Board of Trustees minutes, Ohio University, v. 04, 1845-1861

16 Ohio University Athens, Wednesday April 5, 1848 A special meeting of the Board of Trustees having been called, on due notice to be held this day, the following members attended, viz. Rev. James Hoge D.D. Rev. William Aikin, Rev. William Cox, Hon. Elijiah Hatch, Amos Miller Esq. John Welch Esq. V.B. Horton Esq. & A.G. Brown. There not being a quorum in attendance, the members present proceeded informally to business, as prescribed by regulations of the Board. Our motion, Rev. Dr. Hoge was chosen President, A communication was received from Rev. A. Williams Principal of the Academical Department, which after being read was referred to a select committee; who made a Report thereon, which on motion, was laid over until the next annual meeting of the Board. Information having been received that Rev. Dr. Davidson declines to accept the Office of Presi= dent of the University and that Rev. Mr. Ballantine declines the appointment of Associate Professor of Languages, the following Resolutions were adopted. 1. That we (the members present) nominate Rev. Aldred Ryors, as President of the Ohio University and Professor of Mathematics, and agree if he shall accept, that we and those who shall concur with as will, at the next meeting of the Board, when a quorum shall be in attendance, make the election in due form. 2. That we nominate William G. Hoge, A.B. Assistant Professor of mathematics etc. and will as aforesaid, at the said meeting proceed to make the appointment in due form. 3. That we will subscribe our names hereto, and request other members, who concur in the object of the foregoing Resolutions to do the same. (A copy of the foregoing Resolutions prepared for the purpose, was there upon subscribed by the members present, and afterward by Sam. J. Maccracken, W.B. Hubbard in addition) A letter was received from Hon. C. Morris tendering a resignation of his appointment as a member of the Board. Our motion, Resolved that Dr. E. J. Brown of Logan, be requested to take a seat as a member proterm at the next meeting of the Board in plan of Hon. C. Morris resigned. Adjourned, Attest. A.G. Brown Sec.

17 (top right corner) Ohio University Athens, Tuesday, August 1, 1848 Annual meeting Pursuant to notice, the Board of Trustees of the Ohio University convened at the usual place of meeting, Present the following members: - Rev. James Hoge D.D. Hon. Elijah Hatch Rev. William Aikin, Rev. William Cox, Gen. S.F Maccracken, Amos Miller Esq. V.B Horton Esq. John Welch Esq. and A.G. Brown Sec. On motion, Dr. Hoge was appointed President pro term (underlined). The minutes of the informal meeting held April 5, 1848. were read and approved the acts of said meetings and confirmed. On motion, the resignation of Hon. Calvary Morris heretofore received was formally accepted and on motion, the thanks of the Board for his long and useful services were ordered to be recorded. On motion, Dr. Edgar T. Brown of Logan was appointed a member pro term (underlined), in place of Mr. Morris and took his seat accordingly. On motion, the Board proceeded to the formal election of President by ballot when it appeared that Rev. Alfred Ryors was unanimously elected. On motion the designation of Assistant Professor was changed to Associate Professor. On motion, the appointment of William James, Hoge, A.M as associate professor of mathematicas was unanimously confirmed. On motion, the inauguration of the President & professors elect was ordered to take place tomorrow at 10a.m. On motion, Dr. Hoge was requested to deliver the charge and A.G. Brown to administer the oath of office to the President elect. On motion, adjourned to 8 o'clock tomorrow morning. Wednesday August 2, 1848, 8 A.M. Present as yesterday The resignation of James M. Safford of his appointment as assistant professor of natural sciences was received and accepted. A communication from Rev. A. Williams as Principal of the academical Department was received considered and laid on the table and ordered to be placed on file. On motion the Board then proceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing year when, on counting the ballots it appeared that the following persons were duly elected. Treasurer John Brown Auditor Henry Bartlett Secretary A.G. Brown Collector Abel Stedman

