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 | Board of Visitors minutes September 15, 1956 |  |
The Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia met at 10:00 A.M. on this date, by call
of The Rector, in the Office of the President of the University, at Charlottesville, with the
following present. The Rector, Frank Talbott, Jr., President Colgate W. Darden, Jr., Chancellor
Grellet C. Simpson, Visitors Berkeley, Bryan, Coxe, Emmett, Gray, Greear, Hartfield, Howard,
Jones, McWane, Martin, Pollock, Mrs. Smith, and Wheeler. Absent: Visitors Gravatt and Mr.
Smith. The University's Special Counsel, Mr. C. Venable Minor, was present during a portion of
the meeting and participated in discussions of the real estate transactions at Fredericksburg,
Falls Church, and Clinch Valley as outlined below.
The minutes of the meeting of 16 June 1956, previously distributed, were approved.
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD FOR 1956-1957
The business of the October meeting having been laid before today's called meeting, it was
resolved that the next meeting would be held on Saturday, December 8th, the remaining 1956-57
meetings to fall on the following Saturdays: February 9th, April 13th (at Fredericksburg), and
June 8th.
GIFTS AND GRANTS
President Darden announced to the Board the following gifts and grants
| From Mr. Harry Lee Carter, to establish the Harry Lee Carter Scholarship Fund |
$2,500.00 |
| From the following sources, for the purchase of an electronic microscope (NO PUBLICITY) |
|
| Mr. R. W. Hooker | 317.16 |
| Mr. Albert H. Hooker, Jr. | 25.00 |
| Mr. Franchot Tone and Mr. J. Jerome Tone, Jr. | 300.00 |
| From the Longwood Foundation, for the use of the Medical School | 150,000.00 |
| From the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, for scholarships in the School of Nursing (NO PUBLICITY) |
18,000.00 |
| From the U. S. Rubber Company, for a fellowship for the 1956-57 session | 1,500.00 |
| From the American Cyanamid Company, for medical research fellowships | 1,200.00 |
| From the E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company, for a post-graduate fellowship in chemistry for the 1956-57 session |
3,744.00 |
| From the E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company, for a post-graduate fellowship in physics for the 1956-57 session |
3,124.00 |
| From Dean Lewis M. Hammond, 262 books, valued at | 134.75 |
| From Colonel John R. Fox, 89 books, valued at | 546.50 |
| From the Civil Air Patrol, Virginia Wing, for teacher scholarships at the Air Age Education Workshop |
3,000.00 |
| From Mr. J. H. Irvine, to be added to the National Fund for Medical Education |
200.00 |
| From the Tobacco Industry Research Committee, for a fellowship during the summer of 1956 |
500.00 |
| From the Union Carbide and Carbon Company, for a pre-doctoral fellowship in physics for the 1956-57 session |
3,524.00 |
| From the Union Carbide and Carbon Company, for a scholarship in Engineering | 496.00 |
| From the Virginia Cerebral Palsy Association, for the Cerebral Palsy Clinic | $2,700.00 |
| From the Research Corporation, for research in Geology, under the direction of Prof. R. S. Mitchell |
4,225.00 |
| From the University League, for two graduate assistantships in the Department of Speech and Drama for the 1956-57 session |
1,600.00 |
| From the Farmington Flea Market, for use in the Cerebral Palsy Clinic | 1,100.00 |
| From the Fund for Adult Education, for support of the Richmond Liberal Arts Center for Adults |
2,500.00 |
| From the University Hospital Auxiliary, to be used for the hospital | 600.00 |
| From the American Foundation for Allergic Diseases, for a fellowship in the Medical School for the summer of 1956 |
500.00 |
| From the Inter-University Committee for Travel Grants, a grant-in-aid to support Prof. Thomas Hammond's travels in the Soviet Union during the summer of 1956 |
2,200.00 |
| From the Student Aid Foundation, balance due for athletic grants-in-aid for the 1955-56 session |
4,134.33 |
| From the U. S. Rubber Company, for equipment to be used in the Chemical Engineering Laboratory |
2,000.00 |
| From the John and Mary R. Markle Foundation, for a fellowship to Dr. Oscar Thorup for the 1956-57 session |
6,000.00 |
| From the John and Mary R. Markle Foundation, for a fellowship to Dr. Dean Warren for the 1956-57 session |
6,000.00 |
| From Mr. Richard S. Richardson, to establish the Douglas W. and George B. Richardson Fund, for scholarships in Business Administration or Law, securities valued at |
24,600.00 |
| From the Virginia Society for Crippled Children and Adults, for scholarships in the School of Education for the summer of 1956 |
350.00 |
| From the Department of the Air Force, for research under the direction of the following members of the faculty: |
|
| Prof. G. T. Whyburn | 40,101.32 |
| Dr. J. W. Cole | 15,000.00 |
| Dr. Alfred Burger | 2,500.00 |
| From the Department of the Army, for research under the direction of the following members of the faculty |
|
| Prof. James C. Mace | 32,000.00 |
| Dr. A. E. Feller | 9,079.00 |
| Dr. Paul M. Gross, Jr. | 8,996.44 |
| From the Department of the Navy, for research under the direction of Dr. Lewis B. Johnson, Jr., of the School of Engineering |
15,800.00 |
| From the American Cancer Society, Inc., for continued research under the direction of Dr. Cornelia Hoch-Ligeti |
7,556.00 |
| From the Army Signal Supply Agency, for research under the direction of Prof. O. R. Harris, of the School of Engineering |
29,740.68 |
| From Acme Visible Records, Inc., for continued research under the direction of Prof. R. M. Hubbard of the School of Engineering |
2,500.00 |
| From the National Science Foundation, for research under the direction of the following faculty members: |
|
| Dr. E. C. Stevenson | 18,800.00 |
| Prof. W. S. Flory, Jr. | 10,200.00 |
| Dr. P. N. Schatz | 19,030.00 |
| Dr. J. D. Deck | 9,688.75 |
| Dr. E. C. Stevenson | 25,000.00 |
| From the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, for research under the direction of the following members of the faculty: |
|
| Dr. A. R. Kuhlthau | 173,310.31 |
| Dr. C. L. Gemmill | 2,925.00 |
| Prof. W. R. Singleton | 15,962.00 |
| Dr. Herbert Jonas | 1,937.00 |
| Dr. A. R. Kuhlthau | 18,292.09 |
| Dr. J. N. Dent | 6,000.00 |
From the U. S. Public Health Service, for research under the
direction of the following members of the faculty:
| Dr. W. D. Warren | $9,142.00 |
| Dr. K. R. Crispell | 14,375.00 |
| Dr. C. L. Gemmill | 8,088.00 |
| Dr. G. C. Pitts | 4,692.00 |
| Dr. William Parson | 9,085.00 |
| Dr. P. Y. Paterson | 8,518.00 |
| Dr. W. A. Volk | 7,130.00 |
| Dr. Oscar A. Thorup, Jr. | 8,040.00 |
| Dr. Oscar Swineford | 6,957.00 |
| Dr. E. M. Hanbury | 5,370.00 |
| Dr. Q. N. Myrvik | 7,762.00 |
| Dr. C. C. Speidel | 3,220.00 |
| Dr. C. F. Wheeler, Jr. | 8,518.00 |
| Dr. J. E. Fitzgerald | 7,452.00 |
| Dr. W. R. Sandusky | 8,395.00 |
| Dr. W. O. Klingman | 15,662.00 |
RESIGNATIONS
The Board adopted the following resolution:
RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia
that the resignations of the following faculty members be and they are hereby accepted:
Dr. Warren Lounsbury Smith, Associate Professor of Money and Banking in the Department of
Economics, as of September 1, 1956.
