Artifacts II

Sixth Report of the Board of Regents

This excerpt from the 1882 Regents' Report, gives specific accounting numbers for the university. In 1882, the university's income hit the level the regents had been expecting. For a two year fiscal period a total of $123,349.26 was received. This is a stark contrast from $13,984.50 received in 1880.

Coincidentally, 1882 was the first year the regents did not ask the senate to take action with the federally endowed land.

Seventh Report of the Board of Regents
In 1884 the income from land leased and interest on sold lands began to seriously materialize. The expected two year income from these lands was $70,000, with an additional $17,000 in delinquent lessees. Thus $84,000 was allocated to the university budget.
Eighth Report of the Board of Regents
In 1886 the two year budget was again estimated. All income deriving from the endowed land was $63,000, approximately one third of the total income.

The regents paid respect to the gifted land from the Morrill Act, giving it credit for one third of the university's income.
Ninth Report of the Board of Regents
In this passage, the Regents call attention to the original language used in both the Morrill Act and the Nebraska State Constitution. It would seem the Regents felt their role in the economics of the university was being superseded by the state government. State senators must have taken notice of this argument, as the Regents fail to make mention of this issue in subsequent publications.

Brief accounting numbers are also delivered. From these numbers it is evident that the university's income was increasing from the endowed land.
Tenth Report of the Board of Regents
The Regents appeared to be satisfied with their relations with the state legislature, as the only mention of the land endowment in 1890 came under the Receipts and Expenditures section.
Again it can be seen that the university's income continued to grow as the interest on the invested funds continued to grow exponentially.