University of Virginia Library

Black Admissions

Although competition ran high among
women seeking admission, the admissions office
reported some difficulty in attracting qualified
black students.

Mr. Ern commented that more and more
predominantly white schools are now actively
working to recruit black students showing high
academic promise. He estimates, however, that
the number of black students enrolled in this
year's class is the same or slightly higher than
the number in last year's class. He declined to
release Admissions Office figures on the
number of blacks accepted at the University
and the number intending to enroll.

Elizabeth J. Johnson, assistant dean of
admissions, noted that many black students are
not accepting admission at predominantly
white schools. They instead choose to attend
predominantly black schools, such as Hampton
Institute and Howard University.

The University's black admissions program
encountered a snag in a late effort by the
College of William and Mary to attract a greater
of black students. In the late spring, the school
conducted a drive to re-attract black students in
Virginia who had previously turned down
William and Mary and had been accepted
elsewhere. Several black students planning to
attend the University decided to accept the
William and Mary offer instead.

Despite the problem encountered in black
enrollment, Mr. Ern said he was satisfied with
the first-year class. According to admissions
office figures, the class contains a high
proportion of student leaders and achievers.

"These are bright, perceptive, involved
young people," Mr. Ern said. "This is a
statistically qualified, quite competitive group."