University of Virginia Library

Whitebread Speaks On Founder,
Relates Jefferson To Future

By Jim Massey

"Planning for a modern University and
devising some means for preserving-the
humanity of the institution is the most
vital issue we face," Charles H.
Whitebread, Law School professor and
final speaker for Founders Day, said
yesterday. Mr. Whitebread will speak on
"The Legacy of Thomas Jefferson" at 8
p.m. on April 13.

"I will try to tie in in some way our
Jeffersonian heritage with what I view to
be the future of this University," said Mr.
Whitebread.

Mr. Whitebread expressed his concern
for the possible harmful effects that could
accompany "the transition from a small.
Southern all male institution to one with
17,500 men and women."

"The transition could affect the approach to
education," Mr. Whitebread continued. "That is
the issue about which there should be more
planning and more thought. It could have a net
gain or a net loss in its worth to the students.
What kind of educational experience is available
to the students is just what we should be
talking about."

Stating his opinions on the transition and
the Honor System, Mr. Whitebread stated that
he "fully" supports the Honor System. "That is
one of our most prized traditions that we must
maintain," he said. "In our transition from the
old to the modern we need to separate the
traditions that no longer make sense from those
that do." His speech to the first-year students
given at the beginning of the year is now being
printed and will be available to the public.

Mr. Whitebread suggested the
Student-Faculty Senate and the Future of the
University Committee of the Student Council
as possible mechanisms that could be used in
formulating goals and priorities for our
changing University.

Concerning the role of the Board of Visitors,
Mr. Whitebread stated that "The priorities of
the University are a matter of concern to all the
community, not just to the Board of Visitors."

On what the role of experimentation will be
in developing the University. Mr. Whitebread
stated that "we ought to err on the side of
experimentation. When a program is suggested
recommending educational experimentation my
view is that on the balance we are wiser to give
experimentation a chance than to stifle it
without trying it."

One experimental program that Mr.
Whitebread said he was especially interested in
is the college residential community which, he
states should be "looked into and developed."

"Some professors are stimulating, others are
not" he added. "Some students are lethargic,
others are not. The freedom at the University
allows persons to be apathetic and lethargic but
the opportunity is here for intellectual
development and personal growth."

"Is the University's purpose simply to
house feed, clothe and turn out large numbers
of B.A.'s or is it to improve the quality of the
human experience" he asked

Charles H. Whitebread, Founder's Day Speaker

Law Professor To Discuss "The Legacy of Thomas Jefferson"