The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-01
UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT.
THE QUESTION DisC OssED ~ yARf.
Gus ASPLCIS.
The Malority aud Minority Reports 10 the
Board of Visitors -1homas Jener-
sons Protest

which were READ before the Richmond
Chapter of the University Alumni last
THURSDAY, follows.
The majority report is as follows:
lac h-s..,ty s.epvfs.
At the annual meeting OF the rector
snd yIsito.s % TIC University OF VAR
yinIa, ne.a Ola me 40tA uay OF June, 1879,
lne IOliOwIns resolution was duOpted'
Resolved. Inet committee OF three
Yhan be appointed ~ tne rector. VINO
shall o0nsi1cr ana rcpOI1 TO TINS board
sta meotIng 10 Do calico by inc rector, at
The request o. sala commute, as TO the
tNpodiency % c4ectlng cns,iI man OF the
facuity. who snali nOt Ouiy preside over
the faculty meetings, but snah DE thc
executive officer in charge Oh ana at
the head OI University anaifs, mat IL
said committee shan recommend the APP
pointment OIL said executive oincef. they
shall specifically dchne ms duties IN SAID
report, and shall recommend what salary
shall be paid such onicer. and suggest
the names OF one or more persons, Wnom
they snail deem eligible Tor such posi-
ton The rector appointed Messrs. Cor
don. Bryan ANA Mcliwaine as said COM
a copyrcste: JAS. r. JONES,
Secretary.
Respectfully forwarded to Hon. A. c.
Gordon, chairman. J. II. j. Secy'
Marcn- Il, 1884,
A copy-Tcste. JAS. ID. JONES,
Secretary.
To the Rector and Visitors OF the Uni
yersity OF Virginia.
The special committee appointed by
The visitors at the meeting in June, 1890
10 consider the question OF creating an
executive department of the university
whose official occupant duties should be
confined exclusively 10 the administration
OF the government OF the University, beg
leave to report as follows:
Since the foundation of the University
OF Virginia by Mr. Jefferson, its execu-
tive ofilcer has been a chairman OF the
faculty, annually appointed by the visi-
tors from among the professors. lie is
charged with experimenting the eXecu-
Iion OF all laws made for the govern
nent Of the University, ana Tor the
government and discipline OF the students.
For the past few years, this official has
been assisted in the latter direction un-
der resolution of the visitors By Board
OF Discipline. composed of professors Sc
locted from the several departments OF
fhe University. whose functions have
leen construed 10 be Of an advisory
character.
Among his numerous duties and respon-
sibillties. the chairman is, by law. re-
quired 10 supervise the work Of the proc
tor. and of all the other subordinate
or coordinate administrative officers OF
the institution. and to act as the medium
of communication between them and the
visitors: TO convene the faculty, when re-
ouestod. and 10 preside at the meetings.
TO grant leave Of Withdrawals from The
University 20 offending students, to 6Ne
written PERMISSION 10 students who have
been expelled. suspended or dismissed to
enter the University precincts for GOOD
cause shown. 10 apprisc parents or guar
dians Of the withdrawal, suspension or
expulsion of students; TO send monthly
circular reports to the parent or guar
dian of each student, communicating the
students absences from lecture, and such
other derelictiOns as may occur ana APP
prising them OF the general conduct and
progress of their sons OF wards; to per-
init students TO change their hotels or
mess clubs: to grant in writing the use
of the public rooms for meetings of stu
dents: 10 report 10 the board IN session.
&c the rector, or any visitor, in writing
any mater which nc deems likely 10 al
feet seriously the interest OF the Uni
versity; 10 make written reports to the
board at each regular meeting upon the
general condition OF the University, with
recommendations and suggestions as 10
TIE adoption OF such measures as may
commend themselves 10 mis- judgment,
and may not have been considered by
the faculty; and 10 keep "a regular jour
mai OF his Proceedings for the benefit OF
the executive Committee of the Board
and OF the visitors.
A divided authority however. Is shared
with the chairman by the faculty itself,
which Is IN certain directions me super
Visory executive body OF the University,
possessing powers OF government and dis
cipline specifically prescribed. and speak
ing through the chairman as IT'S mouth
piece ana in other direction welding an
authority only coordinate with. or SUI
bordinate 10. that possessed by him.
And yet. although thus sharing divided
power and authority with the faculty,
the chairman has constantly upon his
shoulders the Onus and responsibility
which the faculty, in a measure, escapes.
Super-added 70 his duties as governing
agent, many and various as they are
Oxen perpiexing and disaSreeable, the
chairman NEST, as professor. devote 10
the work OF his Classroom ia justice
10 himself, no less than to his school.
such time. care and attention as are
required of each other professor IN the
University.
The plan of government Of the Uni
Versity. which has been briefly outlined
above. was based upon and grew out Of
Mr. Jemerson's thoroughly democratic
spirit and method of thought. lie de-
signed TO establish here government OF
a great educational institution. founded
upon the fundamental principle on which
he based the State-the principle Of in
dividual equality and independence. 1t is
no rejection. however. upon the demo-
cratic idea, that the changed conditions
existing after the lapse of thrce-quarters
of "A century point out the fact. that the
professor who i'm this day is charged
with official duties outside OF. and be
yond. those necessarily appcrtaining
20 his chair, is no longer on an equality
with those OF his fellow professors not
60 burdcned
That the system Of government as or
daincd by the founder OF the Univer-
sity OF Virginia has not heretofore al
WAYS and successfully met the require
ments OF the institution cannot be affirm
ell. but n Is significant fact that while
the peculiar system OF education estab-
lishod for first time on American soil
al this University by Mr.. Jefferson,
viz-the elective system-has so conspc-
uously stood the test OF time as 10 com
pei its introduction into the other lead
ing institutins Of learning where IL
fiourishcs and progresses with the years
but few have adopted. and none has re-
tanned the peculiar form and principle
Of government established here at the