Mr. Albert Weyman Patrick, Assistant Professor in the McIntire School of Commerce, as of
June 30, 1956.
Miss Vivian White, Assistant Professor of Nursing, as of October 12, 1956.
Mr. Walter Harding, Assistant Professor of English, as of August 29, 1956.
Dr. Walter L. Koltun, Acting Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, as of December 1, 1956.
We wish for them the highest success in their new undertakings.
CANCELLATION OF RESIGNATION OF DR. D. C. WILSON
The Board resolved as follows:
Owing to a misunderstanding, the resignation of Dr. David C. Wilson, Professor of Psychiatry
and Neurology, was presented and acted upon at the June 16, 1956, meeting of the Board; this
resignation is hereby cancelled.
PROMOTION
The following resolution was adopted by the Board:
RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia
that Miss Margaret Tyson be and she is hereby promoted from Assistant Professor of Nursing to
Acting Associate Professor of Nursing as of September 1, 1956, at an annual salary of $5,200,
plus the $500 which the acting chairman receives.
ELECTIONS
The Board adopted the following resolution:
RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia
that the following persons be and they are hereby elected to the faculty:
Dr. William C. Ellet, as Assistant Professor of Political Science, effective at the
beginning of the session of 1956-57, for a period of three years. His salary is to be paid as
Research Assistant in the Bureau of Public Administration.
Mr. W. Royden Franke as Acting Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering for the
session of 1956-57, at a salary of $5,900 for the session.
Mr. Walter Bedford Moore, III, as Acting Assistant Professor of English in the School of
Engineering for the session of 1956-57, on a half-time basis, at a salary of $2,500. He is to
take over some of Mr. Vaughan's work.
Dr. Jesse W. Cumbia as Clinical Instructor in Internal Medicine, effective July 15, 1956.
Miss Carolyn E. Sloan as Assistant Instructor of Nursing effective August 1, 1956, at an
annual salary of $3,600. This is a replacement for Mrs. Helen Stern.
Dr. Luisa Hawkins (Mrs. Franz Schubert), as Instructor in Anesthesiology, as of August 15,
1956, at a salary of $7,200, $3,000 of which is to be paid from State funds and the remaining
$4,200 from departmental earnings.
Dr. Virgil S. Ward as Assistant Professor of Education for three years, as of September,
1956, at a session salary of $5,750.
Mr. Frank W. Banghart as Instructor in Educational Research in the School of Education, for
the session of 1956-57, at a salary of $4,000.
Mrs. Carolyne Khuri as Acting Assistant Professor of Speech for the session of 1956-57 at a
salary of $5,000.
Dr. Robert L. Ramey as Acting Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering for the session
of 1956-57, at a salary of $6,800.
Miss Carrie Edell Boyle as Assistant Professor of Nursing for a period of three years,
effective October 1, 1956, at an annual salary of $4,550.
Miss Patricia Angela Taugher as Assistant Professor of Nursing as of September 1, 1956, for
a period of three years, at an annual salary of $4,550.
Mr. Robert Loring Allen as Associate Professor of Economics for the session of 1956-57. His
salary is to be paid from a grant from the Dearborn Foundation because of direction of a research
project in foreign affairs sponsored by the Foundation.
Miss Cynthia Graves as Assistant Instructor in Nursing, as of September 1, 1956, at an
annual salary of $3,600.
Mrs. Jane Jamison Davis as Instructor in Nursing, effective September 1, 1956, at an annual
salary of $3,600.
Mrs. Grace S. Sheldon as Instructor in Nursing, effective September 1, 1956, at an annual
salary of $3,600.
Mr. Frank L. Evans as Acting Assistant Professor of History at the Clinch Valley College for
the session of 1956-57, at a salary of $4,600.
Mr. W. M. F. Rachal as Research Associate in American History, effective October 1, 1956, for
one year at an annual salary of $1,200.
Mr. Fred E. Bell as Instructor in Biochemistry, effective October 15, 1956, at an annual
salary of $6,000 to be paid from Dr. Chanutin's Public Health Service Research Grant.
Dr. William D. Whitehead, Jr., as Assistant Professor of Physics for three years, as of
September, 1956, at a salary of $6,000, $5,750 of which is to be paid from State funds and the
remaining $250 from the Pratt Fund.
Mr. Charles A. Herring as Acting Assistant Professor of English in the Northern Virginia
Extension Center, for the session of 1956-57 at a salary of $4,800.
Mr. Jack D. Johnson as Visiting Associate Professor of Business Administration in the
Graduate School of Business Administration, part-time, effective February 1, 1957, at an annual
salary of $1,500.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
The Board adopted the following resolution:
RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia
that Dr. Robert M. Hubbard, Professor of Chemical Engineering, be and he is hereby granted leave
of absence without pay for the session of 1956-57 to travel and do research.
UNCOLLECTIBLE HOSPITAL ACCOUNTS
The following resolution was adopted by the Board:
RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia
that the Hospital Accounts Committee be and it is hereby authorized to charge off as uncollectible
accounts Schedules 619, 622 and 623, aggregating $33,832.36, as recommended by it.
VETERANS' BOOK BILLS CHARGED OFF
President Darden reminded the Board that at the February and June 1956 meetings of the Board
the Student Accounts Committee had been authorized to charge off veterans' tuition accounts
resulting from the Federal Government's having allowed the University to charge out-of-state
fees for Virginia veterans, provided that no excess charges were levied against the individual
students.
The President then laid before the Board schedules of veterans' textbook charges falling in
the same general category, certified by the signatures of the Student Accounts Committee, and
requested authority for the Committee to charge off these accounts as presented in the aggregate
sum of $38,927.31 for the years 1945 through 1954.
The Board resolved that the Committee be and it is hereby authorized to charge off the
veterans' textbook bills, 1945-1954, as presented, in the total sum of $38,927.31.
R. O. T. C. STUDENT ACTIVITY FEE APPROVED
President Darden presented to the Board the following memorandum from Captain Richard W.
