University of Virginia Library

Survey Reveals Support
For University Expansion

By RICHARD PETTY

A recent public opinion poll conducted
by the Center for Program Effectiveness
Studies at the University has revealed that
a plurality (45%) of the Virginia
population is in favor of increased
enrollment at the University.

The poll also indicates, however, that a
plurality (49%) of the
Charlottesville-Albemarle population and
an overwhelming majority (72%) of the
student population at the University is
against increased enrollment.

A random sample of the three
populations was interviewed last
November by a large team of sociology
students under the direction of Theodore
Caplow, chairman of the Department of
Sociology and Anthropology.

For the state-wide sample, 1082
persons in more than fifty counties were
interviewed. The other two samples
consisted of 458
Charlottesville-Albemarle residents and
779 students currently at the University.

When respondents were asked "Over
the next ten years or so, what increase
would you favor in the University's
enrollment?" a large majority of those
respondents who favored some increase
selected "10 or 20%" from the choices
offered. The other choices were "40 or
50%" and "90 or 100%."

In evaluating the information obtained
in the interviews, no significant
differences were found among
respondents having children of
precollege, college, or post-college age
with respect to attitudes on expansion.

Respondents who were former faculty
members, students, employees, or
relatives of such people were significantly