 | Board of Visitors minutes August 17, 1837 |  |
The Board met according to the adjourning order of July 4th.
1837.
Present; Chapman Johnson Rector, John H Cocke, Joseph C.
Cabell, Th: J. Randolph, William C. Rives, and Saml. Taylor.
The Board having organized itself were engaged during the
remainder of the day in reading recommendations of the several
Candidates for the vacant Chairs of Medicine & of Anatomy &
Surgery and adjourned to meet tomorrow morning 8 O.Clock.
Friday. August 18th. The Board met according to adjournment:
Present as on yesterday, with the exception of Genl.
Cocke who was confined to his room by indisposition; but who
voted on the appointments to the vacancies in the medical
Chairs, which was the first business done on the meeting of
the Board. Mr. Taylor, called away by necessary business,
left the Board about 12 O.Clock.
Resolved that Doct: Robert E. Griffith of Baltimore be
appointed Professor of Medicine; and that his salary commence
from the time of his arrival at the University, for the purpose
of commencing the duties of his office.
Resolved that Doct: James L. Cabell be appointed Professor
of Anatomy & Surgery, till the end of the next Session & that
his Salary commence from the time of his arrival at the University
for the purpose of commencing the duties of his office.
Resolved that the Faculty be authorised to dispense officers
of the Navy who may be Students of the University,
the Institution, on Condition of their wearing such naval undress
as may serve to indicate their Profession.
Resolved that Alexander Garrett, the Bursar of the University
be authorised to receive from Mrs. Dolly P. Madison,
Executrix of her late Husband, James Madison decd., the
Legacy of fifteen hundred dollars, left by his will to the
University of Virginia, and to deposit the money so received
in the Bank of Virginia there to remain until appropriated
by order of the Board to the uses declared by the will of
the Testator;- and that he procure a duly authenticated copy
of that will, to be laid before the Board at their next
meeting.
Resolved that the Librarian furnish to Mrs. Madison a complete
Catalogue of the Books of the Library of the University;
specifying those of which there are duplicate copies, and indicating,
as far as may be, the editions of each Book in the
Catalogue:- and that he be authorised to receive from Mrs.
Madison, and to place in the Library such books as she may
desire to deliver in compliance with another bequest in the
will of her Testator.
Resolved that the Rector communicate these resolutions
to Mrs. Madison, & express to her the grateful sense which
the Visitors entertain of this dying benefaction of her testator
to the Institution, of which, while alive he was so
distinguished a patron and over which he for years so ably
presided.
Resolved that the Faculty be authorised, in their discretion,
to assign one of the public rooms for the periodical
meetings of the debating Societies of the University, subjecting
the privilege thus granted to such regulations as
shall adequately guard against the danger of its abuse.
The following committees were appointed viz:
Of Finance Messrs. Rives & Randolph
Of Accts: Cabell, Rives & Randolph
Of Inspection. Cabell Randolph & Cocke.
Mr. Johnson was placed by the Board on the Committee to
which the Chairman's communication was referred at the last
meeting of the Board, in the place of Mr. Mason.
The Board then adjourned till Tomorrow morning 8 O.Clock.
Saturday August 19th.
The Board met: Present Chapman Johnson, Rector, Joseph C.
Cabell, Jno. H. Cocke, Ths. J. Randolph & Wm. C. Rives.
Mr. Rives laid before the Board a letter from Dr. R. M.
Patterson on the subject of his mineralogical specimens and
of the Stanard Scale & microscopes authorised to be sold to
F. R. Hassler.
1. Resolved that Pavilion No. 3 lately occupied by Doct:
Alfred T. Magill be assigned to Doct: Robert E. Griffith, his
successor in the Chair of Medicine and that Pavilion No. 2,
lately occupied by Doct: Augustus L. Warner be assigned to
Doct: James L. Cabell, his successor in the Chair of Anatomy
& Surgery.
2. Resolved that Professor Davis has leave to occupy one of
the Dormitories near his pavilion upon paying to the Proctor
the ordinary rent.
