Church-State Separation
The scheduling
subcommittee later proposed
the change after hearing from
Mr. Steiner and Mr. Keim, as
well as Student Council Vice
President Larry Sabato, and
Government Prof. Robert J.
Harris, chairman of the Chapel
Committee, which is charged
with "maintaining the
separation of church and
state."
A poll of other institutions
revealed in every case that
religious groups were allowed
to use school space.
The Calendar Committee's
recommendation to the
President stated that the
church and state separation
policy "would not be
abrogated if the University,
on an even-handed basis, now
permits officially recognized
student religious groups, or
students seeking to organize
such groups, to use University
space under the same rules that
govern other student
organizations and students."
Such groups, therefore,
could meet anywhere on the
Grounds so long as they do not
discriminate by race, creed, sex
or religion.
The committee statement
added that "such use probably
would be consistent with Mr.
Jefferson's early plans for the
University. It would not
involve establishment of or
encouragement of any
religion."
Under the proposed
academic calendar,
unanimously approved by the
committee, orientation would
begin Sept. 2, with registration
to be held Sept. 4 and 5.
Classes would begin Sept. 6.
Thanksgiving vacation
would run from Nov. 28 to
Dec. 1. Examinations would be
held from Dec. 13-20, with no
reading days.
Second semester classes
would begin Jan. 14, with
spring recess from March 8
through 16. Second semester
examinations would run from
May 5 to 12. also with no
reading days.