Smith, U. S. N., on behalf of the University's R. O. T. C. units:
NAVAL RESERVE OFFICER'S TRAINING CORPS
MAURY HALL - UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
Professor of Naval Science MEMORANDUM FOR THE BOARD OF VISITORS: Subject: Reserve Officer's Training Corps Student Activity Funds
The present R.O.T.C. units at the University of Virginia, starting with the
Navy in 1940, have been organized at the request of the University. The enrollment
in these units is covered by public law. Enrollment is entirely voluntary. (This
is not the case at the so-called land grant colleges and universities). The first
two years (first year only for the Naval ROTC Regulars) a member may withdraw at
his own request. Approval of the resignation is accomplished at the Unit Command
level. Starting with the third year, ROTC members receive subsistence
compensation, and approval of the resignation can only be made at Departmental
(or delegated) level.
Each R.O.T.C. unit is an integral part of the University, and student
membership cuts across the lines of the college, the schools, and all of the
departments (with the exception of the School of Medicine and the Department of
Nursing).
Each of the three R.O.T.C. units is welded together through wearing the
uniform of one of the armed services. Within each unit is a spirit of comradery
which it is believed should be fostered to the fullest in order to enhance the
morale of the service of which the unit is a part. Such morale building effect
has in the past been improved through extra-curricular gatherings and activities
as have been properly connected with and sponsored by the unit(s). Social
gatherings, not the least of which is the annual Military Ball, parade participation
and competition and the like, are examples of these extra curricular activities.
Such activities do require a slight monetary outlay for which there is no
provision within available public funds. It has long been a principle of service
life that the financing of such activities should be equally borne by all, and
hence, that all should be fully eligible to participate in such activities.
Whether or not a member does participate in a particular activity is a matter for
him to decide, but being a member of the unit would and should constitute his
eligibility. In short, his ticket for participation is his uniform and his
pride in wearing it.
Each of the R.O.T.C. units has in the past collected a fee to defray such
expenses. In the Spring of 1956 the Student Council considered this fee to be a
matter, the collection of which should be properly considered by the Council.
Accordingly, they made a very thorough, and it is believed, completely unbiased
review of the matter. As a result of the review the President of the Student
Council addressed a letter to each of the R.O.T.C. unit commanders. This letter
contained the following.
"First, if the fee is to be compulsory for all those who enroll in a
particular ROTC, the Council believes that it should first be officially approved
by the University. This is to be distinguished from the present informal
arrangement, whereby the University has agreed to bank these fees. It is felt
that such approval is necessary to justify its collection at registration. It
would also alleviate the confusion now existing as to the exact status of the
fee."
The units concur with the President of the Student Council, particularly as
to the clarification of the status of the fund and the manner of collecting it.
The R.O.T.C. unit student activity fee should be kept small, so as to be as
little burden on the individual as possible. It is strongly recommended that it
not be permitted to exceed $5.00 per student per annum and that $3.00 (about 1
cent per day) only be exceeded in exceptional circumstances. It is believed
that inasmuch as membership in the R.O.T.C. unit is voluntary each member should
be required to participate in the fee or to withdraw from the unit, or in the
case of third and fourth year members, to submit a request for withdrawal.
It is recommended:
(1) The Board of Visitors approve the collection of this fee.
(2) The fund be held in the custody of the Bursar.
(3) The fund be administered by the unit student organization, subject to
the approval of the unit commanding officer.(4) Withdrawals from the fund only be made with the combined approval of
the senior student member of the unit organization and the commanding
officer of the unit.
Captain, U. S. Navy
Professor of Naval Science
Army R.O.T.C. Unit AirForce R.O.T.C. Unit
The Board adopted after discussion the following resolution:
RESOLVED that each of the R.O.T.C. units at the University of Virginia be authorized to
collect a fee not to exceed $5.00 per annum from each enrollee in the unit for the purpose of
maintaining a unit student activity fund, the purpose of which shall be to defray expenses of
gatherings, meetings, competition, and the like, the prime purpose of which is to improve unit
morale and esprit de corps.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that expenditures from this fund shall be under rules as may be set
forth by the R.O.T.C. unit commander, such rules to embody the requirement that the initial
recommendation for expenditures originate at the unit student organization level.
PROPERTY EXCHANGE IN FREDERICKSBURG
President Darden called to the attention of the Board the resolution adopted at the regular
meeting held on April 14, 1956, by which the Board approved the proposed exchange as then outlined,
in principle, subject to final approval by the Board of a contract to be considered later.
Mr. Darden stated that the City of Fredericksburg proposed to convey to The Rector and
Visitors, a tract of 4.022 acres of land adjoining the Mary Washington College Campus, on which
the City Reservoir is located, reserving the reservoir site itself so long as it was used as a
reservoir, with the right to maintain the reservoir on the reserved portion of said tract, and
the right at its sole discretion, (1) to increase the height of the reservoir not more than four
(4) feet, (2) to enlarge the pump house; (3) to maintain, improve, repair and replace all
structures, improvements and equipment on the portion of the property reserved by the City;
(4) the right to maintain electric power lines or pipes on the property conveyed as well as that
reserved and the right to lay other pipes to and from the reservoir and to repair, relocate and
replace the same. Upon abandonment of the reservoir by the City, the City covenants to convey
the reserved portion to The Rector and Visitors by quitclaim deed.
In exchange for the conveyance by the City of Fredericksburg to The Rector and Visitors as
above outlined, The Rector and Visitors are to convey with special warranty to the City of
Fredericksburg, a tract of 6.959 acres lying along the easterly side of U.S.Alternate Route No. 1,
being a portion of the Brompton tract of land owned by Mary Washington College and, in addition,
The Rector and Visitors are to pay to the City the sum of $8,000.00.
The President pointed out that the property to be acquired by The Rector and Visitors would
be used as the site of the new science building of the College, and that the portion of the
Brompton tract to be acquired by the City would be the site of its new armory.
President Darden then submitted to the Board for consideration the following documents.
(a) Three appraisals of the values of the two properties to be exchanged made by independent
real estate appraisers at the request of the College;
(b) Copy of proposed deed from the City of Fredericksburg to The Rector and Visitors with
plat of the property to be conveyed attached;
(c) Original of proposed deed from The Rector and Visitors to the City of Fredericksburg,
with plat of the property to be conveyed attached;
(d) Abstract of Title and Certificate of Opinion of James Ashby, Jr., of Goolrick, Ashby
and Whitticar, Attorneys, covering title to the property to be acquired from the City;
(e) Plat of the entire Brompton tract;
(f) Plat of the Campus of Mary Washington College showing in red the reservoir property
being acquired by The Rector and Visitors from the City.
The deeds listed under (b) and (c), the President stated, were submitted in lieu of the
contract contemplated by the Board at its April 14, 1956 meeting. All of the papers had been
submitted to C. Venable Minor, Special Counsel for The Rector and Visitors and had been approved
as to form by him.
