The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-21
4 REPLY 10 PROFESSOR DADyEY
On the NJ. A. Degree University of Vir-
glnia.

On the NJ, A. Degree University of Vir-
einia.
To the Editor OF The Times:
A shock was given the former students
and friends Of the University OF Virginia
upon reading in Sundays Times a communi-
cation from Professor X. II. Dabney, IN
which he tells Of further changes In the
degrees Of Il. L. and NJ. A. recently made
by the board Of visitors. The changes
hitherto made met with general approval.
They did not have the appearance OF IN
terferns with the dignity and usefulness
Of the University. But this board OF vlsi-
tors which has become Z board cf degree
rcfOrmcrs. led on Ivy Captain McCapc, has
NJ last undOnc their former good work NY
becoming extremists, the not uncommon
fate Of rcfOrmers the world over. In almost
n frenzy Of educational communism, they
haze arranged for the r. A. degree men
from other colleges 10 60 to the University
cf Virginia. and by making diplomas III
four schools. picked ont OF wide circle
nc VIII 10 receive the tmehonncd Master
Of Arts Of the University. This almost
lcgislates the present writer into "A " =
OF the University. The results 10 foii
this legislation arc too disastrous to the
good name and standing q the University
contemplate with composure. Far better
would ii be 10 have no degree at all CON
fcrrcd by this grand school. The past at
least, IS secure. Let us look now for mo-
mcnt at the practical workings Of this new
law. Next fail some twenty-five OF hfty
men will cCme up from some ten or
dozen colleges with their academic honors
fresh upon them. all T. A. men. They
notify the University chairman that they
have come tC apply for the University NJ. y.
degree, and scan the list Of options to pick
out the four studies that will give 1t 10
them. But right here. some champion OF
the new law will say that the colleges
whose Il. A. degree will be accepted must
be selected by the faculty Of the University.
Very well let the University faculty try 10
admit Richmond College men and not Ran
dolph-Maccn men. let them try To admit
HampIen- Sidney men and not Roanoke, or
Emory and Henry men and not Blackslurg.
It means that they must admit all or none.
The men must all be allowed to apply.
In two years. nj farthest. the entire TWEEN
ty-fiye CT nifty will receive their VI. a.
degree. What n scene will that be, \ NJ.
4. class Of fifty. On what meat have these
our VI. As fed that they have grown so
many? What business has the University
Of Virginia recC gnizng other colleges de-
grees! What Is he to Hecuba or Hecuba
10 him." The University has nothing 10
do with the selection Of other college facul-
ties. 1t has nothing to do with prescribing
the degree courses In other colleges. 1t
Is we'll known that the requirements In diff
fcrent colleges are very unequal What
does this mean? Simply this, that the Uni
yersity has beard OF visitors who arc
bent on popularZing IT, who make bid
for other colleges to send 10 II their gradu-
atcS. who. for the sake OF increased num-
bers, are willing to sRcrifce The name Of
the University, Its requirements and pres
tlge. They remind che OF a company 81
prOdlGal heirs who. coming into possession
Of long preserved estates, cut down its
stately forests Of oak, sell the family
Jewels, turn the art gallery into 4 hunting
lodge. and with the long used silver make
a holiday. To stamp the whole proceeding
as 1t deserves, II need only be said that
a Il. A. Il another college can now 20 to
the University, and by making the
schools OF French and German. English.
chemistry. biology can receive The degree
u Master OF Arts Of the University 4
Virginia. Therefore, the whole matter must
be overhauled, the present board Of visit
tors must give way 10 another AMI IN
the meantime the faculty Of the University
will confer a favor upon every lover OF the
noble and historic place by emitting 10
select any list Of colleges whose q. 4. de-
gree men can apply.
GEORGE w. MILES, JR.
Radford, Va, Dec. IS. 1892