University of Virginia Library

Sense of Community

"This is the first time there has been a sense
of community at the University since I got
here" commented a student at the sleep-in.
Student Council, which sponsored the sleep-in,
"wanted everyone to come and have a good
time" Tom Collier, President of the Student
Council, explained.

Council set up several large plastic bubbles
on the Lawn, and many students brought tents
and small shelters. Others merely slept in the
open, huddled in sleeping bags or blankets.
Council also supplied coffee and doughnuts but
a number of students brought along supplies of
beer, wine, and reportedly, marijuana.

The students gathered in small groups to
talk, play cards, sing, and smoke. Hibachis and
grills were used by the campers to cook food
and keep warm as the temperatures fell into the
forties. During most of the evening there was a
jam session, with about 200 students
participating.

One student commented that the sleep-in
was "the best party I have ever been to."

Signs and banners hung on the walls of the
ranges, displaying anti-expansion slogans.
Among the signs on the Lawn were some saying,
"United we stand, because we can't sit down,"
"Help stop expansion, eat a student," and "Hell
no, we won't grow."

The night was generally free of disturbance,
with only two incidents disrupting the festive
atmosphere.

A former student carried a confederate flag
in the march to the Lawn. Peter Gillespie said
"I requested that he not carry the flag because
it was important to the sensibilities of some of
the students who felt it was a racist symbol."

The former student continued in the march
despite the requests of several marshals. When
he arrived at the Lawn, he was "told that it
would not be healthy to stay" by some of the
marshals, according to Chris Kerr.

Robert T. Canevari, Dean of Students,
spoke with the flag bearer for approximately
ten minutes in a room off the Lawn.

Mr. Canevari stated in reference to the
incident, "To the best of my knowledge we
agreed that he should not carry or display the
flag, on the Grounds."

The former student then left the Grounds
returning later without the flag. Later in the
evening, several members of Young Americans
for Freedom protested the presence of a Viet
Cong flag on the Lawn, but the flag was not
removed.