After discussion, upon motion duly made and seconded, it was,
RESOLVED, by The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia that the exchange of
properties between the City of Fredericksburg and Mary Washington College of the University of
Virginia upon the terms and conditions hereinabove outlined in the minutes of this meeting be,
and the same is hereby ratified and approved and that Colgate W. Darden, Jr., President, and
Francis L. Berkeley, Jr., Secretary, be, and they hereby are authorized and empowered, the
approval of the Governor of the State of Virginia, as required by Section 23-77.1 of the Code of
Virginia, 1950, as amended, having first been obtained thereto, to execute a deed of conveyance
on behalf of The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia, conveying, with Special
Warranty of Title, to the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, the parcel of 6.959 acres of land
lying along the easterly side of U. S. Alternate Route No. 1, in the City of Fredericksburg,
Virginia, being a portion of the tract of land known as the "Brompton Tract" which was conveyed
to The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia by deed of C. O'Conor Goolrick and
F. M. Chichester, Special Commissioners, dated January 4, 1946, of record in the Clerk's Office
of the Circuit Court of Spotsylvania County, Virginia, in D. B. 134, p. 412, and that the said
Colgate W. Darden, Jr., President, be and he is hereby authorized and empowered to deliver said
deed and the sum of $8,000.00 to the City of Fredericksburg, upon delivery to him of a deed from
the City of Fredericksburg to The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia, properly
executed and acknowledged, together with a certified copy of the resolution of the Council of the
City of Fredericksburg authorizing the execution of said deed, conveying to The Rector and
Visitors the tract of 4.022 acres, known as the "Reservoir Tract", in the City of Fredericksburg,
Virginia.
In adopting the foregoing resolution the Visitors pointed out the advantage of obtaining
an outright reversion of the reservoir property instead of a covenant from the City of
Fredericksburg to convey the reserved portion to the University in the future. It was
accordingly ordered that Mr. Minor be requested to make a final effort to have the reversion
written into the Deed.
RILEY TRACT AT FALLS CHURCH SOLD
President Darden reported that, pursuant to the directions contained in the resolution of
the Board adopted at its annual meeting held on June 16, 1956, accepting the offer of the City
of Falls Church to purchase the Joseph H. Riley tract of land, subject to the approval by the
voters of the City of Falls Church of a bond issue to finance such purchase, Mr. C. Venable
Minor, Special Counsel for the University has prepared a contract of sale of said property to be
submitted to the Board. The President stated that the contract as prepared had been approved
by Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Gage, the life tenants under the will of Joseph H. Riley, and by the
City Council of Falls Church.
A copy of the proposed contract was submitted to the Board for consideration.
After discussion, upon motion duly made and seconded, it was
RESOLVED, by the Board of Visitors of The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia,
that the contract of sale by The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia of its
remainder interest in the Joseph H. Riley tract of land to the City of Falls Church, upon the
terms and conditions, and subject to the contingency, therein set out, in the form submitted to
this Board be and the same is hereby approved;
RESOLVED, FURTHER, that Colgate W. Darden, Jr., President, and Francis L. Berkeley, Jr.,
Secretary, be, and they hereby are authorized and empowered, the approval of the Governor of the
State of Virginia, as required by Section 23-77.1 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended,
having first been obtained thereto, to execute said contract of sale on behalf of The Rector and
Visitors of the University of Virginia.
CLINCH VALLEY COLLEGE FACULTY HOUSING LOAN
The President stated that a preliminary application for a loan of $150,000.00 had been made
to the federal Housing and Home Finance Agency on May 30, 1956, on behalf of Clinch Valley
College for the erection of seven buildings to provide ten faculty housing units. It was
planned to erect one apartment house of four units which will include a community room and
laundry and storage facilities, and six single family homes. It was felt that these seven
buildings could be erected at a cost not to exceed the amount of the loan. The University was
advised under date of July 24, 1956, that the preliminary application had been approved by the
federal Housing and Home Finance Agency and a reservation of funds in the amount of $150,000.00
had been made. Final application with all supporting date must be filed with the Agency not
later than October 23, 1956, although if absolutely necessary, the University might obtain an
extension of time within which to complete the full application. Among other supporting data
to be filed with the final application a resolution of the Board authorizing the making of the
loan application was required.
The proposed loan for $150,000.00 would probably be evidenced by bonds aggregating that
amount bearing interest at the rate of 2-7/8% per annum and would be amortized over a period of
40 years. However, as the first principal payment would not become due until two years after
the signing of the loan agreement the loan would be actually amortized over a 38 year period.
The annual payment for principal and interest for each $1000.00 of the loan at 2-7/8%
amortized over a period of 38 years would be approximately $43.60. It was proposed that the
University would pledge the net revenues to be derived from the operation of the comtenplated
facilities as security for the loan.
President Darden advised that under the provisions of Title 23 Chapter 3 of the Code of
Virginia, 1950, as amended, the University of Virginia was one of the educational institutions
which had power, with the consent of the Governor first obtained, to issue bonds, to finance
such a project as that outlined, pledging the revenues to be derived from the operation of the
facilities to be created as security therefor.
After careful consideration and full discussion of the proposal, upon motion duly made and
seconded, it was
RESOLVED, by the Board of Visitors of The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia,
a corporation created and existing under the laws of the State of Virginia, that Vincent Shea,
Comptroller of said body corporate, be and he hereby is authorized to make, in the name and on
behalf of The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia, final application to the
federal Housing and Home Finance Agency for loan assistance under Title IV of the Housing Act
of 1950, in the amount of $150,000.00 for the erection at Clinch Valley College of the
University of Virginia, of ten faculty housing units, consisting of one apartment house of four
units and six single family homes, said application being numbered Va. 44-CH-9(D), and to file
the same with said Housing and Home Finance Agency.
FACULTY SALARIES AND TUITION INCREASES
President Darden referred to the urgent need for improving the inadequate faculty salaries,
and stated that he wished to prepare and attempt to get the Governor's approval of new scales
of increased salaries and moderately increased tuition fees to cover the added salary costs.
The increased fees, if approved by the Governor, would need to go into the new University
catalogues to be printed in December. Mr. Darden said, and he therefore desired authority to
proceed in this matter without the necessity of calling a Board meeting for approval of the
detailed schedules of fees and salaries.
The Board resolved that the President be authorized to proceed with the upward revision of
fees and salaries, subject to the Governor's approval and to put the new schedules into effect
in catalogues for the 1957-58 session, subject to ex post facto approval by the Board.
MADISON PAPERS: MR. RACHAL AND MR. WHITE'S ILLNESS
In commenting on the election of Mr. W. M. E. Rachal (as noted above) to be the University's
representative on the Board of Editors for the publishing of James Madison's papers, President
Darden informed the Board of the serious illness of Professor Leonard D. White of the University
of Chicago. As Mr. White is the senior of the two editors representing the University of Chicago
in this joint project of the two universities, Mr. Darden pointed out that there would be a delay
in getting the editing work organized and under way.
