University of Virginia Library

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STUDENT COUNCIL

A communication from the Student Council, proposing regulations governing student conduct
which they are willing to enforce, was presented.

(The following was written in longhand:)

This letter was written primarily to let the students know our position at this time.

WHEREAS the STUDENT COUNCIL of the University of Virginia, being the duly elected representatives
of the Student Body, has, by unanimous vote, gone on record as desiring to administer the discipline
of the University, with the cooperation of the Administration it is hereby set forth the terms
under which such a system is acceptable, and the details of such a plan for consideration:

PART ONE: The Student Council has no desire to become involved in the enforcement of any
rules or regulation in which it did not have an active, or consultory part in formulating. As the
elected representatives of the students, the first duty of the council is to the students, and the
council cannot accept any rules that are contrary to the best interests of the students or will in any
way destroy the principles of self-government. However, the Council realizes the need for improvement
in several phases of student conduct and is prepared to take immediate steps to rectify these defects.
The attached plans, which are a part of an overall plan, are the plans acceptable to the council, and
we feel will be acceptable to the students themselves. If satisfactory to both, the success of these
plans is relatively assured and the desired changes will be effected that the Rector, Visitors, and
Administration has in mind. They represent an attempt on the part of the council to fact the issue
squarely and to correct any deficiencies that may exist, without causing the destruction of self-government
and the loss of confidence of the student body in the council and in the administration.

PART TWO: The council firmly believes that any plan for regulation of Student conduct should
emanate from the council and be submitted to the proper authorities for approval. The council further
states that the FINAL and ABSOLUTE control over the administration of any plans for improved conduct
should reside with the council and not be in any part lodged with any other agent or agency of the Administration
or college.

PART THREE: To begin with the council feels that the problem of student conduct belongs to
the council in all cases of student conduct regardless of social affiliations, etc. With this in mind
the council plans that the INTERFRATERNITY COUNCIL be a subordinate body to the council to work with
the council as outlined in one of the attachments.

PART FOUR: Attached to this sheet are enclosures that will partly explain how the council
contemplates the overall organization of this plan; how to deal with all students in general; and how
to deal with the fraternity "problem."

PART FIVE: It is to be realized that this prospectus is the work of many individuals and a
great deal of careful study and thought. It is by no means the final draft, but it is essentially what
this council believes will correct the deficiencies and at the same time not bring about absolute government
by administration at this institution. Above all, these plans WILL WORK which is a merit that cannot
be attributed to all rules and regulations that can be promulgated.

GROUNDSMEN PLAN

1. It is not the intent of this plan to set up a "police" system at the University but rather
it is designed to protect the individual student and to protect and preserve the reputation of the University.

2. It is contemplated that we have a group of men to be known as "groundsmen" who will be
agents necessary to insure the success of this plan.

3. The number of groundsmen may change after experiment but it is believed that to begin with
the administration of the University should furnish six (6) men.

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4. The duties of these groundsmen shall be as set down by the council. They will be full-time
employees of the University and their specific hours of use shall be determined at a later date.
However, it is known that they will be used daily.

THESE GROUNDSMEN WILL:

• a. Enforce the general rule that is the primary purpose of the overall plan, to wit:
  Prevent any actions that reflect discredit on the University or conduct that is unbecoming
  a gentleman and student of this University.

• also to
  achieve goals
  desired by the
  administration
  b. The student council may from time to time, as it sees necessary, issue other rules
  or regulations for the groundsmen to enforce to fit the occasion.

• c. Violations of the general rule, or specific rules laid down by the council will be
  reported to the council for disciplinary action subject to part "d" below.

• d. The groundsmen shall be accorded discretion as to what offenses are serious enough
  to warrant a report. They will be thoroughly instructed in this matter by the
  council.

5. The council shall have ORIGINAL judicial jurisdiction in all cases that arises and the
defendant has the right of appeal to the administrative organs of the University if he so desires.

6. The main issue on which the success of this plan will hinge is that the Student Council
shall have ABSOLUTE and FINAL CONTROL over the GROUNDSMEN, THEIR DUTIES, THE RULES THEY WILL ENFORCE,
AND THE JUDICIAL ACTION THAT FOLLOWS ARRAIGNMENT OF OFFENDERS. If the council is not accorded these
things it is in no position to attempt to put the plan in at all.

(On a separate sheet was the following:)

RULES TO BE DRAWN UP BY COUNCIL
IN COOPERATION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION

5. The Student Council feels that these rules will rectify whatever activities may have
occurred to cause the recent action by the Visitors and requests that these be approved by the
Visitors. If this is done the Council WILL ENFORCE THESE RULES. Further, there follows in the next
paragraph how this enforcement will be done and it is further illustrated on the attached diagram.

6. It is the intention of the council to have the Interfraternity Council as a subordinate
body to work under the council in dealing with problems that arise concerning fraternities. Under
our plan the fraternities will undertake the enforcement of these rules themselves and violations will
be judged by the Interfraternity Council. HOWEVER, any and all action taken by the IFC shall be subject
to review by the council. Or, rather than subject to review, it WILL be reviewed and wherever
the punishment if any is felt to be too lenient or harsh as the case may be it will be readjudged by
the Student Council.

7. The groundsmen will not be called upon by the council to ever enter fraternity houses
unless there is a disturbance that warrants such an investigation. Rather, the groundsman will report
to the council any irregularities that he observes and the council will order the house concerned
to appear before the IFC for a hearing. The IFC will then deal with the house as a whole with the
action reviewed by the Student Council. In the case of individuals involved they will be attended to
by the Student Council just as any other student under the groundsmen plan. This will enable the
council to keep control over all student conduct wherever it may be and will establish the IFC as a
subordinate organ accountable to the Student Council for its actions.

8. It is earnestly believed by this council that this plan will rectify any and all undesirable
incidents that may have a tendency to occur.

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Mr. Gay expressed the view that the statement of the Student Council should be answered.
Whereupon the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

BE IT RESOLVED that the communication received from the Student Council be returned to it
with the following statement: that the Board of Visitors will not consider any communication addressed
to it which has been previously given to the press.