The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-04

ByPRoF. CHARLES M. KENT, Of tile u. Va.

But, need this system be divided In any
thing save space? May not these insti-
tutlons be so co-ordnated that the work
of one will not materially Interfere with
the work of another, and that each may
be considered an essential and coripu-
nent part of the whole and united system?
That such vision should coma true, 1t
would be necessary, of course, that there
should be unity OF management. and this
pre-supposes either one President for tlis
entire system, or perhaps governing
board or Commission in Virginia charged
with the management of all OF these in
stitutions. and superior In authority to
the President of any one of them. 1t Is
certainly high time that all jealousy and
sense OF strife should disappear from the
State institutions, and that they should
come to some fair realization of tho fact
that as parts OF q common system they
should be, except in space. organically
united.
III. AS to the relation OF UNCONVENTIONAL
colleges to the University of Virginia.
The relation of the Virginia denoniria-
tiona1 colleges to the University of vir-
sinia has been n source of much discuss
sion, of more imaginary trouble and of
some real difficulty. That they may work
together In harmony and without inter
fering with each others interests has
been in the long run amply demonstrated
by the fact that the successful sessions
at the University of Virginia have also
been successful sessions at the denomina-
tional colleges. and vice versa. In other
words, the University has not prospered
at the expense OF the denomlnational col
leges. but along with them, and the de-
nomlnational college has not prospered 10y
taking men away from the University, but
by training more men to desire a uuirer.
sity education.
In view of the present most harmonious
pyiyfinU hpt pnr, hp >,.,ri
nominatiQppl colleges and the University
of Virginta,s'.lt Is not perhaps whimsical
to see, as DIR. Blackwell OF RandolptI-
Macon has, n vision OF the time when the
colleges of Virginia shall bear to the uni.
versity very much the same relation tlat
the colleges of an English university bear
to the central organization. Each WI, be-
left to do its own work. limiting that
work to college work, and eschewing III
ambition TO do university work. This
college work will be so well done that its
completion at any one of the colleges Will
admit the graduates at once to the grad.
uate department OF the University of Vfr-
ginia. And there shall be no discrimi-
nation whatever against the work of the
respective colleges. On the other hand,
the University of Virginia. without sur
rendering its college work. which under
| It's obligation to the State it cannot fore
go. and which began. too, long before
| most of the colleges came into existence,
| shall put n strong emphasis upon it's
! graduate work, and so develop this that
1t shall meet to the full the needs of all
students holding diplomas from our Nir-
\ ginia colleges.
When this vision is fully realized there
can be no chickering's or jeaiousies between
the colleges themselves and none between
| them and the University. and the Univer-
| sity will desire the full and complete sue
cess of these various colleges. which she
| will look upon as parts of her own educa.
tional system. This will bring about a
complete unity between our colleges and
the State University, and win make the
! fortunes OF eacn dear to all.