University of Virginia Library

Administrators Transfer Chaffin
To Other University Position

By MARGARET ALFORD

University officials last week ordered
security officer Walter Chaffin transferred
from the Security Department to another
University position.

University Business Manager Richard
F. Shutts told Security Department
Director W. Wade Bromwell Wednesday
to transfer Mr. Chaffin.

After a "thorough administrative
review," Mr. Shutts concluded that "Mr.
Chaffin's continued services as an officer
in the Department of Security would be
ineffectual.

"I in no way wish to impugn Mr.
Chaffin's reputation. I do wish to expend
state funds properly," Mr. Shutts said,
directing that Mr. Chaffin not be deprived
of salary or benefits.

Mr. Shutts asked Personnel Director
Donald Corderman to refer Mr. Chaffin
for interviews for University job vacancies
"for which he is qualified."

Work of the University committee
investigating charges against Mr. Chaffin
terminated with announcement of his
transfer.

Law Prof. Marion K. Kellogg,
investigating committee chairman, said,
"The inability of the committee to obtain
the testimony of a key witness makes an
investigation into the focal incidents to
be investigated impractical."

"The fact that Mr. Chaffin is no longer
an officer in the Security Department
would make any recommendations
moot," he said.

Proceedings Blocked

Proceedings of Mr. Kellogg's
committee had been blocked earlier by
Charlottesville Commonwealth's Atty.
John Camblos and Albemarle
Commonwealth's Atty. Charles R. Haugh.

The two advised Mr. Chaffin not to
testify before the committee while two
separate cases of Mr. Chaffin's arrests of
blacks were still outstanding.

One case concerned second-year
student Ronald Colbert, whom Mr.
Chaffin had arrested for "curse and
abuse" last May. The other case involved
black Engineering Asst. Prof. Wesley L.
Harris, arrested in December on an assault
and battery charge.

The two arrests were the basis of
harassment charges brought against Mr.
Chaffin by the Black Student Alliance
(BSA).

In response to BSA demands for an
investigation of the cases, which had been
dismissed by local courts, the University
placed Mr. Chaffin on off-duty status
with pay, officials also ordered a
University Committee to look into the
incidents.

New Warrant Issued

Mr. Haugh directed Mr. Chaffin March
28 to swear out a new warrant against Mr.
Colbert. Mr. Colbert was rearrested under
the warrant and released on $500 bond.

Mr. Haugh then told Mr. Chaffin not
to appear before the investigating
committee while Mr. Colbert's case was
pending.

Mr. Camblos ordered Mr. Chaffin not
to discuss Mr. Harris's arrest. The charge
had been not prossed through University
pressure, he later said, and is technically
still pending.

Mr. Shutts, in accord with Mr.
Bromwell, Business and Finance Vice
President Vincent Shea, and President
Edgar F. Shannon, Jr., then removed Mr.
Chaffin from his Security Department
post.

Officials Subpoenaed

In response, Mr. Haugh filed a motion
in Albemarle County Circuit Court to
issue subpoenas for six University
officials to appear at a court hearing to
review Security Department control and
authority.

Subpoenaed Thursday were President
Shannon, Mr. Shea, Student Affairs Vice
President D. Alan Williams, Mr. Shutts,
Mr. Bromwell and Mr. Kellogg.

The University Board of Visitors,
through University special counsel Leigh
B. Middleditch, Jr., requested the court
Friday to revoke county authorization of
special police powers to University
security officers. The request was
granted, and the city now deputizes all
security policemen.

"The University has assured my office
that the University security police, in the
execution of their police duties, will
work closely with my office," Mr.
Camblos said, "and where there is a
question, a decision will be made within
the offices of the Security Department
and the Commonwealth's attorney."

The University Personnel Office is now
searching for a new University job, as yet
unspecified, for Mr. Chaffin.

Mr. Colbert's case has been continued
indefinitely. The law firm of Hill, Tucker,
and March is representing Mr. Colbert in
the case.