SCHOOL OF NURSING CREATED
President Darden read to the Board the following letter from Dr. Thomas H. Hunter, Chairman
of the Nursing School Advisory Committee:
School of Medicine
Charlottesville, Virginia
September 10, 1956
President
University of Virginia
At a meeting of the Nursing School Advisory Committee, with all members present
this morning, it was unanimously agreed that the plan of reorganization of the
Department of Nursing as a separate School of Nursing with the arrangements which we
have discussed previously, be recommended to you and to the Board of Visitors. To be
more specific, we should like to recommend that the Department of Nursing become The
University of Virginia School of Nursing, with a separate dean and with full academic
status as a separate school within the University. It would be understood that in
academic matters the School of Nursing would have complete autonomy, but that in
administrative matters effecting the Medical Center, the Dean of the School of
Nursing would answer to the Director of the Medical Center (the Dean of the Medical
School).
It was the opinion of the Advisory Committee that this arrangement would recognize
the academic equality of the Nursing School Faculty, would enjance the stature of the
School and would recognize the already existing independence of the structure of the
Department of Nursing as regards registration, admissions and curriculum matters,
but at the same time that administrative matters concerning the operation of the
hospital and the medical school as well would be under the direct control of the
Director of the Medical Center. I might add that this general type of arrangement has
been in operation in a number of other schools and has been found satisfactory in
general.
I had planned to discuss this matter with Mr. Vaughan at the earliest opportunity,
but he is out of town at present. I shall let you know as soon as I have had an
opportunity to talk with him, what his feeling about the arrangement proposed is.
The Committee also felt that it would be unwise to proceed with active search
for a Head of the School of Nursing until the question of organization has been
settled, but they expressed a desire to do this as rapidly as possible.
Dean
President Darden reported that Dr. Hunter had now discussed the plan with the Provost, who
concurs in recommending it. After discussion the Board adopted the following resolution on motion
of Mrs. Smith, duly seconded.
RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia
that the Department of Nursing be and it is hereby established as a school of the University with
full academic status, independent of the School of Medicine in academic matters, and with a
separate dean,
RESOLVED FURTHER that in administrative matters affecting the University's Medical Center,
the Dean of the School of Nursing shall be subordinate to the Director of the Medical Center
(i.e., the Dean of the School of Medicine).
FRENCH ROOM REQUESTED BY DEAN ABBOTT
President Darden having reported to the Visitors a request from Dean Charles C. Abbott to be
permitted to use the "Salle Lafayette" in Pavilion VI, the Board resolved that this request be
referred to the Committee on Buildings and Grounds with authority to act.
LIBRARIAN'S APPOINTMENT AUTHORIZED
The President informed the Board that Mr. Jack Dalton, Librarian of the University since 1950,
had resigned effective October 1st in order to accept an appointment with the American Library
Association, under a Rockefeller grant, for the development of libraries in foreign countries.
The Faculty's Library Committee, President Darden noted, was now at work seeking a
successor, and if, as he hoped, the Committee recommended a candidate from the present Library
staff, he desired authority to proceed with the appointment subject to later action by the
Board to confirm the election.
The Board accordingly resolved that the President be authorized to name the new Librarian,
subject to subsequent Board action to confirm his decision.
AUTOMOBILE TAG FEFS
In response to a proposal by Mr. Darden, the Board resolved that that the President be
authorized to impose, in consultation with the Traffic Control Committee, a fee in such an
amount as he might deem proper upon motor cars owned and operated within the University.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE
Mrs. Smith reported informally to the Board on decisions reached and matters under
consideration by the Committee on Buildings and Grounds, as follows:
(1) The Committee's decision to use in the construction of the new student activities
building (Newcomb Hall) brick sample No. 4, as at present displayed opposite West Range, minus
the dark headers, but with the mortar slightly darkened.
(2) Dean Abbott's request, as set forth above.
(3) Dr. Sterling Decker's request for an alteration in the right of way to the Bernard
Chamberlain tract between the University and the Red Cross tract, so that he could complete the
purchase of the tract from Mr. Chamberlain and develop it.
(4) The request from the Phi Delta Theta fraternity to lease a building site between Scott
Stadium and the Filtering Plant, carried over from the June meeting, and an additional request
for land in the same area from the Phi Epsilon Pi fraternity.
(5) The projected restoration of the interior of the Rotunda to its Jeffersonian
arrangement that prevailed from 1826 until the Great Fire of 27 October 1895.
(6) The suggestion for a master plan for University grounds development.
(7) The error made at the June meeting in assigning to Dean Fitz Patrick the house on
East Range, it having since developed that Dr. David C. Wilson wishes to continue occupying the
house for the present.
The Board resolved as follows. (1) That the requests of Dean Abbott and Dr. Decker be
referred back to the Committee with authority to act; (2) That the fraternity requests be
referred to the Committee for careful study, in consultation with President Darden and his
deputies, and for a report and recommendation to the Board at its next meeting; (3) That
further consideration of the Rotunda restoration be deferred until Professor Nichols should
complete and set up on the main floor of the Rotunda his model of its original interior, as
commissioned by the Board; (4) That consideration of a master plan be deferred, and that the
Committee in its further study of the University's physical plant take into account the existing
ground plans and give particular thought, in consultation with the President, to the future
development of the Scott Stadium area; and (5) That the assignment of Dr. David C. Wilson's
house on Fast Range to Dean Fitz Patrick be rescinded.
MORTGAGE LOANS TO UNIVERSITY STAFF AND FRATERNITIES
Mr. Gray, as Chairman of the Finance Committee, referred to the University's practice of
making mortgage loans at low rates, currently four and a half per cent, to University personnel
and to fraternities. He commented that an increasing demand for such loans was to be anticipated
and that his Committee would like to hear from the Board if any Visitors objected to the practice
or felt that interest rates should be raised.
Members of the Board pointed out that the loans were made on security the equivalent of
that required by banks. No adverse comments were made, and no action was taken.
ATHLETICS RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS
Mr. Berkeley, as Chairman of the Athletics Committee, laid before the Board copies of
"Intercollegiate Athletics Report of Receipts and Disbursements For the Period July 1, 1955 to
June 30, 1956". Inviting the Visitors to examine the Report, Mr. Berkeley called attention to
an excess of $6,871.92 of disbursements over receipts in 1955-56 and to a net surplus of
$8,904.28 on 30 June 1956 resulting from a net surplus of $15,776.20 as of 30 June 1955. The
Secretary, Mr. Berkeley said, would submit the Report in triplicate to the Director of the Budget,
and file the fourth copy.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA COLLEGE
Judge Bryan, as Chairman of the special Committee read to the Board the following report:
of the Board of Visitors Appointed to Recommend
a Site for the Northern Virginia branch
of the University of Virginia
of the University of Virginia:
Pursuant to their appointment by this Board in June, 1956, as its committee to
study the question of where the Northern Virginia branch of the University should be
located, the undersigned, as a first step in their inquiry, held a public hearing in
Assembly in the area and the authorities of the several political subdivisions, as
well as general invitations through the press to the interested public, to attend and
assist the committee by giving it their views and such information as they thought might
be helpful. Thereafter the committee personally investigated the sites suggested,
interviewed those persons having particular knowledge of the different tracts, made
measurements of the time and distance of the several locations from the populous areas
and from the rural sections to be served, and considered the availability thereto of
public transportation, sewerage facilities, and water supplies as well as the
accessibility of the property by highway, and their situation with respect to the high
schools in Northern Virginia.
