The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30
University of Virginia,

The Neao York EveRiag Post contains an inter
esting communication from Professor c. A. Vena
ole, concerning tie methods of study, discipline,
and religious influence in use at this excellent in
stjtution. He says
THE University Of Virginia is founded on the
elective system in Its broadcast sense There is no
prescribed curriculum. The instruction is given
in separate and distinct schools In all Of its depart
ments, professional and academic. Students are
permitted to select the schools to which they are
lead by their special tastes or proposed pursuits in
life to devote themselves Diplomas are given to
the graduates in each school The schools are
grouped in departments, so that graduation in a
certain number of prescribed schools is required
for each titular and professional diploma. Instruc
ton in every subject is given by lectures and by
the study of textbooks Daily oral examinations
on the lectures and on the assigned portions of the
text books precede each other. To make this
practicable, the time allotted to the examination
and lecture is one hour and half. Attendance
on the lectures is compulsory in all the schools,
both professional and academic, Rigorous, writ
ten examinations are held periodically in each
school, and the diploma Of the school is conferred
on those students only whose examination papers
come up to fixed standard That is, the cand
date for graduation must obtain four ftths lin some
Of the schools threefourths) of the value assigned
to the questions set in the examinations. No dis
tinctions are made among the graduates. stu
dent either graduates cum idude or not at all. In
the lower classes OF the schools like examinations
are held, aud certificates Of distinction given to
those who come up to the standard of three ourths
OF the values of the questions set.
As to the matter of discipline no system of
surveillance is employed 1.-The regulations are
as few as possible, and the imposition of artificial
restraints is avoided. In all respects many prncl
pies Of selfgovernment appealed to- The
government of the institution is based on mutual
trust and confidence between the authorities and
the students. The statements Of students In all
transactions with the authorities are received as on
honor; and In the written examinations each stu
dent appeDds to his answers certificate on honor
that he has received no assistance" Its effects
in mbuing the body of the students with the spirit
of truth and eandor, In giving them the proper
scorn for lie, and In promoting frank and man.
y intercourse between the students and professors
cannot be too highly estimated. A student who is
known to have been guilty Of a violation OF his
examination pledge or of any other talsehood In
his dealings with the authorities Things Of rare
occurrenoe) is not permitted by his fellows to re-
main In the institution. believe that if this sys
tenn of trust and confidence were adopted In all
the colleges OF the land itwOuld prove an lnestlma-
bic blessing to our country in intoxicating manl- |
ness truth, and integrity upon future rulers.
The experience of the University respecting the |
difficult question OF attendance on religious exer
cises is interesting and suggestive. Attendance is
made entirely voluntary. The exercises are held
by the resident chaplain, who is not a State
officer, but simply the pastor of the faculty and
students, elected in rotation from the four leading
in the State and supported, as
other pastors are by the voluntary contributions
of his flock" The results are thus summed up:
1.-The students contribute with very commendable
iberaity to the support OF the chaplain, who goes
constantly in and out among them as their friend
and brother, laboring earnestly in the promotion of
Christian activity and all good works. There is
always a respectable attendance of student wor-
shippers at morning prayers, good attendance of
students in the Sunday services in the chapel, as
we'll as in the churches of the town. There is an
earnest Christian activity among the students,
which employs itself in the different enterprises of