University of Virginia Library

Charles Weir

A Straight And Narrow Path

The most recent Virginia
General Assembly did not look too
favorably upon students. There
were many causes for that dislike.
Of all effects that are possible, the
appropriations of money for the
state supported schools of higher
learning are probably the most hard
felt by us.

In a recent phone interview with
one of the delegates on the
Appropriations Committee of the
House of Delegates and another
with one of Governor Holton's
aides, we discussed the roles and
effects of students around the state.

A general consensus showed
that these men felt that todays
students were at college to get a
higher education but they were
being hurt by the image that their
leaders portray. For a state, the
money that it spends on education
is a very large portion of its budget.
The delegate, who asked that he
not be quoted directly, said that
the effects of the strike last May
severely damaged the chances of
increasing spending on colleges.
Advocates of higher spending had
to take a back seat to those angered
by students. A repeat of last May
this past fall would have almost
killed the colleges by a most certain
cut-back in funds.

Center Of Discussion

The University presently
receives a little more than a quarter
of its funds from the state. This is
just enough to make it a very vital
part of the budget. While it is not
nearly as large as it is at most state
schools, it is a very significant
portion. A reduction in it would
certainly hurt any growth planned
by The University.

Another showing of sentiment
around the state was the Bateman
resolution. Since it passed
unanimously, the delegate being
questioned voted for it. He said
that the University became the
center of some of the discussion.
Our reputation has spread. While it
is thought that Senator Bateman
did his research at a different
school, the legislators felt free to
mention the University and Mary
Washington.

Student Morals

The aide thought that it was a
natural concern about the morals of
the students. While we might be
more open with our beliefs, he said
there is certain difference in the
morals of the two generations. As
long as the dorms are state
buildings and fornication by the
students is against the law, he
thought that the state must control
it.

Students Enlightened

Eighteen year-olds have been
given the vote in national elections.
This past session an amendment
to the State constitution changing
the voting age to eighteen was
submitted. Delegate James
Thomson offered the House Joint
resolution. It has to be brought up
in two sessions of the General
Assembly and then taken to the
people in a referendum. The
soonest it can be passed will be the
summer of 1972.

The governor supports the
eighteen year old vote and has ever
since his campaign. He thinks that
students today are more
enlightened, better informed and
looking for answers. The vast
majority of students were thought
by both men to have the same
ideals as they did when they were
in college.

Youth Advisory Council

Governments are not thought to
be easily accessible places, but the
governor is trying to get to meet
and speak with students. He did not
make it out that much during his
first year in office, but the aide said
that he would be venturing out
more often now. The governor has
a Youth Advisory Council made up
of college students around the
state. There are about twenty
students on the Council. It is split
just about evenly between males
and females and is about one-forth
blacks.

Meetings have been held on
education that have sought
students' opinions. These
conferences have shown that
students today believe that there is
much that can be done to improve
the education system. A more
informal atmosphere and more time
spent on subjects that students
liked and thought relevant were the
overriding feelings of the students.

Improving Image

These men with whom I spoke
showed a great concern over the
vast majority of the students. As
long as the students remained
subdued, they would not be willing
to sit down and discuss problems.
They thought that students had
many good ideas, but often wanted
instant solutions. The governor
looks forward to meeting with
students on a friendly basis, but
rejects the thought of meeting them
in a violent confrontation. If we
play ball his way then he will play.
If not, then it's too bad for us.

It will take much hard work to
improve the image of students that
the voting public of Virginia holds.
Becoming part of the system is the
distasteful answer. Feelings around
the state are, with the Bateman
resolution passed, if an
administrator leaned very heavily
on conduct in the dorms he would
be praised by the voters. The
reaction to the hard line stand of
the president of VPI and SU last
spring is proof. The road ahead for
Virginia's students appears to be a
straight and narrow path. Where it
will lead, no one knows.

Dalton and Calder-Marshall in "Wuthering Heights"

Robert Fuest's direction is plain
and undistinguished. On the other
hand, he can afford to have simple
direction, for John Cosquillon's
color photography is very beautiful,
capturing a wild and lonely quality
of the moors of England. The music
is by Michel Legrand and is
inoffensive and pleasant, except for
the few occasions when the sound
track drowns out the actors' voices.

Divided Audience

Even with these few criticisms.
"Wuthering Heights" could be
considered by some to be an
entertaining film. There is excellent
source material and a fine cast, plus
good photography and use of
authentic locations. When the film
is over, you can see the audience
dividing into three groups. One
group, old enough to remember, is
trying to decide if Timothy Dalton
makes a better Heathcliff than
Lawrence Olivier. Those unfamiliar
with the novel may be walking
slowly and maybe crying softly,
genuinely moved by another "love
story."

But there's one group left —
those who come away from the
theatre puzzled and upset and
shaking their heads. These people
have read the book. I belong to this
group, being unimpressed but not
hateful about the film, feeling that
Emily Bronte's novel suffered most.

(Now at the Paramount)