University of Virginia Library

Shannon Reports On The University's
Future Building And Housing Plans

By Neill Alford III
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

A New Look For The Future University the "Master Site Development Plan"

Composed Of Areas Associated By Academic Function And Clustered Around The 'Academical Village'

Responding to current discussion of
the University's building and housing
program, President Edgar F. Shannon
presented factual information and
comments on the state of the program in
his Report to the University Community
on May 14.

Mr. Shannon reviewed the "Master
Site Development Plan," which calls for
development toward "a University
composed of areas associated by
academic function and clustered around
the historic 'Academical Village.' "

These academic centers (see map)
include a Fine Arts center on Carr's Hill,
a Humanities and Social Sciences center on the
south side of the Grounds, a Health Sciences
center near University Hospital, a Science and
Engineering area on McCormick Road, and the
as yet unbuilt Law and Graduate Business
facilities northwest of University Hall.

Mr. Shannon asserted that residence houses
and eating facilities will be "conveniently
close" to the academic centers.

He acknowledged, however, that "most
major buildings require at least six years from
planning to completion," and added that delays
in appropriation of state funds for the building
projects will mean an additional lag of two to
four years in construction.

The interval between initial planning and
final construction of planned new facilities will
therefore be from eight to ten years, including
several years during the present rapid expansion
period of the University.

Mr. Shannon commented that the General
Assembly did not appropriate sufficient funds
for the 1970 beginning for the new Law and
Graduate Business buildings.

He promised, however, that "substantial
square footages will become available in
existing structures" as new structures reach
completion.

Mr. Shannon gave statistics on housing
availability during the last few years, declaring
that "the University strives to provide a variety
of comfortable and attractive
accommodations" for students.

But he stated that "it has never been and
would not be feasible in the future, to provide
housing on the Grounds for all students."

In spite of this assertion, the Housing Office
statistics quoted by Mr. Shannon in his report
seem to indicate that during recent years a high
percentage of eligible students have
"volunteered" to occupy University housing.

"There is a total of 680 spaces available for
upper-class men and women next year,"
according to the report. "There were 1,323
applications through the lottery for these
spaces and of this number, all but 95 upperclass
male students who applied and were offered
space have been accommodated."

This is not to say that the number of
applicants housed was high, but rather that
almost 100 students who were offered
dormitory space did not receive it.

Mr. Shannon closed his report with
predictions on dormitory use in coming years.
He expressed hope that new facilities and
programs in the future will be supported by the
University community.