3. Resolved that the application of Edwin H. Conway to occupy
a room within the precincts of the University be referred to
the Faculty to be granted upon such conditions as they shall
prescribe-
4. A Letter from Doct: Augustus L. Warner, to one of the
Visitors, suggesting various improvements at the Anatomical
Theatre, having been laid before the Board, and a catalogue of
the Anatomical plates now on hand shewing the condition of the
same, having been reported by the Chairman of the Faculty,
and the board having visited the Theatre and considered the
necessary additions & changes-
5. Resolved that the roof of the Anatomical Theatre be
raised & covered with slates, and that the vault & brick pavement
in front of the building be removed and substituted by a
platform of plank, so as to admit a free passage of air under
neath the platform between the parallel wall supporting the
platform in front and the wall of the building.
6. Resolved that the Proctor be instructed to cause the
plank to be used for the platform aforesaid to be kiannized
or rendered indistructible by a process recently discovered.
7. Resolved that the sum of $400 be applied to the purchase
of such additional plates, and that the further sum of $400
be applied to the purchase of such additional anatomical
upon perusal of Doct: Warners communication upon those subjects
deem necessary at the Anatomical Theatre; and that Messrs.
Cabell, Cocke & Randolph be a Committee charged with the duty
of attending to the Execution of this resolution, and that
said Committee have authority to draw upon the Bursar for the
sum of $800 to be applied as aforesaid, and to employ such
agency at home or abroad to effect such purchases as to such
Committee may seem advisable & proper.
8. Resolved that the Committee upon advisement with the
professors of Medicine and of Anatomy and Surgery have Authority
to cause a suitable dissecting room for the classes in
Anatomy, to be erected in a suitable situation in the rear of
the Anatomical Theatre together with a suitable vault attached
to the same; that if the Professors of Medicine & of Anatomy
and Surgery shall deem it advisable the Committee shall cause
the Anatomical Museum to be removed from its present situation
in the basement story of the Theatre into the room now occupied
as a dissecting room in the story immediately above, and to
cause the apartment in the basement story, now occupied as a
receptacle for the Museum to be prepared and applied as a lecture
room for the use of the other schools of the University;
and that they shall cause such convenient and suitable access
to said Lecture room to be provided, and such minor changes in
the interior of the Theatre above to be made as they, upon conference
with the appropriate Professor may consider expedient &
proper.
9. Resolved that a dissecting fee of five dollars be required
from each Student attending the Professor of Anatomy & Surgery,
and that the proceeds of the dissecting fee along with the sum
of $100 already appropriated from the Funds of the University
for procuring subjects be applied in the following manner viz:
so much thereof as may be necessary shall be applied to the
procurement, under the direction of the Professor of Anatomy &
Surgery of such subjects as may be requisite for the classes
in Anatomy; and, should any balance remain after procuring subjects
for dissection so much of said balance not exceeding $50,
as the Professors in the Medical school may deem proper shall
be applied in subscribing to medical periodicals, and any
surplus that may remain over shall be applied to the purchase
of works on medical science, such periodicals & books to be
deposited with the Anatomical plates, and the medical books
now on hand, at the Anatomical Theatre, under such regulations
relative to their custody & use as may be hereafter prescribed.
Mr. Rives, from the Committee of finance made a report.
Mr. Johnson from the Committee to whom was referred the
Chairman's communication reported the following enactments
which were adopted by the Board:-
10. The Patron's accounts must be regularly balanced at the
end of each session and must not be blended, or in any manner
mingled with the accounts of the succeeding session.
11. In the vacation between the end of one session and the
commencement of the next the patron may receive from those
purposes of the ensuing session, giving regular receipts therefor.
12. If the person so making a deposit shall accordingly matriculate,
as a Student, the money deposited shall be accounted
for and applied by the Patron in all respects in the same manner
as if it had been received from a Student already matriculated:-
But if he shall not matriculate within ten days after
the commencement of the next session, the money so deposited
in vacation shall be returned by the Patron to him making the
deposit, his parent, Guardian or other person having lawful
authority to receive the same. All monies so deposited shall
be regarded as received by the Patron in virtue of his office,
and he and his Sureties shall be accordingly liable for it.
13. The Patron's accounts during the session must be subjected
vigorously to the monthly inspections already provided for, as
well as to final settlement at the end of each session.
