Chap. 303.—An ACT to Incorporate the Southside University.

Approved March 31, 1871.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly, That there be and
18 hereby established, at or near the county seat of Mecklen-
burg county, an institution for the instruction of youth in ag-
riculture and the useful arts, in science and literature, and in
such languages as the trustees shall find to be necessary; and
the institution so established, shall be known by the name of
The Southside University.

2. Be it further enacted, That Thomas Bailey, Henry G.
McGonegal, William H. Knauss, Samuel Barnes, William H.
Jones, Robert McGonegal, George Endley, William K. La-
throp, R. G. Greene, and A. J. King, be and hereby are con-
stituted and appointed trustees of said university, who, and
their successors, shall be a body politic and corporate, by the
name of The Trustees of Southside University, who shall have
& perpetual succession and a common seal; shall be capable in
law to possess, purchase, receive, and hold, to them and their
successors forever, any lands, tenements, rents, goods, or inte-
rests, of any kind whatsoever, which may have already been
given, or by them be purchased, for the use of said university ;
and to dispose of them in any way whatsoever as they shall
judge most useful to the interests and legal purposes of the in-
stitution; to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, in all
courts of Jaw and equity; and under their common seal, to
make and establish, from time to time, such by-laws, rules, and
ordinances, not contrary to the constitution and laws of this
state or of the United States, as shall by them be thought es-
sential to the good order and government of the protessors,
masters, and students of said institution: provided, that the
real estate held or owned at any one time shall not exceed in
value the sum of two hundred thousand dollars, nor shall the
same be held, used, leased, or sold, for any other purpose than
to promote the educational objects of said university: pro-
vided, that not less than a majority of the said trustees shall
be sufficient to authorize a sale of any real estate belonging to
the said university.

3. Be it further enacted, That the said trustees shall fix on
and duly announce a day for the election of a president, pro-
fessors, and masters of said university. The president shall
preside in all meetings of the board of trustees; and in the
absence of the president, a president pro tempore shall be
elected from their own body; any five of said trustees being
a legal quorum for the transaction of business. They shall also
examine candidates for degrees, and are hereby empowered to
confer degrees in as ample a manner as any other college in
this commonwealth can do; and under their common seal, to
grant testimonials thereof, signed by the president and four of
the trustees. If any number less than the legal quorum shall
assemble at call, they may adjourn to any future day, until a
quorum shall be had.

4. Be it further enacted, That the said trustees shall elect a
treasurer once each year, as they may think proper: provided,
it be required of him to confine his duties to the legitimate
work of the institution; nor shall he or any other officer of
the university trade or speculate with the funds of the same,
either for themselves personally, or for the institution.

5. Be it further enacted, That the trustees, or any five of
them, shall have power to remove or to suspend the president,
or masters, or any officer of the institution, for a good and suf-
ficient reason therefor, and to fill any vacancy occasioned
thereby; and when any vacancy is occasioned, either by death,
or removal, or resignation, or refusal to act, a quorum of the
remaining trustees shall supply the same. The president, or
(in case of his death, resignation, or refusal to act,) the profes-
sors, or masters, or a majority of them, shall have power to
call a meeting, as they shall deem it to be expedient.

6. Be it further enacted, That the president and ‘trustees of
said university, before they enter upon the duties of their of-
fice, shall, severally, take the following oath or aflirmation, to
be acministered by any judge of the court, or by any justice
of the peace, in the county of Mecklenburg, or wheresoever he
may reside, and it to be entered of record in the county where
the institution is located: “I (A. B.) do swear (or affirm) that I
will, to the best of my skill and judgment, discharge the du-
ties required of me as a trustee (or president) of Southside
university, according to the act of incorporation, without par-
tiality, favor, or affection. So help me God.”

7. Be it further enacted, That there shall be, annually, stated
meetings of the board of trustees, to be held at such time ag
their by-laws shall prescribe. The number of trustees shal
never be less than seven or more than fifty. It shall be the
duty of the trustees to make an annual report of the condition
of the institution, to such cflicer of the general assembly, as
may legally be authorized to receive such report, in behalf’ o:
the general assembly. :

8. This act shall be in furce from the passage thercot.