University of Virginia Library

College Deans Call For Year's Delay
In Counseling Program Alterations

By ANN BROWN

During Tuesday night's
Raven-sponsored panel discussion of
proposed changes in the counseling
system, Irby B. Cauthen, dean of the
College of Arts and Sciences called for a
year of consultation and examination
concerning the recommended
modifications.

Mr. Cauthen read a letter signed by
the College deans proposing the delay.
The letter (on page 2) stated in part "We
would hope that the discussions could
take place and a modified program be
formulated by February 1 of next year.
That length of time would give us all an
opportunity to be heard, to learn what
the program really intends, and to guide
us into a confident participation in it."

In later developments it was learned
that the letters notifying the selection
for senior positions in next year's
program were not sent yesterday as
anticipated.

According to a spokesman of the
Student Affairs Office, the letters will be
mailed after an examination of the
program and a special meeting of the
Executive Committee of senior
counselors

The discussion panel consisted of
three advocates and three challengers of
the proposed changes. The supporters
were D. Alan Williams, vice-president for
student affairs; Chester R. Titus, associate
dean of students; and Richard F. Shutts,
University business manager.

Those opposing the new program were
Mr. Cauthen, Charles H. Whitebread,
assistant professor of law and resident
advisor for Watson - Dobie Association;
and James L. Malone, a third-year law
student and resident advisor in Webb-Balz
Association.

Mr. Williams spoke first saying that, in
retrospect, more consultation on the
changes would have been desirable. He
added, "What seemed to be consultation
turned out not to be that at all." He
admitted that the changes "seemed to
have been enacted by fiat" and stated
that "general concerns expressed by
people around the Grounds will be
worked into the program."

Mr. Titus then asserted that the
changes should not be construed as an
affront to the Resident Advisors. He
added that academic considerations had
not been ignored in devising the program.
He later remarked that Mr. Cauthen had
been consulted on a possible realignment,
although not on these particular
alterations.

Chester R. Titus

Associate Dean Of Students

Mr. Whitebread stated that the
problem had been "obstructed by a sort
of who-struck-John." According to Mr.
Whitebread, "one of the issues is that a
change, we know not what, has been
made without the kind of consultation
and consideration that ought to be a
hallmark of a great university in 1972."

He stressed faults in the procedure by
which action had been taken. He warned
against adopting "a program that has
been promulgated by shaky procedure
just because it has been promulgated."

He added that the manner in which
these changes had been adopted had been
"counterproductive to the sense of
community" at the University.

Mr. Malone stated that the University
was primarily academic in purpose and
therefore, "should not be run as a
business."

Referring to Jeffersonian democracy
in decision making, Mr. Malone said,
"Students play an integral role in this
University, yet with the enactment of
these proposals none of the committees
with student members were used as more
than a rubber stamp."

He maintained that the proposals
actually represented major changes in the
system. He added, "I do not think it is
wise to eliminate entirely or even to
decrease the graduate input." Mr. Malone
proposed the retaining of Resident
Advisors alongside the new Graduate
Assistants.

Mr. Shutts, who described his views as
those of a "business man," said,
"Enforcement of the housing regulations
still remains with students as long as they
wish to take the responsibility." He
maintained that terms and conditions
"benefit the resident, not the
University."

In response to an audience question
concerning the role of the Resident
Advisor, Mr. Whitebread commented that
an advisor "has a tremendous
opportunity to affect the quality of the
student's life in the residence hall." He
added that "there is no more purely
personal style in the new program." He
remarked that Mr. Cauthen's proposal
was "eminently reasonable."

Irby B. Cauthen

Dean Of The College