14. The patron shall pay no order drawn on him by a Student
in favor of any merchant or dealer whom he knows or has good
reason to believe to be a retailer of Spirituous , vinous or
fermented liquors:- Nor shall he pay any order drawn upon him
by a Student on account of goods purchased, unless the order be
accompanied by the certificate of the Student that the articles
mentioned in the account have been actually received by the
Student, and purchased at the prices charged for them.
No Student residing within the precincts, shall, hereafter
hire without the leave of the Chairman, upon pain of any of
the minor or major punishments.
No military association shall be formed by the Students,
or any of them, & no military discipline shall be given to
them, except under such regulations as may be prescribed by the
Faculty. And all such associations however formed may at any
time be abolished at the pleasure of the Faculty. Offenders
against this provision will be subject to any of the minor or
major punishments.
The Board enjoin upon the Proctor, in the vigilant discharge
of his duties as master of police, diligence in detecting
& fidelity in reporting to the Chairman, offences against
the laws and good order of the Institution. The presence of
a Professor, when such offence may be committed, will in no
case excuse an ommission in the Proctor to report it to the
Chairman, to whom the proctor as police officer, and all
subordinate agents of police are amenable.
The Board feel constrained to require of the professors a
more attentive observance of the laws prescribing the period
of commencing and the regular continuance of their lectures;
and they cannot approve the unauthorised absence of professors
from the University during the continuance of the session,
unless upon the most urgent occasions and for very short periods.
Henceforward it shall be the duty of the Chairman not to
receive any weekly report from a professor unless it be
of the week; and the Professors, in their reports shall so state
the conduct & proficiency of the Candidates for degrees in
their respective schools as to enable the Chairman in his
monthly circulars to report it to the parents and Guardians of
the Students.
Until the Board shall take further order on the subject,
Orations and reading essays, on public days whether within the
University or out of it are prohibited to the Students on pain
of any of the minor or major punishments. In the meantime the
Faculty, in their discretion, may invite any graduate of the
University not being a Student to deliver a public address or
oration on the last day of the session.
Students attending the school of Modern Languages, and
performing their duties in that school, shall be at liberty to
receive instructions in the French language from a native of
France, in Italian from a native of Italy & in Spanish from a
native of Spain subject to such regulations as to time, plan
& expense of such instruction as the Faculty may prescribe.
Mr. Cabell from the Committee of Inspection reported
the following resolutions which were adopted:-
1. Resolved that the Executive Committee cause the
necessary alterations & repairs to be made in the Roof of
Pavilion No.3 with a view to stop the leak now existing in
said roof: and that they also cause a new gate to be made in
the backyard of said Pavilion.
2. Resolved that said Committee cause the Cellars in
Pavilion No.5 to be made dry by draining the same; a fallen
wall in the back yard of said pavilion to be rebuilt; & the
roof of said pavilion now in a leaky condition, to be raised
and covered with slate.
3. Resolved that said Committee cause the roof of Pavilion
No.7 to be covered with slate.
4. Resolved that said Committee cause a post and rail
fence embracing a suitable quantity of ground to be placed
around the observatory.
5. Resolved that the said Committee cause the marble
pavement to be laid in the Portico of the Rotunda, and the
blocking course of Wood on the dome of the same to be repaired
and painted, and the Cistern at the Rotunda, now a cause of
material injury to the walls of the building, to be removed.
6. Resolved that the said Committee cause the roofs of the
Gymnasia to be repaired as far as necessary to prevent leakage.
7. Resolved that sai Committee cause such necessary additions
and enlargements to be made to the cisterns now at
the University, with proper pipes for receiving water from the
neighbouring roofs, and pumps for the delivery of the same in
case of fire, so that there shall be for the present in convenient
situations, two on the Western and two on the Eastern
side of the lawn, and also one at the Rotunda.
8. Resolved that the practice of keeping and raising hogs
within the precincts be entirely prohibited: and that anyone
shall be liable to a fine of not less than one nor more than
ten dollars for each hog and pig ept within the precincts
more than 24 hours to be assessed by the Faculty.
