University of Virginia Library

Shannon Rejects Council Move
For Nov. 7 Class Suspension

By ELLEN ANDERSON

Classes will not be suspended
on Nov. 7 to accommodate
students wishing to return
home to vote in the
presidential election, President
Edgar F. Shannon Jr.
announced last week.

"The calendar as
promulgated for the current
session remains in effect," Mr.
Shannon said in a letter to
Student Council President Jim
Rinaca.

The Committee on Calendar
and Scheduling Oct. 18
rejected a Council proposal for
suspension of all classes on
Election Day and
recommended an alternate
plan which would allow
students to participate in the
"political process on Nov. 7"
without fear of penalty for
missing classes.

Mr. Shannon said he shared
Council's view concerning the
importance of participating in
the voting process. He
expressed his hope that all
University community
members exercise this privilege
as citizens.

"They must do so, however,
as individuals and not through
official action of the University
of Virginia. The University
must pursue its responsibilities
as an educational institution,"
he said.

"If the University is to be
successful in sustaining the
basic ideals of freedom of
inquiry and expression, it
cannot take action on behalf of
some members of the
University which would deny
to other members their right to
participate in regularly
scheduled academic programs,"
he added.

Mr. Shannon urged students
to arrange for absentee ballots.
"I trust that those who do vote
in person will be able to
arrange their voting times also
to fulfill their academic
requirements," he said.