The committee believes that its foremost and controlling aim should be to place
the branch at a point where it would furnish the utmost service to the graduates of
the Virginia high schools in Northern Virginia, and to the adult citizens of the
State, desiring to continue their education.
The undertaking of the committee was tremendously aided by the earlier thorough
study and report of the Advisory Council to the Northern Virginia Center of the
University. This is a voluntary group of alumni and others living in Northern Virginia
who sensed the demand, and recognized the need, for facilities for higher education
in this section, and who brought forth and successfully nurtured the present center
now working so responsively and efficiently. They have given unstintingly of their
energy and hours in the selection of a site which they could endorse for the permanent
location of the branch. Likewise other groups, too, in this part of the State have
unselfishly examined into the advisability and feasibility of one location after
another for the University's northern branch.
The committee has not treated the question as a controversy between any of
the groups, and the groups themselves have been assured that this has not been the
attitude of the committee. Its sole concern has been those citizens of Virginia who
are to be served by this extension of the University. The members of the several
groups have acted wholeheartedly with the committee for this object. They have
subordinated all their individual preferences, evincing not the slightest pride of
opinion, but offering the committee every assistance within their control. To them
the committee is deeply indebted.
After considering all of those that have been suggested, the committee feels
that the judgment of the Board may be confined to the Ravensworth tract, the Bowman
or Herndon tract, and one of the several offered by Prince William County.
Ravensworth
A liberal offer has been made by the owners of Ravensworth, an old Lee place
in Fairfax County, to give to the University the front 50 acres of the estate, now
improved by a main dwelling, a smaller dwelling, and a large brick and stone barn.
It has a frontage of almost a mile on Braddock Road and is located a few miles east
of Little River Turnpike (State Highway 236 becoming Route 50 west of Fairfax Courthouse)
between Annandale and Springfield. The grounds are in lawn and meadow and
are shaded by numerous sturdy and spreading trees. From the centre of Alexandria
the tract is about 10 miles, a drive of slightly more than 20 minutes.
In addition, an option will be given for 18 months to buy an adjoining parcel
of 115 acres, at a price to be determined by independent appraisers, a recent
appraisal having put a value of $2600 per acre on the land. A like option will be
given on a 59.6 acre adjacent tract, and an outright gift is tendered of another
abutting 23.9 acres. Thus 238.5 acres are here available; their attractiveness
in enhanced by the proximity of the Fort Belvoir reservoir of water.
Besides the land, gifts of money totalling $77,500 will be made by the owners
of Ravensworth and other developers and private citizens in the community.
Springfield residents have shown a most earnest interest in the University and
have in many ways proven their desire to have the branch near them.
Fairfax County has offered to expend $125,000 for sewering this land through
the county system.
Bowman or Herndon Tract
Owning 7000 acres of farm land, known as Sunset Hills, near Herndon, in the
northern part of Fairfax County, E. DeLong Bowman, Esquire, and A. Smith Bowman, jr.,
Esquire, his brother, have generously offered the University its choice of two gifts,
including the selection of such location as the University prefers, outlined as
follows:
1. A cash gift of $25,000 and 250 acres; or
2. A cash gift of $100,000 and 150 acres; plus, in each instance, an option
to buy at any time during a 2-year period for $1000 per acre such additional
adjacent acreage, not exceeding 250 acres, as the University desires.
On the farm the Bowman brothers operate a distillery but the most desirable
land, as the committee views it, is situated more than a mile from, and out of sight
of, this commercial operation. The tract is about 2 miles south of Route 7 (the
Alexandria-Leesburg pike) approximately 20 miles and 35 minutes from the centre of
Alexandria. It touches the corporate limits of the Town of Herndon and the mains
of the Town's water supply system extend to it. Natural gas lines are at hand and
Herndon has offered to cooperate in any sewerage problem, having in mind either an
independent system or some arrangement in conjunction with its own disposal plant.
The land has no buildings on it but lies well; it is accessible by secondary
roads on each side. Numerous Loudoun County residents have recommended the selection
of this site.
Prince William County Sites
At the committee's public hearing, Prince William County very liberally
offered the committee, as a gift to the University, a 110-acre tract adjoining
the Manassas Battlefield Park. Since then the County representatives have given
the committee a choice of seven locations, each of them of a large and valuable
area. Some are situate to the east of No. 1 highway with frontage on the
Potomac River; others are in the vicinity of Manassas or the Battlefield Park.
Any one of them would be a desirable site and could be developed into beautiful
college grounds.
The delegation appearing for Prince William expressed and proved their
sincerity of interest in the University. They explained the sharp need of
collegiate educational facilities in the rural sections of Northern Virginia
for the high school graduates and the hardship these young men and women are
suffering through the absence of any such facilities near their homes. A separate
map of Prince William County, with the several offered sites marked thereon,
accompanies this report.
Recommendation
After giving due weight to the many advantages of all of these sites,
and being guided by the factors already mentioned, the committee recommends the
acceptance of the Bowman offer No. 1 - the sum of $25,000 and 250 acres with the
option to purchase additional land up to another 250 acres.
It recommends, too, that the land be taken from that part of the farm
bounded by Brown's Chapel Road (Rt. 606), Ridge Road (Rt. 602) and R. 680,
which is the line of the Town of Herndon. This tract has a relatively high
elevation, with a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is easily reached by
highway, and has public utilities at hand.
In its selection of a site the committee believes that it should consider
the reasonably expected growth of this part of Virginia, and that it should
reasonably anticipate the future extension westwardly and northwardly of the
present populous areas, having in mind also the needs of the adjacent rural
communities of Virginia. The branch is to be a Virginia institution to serve
Virginia and it should be located where its accessibility will accomplish that
purpose. Another dominant feature of the Bowman tract is that it now permits,
and will for some years allow, acquisition of additional land for expansion of
the University centre, thus avoiding the problem of constriction so frequently
faced in after-years by institutions serving a rapidly developing territory.
It is this latter consideration which heavily contributed to incline the
committee to choose the Herndon vicinity instead of Ravensworth. Another
persuasive consideration was the probability of the construction of another
national airport near Ravensworth, at Burke. The operation of such an
installation, despite all scientific effort to minimize it, would not allow
the quiet that is sought for classroom and campus. The Advisory Council was
without knowledge of this prospect when it made its study and report.
