University of Virginia Library

Shannon's Growth Report

Edgar F. Shannon, President, in his report
on "Growth," opposed raising standards to
limit growth, emphasizing the "nature of
growth" and its relationship to the University
community rather than growth itself as the
important factor. He stated that the University
must increase its admissions to accommodate
the number of students seeking higher
education. "Any attempt to shut out
well-qualified students from Virginia or from
other states would be a violation of the
principles that are the cornerstone of this
institution," he said. He also stated that the
University could not stand still while other
public and private institutions of higher
learning are growing.

Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson

Assistant Director Of Admissions

D. Alan Williams, Dean of Student Affairs,
also said he felt growth was necessary,
acknowledging that it would entail problems.
He felt, however, that the same standards could
be maintained. The main conflict regarding
growth, Mr. Williams said, is the fact that the
University must serve the nation and at the
same time educate qualified Virginia students.
He said it would be difficult to predict how
growth would affect the in-state out-of-state
ratio. Mr. Williams added that the
undergraduate enrollment at the University is
not as large a percentage of the total enrollment
as at many institutions because both
undergraduate and graduate students are on the
same campus.