University of Virginia Library

Students Play Questionable Role In Selection
Of Two High-Ranking University Officials

Selection Group Qualifies Successor

Analysis

By PAT GRANEY, and RICK KNIESLER

The University community was startled Feb. 2 when
President Edgar F. Shannon Jr. announced plans to retire in
August 1974. At the time, chances seemed slight that anyone,
let alone students, would have any input in helping the Board of
Visitors select a new University president.

Fortunately, a student and a faculty committee, composed
of individuals from all the schools of the University, was
established to funnel opinions and ideas to a special committee
of the Board before a final decision is made.

The student committee has been working diligently so far
this semester, and recently sent "a study of sorts" to the Board
defining its beliefs on the role of a University president.

"The committee did not list an elaborate set of necessary
qualifications that an individual should have to be president,"
third-year College student Ann Brown said. "It was assumed
that if he could handle the job's obligations and problems, he
would have the qualifications."

Instead, the committee has evidently presented a list of
"issues" with which a University president should be concerned.