The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-04

Dy the suggested committee OF Hihcf tniND
from the board. three from the faculty
and three from the alumni, to effect
satisfactory solution OF the question. so as
90 secure complete cooperation. We have
worked faithfully, and submit our report
10 the public as the best we can do one
thing I'm conclusion we beg 10 say is that
the committee never considered az any
time or In any wise the possibility Of any
one person as the probable incumbent OF
the ONCE when created; that did not In
fuence rs az all.
JAMES P. HARRISON,
Chairman.
Danvile, Va. Nov. ?. 1897.
Washington u. c., oct. %, 1897.
To the Non. the Board Of Visitors Of the
University OF Virginia:
Gentlemen,-I beg very respectfully TO
submit for your information the report
Of n special committee appointed by d.
rection of the Society of Alumni I'm June
last. as 10 the desirablity OF the creation
of the office Of president Of the Univ ersity.
This committee was directed 10 report
TO the next meeting Of the Society OF
Alumni which will not be convened until
June, 1898. but inasmuch as 1 am inform
ed your honorable body Is 10 take up the
important question al Issue al your No
vember meeting. 7 deem that ! shall be
| carrying ont the wishes Of the society by
placing this report in your hands with
out delay. as representing in some degree
the wishes and opinions Of the alumni of
the University.
In doing so. take the liberty. however.
OF saying that / cannot agree with the
committee that II would be wise TO ask
the legislature 10 define the tenure. pow
ers and duties Of the president This, It
seems 10 me. should by law be placed
under the hand OF the Board Of Visitors.
Permit me. gentlemen. 10 express also
my decided opinion that the change pro-
posed-the radical change-in the system
OF the University, IS one. TO say the least.
OF very doubtful expediency, and ought
not to be made without long and careful
consideration.
The present divided sentiment among the
/ friends and alumni Of the institution
ought to command a longer pause before
plunglng into an experiment involving
such grave issues. The change may
bring greater financial prosperity, as its
advocates urge, but It will. I fear change
the University in a vital part destroy one
OF its most unique and valuable features
and diminish It's real value as a leader
in the highest education.
Very respectfully.
Your obedient servant.
RANDOLPH II. McKIM,
President OF the Society of Alumni.
p. s. venture to enclose a letter from
| r. G.. II. Kean. Esq, which expresses
my views upon one point touched on
above
will ask that the report Of the COM
mlttee, together with Mr.. Kean's letter,
may be returned 10 me, after the meeting
H. ~
A copy-Teste:
L. W. PAGE, Secretary.
The report IS as follows:
| To the Society OF Alumni OF the Univer-
sity of Virginia:
At the annual meeting of the General
| Society Of the Alumni Of the University
OF Virginia, held on June Is, 1891 the un-
dersigned were appointed a committee
TO consider the question Of creating the
| Office Of president OF the University OF
! Virginia. then before the Board OF Visl-
tors. who postponed its consideration 20 a
meeting TO be held in November. TO give
the alumni due opportunity 10 be heard.
Your committee met for organization at
the Hot Springs on the 4th and 9Th days
OF August, 1897, and have. by correspon-
dence with alumni. resident and nom
resident, and from as full advices as pos
sible. prepared and here present the re-
suit Of their conferences and deliberations
upon this most important question.
The Board Of Visitors Is entitled 10 re-
ceive from us. and from the people Of the
State. just recognition OF their superior
ability TO pass upon this question, and,
therefore. the reports Of the majority
and the minority OF the committee ap-
| pointed by the board are referred TO by
as as deserving especial attention. But
| the fact that a division Of opinion exists
in the board itself. as well upon the
| policy Of the proposed change as upon its
| character deprives us Of the benefits
that would come from its unanimous con-
| clusion.
THE FACULTYs POSITION.
Next 20 the board the faculty. II seems
10 US, should be regarded as best quail
fed to syeak and while that body is, as
we have advised. unanimously opposed
| 10 the creation of this office at present,
| and as proposed by the majority of the
board, yet a respectable minority recog-
nize and admit the ACCESSIBILITY OF having
an executive head OF the institution. and
we doubt not that the entire faculty will
cooperate to this end when the funda-
mental law governing the University Is
clear as to the creation OF the office, its
| functions and limitations. and We know
lidt lurtr are IlIutHlldi fnrUDrIH OF lut
| faculty who believe that the appointment
OF a president OF the University is most
| desirable.
Amongst the alumni we find great dl-
| versity of sentiment and opinion. never
| better illustrated than az the Hot Springs
| when meeting OF the alumni present
upon the session OF the State Bar Asso-
| citation was authorized by your commit
| tee 10 discuss the question and at that
| meeting. after warm debate by those
| present. the vote stood thirty against
| and twenty-six for having a president;
while the discussion showed that the old
| er and more conservative OF the alumni
| were generally opposed 10, and the young
| or almost solidly in favor OF. the change.
| Besides many letters and newspaper COM
| munications show a wide diversity OF
| oplnion among the alumni,
therefore, we have total want Of con-