University of Virginia Library

First - Year Class
Bad Check Rash
Vexes Merchants

By Jay Steer
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Last week, the Bad Check
Committee received notice of
twelve instances of bad checks,
more than in any other week this
year. Ten of the bad checks were
written by first-year men.

"Merchants at the Corner and
people in the bursar's office are
distressed by this situation," said Al
Vermeire, chairman of the Bad
Check Committee.

Mr. Vermeire reminded students
yesterday that the privilege of
cashing checks in Charlottesville
may be rescinded by the local
merchants at their discretion.

$15 Fines

"Students are also reminded
that the Bad Check Committee is
authorized to fine students up to
$15 for each of their first two
offenses. A student found guilty of
a third offense may be
recommended for suspension,
fined any amount, or have a
record of the incident put on his
personal record.

"Last year the Bad Check
Committee recommended three
students for suspension: two
second-year men, and one first-year
man. All were suspended by the
Dean of Student Affairs," Mr.
Vermeire said.

Suspension Recommended

Students will be recommended
for suspension if they are found
guilty of "numerous offenses and
a careless attitude," Mr. Vermeire
added. If the Bad Check Committee
feels that a student deliberately and
constantly overdraws his account,
his case may be sent to the Honor
Committee. Mr. Vermeire added,
"Students are reminded that if they
receive notice of a bad check from
either Newcomb Hall, the Glass Hat
or the Castle, they should make
necessary payment to the Secretary
of the Bad Check Committee in the
Bursar's office. If a student receives
notice of a bad check from a local
merchant, he should make payment
directly to the merchant, and
should inform the Secretary of the
Committee in the Bursar's office.

Mr. Vermeire noted the fact of
the high incidence of bad checks
for first-year men. "This
demonstrates an ignorance and
carelessness on their part of the
seriousness of the problem," he
said.

Purdue Success

Mr. Vermeire described the
check cashing by University
students at Purdue during the
Cavalier's football game there was
"most successful". The committee
is presently compiling a list of
stores and other public places in
Fredericksburg, Lynchburg,
Danville, and Roanoke that will
cash University students' checks.

This list will be made available
by Thanksgiving. Mr. Vermeire also
noted that the Committee was
encountering difficulty in finding
places in Washington D.C. that
would be able to cash students'
checks.

He said that the Committee was
trying to obtain privileges for
students traveling to Maryland for
the Navy game, but added that this
privilege would not be made
available unless difficulties in
Charlottesville were cleared up.