total of $107,755.62;
List No. 3, dated September 30, 1944, State Claims Nos.
45-31 to 45-44, inclusive, for a total of $29,594.78;
List No. 4, dated October 31, 1944, Regents Checks Nos.
45-66 to 45-93, inclusive, for a total of $105,742.65;
List No. 4, dated October 31, 1944, State Claims Nos.
45-45 to 45-62, inclusive, for a total of $30,838.08.
Upon motion of Mrs. Henningsen, passed unanimously.
Comptroller Gorman reported informally on the following items:
(1) The Layman house has been entirely renovated at a cost of
approximately $2,500. Permission was received from the
housing authorities to raise the rent to $50 beginning
November 1st.
(2) The Ladino Dairy, gift from Major Fleischmann, was received
subject to a lease held by Mike Harrigan who receives 1/2
of the income. 17 cows were found to be affected with Bangs
disease and a considerable number with Mystitis. Milk sales
since our ownership total $3,630.32, and disbursements total
$4,763.36, making an overdraft of $1,133.04. The Attorney
General ruled that, in this case, we could continue the
lease; although the terms of the lease are not satisfactory
to the University. Dr. Gorman requested the Board to direct
him to ask the Attorney General for permission to buy out
Mr. Harrigan for $9,000. It was the sense of the Board that
Dr. Gorman be so directed.
(3) Paving of all dirt roads and parking places on the Campus is
in progress at an approximate cost of $10,000.
(4) The main room of the new Gymnasium is being painted and as
soon as this is completed, the hardwood floor will be laid;
the total cost will be approximately $2,550.
(5) Sale of securities -
(a) The 200 shares of Baltimore and Ohio stock belonging
to the Leon W. Hartman Memorial Fund were sold at a
net of $831.61.
(b) The United States Treasury Bonds outlined in a letter
to the Regents under date of October 2nd, have been
ordered sold at market. A full report will be made to
the Regents as soon as a report is received from the
State Treasurer.
(6) A statement of General Funds of the University, including
Army Contracts, showing the following recapitulations:
Balance Army Air Force $ 74,305.77
Balance Army Specialized Training Unit 10,729.27
Total Balance Army Contracts $ 85,035.04
Balance State Funds (December 31, 1944) 83,991.94
Total $169,026.98
Encumbrances:
Paving $ 10,000.00
New floor and painting new Gymnasium 3,000.00
College of Engineering 20,000.00
Purchase of land north of Campus 13,000.00
Conversion of old Gymnasium for ROTC 20,000.00
High pressure steam boiler 10,000.00
Completing heating system, Engineering building 5,000.00
College of Agriculture 20,000.00
Total $101,000.00
Available for completion of new Gymnasium and
miscellaneous 68,026.98
(See Above) $169,026.98
These figures do not include December tax receipts.
The December 1943 tax receipts amounted to $103,962.34.
(7) A letter from the Fire Chief of Reno was read calling the
attention of the Regents to the fact that all the fire
hydrants on the grounds except the one near the Veterinary
building at the end of Evans Avenue, have insufficient water
because the mains are too small. As soon as the materials
are available, a 20-inch fire main will be laid on Virginia
Street from the north city limits to 8th Street by the Power
Company. It was the sense of the Board that, when this new
main is laid, the University should consider enlarging the
University mains.
The $15,000 par value State of California Highway Bonds belonging
to the 90,000 Acre Grant fund have been ordered sold at market
but for not less than 120 5/6, plus accrued interest to date of
sale, the premium to be added to the principal account of the
90,000 Acre Grant Fund. These bonds, being registered in the
name of the Board of Regents, Mr. Sirkegian moved the adoption
of the following resolution, required by the Treasurer of Cali-
fornia to consummate the sale:
THAT, Dan Franks, Treasurer of the State of Nevada, be and
he is hereby authorized and directed to sell $15,000 par
value State of California Highway 4 1/2% Bonds belonging to
the University 90,000 Acre Grant Fund at market but not for
less than 120 5/8 plus accrued interest to the date of sale.
Passed unanimously.
