University of Virginia Library

Alumni Concerns

Before the events of last May the Alumni
Association of the University had a fairly
good image among students. The Association
was frequently asked for financial and other
support for various student endeavors and
generally complied with their requests.

But during the events of last May the
Alumni Association sent telegrams to the
parents of undergraduate students asking
them to call their son or daughter "expressing
confidence in them to act thoughtfully and
responsibly in this critical time," Needless to
say, the telegram didn't please too many
students, who considered themselves to be
responsible individuals and didn't need their
parents to remind them to remain in that
state.

Then there was the letter D. French
Slaughter, Jr., then President of the
Association, which was sent to President
Shannon and Rector Joseph McConnell in
May (with copies going to University Alumni
in July) which stated "We believe that every
person has a right to express his political
beliefs and to try to influence others so long
as this is done peacefully and in a manner
which does not harass others or in any way
infringe on the rights of others.

"However, we are opposed to any officials
of the University taking a stand on political
issues in a context which would indicate that
this represents the views of the University in
any way. Unfortunately, it seems to us that
the recent statement of the President of the
University on the war falls in this category.
We do not think this is a proper role for the
University."

If the Alumni Association thought that
President Shannon should not be allowed to
make political statements, many students
firmly believe that the Association should
refrain from actively meddling in University
politics, especially since most alumni are far
away from Charlottesville and must judge
events without access to first-hand
information. Judging by some of the letters
received by us, a great many alumni mixed up
events which occurred at the University last
May with events occurring at other colleges
and universities.

Last spring the local chapter of the Alumni
Association began a reorganization and was
seriously considering barring a large group of
local alumni merely because they were still
students in graduate schools. Although that
question has apparently been resolved, many
students wonder who the proposal to exclude
graduate students who are alumni was even
considered in the first place.

All of these actions have made students
wonder whether the Alumni Association
really is a friend of the student. It is no secret
that the class of 1970 did not flock to join
the Association. At this point the class of
1971 does not seem to be any more willing to
join.

We feel that the Alumni Association had
better take some steps to improve its rather
tarnished image among students. There is no
doubt in our mind that the Association does
much good for the University. But they must
convince students that they are involved in
the social issues which concern students in
these times. A loan or a scholarship fund for
disadvantaged students from the Alumni
Association would help.

If the association cannot convince students
of its relevance that Association will cease to
represent the feelings of a large majority of
alumni.