Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-05-30
TOT ne EHYNUC7.
TILE, UNIVERSITY

To Chapman JGhRS0R, and oihcfS, composing INC
Board II VisitOrsOf Tic University 81 Va.
No one has viewed the past career OF this great
literary institution of our Stale with stronger
feelings Of regret, and deeper modification, than
the writer Of this looked 10 il as the pride ol
the Old Dominion, and as the source OF the great
est blessings to the sons OF Virginia and the
South, in spreading knowledge and the principles
Of enlarged and liberal education. Though she
has effected much, all feel disappointed some
what She has been doomed 10 Il series OF mis-
fortunes and train OF sad calamliles, ever con-
tending with circumstances most uniavorahie 10
her present prosperity and future success
Considering the sum expended 10 III out 'ie
University on a scale deemed expedent TO I'M
part 10 the youth of our country liberal cduca-
tion all have ground 10 wonder at tie compare
lively small number Of her annual ma'rlculateS.
She never has had more than one-half, and rare
IL more than one fourth the number OF students
that The scale OF the institution and The number
OF professors would Justify us 10 expect. Inns
session her mariculates numbered w a great
literary institution having connected with II nine
proicssnr>hips, with medical and law schools,
library containing 10000 volumes, having cost
the State 100000, and only 10 have li5 or 2oo
Students alter % years operation
Doubtless the unfortunate circumstances anu
ded to above, contribute, in part, to his sale Oh
the effect there must he some other causes opera
tng-and il becomes all the officers and all the
authorities connected with the University, TO ex-
anime into, and carefully review Inc cxis'ihS ssa-
tues and regulations, that every thinS wrong
may be correced-that every unnecessary rue
and enactment of whatever character or stand
ing. that can in any manner aliect Inc prosperity
OF The institution, may be repealed or ihou'-
fled. The crisis, the interest of the State, the
Of Tho nd
prostra,on under which the University IS
and has been laboring, imperionsy demand
this. This being obvious 10 all, and know
ne that your annual sitting will shortly take
place, when you will be compelled, in consequence
Of the recentrotous proceedings, 10 TAKE inlo spt.
cial consideration the state OF tie University, ana
10 devise means for her success, | hesitate n2l
10 make several suggestions 10 yon cach OF wiiicn
may be regarded as Of little moment oy Some, ou'
nevertheless relating 10 matters eEiaehuy mi'i'a-
I ling against the interests OF the University
The first point 10 be considered is, The expense
incurred by every student who matrlcuiates al
the University. Every one who has been SUI
dent al the institution knows, that whilst one
comes of with less than $500, len go over that
sum. And every one who knows any ihins OF
the colleges OF the United States, knows R'at ne y.
Tnircrsitu IS Tie n,oa erpensire institution IN me
Union. Why is this : Is it because we CANNOT
Obtain Inc services OF competent Piolessois o'i %
favorable terms as other literary institutions or
because in The upper section OF the State, empna=
tcally wheat-growing and caitie-raisinS coun-
try, provisions come higher than at Other col
leces2
We maintain then, and make definite point
on this head, that The srpenses arc Unnecessary
great. The greater The expenses, tie lever mere
are who can afford 10 pa!ronize The institution,
and consequently, instead OF having 50O students
annually, the number rarely exceeds 2oO And
this furnishes plausible ground for objection, TO
The opponents Of the institution, that II benefits the
wealthy, and excludes the poor But, 10 make
good our position, We mus, estimate the necessary
expenses, according 10 present arrangements, as
we'll as the expenses under more advantageous
regulations. Few students, comparatively, join
the University who do not take three tickets al
s25 each Add 10 this The library fee Of SO
The other college charges, room rent, &C. make
about S9s total, for college charges. Besides This,
there is board al Sll0; wood, &C., S25 There arc
ONLY two other colleges in the Union that will come
al all under the same head with the University in
| point Of expenses-these are Harvard and Will
liam and Mary Colleges. There are about Ito
colleges in The United States, and al each OF the
remaining l07 the expenses ale from $50 10 25U
less per session. How, then, can the expenses be
diminished?
First, let The library fee Of $40 Be done away
Instead OF being taxed for The use OF the library
| inducements should be held out 10 use The books