Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-01-29
The University and the Schools

IN the University OF Virginia Alumni News
l recent writer deals a meri'cd rcbuke to
certain newspaper editors, who appear to con
ccvc Of the university as an applicant for
and recipient of the States charity. and are
wont to threaten that unless ii comport itself
in all respects in accordance with their ideas
OF proprcty. its annual appropriations will be
'torpedocd" by the General Assembly. Such
hostile critics are reminded that the university
is part Of the State govcrnmcnt-'as much
part OF ii as the public schools of Albemare
or any other county; as much part of it. in
deed, as the Legislature ITSELF The univer-
siy. says the Alumni News, is "thc head of
the public school system.
Perhaps the argument is carried little
far but of its basic soundness there be
no question In theory. certainly. and to
large degree in fact. the university is the
head Of the public school system. That it
should become so absolutely, in spirit as we'll
as in letter ought to be the high ambition
of every lover Of democratic institutions and
democratic systems OF education in this Com
monwealth.
And this is exactly what The proposed CO.
ordinate college for women would go far to-
ward accomplishing.
That this innovation should he opposed is
not surprising. despite the success that
similar coordinate colleges have achieved at
other great universities, as we'll i'm England,
al Oxford and Cambridge, as in this coun-
try, at Harvard. Brown and Columbia The
establishment Of the university was itself OPP
posed. Discussing that earlier struggle. JET
ferson wrote to Joseph G. Cabell: THE at
tempt foul Of so many local interests. Of
many personal views and so much ignor-
ance. and | have been considered as so par
ticularly its promoter that | see evidently
great change OF sentiment towards myself"
AS a description of a large share OF the opposi-
ton to the coordinate college, that letter
might have been written to-day. And who
can doubt where the great apostle of democ-
racy and equal opportunity. were he living
now would stand this issue?
II is exactly because the university is the
head OF the public school system that The
Times Dispatch has favored the establish
mcnt there of a coordinate college for women.
1t is because this newspaper is the friend Of
the common schools Jealous of their Ell
hciency. ambitious for their progress and
proud of their achievements. that ii wants
every child in the schools, girl as we'll as boy,
to have opportunity 10 partake of the highest
educational advantages the State has TO offer.
The Times Dispatch stands. indeed. with
the other friends of common school education
in Virginia. The same influences that demand
more liberal treatment and larger appropria-
lions for the common schools and the passage
Of a compulsory education bill. demand also
the coordinate college. The Times Dispatch
is with them all the way. The General AS
sembly should increase the appropriation for
the support OF the common schools by at
least the 100000 approved by the Virginia
Educational Conference. and by larger sum
II the States finances will permit. No large
appropriation is asked for the coordinate
college. and none should be made at This time
1t is the principle the Legislature should in
dorse--the start that should now be made.