University of Virginia Library

University Union

The University Union in the days of
George C. "Mayor Daley" Shipley was quite a
different operation than what it is today. This
was the period of the so-called fraternity
aristocracy, a time only two years ago when
virtually every important student organ of the
University was in the hands of a relatively
homogeneous group of fraternity men. Of
course, much of that has changed both in
terms of controlling interests in student
government and publications and in terms of
the composition of the fraternities
themselves.

The old system was not without merit. As
John Herring, Director of Newcomb Hall,
states in his annual report. "In the past
'fraternity' control carried with it a built-in
area of motivation: fraternity men could
always be assured of a line of drones: drones
did work, but more frequently than not,
personalities, interest and competencies did
develop ... motivation was at hand, too, to use
the Union 'politically' for recognition in other
areas, Student Council, PK-German.
Dormitory Counselor program activities, etc."

Most importantly, beside the "staples of
service" to students (the Artists Series. Film
series, Travel, etc.), the Union consistently
provided many events for a variety of student
interests with the accent on pleasure.
However, the Union often bordered on
dictatorship with considerable speculation
about Boar's Head dinners and
bourbon-toting directors. Despite our
temptation to wistfully bemoan the passing of
a full style of life for a fortunate few when we
wined in the lemon light of springtime on the
Lawn for one meeting or another, the Union
did often border on the drab and uncreative.

When Clay Spencer was elected to the
presidency of the Union last year, he was
determined to radically change the direction
of the organization and to crush the inflexible
spoils system. He wanted to make the Union
an open, viable, imaginative operation that
contributed to the value of communication
among the members of this community. He
certainly was successful in wiping out the old
system, but for a large part of this year the
Union floundered when practical realities
were ignored. Mr. Spencer possessed a positive
idealism, one with which we have no
argument, but he did not have the machinery
to effect it.

The projects the Union undertook (a
$5841 research project for the revitalization
of Newcomb Hall; an extensive, expensive
advertising campaign; picnics to bring people
together) cost an exorbitant amount. As a
result of a lack of motivation within the
Union since there was no obvious way to
advancement, and the lack of structure within
which to work discourage the most
responsible from starting and completing
individual projects such as concerts, lectures,
and art displays. The Union could have
previously relied upon workers to complete
many of the menial tasks necessary to the
successful presentation of any project. Too
often, one man would have to go it alone this
year. Since there was no project of
responsibility, there was no blame for any
subordinate who failed to work. The staple
work of the Union was held together by the
experienced performance of Mr. Herring.

Clay Spencer's year with the Union must
be viewed as a victory. Why do we say this
after a seeming debacle of a year? In the end,
he has succeeded. He recognized that his
ideals and hopes for the Union would come to
fruition if the Union did not retain a
functional structure which defined
responsibilities and which contained inherent
seeds for motivation for participants. After
reviewing the results of the year, the Union
leaders have approved a new constitution
which weds the idea of openness and
creativity that was sometimes lacking in the
old Union and a workable administrative
structure.

With an increased budget and a bright
future the University Union could be on the
verge of a new blooming. After the tortured
decisions and reforms of Mr. Spencer and his
officers, imaginative, hardworking, ambitious
students will have the materials and structure
at hand for exciting extra-curricular service to
the University community and a rewarding
experience for themselves.