University of Virginia Library

Constitutional Segregation

"Swanson first applied to the
University in the spring, and there
were never any doubts about his
qualifications, which were approved
by a law school committee. But
because the state constitution requires
segregation in the Virginia
educational institutions, Swanson's
application was referred to the
Board of Visitors at their monthly
July meeting, when it was rejected
on the grounds that in spite of
recent supreme court decisions the
Board did not have authority to set
aside Virginia law.

The article concluded, "Other
Negroes have applied for entrance
to the University and other institutions,
but for more than a decade
the state has provided funds for
their education in schools outside
Virginia".