A map is returned herewith showing Fairfax County, Arlington County,
Alexandria, and Falls Church together with the present and proposed highways
in this section of the State.
September 15, 1956
Maps were exhibited by the Committee, and Mr. Howard inaugurated the ensuing discussion by
pointing out that the Bowman site, toward which the center of population in the area is moving,
is already the center of the high schools within a forth-mile radius.
On motion of Mr. Gray, duly seconded, the Board resolved that the Committee be thanks for
its painstaking work on this problem, that the text of the Report be released to the public, and
that a final decision by the Board on a site for the College be deferred until the next regular
meeting on December 8th.
MARY WASHINGTON COLLEGE MATTERS
RESIGNATION
The Board adopted the following resolution:
RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia
that the resignation of Miss Charmenz S. Lenhart, as Assistant Professor of English and Music in
Mary Washington College be and it is hereby accepted effective August 20, 1956.
APPOINTMENTS
The Chancellor informed the Board of the following appointments, both effective September 1,
1956:
Miss Mary Ellen Stephenson, as Assistant Dean of Students.
Mrs. Inez F. Matthews, as Assistant Bursar.
ELECTIONS
The Board adopted the following resolution:
RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia
that the following persons be and they are hereby elected to the faculty of Mary Washington College:
Jesse Bythwood Jackson, Visiting Professor of Mathematics, at a salary of $5900.00 for ten
months' period, incumbency to begin September 1, 1956.
Dr. John T. Fauls, Assistant Professor of Psychology, at a salary of $4600.00 for ten
months' period, incumbency to begin September 1, 1956.
Walter Houghton Bishop, Instructor in French, at a salary of $4000.00 for ten months'
period, incumbency to begin September 1, 1956.
Dr. Russell S. Ratcliffe, Full-time Instructor in Psychology and Education, at a salary of
$4000.00 for ten months' period, incumbency to begin September 1, 1956.
Jack B. Thomas, Instructor in Sociology, at a salary of $4000.00 for ten months' period,
incumbency to begin September 1, 1956.
John C. Williams, Instructor in Biology, at a salary of $4000.00 for ten months' period,
incumbency to begin September 1, 1956.
Norman William Wishner, Instructor in English, at a salary of $4000.00 for ten months'
period, incumbency to begin September 1, 1956.
CHANGE OF TITLE
On motion of Mrs. Smith, duly seconded, the Board resolved that the title of the Dean of
Women be and it is hereby changed to Dean of Students.
ENROLLMENT FOR 1956-57 SESSION
Chancellor Simpson laid before the Board the following table showing enrollment figures at
the College as of 12 September 1956:
| Admissions: | ||
| Freshmen and Transfers | 593 | |
| Upperclassmen | 857 | |
| Total dormitory students | 1,450 | |
| Day student admissions | 56 | |
| Grand Total | 1,506 | |
| Advance payment record. | ||
| Freshmen and Transfers | 574 | |
| Upperclassmen | 847 | |
| 1,421 | ||
| Total unpaid: | ||
| Freshmen and Transfers | 19 | |
| Upperclassmen | 10 | 29 |
| 1,450 |
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
The Chancellor laid before the Board the Report of Carrol H. Quenzel, Librarian of the
College, covering operation, development, use, and needs of the E. Lee Trinkle Library for the
year ending 30 June 1956.
After discussion it was ordered that copies be placed in the Secretary's files.
RESERVOIR-BROMPTON TRACT EXCHANGE
The Board took action to approve the deeds for the exchange of properties with the City of
Fredericksburg as detailed above in the first section of the minutes.
INAUGURATION OF THE CHANCELLOR
Dr. Simpson invited the attention of the Board to his inaugural as Chancellor on October
19th, and expressed the hope that all of the Visitors and their families might find it possible
to attend and to participate in the ceremonies.
SCIENCE BUILDING
A quandary in which the College is placed by the loss of its operating surplus was brought
to the attention of the Board by the Chancellor, who pointed out that the Governor has declined
to permit the College to use the appropriation of $725,000 for the building only, with equipment
to be secured through surplus funds, as had been proposed by the Board.
Discussion brought out that the drastic curtailment of the building indicated by this
decision would result a very few years hence in exorbitantly high costs to the College. Action
was deferred.
DORMITORY CONSTRUCTION
The Chancellor laid before the Board the following letter from the Bursar of the College:
of the UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Fredericksburg, Virginia
May 23, 1956
Mary Washington College
Fredericksburg, Virginia
I am writing you relative to the proposed plan for the construction of a new
dormitory housing approximately 176 students for which we have an appropriation
of $192,500.00.
Should we construct a building housing 176 students, the cost of the building
and equipment would be approximately $704,000.00, leaving $511,500.00 to be
provided from the bond issue. The building would produce revenue, at the current
rate of $153.00 per session, totalling $26,928.00. Should bonds be issued bearing
interest at 3% for 25 years, I estimate that it would cost approximately $29,360.00
to service these bonds exclusive of the maintainence cost of the building. Thus,
before any maintainence is taken into consideration, there would be a deficit of
$2,432.00.
Should we construct a dormitory housing 120 students, it is estimated that
it would require a bond issue of approximately $287,500.00. A dormitory housing
120 students at the current rent of $153.00 would produce revenue totalling
$18,360.00. Should we issue bonds for 25 years bearing interest at 3%, the annual
cost of servicing would require approximately $16,500.00, leaving a surplus of
approximately $1,800.00.
It would appear, therefore, that unless funds would be provided by action
of the Board from other sources, the project could not be sustained if a
dormitory housing 176 students were constructed. However, should the size of
the dormitory be reduced to house approximately 120 students, it is my belief
that such a dormitory would permit the project to be sustained from the revenues
which the building would produce.
I submit this information for your consideration.
Bursar
President Darden joined the Chancellor in recommending authorization to proceed with the
smaller size dormitory building to house 120 students. It was pointed out that approval by the
Board of this plan would be interpreted by the Administration as implying approval of plans to
request an appropriation from the next General Assembly for another dormitory of similar size in
order to relieve congestion in the dormitories and permit the discontinuance of the use of
Cornell Hall, a leased building that is located several blocks from the campus.
The Board resolved that the plan for a small dormitory to house approximately 120 students
be and it is hereby approved.
FEDERAL HOUSING AUTHORITY REQUEST
The Board resolved that, in view of verbal agreements already entered into, the request of
the Federal Housing Authority for allocation of housing at Mary Washington College in the event
of a national emergency be and it is hereby declined with regret.
MISS CHARMENZ LENHART'S REQUEST
The Rector presented a request from Miss Charmenz Lenhart, formerly of the College Faculty,
to appear before the Board to comment on the reasons for her resignation and to propose a
memorial to the late President Combs. Pointing out that it has had under consideration since 17
December 1955 (the date on which the Board was officially informed of Dr. Combs' death) a plan to
name the new science building for Dr. Combs, the Board resolved to hear Miss Lenhart at its next
regular meeting.
