Proceedings of the Board of Regents (1963-1966)

JANUARY MEETING, 1965

639

The President noted that there had been some opposition in a few
quarters to expansion of the Flint College; that recently a committee
employed by the Michigan Coordinating Council on Higher Education
had suggested that the plan be held up until the new State Board of
Education could have studied the matter. The President said, "We feel
that this suggestion is not wise. The needs of our young people cannot be
shelved for still further committee studies. These plans have been long
under way. The four-year program at Flint has been thoroughly studied;
it has the support of the Flint Board of Education and other community
leaders; and we have made a commitment to the young people who have
applied for admission as freshmen next fall."
Continuing, the President said, "Now we have a generous gift from
the Mott Foundation which enables us to move forward immediately to
provide educational opportunities for the young people of this area who
need education right now, not some years hence after additional studies
have been made. The University of Michigan is deeply gratified to have
this new expression of confidence and support from the Mott Foundation. We know that this Foundation and Mr. Mott, personally, have
repeatedly spurred the educational and cultural advancement of the
Flint area. We believe they are acting in the best interests not only of
their own community but of the entire State of Michigan in now helping
to provide an expanded University program in Flint."
In announcing the gift, Charles S. Mott made the following statement:
I want to see Flint build one of the finest educational centers anywhere. The
University of Michigan is acknowledged as one of the world's best. To help the
University expand its offerings in this community is the best way we know of to
achieve our goal for Flint.
A four-year program for The University of Michigan will help us assure every
ambitious boy and girl in Genesee County and the surrounding area the opportunity
to complete a first-class college education in their home community.
Flint already has a strong junior college which is known throughout the
country, and we expect it to continue to grow and become even better. I believe
that the Junior College and the University's four-year program can supplement and
benefit one another.
Several years ago the Charles Mott Library was constructed to serve both the
Junior College and the University division, and other facilities are also shared by
the two institutions. This pattern of co-operation and of sharing is well established,
and I see no reason to doubt that it can be expanded and continued in the future.
The State of Michigan has an immediate need for expanded educational facilities.
Young people are already crowding the state's colleges and universities. This need
exists now and cannot be postponed.
I see a promising future for Flint as one of the great educational centers of this
state. The new University of Michigan facility here will help us prepare more young
people for technical and professional fields.
The Regents gratefully accepted the gift, subject to the conditions
expressed in the following letter, dated January 8, 1965, and addressed
to Executive Vice-President Niehuss by Roy E. Brownell, Secretary of
the Mott Foundation:
The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation on January 4, 1965 made a grant of
funds not to exceed $2,400,000 to the Regents of the University of Michigan for the
construction of an addition to the Mott Memorial Building at Flint, Michigan, now
owned by the Flint Board of Education and now occupied by the Flint College of
the University of Michigan, subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth.
The University will enter into a lease with the Flint Board of Education for the
leasing of the premises upon which the addition is to be constructed upon terms
satisfactory to both parties at the rental of $1 per year. The Flint College will