University of Virginia Library

After carefully reviewing the history of the development of the teaching of Architecture at
the University of Virginia the following facts appear to be of special significance

a. The original gift from Mr. Paul G. McIntire was to establish "A School of Fine Arts to
comprise first a School of Art and Architecture and second a School of Music".

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b. In 1919 A School of Art, Architecture, and Music was established and designated as the
McIntire School of Fine Arts. Under the leadership of Professors Kimball, Hudnut, Kocher, and
Campbell a strong program in architectural teaching was developed as well as an introductory
art program. Music remained under a separate leadership. From 1948 on greater attention
was devoted to individual fields in Art under the guidance of Professor Charles Smith, and
in 1951 Art was established as a separate division of the McIntire Department of Fine Arts

The Division of Architecture currently enjoys a certain autonomy in fact which is not
apparent in title, nor in catalogue description. It is urgently recommended that the
identity of the architectural program be established by designating it The McIntire School of
Architecture with a chairman or director, for the following reasons:

1. A Specific degree is granted by the Division, separate from the degree of the College of
Arts and Sciences.

2. The admission of candidates to Architecture is processed by the Division of Architecture,
separate from the College of Arts and Sciences.

3. The Bachelor of Science in Architecture is a professional degree under the requirement
of a five session program similar to the professional degrees in Engineering, Law, and Medicine.
It is so recognized by the State Examining Boards operating under statute law in Virginia

4. Establishing a School of Architecture would give the program in Architecture necessary
and useful stature not only in this State but throughout the country.

In requesting the above there still exists a dominant conviction that the academic
courses offered by the College of Arts and Sciences would continue to remain a strong element
in the curriculum in Architecture. This can even be enlarged in scope so that a more
complete development of the individual may be realized during his academic training

It is earnestly hoped that sincere consideration will be given to this request

I enclose herewith a recommendation from Professor Fitz Patrick that the Division of
Architecture of the McIntire Department of Fine Arts be changed in status in the University
to the McIntire School of Architecture. I have discussed the matter with him and I heartily
recommend that the change be made.

I also recommend that the status of Professor Fitz Patrick be changed from Chairman of
the Division of Architecture to Chairman or Director of the School of Architecture.

At the same time the Division of Art of the Department of Fine Arts should be changed
to the McIntire Department of Art in the College of Arts and Sciences, with Professor Smith
as its Chairman

A number of considerations prompt me to make these recommendations, and I should be glad
to discuss them with you if you wish

I may mention here that for a considerable number of years the Division of Architecture
has been nearly autonomous in its operation in so far as its admissions, degrees and academic
discipline are concerned, although it has nominally functioned as a part of the College.
Its work is so technical and specialized in nature that few academic officials understand it or
are competent to deal with it intelligently

A dozen years or more ago I predicted in an article on the College in the Alumni News
that both commerce and architecture would eventually be set up as separate "Departments"
of the University, as they were then called. Commerce has been so set up, and I do not
believe we should wait longer in the case of architecture.

Indeed, the pressure is doubtless greater for architecture than for commerce, in so far
as accrediting agencies and state examining boards are concerned