University of Virginia Library

Students Denote Race
On Registration Cards

More than 98 per cent of the
8,491 students enrolled at the
University this fall voluntarily
designated their race or color on
registration information cards to
aid the University in filing reports.

The remaining students — only
97 of the total of almost 8,500
—are being reminded this week,
by individual letter from the Office
of University Relations, of
the University's long-standing
policy of non-discrimination and
are asked specifically to assist
the University by indicating their
race or color.

The University's form does not
request that a student check a
box signifying a specified race
or color, but provides a space
for the student to write his own
designation. These responses are
then summarized by the University
as needed.

The usual classifications requested
are "White," "Negro,"
and "Other," said Paul Saunier
Jr., Director of University Relations.
However, some Federal
questionnaires also ask for numbers
of "Orientals," "American
Indians," and "Spanish-Americans,"
he added.

Racial designations have not
been on University registration
cards for some years until they
were included last year on the
"voluntary self-identification"
basis. At that time, 68 students
reported they considered themselves
Negroes. Mr. Saunier said.