18 (top left corner) Wednesday August 2, 1848 Cont. On motion the following Resolution in relation to a petition of John Matheney, reported by Mr. Welch, was adopted. Resolved that the treasurer be authorized to execute to John Matheney a new lease for a Lot of Land surveyed and leased to Uriah Zippie, in 1807, containing 194 70/100 acres, upon his surrendering the original lease and assignments, ( in which said Lot is imperfectly described) and paying the expenses of said new lease, upon the same terms contained in said original lease. On motion Messn J. Welch and A.G.Brown were ap= pointed a committee, with authority to sell any remaining Lots belonging to the University, at such times as they shall deem expedient, on the usual terms of such sales. On motion, the Board took a recess till 2p.m to attend the Inauguration ceremonies. Afternoon Session. Present as in the morning with President Ryors in the chair On motion Mr. Welch was appointed President p.t. (underlined) to act in case of absence or disability of the President. A memorial from the students of the Academical Depart= ment praying the appointment of Rev. Addison Ballard as associate professor of Languages was received and ordered to be placed on file. On motion, Resolved that the charge of Dr. Hoge + the Inaugural addresses of President Ryors + Professor Williams together with a general catalogue from the commencement of the university, and a sketch of its part history, present condition and future prospects, in pamphlet form be published by the acting committee, and that a sum not exceeding fifty dollars be appropriated for the purpose, On motion, Resolved that the faculty and acting committee be authorized to designate and arrange the Professorships and the duties thereof, during the coming year as they shall find most suitable and beneficial On motion, the Board resolved to proceed to the appoint= meant, by ballot, of an associate Professor of Languages. Testimonials in favor of Mr. Charles Elliott of Pittsburgh Rev. Joseph Wilson of Steubenville, Rev. Addison Ballard + Rev. Ervin Carson of Athens, were laid before the Board. On counting the ballots, it appeared that Mr. Elliott was duly chosen. On motion, Resolved that in case Mr. Eliott should de= cline the Board hereby appoint Mr. Bal= lord in his place.

19 Wednesday, August 2nd, 1848 Cont. On Motion, Resolved that Professsor Mather be requested to to enter upon the duties of his Professorship wherever a class shall be formed requiring his instruction, to be notified by the acting committee and Faculty. On Motion, Resolved that the Secretary be instructed to notify members who have neglected without excuse for two years to attend the meetings of the Board, of the Resolution authorizing their removal for such cause. On Motion Resolved that the acting committee be authorized to adopt measures to enforce the collection of the claim due from late Pres. McGuffey. On Motion, the degree of A.M. was conferred on the following Alumni of the University, viz. James D. Johnson, John M. Christian, Robert W. Pratt, James M. Safford, James A. Stirrat and Robert Woodrow. On motion the degree of D.D. was confirmed upon Rev. Elisha Ballantine and Rev. Joseph M. Trimble. On motion Resolved, that until otherwise ordered the salaries and compensation of the Instructors shall be as follows, President- $800, per ann. from term or next fund + $2 per Term from Tuition Professor ea. $600, " " $1.50 " " Associate Prof. $400, " " $1.50 " " On Motion, Resolved that the terms of tuition shall be, $10, per term in the Collegiate Department, and, $8, per term in the Preparatory Department. On Motion, Resolved, that the By Laws heretofore adopted be amended as follows, Strike out of the 1st Chapter all of Section 4, except the last paragraph, which add to the 5th Section, after the words "agreed upon by the Faculty," and change the numbers of the Sections accordingly. Strike out from the 1st Section of Chap. 6. the words "From 6 o'clock A.M. until after morning Prayers." - Add to the 1st Section of Chap. 8. "And such classes for the study of the Bible as the Faculty may appoint." On motion, Resolved that the Faculty and Acting Committee be authorized and requested to make necessary preparations and arrangements for a general meeting of the Alumni at the period of the next commencement in August, 1849. On Motion, Resolved that a sum not exceeding fifty dollars be appropriated for the purchase of chemical preparations and apparatus for the ensuing year. On Motion, Resolved that an approximation of $68.10 be made to Prof. Williams for excess of contingent expenses -

20 Wednesday, August 2, 1848. Contd. On motion the following Resolution in relation to the Petition of Dr. Wm. Blackstone, heretofore was adopted, Resolved that the Treasurer be authorized to issue new Leases to Dr. William Blackstone [for the][crossed out] and others, present holders, for the subdivisions of the original Lot of Land in Sections 21 + 22, Town 9, Range 14, leased to Wm Harper October 7, 1806, according to a survey made by E.H. Moore Survey or of Athens County in 1846, on surrender of their present titles, and payment of the expense of such new leases, and securing the payment of the amount of Rent reserved in the original Lease for said Lot. On motion, the following Resolutions were adopted. 1. Resolved that Dr Hoge, Mr Horton and Mr Welch, be a Committee to see that the necessary provisions to guard the interests of the University be incorporated into any law which may be applied for by the Lessees of the University Lands authorizing or requiring a change of title from leasehold to freehold. 2. Resolved, that in case said Lessees should apply for such a law, the Board perceive no reason why the same should be resisted, provided such law should contain a provision for the payment to the University of any State Tax which may be levied upon the Lands after the change of title, and for the safe and profitable in= vestment of the funds arising from such change of title so as to avoid any danger of the principal of said fund being diminished or anticipated. On motion the Board then adjourned Attest A.G. Brown Secretary