Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-09-11
Darden Gets
Endorsement al
u. Of Virginia
Board Of Visitors
Extends Vote of
Complete Confidence
BY The Associated Press

CHARLOTTES VILE, Va,
Sept. IA unanimous vote Of
complete confidence" has been
extended President Colgate w.
Darden jr., by the University of
Virginia Board of Visitors-and
hearty public Endorsement Of
his "aims and detectives" as
well.
The board issued a 15-page
statement yesterday answering
student complaints against the
university administration.
It directed President Darden
to carry out his detectives "as
set forth in this report as
the established policy Of the
Board of Visitors"
President Darden has long
enunciated his desire Ito con-
tinue to edge toward the Jeffer-
sonian ideal of making the uni
versity the capstone of public
SNoSdONuA LII WI SlIlld.
The boards statement was
drawn by a subcommittee of
four, headed by Federal Judge
A. D. Barksdale of Lynchburg,
which looked into a rift between
the administration and student
leaders 1t was adopted by the
full board yesterday after an
hours consideration.
mo Apprehension Whatever"
1t rejected the idea that
Darden's purpose was to tear
down and destroy the traditional
distinctiveness of the university
and make it just another state
u" and to drive out the frater-
mites" We feel no appre-
hension whatever that Mr.. OAR
den entertains any idea of de-
stroying or tearing down any,
thing that is worthwhile at the
university"
The board rejected also the
suggestion of a student commit
tee that the Office of the director
OF student affairs be abolished
and a dean of men" act as
counsellor and adviser to stu
dents. Disciplinary matters
would be left to the student
council under the student sug-
gestion.
The board concluded the pri-
mary purpose of the complaining
student committee was to chal-
lenge the character of Richard
R. Fletcher, director of student
affairs. This qualifications and
fitness for Office, and to demand
his removal"
1t said it felt these complaints
resulted to a great extent from
Mr.. Fletcher's investigation of a
sex scandal on the campus last
April 3 and 4 involving students
who were numerous, highly re-
garded and extremely prominent
in the student body"
The board said Mr.. Fletcher
might have made some honest
mistakes of Judgment" but that
even the student committee
chairman stated the penalties
imposed in the case were just.
Mr.. Fletcher suggested the sus-
pensions which Darden ordered
carried out. The visitors said
they were entirely willing to
accept the presidents public
expression of confidence in MIR.
Fletcher"
JeffersOnian Conception.
AS to Mr.. Darden's aims for
the university, the board said:
when President Darden cites
Jefferson's conception of the
university as the capstone of
public education in Virginia, he
is saying simply that the public
school system can attain it's
highest excellence and power
only with a great university to
lead it. Conversely, he believes
that the university will achieve
it's potential strength and great
ness only by drawing into it's
student body the best minds,
wherever they may be-whether
in private schools or public
"schools-and without regard to
social or economic background"
The board said the university
draws less numerical and intel
lectual strength from the public
school system than it must do il
it is to perform for Virginia the
function that it is so superbly
qualified and equipped to do"
1t said Mr.. Darden had mo
thought of driving fraternities
out of the university" and that
both Mr.. Darden and the board
were in accord with long-estab-
lished policy of the university to
permit and encourage frater-
mites.
But the board indicated pos
sible Tightening of control over
fraternities:
"The differences between the
administration and the fraterni-
ties lie in the field Of discipline
and department. The president
is directed, after consultation
with such members of the ad-
ministration, the faculty and
fraternity leaders as he deems
appropriate, to make and enforce
such rules and regulations as
may be requisite to correct these
difficulties.
He was directed also to see
that regulations be observed
which make for surroundings
conducive to studious habits
where students reside.
SMOKEY REPORTS