University of Virginia Library

Two-Year Colleges Change Status

By Philip Kimball
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

President Edgar F. Shannon yesterday
called for the transfer of two colleges of
the University to the state's Community
College system.

Patrick Henry College in Martinsville
and the Eastern Shore branch of the
University on Wallops Island, both
two-year colleges, will be transferred to
the Community College system effective
July 1, 1971, if the Board of Visitors acts
on President Shannon's recommendation
at their April 3 meeting.

The two schools named are the last
two-year colleges operated by the
University. Their transfer to the Community
College system will leave Richard Bland
College, a division of William and Mary as the
only state operated two-year school not in the
state's community College system.

In a letter to Roy McTarnarnaghan, the
director of the state's Council of Higher
Education, President Shannon stated that
transfer of the two colleges would "free the
University from responsibility for these
two-year college institutions and allow it to
concentrate on its four year institutions, the
Charlottesville branch, Mary Washington,
George Mason and Clinch Valley.

Citing reasons for the transfer, President
Shannon added that "there seems to be little
prospect for improved funding and growth of
these two-year institutions as branches of the
University."

'Vigorous Effort'

President Shannon further stated that
"although the University has made a vigorous
effort to serve these two communities, under
the present circumstances the University cannot
match the educational possibilities nor should it
attempt the technical training available through
the Community College system."

The Community College system was created
by the General Assembly on July 1, 1966 with
the passage of the Enabling Act. The objective
of the system is to have "a community college
within thirty minutes of every Virginia
student."

In its first year the system was composed of
two community colleges and five area
vocational-technical schools. Presently the
system includes 16 two-year colleges serving
27,000 Virginia students. The master plan of
the State Council of Higher Education calls for
22 colleges on 35 campuses.

The development of the system of
Community Colleges was initiated by the
University. President Shannon stated that "the
University's original undertaking in developing
two-year branches throughout the state has
been accomplished, resulting in the
establishment of the Community College
system."

Recommendation

Recently President Shannon received an
official recommendation from the Advisory
Committee at Patrick Henry College requesting
that "the University initiate the necessary steps
transferring that branch to the Community
College system." The Council on Higher
Education, however, said "if a transition were
to be made, that it could be done
simultaneously for both institutions."

Chancellor Dana B. Hamel of the
Community College system will work closely
with University officials, "in assuring the
orderly transfer process so that effective
development can take place."

President Shannon also asked that the Dean
of the University's School of General Studies
"continue to provide and to develop further
plans for such upper division and graduate
extension courses as the needs in these two
communities justify, which will be offered in
the facilities of Patrick Henry and Eastern
Shore just as the University is now doing in
other Community College facilities over the
State."

President Shannon met with members of the
State Council of Higher Education in
Charlottesville yesterday to further discuss
educational matters pertaining to both the
University and the Community College system.