University of Virginia Library

Ogle Traces Discrimination Problem

By Donn Kessler
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Photo By Andy Kline

Counselor Chairman Steven Brickman (Left) Talks With Vice-Chairman Barry Leader

Thirteen Senior Counselors Were Selected For Next Year's First-Year Dormitories

"Over the last 150 years the
University has been entrapped by the
paradoxes and prejudices of its times.
Sharing the moral ambiguities of its
founder, Thomas Jefferson, the
University at once affirmed the
Declaration of Independence and
Afro-American dependence, the
aristocracy of intellect and the inferiority
of blacks."

Beginning with these words, the
recently released Presidential Report of
the Student Council traces the
University's efforts and failures in trying
to end its role in racial and sexual
discrimination.

Two Fold Purpose

The report, by Bud Ogle, is entitled
"A Dream Deferred: The University of
Virginia and Equal Opportunity
1967-1970." Its purpose, besides tracing
the University and discrimination, is
twofold.

"First, to familiarize interested
individuals and groups with efforts made
over the past few years to provide equal
opportunity at the University.

"Second, to help mobilize the University
community in a real commitment to transforming
Virginia higher education."

The report has three major topics. The first
of these is the inadequate attempts of the
University to end racial and sexual discrimination
here in Charlottesville.

Secondly, the report points out the 'need'
for a 20 per cent minimum quota of black
students.

Reform

Finally, the report states that the only way
to accomplish reform in 'University discrimination'
is through cooperation.

In the first area, the report begins in the
1950's and early 1960's.

"At a Student Council meeting on April 25,
1955. University President Colgate Darden
argued that "integration would mean a severe
retrogression in education.

"In 1959 two men who have contributed so
much to Virginia education led Massive
Resistance. Then-Delegate Chase Stewart
Wheatley [now a member of the Board of
Visitors] introduced House Resolutions 8 and
24 and House Bill 21 ...Then-Senator Mills E.
Godwin, Jr. eloquently contended 'Any
integration is the key which opens the door to
the inevitable destruction of our free public
schools.'

"The decade of the '60s opened with a new
hope, a new President, new leadership for the
University. Optimism led most Virginia Gentlemen
to feel 'the problem' would eventually just
go away."

Problem Stays

But the report shows that 'the problem' just
didn't go away. The report cites examples of
the problem:

"A rough estimate finds that the average
white employee at the University earns at least
two to three times the amount earned by the
average black employee. In the same wage
category wages are the same but who
determines the wage categories and who is to
blame for the social system which has allowed
very few blacks to reach the higher income
employment opportunities at the University?

"What 'positive actions' were taken before
1967 to integrate dining facilities in the
hospital? ...What 'positive actions' have been
taken to improve the atmosphere at the
University, to make black students feel
welcome? And why did it take Virginia
gentlemen until 1969 to admit the equality of
women? We all stand implicated."

Still Few Blacks

The report continues, "On October 30,
1969...only three of Virginia's ten schools had
even one per cent black enrollment.
Twenty-five per cent of Virginia's graduating
high school seniors are black. There are only 38
black undergraduate students attending the
University...There are only two black faculty
members."

The report does not only criticize the
University for 'discrimination.' It also attempts
to trace the efforts to end that discrimination.

"During 1967 new life in the Charlottesville-Albemarle
chapter of the Virginia Council
of Human Relations began to focus attention
on the injustices in hiring...segregated facilities,

and the absence of black faces in academic
positions at the University."

In that same year, "the Council determined
to prohibit the use of segregated facilities by
student groups...yet the Athletic Department
still secures its catering from that friend of
equal opportunity Buddy's."

In November of 1968, "the School of
Education sponsored a statewide conference
attended by over 250 guidance counselors.
Interested Council members helped distribute a
letter encouraging guidance counselors to
recommend the University to low-income
students."

And yet, despite the efforts, the report
states that the overall attempts to end
discrimination at the University have failed. It
also attempts to show this with numerous facts:

"President Shannon spoke to the Charlottesville
Rotary Club whose members were anxious
to know about the 'disturbances' at the
University" [This speech was given in February
1969 after student protests and recommendations
took place in opposition to
'discrimination at the University.']

The report states that the President said "I
respond this afternoon to the effect
that...about half of the Student Council
proposals represent University policies already
in effect."

The report then states "About that half