University of Virginia Library

Peaceable Change

Regarding Mr. Rosen's essay "A
Prospectus for the University":

1) Thomas Jefferson was not a
revolutionary all his life. Any
aggravated peasant can assist in
tearing down an establishment; did
Jefferson's genius lie in his
destruction or construction of a
society?

2) Staging "demonstrations" or
"Disruptions" here, contrary to Mr.
Rosen's hopes, will not necessarily
thrust the University back into the
mainstream of collegiate activity or
improve our standing in the eyes of
the nation. Recent polls, indicating
a distinct conservative trend in the
country, point rather to the
opposite result.

3) One must agree, however,
with Mr. Rosen's statement that "it
is possible that an enlightened
Administration will deal fairly with
legitimate student proposals." It
would in fact seem "probable"
rather than just "possible" because
such recent Administration actions
as those regarding female dormitory
visitors, beer in Newcomb Hall, car
regulations, etc., are indeed proof
that "Things can change peaceably
here." For that very reason, and
despite the fact that no one, even
students, can get what they want all
the time, "disruptions" at the
University of Virginia would not
only be irrational, but would
undermine the generally good
relations between students and
Administration which we enjoy.
Therefore, any self-interest group
which would attempt to coerce the
Administration by creating another
Columbia or Chicago incident here
would be doing the University
community a great disservice.