University of Virginia Library

Williams Says Fraternities
Must Make Basic Changes

By Jay Steer
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

"Fraternities must make three
basic changes if they intend to
survive at the University", D. Alan
Williams, Dean of Student Affairs,
said yesterday.

Mr. Williams prepositioned his
remarks by stating that he has
"nothing against fraternities." He
said that he speaks as a
"dispassionate observer" of the
entire situation.

Firstly, Mr. Williams said that
"the average fraternity membership
is too low to sustain that fraternity
financially for any length of time.

"It is extremely difficult to
survive with less than 55-60
members in a fraternity.
Fraternities must expand their
membership if they are to stay
financially sound.

Crisis To Crisis

"Too many fraternities are
living from one crisis to the next. In
fact some are almost on the brink
of ruin.

"The amount of money that 45
or 50 brothers bring into a house
will not sustain that house for an
indefinite length of time, especially
if urgent repairs are contemplated.

He added that "some
fraternities may choose to remain
small and very select. That is their
prerogative. But for the most part,
fraternities must open up their
membership."

Disaster

Secondly, Mr. Williams
suggested that many fraternity
houses are physically a disaster. He
said that "some are 40 or 50 years
old and are desperately in need of
repair.

"Many fraternities must build
new houses or completely remodel
their old houses if they intend to
continue in operation for any
length of time."

The Dean felt that fraternities
should recognize their houses for
the shape they are in and act
accordingly.

Mr. Williams finally suggested
that "fraternities must adjust to
the changing nature of the
University. Fraternities must
become more involved in the
University community as a whole.

"Fraternities can and have made
positive contributions to the
University community, but must
continue to do so to keep their
standing in the entire community."

Mr. Williams continued to say
that he did not foresee the
"immediate demise" of fraternities
although he thought that they
should consider their role in the
changing University if they intend
to survive.

Mr. Williams denied that the
$100 deposit that first-year men
had to put down on their second
year's rent in the dormitories could
be construed as a threat to
fraternities.

Lesser Evil

He said that this $100 plan
which was finally adopted was "the
lesser of two evils." The other
alternative would have been to
enforce the compulsory second-year
in the dorms rule.

"This second alternative," the
Dean said, "would be a direct
threat to fraternities." Mr. Williams
also mentioned that his office had
no part in this decision.

Mr. Williams offered that he had
been connected with fraternities
since his college days. He is an
alumnus of a social fraternity, and
he has served as faculty adviser to
one of the fraternities on the
Grounds.

Car Rules

In other matters, the Dean
adopted a "wait and see" policy on
the success of the relaxed car rules.
He said that "the Traffic
Committee will observe the
automobile situation before they
take any further action in this
matter."

Mr. Williams observed that "the
primary difference from last year is
that more of the previously illegal
cars are now registered legally."

He also noted that "there are
more graduate students with cars,
more students in the college, and
that the overall grade-point average
has increased. All these factors
contribute to the increase in the
number of cars."

Traffic Tips

Mr; Williams blamed the road
construction on Route 29 North
and at other places in
Charlottesville for some of the
traffic tie ups that have occurred.
He added that the State Highway
commission is looking into this
matter.

Speaking on radicalism, Mr.
Williams noted in general that
student radicalism has provoked an
adverse reaction from outside the
academic community.

"Projects and activities at
colleges and universities across the
nation are in danger of being
cancelled or altered by outside
sources."

Mr. Williams cited pending
congressional legislation which
would enforce restrictions on
Federal grants and loans to students
who engage in demonstrations.

He also cited legislation
enforcing Speaker Bans which
would limit certain people from
speaking to college audiences.

Student Creativity

The Dean noted that students in
general seem to be "more creative"
than their counterparts ten years
ago. They seem to demonstrate a
genuine concern in a number of
areas," he said.

He cited an increase in
awareness in the Young Democrats
and Young Republicans, in debate
societies such as the University
Forum and the Randolph Society,
and in the service projects.

Student Affairs Dean D. Alan Williams

Suggests 'Basic Changes' To Facilitate Survival Of Fraternities