The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-30
Cooperation at the University.

Editor of The Dispatch:
Sir,-Anent the prevailing discussion in
the Legislature as to the cost Of living
expenses at the University of Virginia,
i. had seemed not Inappropriate that the
writer, who has had abundant oppor-
tunity to observe the tendency in favor
of cheaper living expenses here during
the past several years, should make some
mention of the changes in the two chief
items of expense. viz: board and books,
and to that end. Mr.. Editor, beg your
Indulgence of an humble recital which.
by reason OF the fact that it Is based
upon facts here at the University and
not upon theories. may be of more or
less interest TO those who are invesI-
eating this question.
BY way of parenthasis, should say
that the University fees, as compared
with the fees of other private or pub
lie institutions in this State is a matter
not to be discussed by a student, but to
be settled by the Legislature. in con-
junction with the University authorities.
Five years ago. there was scarcely
thing which deserving and worthy stu
dent, especially first year man." as
our freshman are called. could get to do
here at the University in order to help
pay his expenses
About that time, small group of stu
dents all needing self-help themselves,
banded together and determined to make
an effort, at least, to install a system
of student-waitcrs, whereby student
by waiting on the table in the mess hall
could earn his board The mere mention
of such a thing seemed to shock the good
people of the community. THE idea of
student waiting on the table! Why!
Who ever heard of such thing?" 1t
would, and then followed q long list of
predictions of what would happen to any
student who might essay to be student
waiter At any rate, the venture fell
through at that time However. it's aglta-
tors did not weary of we'll doing, but
kept hammering at their purpose.
But although this first attempt had
failed, for the time was not then ripe,
yet Dr. iBarringer, eS-chairman, and Dr.
Page, chairman, and other influential
members of the faculty, not willing to
let slip so good an opportunity, deter
mined that the studcnt-waiter should
have a fair trial. And so it was that
during the session l9ci-'o5, the student
waiter was not only attempted. but
much to the surprise of it's opponents,
was signal success. Neither did the
student-waiter lose his self-respect. nor
his social standing amongst his fellows,
Dut rather MS IcllOWS ilSfu ~ hi6uGl OpIIluii
of him for mis- manly sand, And where q
fellow-student was inclined to sheer at a
man for helping himself, and such cases
were indeed, rare, II was considered Ivy
the better element in college that the
opinions OF such sneering ones were not
worth paying any attention to: and SO
little effect did this work OF waiting
really have upon the standing of the
student that this session there were
some twenty-one applicants for five pos
sible waitershps.
Three of the student-waiters OF last
session. needing help themselves. and
aiming to help those who We're willing
to help themselves, procured from the
board of visitors for this session the
mess hall. upon condition that the price
of board DO more than $3.50 per month;
but, owing to the nexperence Of the
student-manugers and the past bad rep
utation of the mess hall and tho cost OF
equipment which had to be installed, the
venture was not entirely successful, yet,
| from this experience In the small mess
hall now at the University. 1T was amply
proven that, with d large mess hall,
capable say, of seating five hundred.
lsfuly equipped, and fostered and run
| by the University authorities, 1t would
be a comparatively easy matter to res
duce the price of board at least n dollar
or two per month
When the first attempt to install the
4 student-waiter, had failed, the same stu
| dents bent upon helping themselves and
others who might be willing to be helped,
inaugurnted movement to establish a
co-operatiye student supply store aud
| SO reduce the price, of books and all
| student supplies.
| These students petitoned the faculty
1 and the matter went through tho usual
routine of the Faculty committee then
1 to the faculty and then to the Hoard of
l Visitors, where it was passed over on
account OF. the lack of ananee and on