University of Virginia Library

Provost Selection

Students should serve in more than just an
advisory capacity in the selection of a new
Provost for the University. Students were
only consulted superficially in the creation of
the new "Code of Conduct", a code under
which each student must live or face disciplinary
action. Rightfully so, there was a great
hue and cry over the absence of student input
in such a pure student matter. We thought the
message might have gotten through, but apparently
not.

The Provost is an officer of the University
whose decisions bear in one way or another
on all students' academic careers. As J.C.
Levenson of the English Department has said,
"The Provost holds the foremost professional
position in the teaching element of the
University. He is the Dean of Deans . . . He is
no way directly involved in student affairs but
every academic proposal or curriculum change
he makes affects students in some way."

If the new Provost exercises as much
power as retiring Frank L. Hereford does, and
we would expect that he would, then he will
be a tremendously influential man making
decisions on a wide spectrum of subjects all of
which will direct the course of the University
in the present and in the future. These
decisions are important to students. The
students should have able representatives on
the committee which has been charged with
making a nomination to the President.

At present the committee is chaired by Mr.
Levenson and composed of faculty members
who have demonstrated a concern for the
University and interest in their students.
Along with Mr. Levenson the committee's
members are: W. Lester S. Andrews, Chemistry
Department; Daniel J. Meador, Law
School; W.H. Sihler, Jr., Medical School; John
L. Sullivan, Speech and Theatrical Arts; John
E. Scott, Jr., Aerospace Dynamics and secretary
of the committee; W.H. Sihler, Graduate
Business Administration; and Elaenore C.
Westhead, Education School.

We know these men to be capable and
completely agree with their goal to find "a
man who can be an administrator but who
can also keep in touch-a man who has a feel
for the pulse of the University." We do
believe that a student participating in the
fullest on their committee would greatly aid
them in selecting the best candidate for the
position.

We are sure that the University's committee
will carefully consider the proposals and
findings of the Student Council's newly
formed committee which will "seek out recommendations
for nominees to fill the office
of Vice-President and Provost of the University."

An active student body can be the life
blood of the University. Let's give this energy
and force a chance to serve the University by
aiding in the selection of one of the University's
top officers. The students should not be
relegated to a second string advisory role in
this matter.