No. 5. LEGISLATURE, 1848. Documents accompanying the Annual Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Tenth Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan, to the Superintendent of Public Instruction. In compliance with the law for the organization of the University of Michigan, the Board of Regents submit their tenth annual report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction. At the meeting of the Board in August, 1846, the report of the committee on that subject, showed that but four of the Branches were in actual operation. Many places claimed the assistance of the University in the establishment of Branches. The whole subject was referred to a committee. This committee after a careful examination, came to the conclusion that appropriations could not be made for the Branches then in existence and for the establishment of others, at points having equal claims, without seriously trenching upon the resources, and limiting, in a great degree, the usefulness, and even endangering the success, of the present institution. This report was adopted, and since that period no appropriations have been made to any of the Branches of the University. The report of the Finance Committee exhibits the receipts and expenditures during the past year. The following are the names and residences of the class graduating at the last commencement of the University: Chester Dalton Yost Alexander, of Lodi, Mich.; Edmund Potts Christian, of Det. Mich.; Franklin B. Collins, of Pittsfield, Mich.; Seneca Ewer, of Unadilla, O.; Eno. Lesley Freeman, of Romeo, す Mich.; Simon Shailor Hall, of Chatham, Conn.; John Billyers, of Rev. J. Holmes Agnew, A. M., Professor of the Greek and Latin Languages, President. Rev. George P. Williams, A. M., Professor of Natural Philosophy and Mathematics. Rev. Andrew Ten Brook, A. M., Professor of Moral and Intellectual Philosophy. Rev. Daniel D. Whedon, A. M., Professor of Logic, Rhetoric, and the Philosophy of History. Abram Sager, M. D., Professor of Botany and Zoology. Louis Fasquelle, L. L. D., Professor of Modern Languages. Silas H. Douglass, M. D., Professor of Chemistry and Geology, and Supt. University Grounds and Buildings. The Salaries of Professors Sager, Fasquelle and Douglass, are limited to such proportion of the time as they are each respectively employed. It will be perceived by the reports of the State Treasurer and Commissioner of the State Land Office, that on the 30th day of Nov. last, the debt of the University, (originally $100,000,) has been diminished $79,371 99, which leaves the sum of $20,628 00 only, now remaining of that debt. It was found at the special meeting of the Boad held in Jan. last that the estimated income of the University, after payment of the regular current expenses, would leave a probable surplus of five thousand dollars, which could be applied to the erection of an additional building. The necessity of additional accommodations for Students, and for a Laboratory and Recitation rooms, had been seriously felt by the Board for the last two or three years. The prosperity and success of the institution seemed imperatively to require the erection of another building. Urged by these considerations, the Board resolved to commence the construction of a building similar in its dimensions and general plan, to the one now in use, and the sum of five thousand dollars was appropriated for that purpose. Maj. Jon. Kearsley and John Owen, Esqr., were appointed a committee to carry the resolution into effect. Under this authority the building committee have proceeded with its erection. The walls are now up, the building enclosed, roofed and covered with tin and otherwise completed, so far as contemplated to be done this season, at a cost not materially varying from the sums appropriated. The additional accommodations which will be afforded, will add much to the convenience and usefulness of the institution. At the annual meeting in August last, it was found by the report of the building committee, that a further sum would be required to cover the expenditures which could be usefully made, and in procuring materials during the summer and fall of 1847, and it appearing from the reports of the financial officers that the funds of the University would justify it, an additional appropriation of two thousand dollars was made for that purpose. At the session of the Board in Jan. last, a Superintendent of repairs of the University Buildings was appointed, who was further required to exercise a general superintendence of the buildings and grounds. Much benefit has already been experienced by the appointment of this officer. The number of students in the university, cannot be stated with precision; no report of the members who have entered since the last commencement having been made. It is understood, however, that the Freshmen class is unusually large. The institution in the opinion of this Board, is fulfilling its duties in a manner creditable to the Faculty, and highly useful to the public. The Board look forward with confidence to its increasing usefulness and future eminence. Respectfully submitted. By order of the Board. Detroit, Dec. 10th, 1847. J. KEARSLEY, Chn. Ex. Com. Report of the Committee on Finance. The Committee of Finance would respectfully submit the following report for the year ending July 31st, 1847. Amount of Warrants unpaid, July 31, This amount should be reduced $2,029 35, it having been paid by the State Treasurer, and charged in his statement, herewith rendered, on account of Warrant No. 541, for $3,000, issued to the Building Committee, but which not having been paid in full, does not appear in the account of Treasurer of the Board. The present resources of the Board are as follows: Balance in the hands of D. V. Bell, Esq. Treas'r, State Treasury, Am't Interest overp'd by State Treas'r, Deduct am't due on outstanding warrants, Balance, $120 50 5,529 55 540 00 6,190 05 1,123 04 $5,067 01 To this balance may be added $400, received by the State Treasurer since his report was prepared. The item of $540, charged by the State Treasurer on the 28th February last, was an error in payment of interest; the coupons for interest for this amount were taken up and are held by the State Treasurer; the amount will be put to the credit of the University Fund, should the account require it. The amount subject to the order of the Board at this time would be $6,007. The total receipts to the credit of the University Fund, for the last year having been $15,945 19, showing a gain over the previous year of $1,989 85. All of which is respectfully submitted. DETROIT, Aug. 2, 1847. J. OWEN, Chairman. |