University of Virginia Library

Entered In Congressional Record

Spong Lauds Shannon Letter

By Thom Faulders
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Commending President Edgar
F. Shannon, Senator William
Spong, a Democrat from Virginia,
requested that the timely letter
issued that week setting forth
regulations regarding demonstrations
be included in the Congressional
Record.

Se Spong told the floor, "The
keystone provision of these rules
specifies that the students of the
University may dramatize opinions
and buttress their arguments
by public display so long as the
participants do not interfere with
the rights of others in pursuit of
their education."

He went on to note, "The University
of Virginia, founded by
Thomas Jefferson, is well known
for its Honor System and its respect
for student freedom. Dr.
Shannon emphasized the responsibilities
that accompany these
long-standing traditions."

Illimitable Freedom

According to Sen. Spong, "Mr.
Jefferson once said concerning
his University, 'This institution
will be based on the illimitable
freedom of the human mind. For
here we are not afraid to follow
truth wherever it may lead, nor
tolerate any error so long as reason
is left free to combat it.' "

Sen. Spong then asked the unanimous
consent of the members
of the Senate to include President
Shannon's letter in the Congressional
Record "in light of the
recent disturbances on other campuses.
There was no objection
and the statement was printed as
it appeared in The Cavalier Daily
last Friday, May 3.

Admirable Statement

Also included in the request
was the editorial from the Richmond
Times-Dispatch. The paper
called the statement "admirable."
It went on to say, "It brings a
breath of fresh air into the fetid
atmosphere of spineless permissiveness
that has engulfed so
many college and university campuses."

Calling for the nation to follow
President Shannon's fine example,
the editorial also commended
those presidents who
"are keeping their hands on the
helm without fanfare and whose
campuses have been altogether
quiet."

The letter in which President
Shannon "publicly enunciated
firm plans for the orderly adjudication
of student grievances,"
noted that planned demonstrations
are to be filed at the Student
Council only by recognized
organizations. Any student not
complying with this rule is subject
to suspension.