University of Virginia Library

In regard to the proposed School of Foreign Service and International Affairs at the University
of Virginia, the Board of Managers of the University of Virginia Alumni Association respectfully
submits for your consideration the following:

1. The establishment of this School was proposed by Mr. Edward R. Stettinius, Jr., a member
of our Board of Visitors and now Secretary of State, in a memorandum dated March 16, 1943, addressed
to the Rector and the President of the University. As that memorandum states the proposition so
well and forcefully we are taking the liberty of attaching a copy of the same hereto. We think it
is in order to state that the interest of Mr. Stettinius in this School has not abated. On February
28, 1945, he addressed a letter from Mexico City to a member of this Committee in which he said, "I
agree entirely that the time is slipping away from us and if we are really to be effective in establishing
a School of Foreign Service at the University it should be done immediately. As a matter of
fact, from my talk with you, you will recall that I thought it should have been done at the time of
my original memorandum in 1942, a copy of which I gave you."

2. At a meeting of the Board of Managers of the Alumni Association on February 3, 1945, the
following two resolutions were adopted:

"It was moved, seconded and unanimously carried that the Alumni Association make $10,000.00

available if necessary, to advance the proposed School of Foreign Service, to be used for
such purposes as may seem most desirable in the judgment of the Board of Managers. This
commitment is contingent upon the announcement of this School by July 1, 1945.

"It was moved, seconded and unanimously carried that President Henry appoint a committee
to request that a meeting of the Board of Visitors be called at an early date to consider the
prompt establishment of the School of Foreign Service. The Board suggested that President Henry
should be a member of this Committee.

3. The able committee appointed by Dr. Newcomb to study the feasibility of establishing
the School of which Dr. L. G. Moffatt of the School of Romance Languages is Chairman, has
made its report. This report goes into all phases of the School including its purpose, nature of
course of study, curriculum, organization and plan of instruction and a "conclusion" of which a
copy is attached.

4. It is a well-recognized fact that many attribute the lack of efficiency on the part of
some engaged in diplomatic, consular and foreign service to inadequate preparation. It is obvious
that the United States must and will take an ever greater and greater part in the affairs of
the world. We quote the following from an article about Mr. Stettinius by Bob Considine in the
Reader's Digest of March, 1945:

5. We can think of no University or place of instruction better suited for such a School
than the University of Virginia. The fact that many other institutions are planning for the
same sort of instruction shows the tremendous interest in and need for a broad and special
training to equip suitable persons for this field of services. We understand that already many
inquiries have come to the University in regard to this School by persons interested in
entering themselves or their sons.

6. We respectfully urge the prompt announcement of this School, notwithstanding the fact
that it may be impossible to adequately supply the personnel of its faculty and directors now.
We are convinced that everyone believes that such a School should be established at the
University of Virginia. In the opinion of this Committee and of all with whom we have talked
the feeling is that such a School at the University of Virginia in the language of the street
would be a "natural".

7. We appreciate the privilege of appearing before the Board of Visitors. We trust
that our enthusiasm and zeal for this object will not be misconstrued and that we will not
be thought of as stepping beyond the limits of our proper concern. The Alumni Association is
increasing in strength and effectiveness from year to year. We believe that we are representative
of the general alumni. This substantial contribution which the Association offers out
of its comparatively small but increasing reserves is tangible evidence of the sincerity of
our interest in this undertaking. In addition to this sum we feel quite sure that the sum of
$35,000.00 for the Library for International Studies will be raised by the Association as a
party of the Alumni Fund. We also understand that a committee of Alumni are thinking in terms
of much greater support in money and prestige. The prompt announcement of this School will in
our opinion accomplish indirects effects as great or greater than the direct results from the
School itself.

The Committee has also asked the President of the Association, Mr. Henry, to present in
a few words the general status and objectives of the Alumni Association and to let the Administration
and the Board know that the Association is doing its best and hopes to do better for
the good of the University of Virginia.