University of Virginia Library

Rogers Criticizes Students
In Pre-Retirement Interview

By Alan Featherstone
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Photo By Bob Cohen

Frank W. Rogers, retiring Rector of
the University, described University students
as "that terrible bunch of thugs,"
and "those kids on Student Council" in
an Associated Press interview Wednesday
in Fredericksburg.

Discussing changes in the University,
Mr. Rogers said, "going back eight years
ago, you couldn't conceive of that
terrible bunch of thugs that now make
themselves so articulate" at the University
referring to student dissidents here.

Mr. Rogers added at this same time "If these
kids on the student council would get the idea
that the administration and board of visitors are
anxious to cooperate with them, if they would
just approach it from that attitude instead of
issuing all those demands and trying to see how
mad they can make us, they could get
something."

However, Mr. Rogers said in an interview
yesterday that he considered 25 year-old Jim
Roebuck, President of Student Council, neither
a kid nor a thug.

Effective February 28, Mr. Rogers will retire
as Rector and member of the Board of Visitors
after eight years of service to the University in
this position.

In yesterday's interview, the father-in-law of
Governor Linwood Holton said, pertaining to
the future of the University, "I would like to
see more money."

He emphasized the University's need to buy
more land and build newer and better facilities.
He also recommended that the University
purchase some of the land along Jefferson Park
Avenue.

The increased amount of money must come
from the state, not the federal government, he
said. "Federal money goes to research foundations
and educational grants. But state money
pays for buildings and facilities and things of
direct use to the University," Mr. Rogers added.

Hopefully, the Rector said, the increased
funds would not come from increased tuitions
or fees. A new ta or reallocation of present
capital would be the best source.

Although the governor can play a large role
in obtaining the funds for the University, Mr.
Rogers said he does not intend to give
unsolicited advice to the governor.

"The people of Virginia didn't elect but one
of us governor and I have promised myself that
I will stifle every impulse to give him
unsolicited advice," Mr. Rogers said.

When asked if he had been asked for advice
in the past. Mr. Rogers said that both
Governors Godwin and Holton had made such
requests.

Most recently, however, Governor Holton
asked him what would be the opinion at the
University if Virginia Polytechnic Institute were
to change its name. Mr. Rogers said that if VPI
felt it necessary to change its name that the
University would approve, and, in fact, be "all
for it."

Mr. Rogers declined to make any general
remarks about the University fearing that what
he would say could preempt the next Rector's
actions. "My time's up," he said, "I'd rather
not comment."

Mr. Rogers regards his term as Rector as a
"rewarding experience." It was a good opportunity
to serve the University and the state of
Virginia.

Mr. Rogers said he is "very grateful" to have
served on the Board of Visitors and as Rector
of the University.

Retiring to his law practice in Roanoke, Mr.
Rogers will continue his practice as an attorney.