GOVERNOR'S TRANSFER OF SURPLUS FUNDS
The Chancellor laid before the Board the Bursar's summary of operations at the College,
showing a surplus on 30 June 1956 of $451,389.78, which it had been intended (in accordance with
a plan approved by the Governor in 1954) to devote to a reduction of the College's indebtedness.
Instead of this, the sum of $100,000 had been applied to the debt at the end of the biennium
and, by the Governor's order, the remaining $351,389.78 had been transferred to the General Fund
of the Commonwealth, as shown in the following summary:
| ANN CARTER LEE HALL | |||
| (Student Activities Bldg.) | $247,773.00 | ||
| Less unexpended balance in this fund applied toward debt |
-18,424.34 | 229,348.66 | |
| MASON AND RANDOLPH HALLS | |||
| (New Dormitories) | 382,990.00 | ||
| Less unexpended balance in this fund applied toward debt |
-198,800.73 | 184,189.27 | |
| HUGH MERCER INFIRMARY | 91,907.23 | ||
| DINING HALL WINGS | 184,112.05 | ||
| FINE ARTS CENTER | 682,000.00 | ||
| Less unexpended balance in this fund applied toward debt |
-15,041.64 | 666,958.36 | $1,356,515.57 |
| LESS SURPLUS FROM MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS JUNE 30, 1955 APPLIED TOWARD POST |
-411,909.24 | ||
| BALANCE DUE ON TEMPORARY LOANS JUNE 30, 1956 | 944,606.33 | ||
| LESS SURPLUS WE HAD UNDERSTOOD WOULD BE APPLIED TO THE DEBT JUNE 30, 1956 |
-451,389.78 | ||
| BALANCE OF DEBT HAD WE BEEN PERMITTED TO APPLY OUR SURPLUS AT 6/30/56 |
493,216.55 | ||
| REVERTED TO GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE BY THE GOVERNOR |
351,389.78 | ||
| PRESENT BALANCE OF TEMPORARY LOANS | 844,606.33 |
After an extensive discussion of the difficult situation precipitated by the Governor's
unexpected order and its various and immediate effects upon many phases of the College's
operations, the Board adopted the following resolution, and requested the Visitors' Committee on
Mary Washington College to wait upon the Governor, as soon as possible after his projected trip
to Europe, for a discussion of the subject.
RESOLVED by unanimous vote of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia that we
have heard with grave concern of the executive transfer to the General Fund of the Commonwealth
of Mary Washington College funds aggregating $351,389.78, which have been painfully accumulated
through rigid economies for the reduction of the present substantial indebtedness of the
College, that
Being convinced that the Governor of Virginia would not have ordered the transfer of funds
if he had been aware of all the circumstances, and
Persuaded, as we are, that the transfer order constitutes not only an injustice to the
College, but a serious injury to its progress, morale, and efficiency at a critical period; that
it is a radical and unprecedented departure from Virginia's traditionally sound fiscal policies;
and that its effect is to discourage frugal and thrifty administration and to give encouragement
to wasteful and inefficient practices in this and other educational institutions,
THEREFORE, without a dissenting voice, we have adopted this Resolution, setting forth our
anxiety, and reciting the following facts, as an appeal to the Governor to enter an order voiding
the transfer of funds:
Following World War II, Mary Washington College was faced with large expenditures. New
dormitories, a fine arts building, a student center, student infirmary, and additions to the
dining hall and kitchen left the College with debts aggregating approximately $1,600,000.
Substantial reductions were made until November 1954, at which time a loan of $1,356,515.57 was
obtained from the State Treasury. The State granted the loan with the understanding that it
would be reduced as rapidly as possible, and upon the further condition that public financing
would be arranged whenever the State wished the balance due it repaid. The president of the
University executed a note for $1,356,515.57, delivered it to the Treasurer and set about
liquidating it. Tuition fees had been increased in 1950 to help reduce the obligation.
In the meantime it had become apparent that revenues would not permit the College to meet
the rising costs of operations and to continue to reduce the debt, as planned, since operating
costs had risen so substantially, and since a material increase in faculty salaries was being
asked (and was subsequently approved by the Governor) on condition that no additional money be
requested of the State. The Mary Washington Committee proposed, and the Board adopted the
proposal, that the out-of-state tuition fees be raised from $280.00 to $340.00 a year for the
purpose of meeting the increase in faculty salaries while maintaining the program of debt
reduction.
The Governor of Virginia and the Director of the Budget on 12 November 1954 addressed to
this Board a joint letter giving approval to the College's plan for liquidating its debt, and
expressing their confidence in the College's ability to reduce the debt substantially from
operating surplus by the time when the note should fall due at the end of the biennium in 1956.
Thereafter by the most careful and diligent work on the part of the College Administration,
a very substantial curtailment was made on June 30, 1955, and the debt was lowered to $944,606.33,
at which point it stood on June 30, last, the close of the biennium. During the past year by
rigid economies, including the postponement of maintenance, repairs, equipment, and improvement
items, the College accumulated a surplus of $451,389.78. This sum the Comptroller was asked to
apply to the debt when the fiscal year closed.
The Board of Visitors has this day been advised that at the direction of the Governor,
$100,000 has been applied to the loan and the balance of $351,389.78 has been transferred to the
General Fund of the Commonwealth, leaving a balance due on the College's debt of $844,606.33.
This is, we believe, the first time that an institution of the State has been denied the
right to reduce its debt from surplus arising out of its own operation. It does not seem likely
that Mary Washington will be able to cope with so large a debt under the plan adopted, since the
favorable results of the last biennium cannot be obtained under the changed conditions now
existing.
However, there is another and much more formidable reason why the action which has been
taken appears unwise. It runs counter to the arrangement under which the Board levied the
increased fees on the student body and to the arrangement under which the funds were borrowed,
and pursuant to which the President of the University and the Bursar of Mary Washington College
made such strenuous efforts to liquidate this obligation. We cannot believe that the Governor
was aware of all of the circumstances when his order was entered.
This Board has supported without reservations the efforts of the President and of the
Bursar to this end. We have noted with approval the zeal and industry with which they have
striven to save money in order to clear the College from debt. How can we in future demand
higher tuition fees of the students, and ask the College staff to forego needed equipment and
maintenance, all in the interest of debt clearance, if past experience proves that in the end
the results of these sacrifices will be conveyed by higher authority from the College to other
State purposes?
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we respectfully urge the Governor of Virginia to give
the most searching consideration to the unprecedented situation set forth in this Resolution,
with all of its far-reaching implications for the future, and to take under serious advisement
our individual and collective belief in the wisdom of a rescinding order.
On motion the meeting was then adjourned.
Rector
Secretary
| Board of Visitors minutes September 15, 1956 | |