University of Virginia Library

Council Seeks Creation
Of New University Senate

By Ira Steingold

A proposal to increase communication
between students, faculty, and
administration has been sent to Edgar F.
Shannon, President of the University

A letter sent by the Student Council
proposes that the existing University
Senate change its name to the Faculty
Senate, and that a new representative
body called the University Senate be
established. The newly proposed
University Senate would be composed of
members of Student Council, the Faculty
Senate, and the administration.

Students will vote on the proposal in a
referendum to be held in conjunction with
Student Council elections on April 28 and 29.

Ad Hoc Committee

The concept of a new University Senate
dates back to September 24, 1969, when an ad
hoc committee of students and faculty
proposed that the present University Senate
have its name changed and that a revised
University Senate be established.

However, because of red tape, it has taken
nearly two years for this proposal to be
submitted to students.

Last week, the Council approved a "Draft
Constitution" that would establish the
guidelines for a University Senate. A portion of
its preamble reads:

"Be it resolved that a University Senate be
established on the principle of governance by
administration, faculty, and students together,
it being the right and responsibility of each
group to find ways to further the pursuit of a
liberal education.

Air of Cooperation

"Recognition of this right and
responsibility," the resolution continues, "is
necessary if an air of cooperation is to pervade
in the interaction of these groups and if the
University is to maintain itself as an institution
which recognizes the need of a free exchange of
ideas within the academic community as well as
its commitment to society at large."

According to Council President Kevin
Mannix the University Senate would share in
administrative decisions concerning the
University. Growth of the University and
University housing construction are two
examples of how the students and faculty could
share in the decision making process, he said.

Proposals for a University Senate as outlined
by the Student Council have been studies by
various student and faculty committees since
1920. In 1925 the General faculty, which
performed the same functions as the present
University Senate, established the University
Senate, whose functions included
"modification of degree requirements,
regulations of student clubs, creation of
holidays, forming of regulations concerning the
conduct of examinations."

Commenting on the proposal, former
Student Council President Bud Ogle said that
"in this period of increasing student - faculty
relationships, it is very important that the
University be considered in terms of the
'academical village' as Mr. Jefferson originally
envisioned rather than on the grounds of
competing interests like students versus faculty
versus administration."