Mr. Sirkegian moved that the State Treasurer of Nevada be author-
ized to sell the United States Treasury Bonds at market, and
that the following resolution be adopted:
THAT, Dan Franks, Treasurer of the State of Nevada, be and
he is hereby authorized and directed to sell $15,500 par
value U. S. Treasury 2 3/4% Bonds due September 15, 1959-56
at market plus accrued interest to date of sale.
THAT, Dan Franks, Treasurer of the State of Nevada, be and
he is hereby authorized and directed to sell $1,650 par
value U. S. Treasury 2 7/8% Bonds due March 15, 1960-55 at
market plus accrued interest to date of sale.
Passed unanimously.
Mr. Sirkegian moved the adoption of the following resolution:
THAT, Dan Franks, Treasurer of the State of Nevada, be and
he is hereby authorized and directed to credit the premiums
on the sale of the foregoing bonds to the principal account
of the 90,000 Acre Grant Fund and that he be authorized and
directed to re-invest the uninvested balance in the 90,000
Acre Grant Fund in U. S. Bonds of the Sixth War Drive. Type
of bonds to be purchased to be determined by the President
of the University, Chairman of the Board and Comptroller of
the University.
Passed unanimously.
(Note: It was decided by the 3 above-named, that the balances
be invested in 2 1/2% U. S. Treasury Bonds of 1966-71.)
Mr. Sirkegian moved the adoption of the following resolution:
THAT, the Comptroller of the University be authorized to re-
invest the balances in the principal accounts of the Endow-
ment Funds of the University. Types of bonds to be purchased
to be determined by the President of the University, Chairman
of the Board and Comptroller of the University.
Passed unanimously.
(Note: In accordance with the above, uninvested balances in the
Endowment Funds were invested in 2 1/2% U. S. Treasury
Bonds of 1966-71.)
Referring to the items of improvement contained in the minutes of
September 9, 1944, Mr. Sheerin moved that definite authority be
given to the Comptroller to go ahead with this work as soon as
material is available.
Passed unanimously.
A copy of the Acting President's report to be published in the
forthcoming Biennial Report had been mailed to each Regent. Mr.
Sheerin suggested that special mention should be made of degrees
conferred on Dr. Gorman and the good job done by him as Acting
President.
Chairman Ross reported to the Board for the Committee which met
with the State Planning Board regarding new buildings for the
Campus. Mrs. Henningsen, Mr. Ross, Dr. Gorman and Dr. Moseley
attended for the University. The Planning Board felt that a
classroom building and an addition to the Engineering building
were all that they could include in their program to be presented
to the State Legislature. The Planning Board wants money to be
spent over a period of time in order to provide employment during
the post-war slump. President Moseley expressed himself as being
in favor of a Life Sciences Laboratory building.
The meeting recessed at 12:00 noon to have lunch at the Univer-
sity Dining Hall, and was called to order by the Chairman at
1:30 P.M.
Chairman Ross asked for further discussion on the building pro-
gram. After much discussion, the Board agreed that the Univer-
sity is to give priority to 2 new buildings in requesting a
building program from the Legislature; a classroom building and
a laboratory building, at a total cost of approximately $800,000.
President Moseley and Comptroller Gorman are to get out circulars
by early December in regard to the legislative program and mail
a copy to each member of the Board, the Alumni Association and
to other interested parties or organizations.
It was the opinion of the Board that the needs of the University
should go into the Biennial Report in the transmittal message
of the Board of Regents over the signature of the Chairman. Mr.
Sirkegian suggested that a statement as to the need of gifts
could be included as well as the need for more State money to
offset the loss in student fees.
Motion by Mr. Sirkegian that the Comptroller be authorized and
directed to purchase a University car for the use of the Presi-
dent passed unanimously.
The Board requested the President and the Vice President to pre-
pare for the next Regents meeting a definite plan for the im-
provement of office space for the administrative Departments.
Motion by Mr. Sheerin that the portrait of Dr. Hartman be unveil-
ed at appropriate ceremonies, perhaps in the Library building,
with Mrs. Hartman, Margaret Hartman and friends present; and
then hung there, passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned until the next regular meeting on January
27, 1945, unless a special meeting is called by the Chairman.