University of Virginia Library

Whitebread Explores
Jeffersonian Concepts

By Jim Massey
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Charles Whitebread, recently named
Associate Professor of Law, called for a
rededication to Jeffersonian ideals by the
University Community last night in a
Founder's Day address before an
audience of approximately 150.

According to Mr. Whitebread the
Jefferson Legacy to the University can be
summarized in four major concerns:
architectural planning, teaching
excellence, residential patterns, and
outstanding public education.

Thomas Jefferson felt, according to
Mr. Whitebread, that for a University to
attract the best professors it must have
outstanding facilities.

State Funds

Mr. Jefferson, who was aware of the
importance of state government in financing his
new university, as well as of the problems
which could result, was again quoted: "My
hopes, however, are kept in check by. . . our
state legislature, the members of which do not
generally . . . perceive the important truths that
knowledge is power, that knowledge is safety,
and that knowledge is happiness."

To preserve the University's early standards
of architectural excellence Mr. Whitebread
proposed "adequate future planning," "fuller
participation of the community as a whole in

building plans and decisions" and the "closing
of the grounds to automobile traffic."

Mr. Whitebread drew loud applause after
deploring the University's use of its Greek
Amphitheatre as a parking lot.

Concerning teaching excellence Mr.
Whitebread again referred to Mr. Jefferson, 'We
concluded to employ no professor who is not
of the first order of the science he professes."

The law professor proposed the diminution
or replacement of the "publish or perish"
measurement of professorial standing. Mr.
Whitebread called this a "false dichotomy" and
added "The University as a model of excellence
should expect both good teaching and first rate
research of those it hires."

Mr. Whitebread emphasized his belief that
students would rather be in a large class with an
outstanding professor than in a small class with
a poor professor.

Stating that the present library was
"inadequate to support a growing community
of scholars," he suggested that "even if new
money cannot be found we must rearrange
priorities to accommodate a first rate library."

Residential areas are of prime concern in
planning the University and are "especially
important in a growing University," Mr.
Whitebread stated. He commented that Mr.
Jefferson's plan was to have an "academical
village" with professors and students living
within the same small community. He remarked
that a residential college plan could serve as a
modern version of the lawn, the embodiment of
Mr. Jefferson's dream.

The proposal for high rise apartments for
the housing of students was deplored as not in
keeping with the country town character of
Charlottesville.

Financial Disaster

Concerning finances Mr. Whitebread stated.
"Today we see the financial disaster besetting
our private institutions. . . the economic facts
may dictate that publicly founded institutions
will be the model of excellence in education in
the future."

The speaker recommended the preservation
of a balance between in-state and out-of-state
students in order to maintain the University s
status as an outstanding national institution.

Mr. Whitebread concluded "The next five
years will see the flowering of this institution; if
we pursue architectural planning, residential
patterns, faculty recruitment and support, and
diversity of student body with a conscious
concern for preserving and expanding both the
humanity and excellence of this University we
can see the founder's dream fulfilled."