University of Virginia Library

Compares To Other Colleges

Bice Discusses Role Of Dorms

Dormitories and the counseling
system at the University are
on a competitive level with most
other colleges in the country, according
to Raymond C. Bice, associate
dean in the College.

Mr. Bice made this claim in a
speech Tuesday night entitled
"The Residential College Concept."
The lecture was part of a
series in the University Forum,
sponsored by the Forum Committee
of the University YMCA.

Discussing the role of dormitories
in a residential college system,
Dean Bice stated that the
changes in the original residential
plan at the University have been
a result of the development from
a college into a university.

Gracious living, an intellectual
atmosphere and the close relationship
between students and
faculty were some of the principles
that Mr. Jefferson planned
in his designs for the Lawn and
Range residences, according the
Dean. He continued that these
features are missing in the present
dormitories that are primarily
living quarters.

Dean Bice reviewed a conference
on the problems of a residential
college system held at the
University of North Carolina in
October. A member of the faculty
of Harvard University recommended
measures which should
be followed in a residential college.

The ideal residential group, he
said, would include 350-400 students,
living in single rooms with
no long corridors. There should
also be at least two faculty
families present, good dining
room facilities, a well-stocked
library and common rooms for
meetings between students and
faculty members.

Co-educational residential colleges,
students with varied ages
and backgrounds living together,
and more learning promoted in
the residence houses were other
suggestions brought out at the
conference, Dean Bice stated.