THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
LAWRENCE

OFFICE OF December 12, 1944

THE CHANCELLOR

Dr. F. C, Allen
107 Robinson Gyn
Campus

My dear Dr. Allen:

I do not want to engage in, nor do I approve of, newspaper
discussions of our internal problems, but now that the controversy
has somewhat died down, I should like to make clear my own feelings
in regard to the painted design on the auditorium floor.

The building does not belong to any one department but is
used for basketball games, concerts, basketball] practice, organ
practice, organ lessons, lectures, convocations, occasional vlays,
vesper services -- & wide variety of uses.

I do not feel therefore that in view of this wide variety
of uses any one department should undertake to decorate the building
without reference to or consultation with the others involved. at
should be borne in mind that many of the vesper services and concerts
are given in that building with all of the seats removed from that
floor. This painted basketball court therefore becomes a conspicuous
and unrelated part of the decoration of the building. I shall person-
ally look forward to the day when the floor is again done over with
the same design that it had in former years. Until thet’, I sugzest
the Buildings and Grounds Department see what carpet might be obtain-
able to cover the aisles for occasional concerts.

As a basketball floor, the painting is grand. “he diffi-
culty is that it is not a field house only, and I feel we should do
as little as possible to mar the effectiveness of the building for
all of its various purposes.

In the past it has been customary in getting buildings
redecorated to confer with all those using the building and to use
the Department of Design as consultant on color schemes and decora-
tion. I think in so doing we are on the safest possible ground.

It is at least too bad to do anything which has caused
So much discussion and feeling on the part of a great many people.

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| Sincerely yours,

See
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E. C. Quigley Deane W. Malott
C. G. Bayles Chancellor