The Cavalier daily :: Friday, March 1, 1968 :: University of Virginia Library

"If the students can show
strong support for a residential
system and a feasible means can
be found for it, the University
would certainly be willing to look
closely into the matter," said University
President Edgar F. Shannon
yesterday.

"In general, this has been in
the backs of our minds for a
long time," he added. "There are
many considerations, but it is important
what the students are able
to find and what support they express
for implementing a residential
system at the University."

'Sound Development'

Mr. Shannon told The Cavalier
Daily that the Student Council's
decision to study the planning
of a residential system "was
a very sound and worthwhile development.
We would be delighted
to have their specific
thoughts."

Action towards developing a
residential system was begun
Tuesday night when the Student
Council voted to have a letter
sent to Mr. Shannon advocating
a residential system be implemented
as soon as funds would
permit, and to study the student
support and means of implementing
such a system.

Mr. Shannon mentioned several
problems in regard to establishing
such a system, however.
The most important of these
would be the cost of financing it.

More-Cost

"Residential dorms would cost
a great deal more than our present
style of dormitories to build.
The additional facilities needed
for each building, plus the pay
for tutors and help would cost
a great deal more.

"Another problem with financing
is that we cannot pay for the
new buildings through the type
of bond issue we are forced to
use now. In other words; we
would have to get many private
gifts to cover the costs, involving
millions of private dollars.

"Should the students show support
and feasibility of the idea,
however," he added, "I feel the
University and myself personally
would make every effort to solicit
the necessary funds for the project."

Another problem was that the
University now has more dormitories
than it needs. Anticipated
growth, however, has been estimated
at figures for an enrollment
of 15,000 by 1980, calling
for construction of new dormitories.

Could Be One

Asked whether these new
dorms could be built on a residential
basis, Mr. Shannon replied,
"Very definitely. The same
problems will apply, of course,
but if there is a significant student
willingness to live in them
and a chance of financing them,
it could be done."

"The concrete plan for growth
is flexible," he added. "No concrete
steps can be taken right
now, but the idea is in our minds:
It's very important to have the
students' ideas this time, for the
whole system is in the planning
stage. We welcome the students'
advice."

Provost Speaks

Also commenting on the University's
future was Provost
Frank L. Hereford, who told The
Cavalier Daily that "This question
has frequently come up—
how can the University best anticipate
an expected growth to
15,000 students by 1980 and retain
its unique features?"

Mr. Hereford, who is chairman
of the Future of the University
Committee, said, "We haven't
gotten into any real detail on
this issue, since it wouldn't really
get to basics until the buildings
were being planned.

James R. Hickman, third-year
man from the architecture school
who is conducting the Council's
study, said yesterday that "Our
investigation will mainly consist
of finding the possibilities that
are open to dorms that are
planned in the near future.

"We are not really interested
in trying to convert what buildings
we have into such a system,
it just wouldn't be feasible. The
prime question is 'What can be
done with future housing?' Such
a plan wouldn't require everyone
to live in the new buildings, only
those who would want to."

Not Immediate

Asked whether there was evidence
of strong student backing
for the idea, Mr. Hickman said,
"Yes. The fraternity men may
not feel as strongly towards it as
those who live in the dorms already.
At any rate, given that
it's a new trend not attempted
since the Lawn and Ranges were
built, there's little chance of it being
adopted on a full immediate
scale."