The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-08-21

Apropos to the meeting of the
board of regents of the West Vir-
ginia University there are some
things to think about in the way of
reforming the methods which have
heretofore prevailed, and which have
been in the past the cause of much
trouble and embarrassment. One of
the chief sources of trouble has been
the difficulties that have existed be-
tween presidents and faculties, to
the injury of the institution.
The Intelligencer does not pro-
pose to enter into the merits of
issues that have arisen, growing out
of the lack of harmony in the facul-
ties and between members of the
faculties and the presidents, but de-
sires to suggest that if carefully
studied it might be found that the
fault has been in the system which
confers too much executive authori-
ty ON the president While the In
teiligencer does not contend that
this is actually the case, 1t com
mends the system that has prevailed
from its foundation at the Universe
ty of Virginia. system established
by Thomas Jefferson, the founder,
himself-as worthy of considera-
ton. Thomas Jefferson was as
strongly oppos ed to monarchy in
the government of the great univer-
sity he founded as he was to mon
archy in the government of the
state, and he established system
according to which the faculty
should have control over nearly all
the affairs of the institution, except
those connected with the expendi-
tnre of money. In accordance with
this system there never has been u
president of the University of Vir-
ginia.
In the August number of Frank
Leslie's Magazine, there is an inter
esting article on the University of
Virginia by Richard Heath Dab
ney, which shows how well Jeffer-
sons plan has worked to this day
The plan was modelled after that of
the German universities. Mr.. JEFF
ferson was determined to get the
ablest specialists, says the article to
be procured as professors, and he
was equally determined that these
men should manage their own affairs
without subsection to one-man pow
er. The University, therefore, has
no president, but chairman of the
faculty, annually elected by the
board of regents, and entrusted with
the executive functions of the insti-
tuition.
Each professor is at the head of
an independent school," and, being
irremovable except by two thirds
vote of the regents, or ''board of Wis
itors,n as it is called, can arrange
the work of that school according to
his own Judgment. And who can
say" the article continues, "that
the high tone of manliness, upright
ness and honor, which has ever char
aeterized the students, is not due in
part to their consciousness of the
fact that the professors who teach
them are not the humble vassals of
a lord, but free and independent
menu
Another system that prevails at
the University of Virginia is the
"elective" system which has always
permitted the most absolute free
dom of choice in the selection of
studies. Mr.. Dabnev says that
"this freedom of choice has been an
inestimablc boon to many poor
young man without the means to at
tend the four years curriculum of
an ordinary college A student may
stay at the University for only one
single year and yet obtain diplomas
of graduation in any subjects which
he grasps sufficiently to attain the
high standard required ON the ex-
animation"
These suggestions, afforded by the
successful experience of the old Vir-
ginia University, are worthy of con-
sideration by the board of regents of
our own state institution. In them,
and others contained in DIR. Dabney's
article, which we commend to
careful reading by all who are inter
ested in university work, may be
found remedies for some of the chief
causes of disturbance which have
occurred in the past and guaran-
tee of harmony in the future.
Though too late now to consider
at the present meeting,a discussion
of the question of an improved sys-
TEN of government of the university
might be engaged in between now
and the next meeting of the regents.
and practical plan evolved.-In-
teUigencer.