The Committee in conclusion beg leave to observe that
they have declined to report upon the Anatomical Theatre, and
the improvements which may be advisable in that part of the
Establishment, and upon the improvement suggested by Professor
Donnycastle in the rear of his pavilion, those subjects being
already under the particular attention of the Visitors; and
they also refer to their immediate consideration, the changes
& additions now making in the rear of pavilion No. 9 by directions
of the professor occupying the same. All which is respectfully
submitted.
The dress of the Students shall be uniform and plain.
The coat shall consist of cloth of a dark gray mixture, at a
price not exceeding six dollars a yard, and be made single
breasted with a standing collar: the pantaloons & vest shall
consist of the same material, except that the former may be
of dark gray Cassimere not exceeding, in the cost of the
garmet that of gray cloth, and, except that in warm weather,
both pantaloons & vest may be of any light and cheap material
approved by the Chairman. The form of the dress in each article
shall be according to the model provided by the Patron
under the direction of the Chairman. On all occasions the
hat worn shall be black, but a cheap cap or straw hat may be
or white.
The Students, wherever resident, shall wear the prescribed
Uniform whenever they appear out of their rooms. Provided,
however, that any Student may be allowed to wear any clothes
which he shall have had when he matriculated, and, in warm
weather, such light coat or gown as he is authorised to purchase
by the following clause, except on the occasions & times
following, viz. When he shall go to a party, or to church, or
attend any public celebration or address, or visit at a private
house, or go to Charlottesville. But in order to guard
against the abuse of the privilege granted by this proviso,
it shall be the duty of every student who appears out of Uniform
to declare, when he obtain'd the clothes so worn by him,
and on his refusal to do so shall be considered as having
violated this enactment; the obligation to answer such enquiries
being the condition on which Students may avail themselves of
the benefit of this proviso.
Every Student shall within a reasonable time after matriculation,
obtain a suit of Uniform clothes, and shall not purchase
any other than Uniform clothes whilst he remains a Student except
that he may purchase any cheap & light summer coat or
gown approved by the Chairman,
The violation of this enactment on the part of any Student
by either wearing or purchasing clothes not uniform, or by
failing to obtain a uniform suit within a reasonable time,
minor at the discretion of the Faculty; and the Faculty may
also, in their discretion, withdraw from the Offender the
privilege granted by the proviso aforesaid.
Resolved that the Communication of Professor Harrison
relative to a new black board and the oral communication of Mr.
Ed. W. Sims of Buckingham, indicating an intertion on his part
to present a Block board of slate to the University, and requesting
information as to the proper dimensions of the same,
be referred to the Executive Committee.
Resolved that the communication of Mr. Bonnycastle respecting
the terrace in the rear of his pavilion be referred to
the Executive Committee with authority to take such action
thereupon as they may deem advisable.
Resolved that the application of professor Rogers to
spend the month of October next in the prosecution of his geological
survey, be allowed.
Resolved that it is inexpedient to allow the claims of
Professors for repairs or alterations upon their tenements
made without authority from the Board, and that in future
this rule will be rigidly adhered to;- but as the Board are
informed that Professor Blaetterman has made some alterations
in the interior of his Pavilion which are judicious and would
probably have been authorised at convenient time, and that
Professor Magill before his death made similar alterations in
his pavilion; it is therefore referred to the Executive Committee
the Extent, the character & the value of the improvements so
made, in order that, if it should seem proper, reasonable compensation
should be made therefor.
Resolved that Alexander Garrett as compensation for his
services as patron pro tempore during a part of the last year
be allowed such per cent upon the Amount of his receipts as
shall be deemed reasonable by Joseph C. Cabell and John H.
Cocke hereby appointed a Committee for that purpose.
Resolved that so much of the Communication of the Chairman
as relates to the application of Mr. Alston for permission
to keep a horse in the vicinity be referred to the Faculty,
with authority to grant the permission asked so long as it may
be deemed important to the preservation of Mr. Alston's health,
and under such restrictions as they may prescribe.
Resolved that the addition to pavilion No. 9 occupied by
Professor Tucker which was authorised by a former resolution of
this Board and has been recently commenced under a contract
made by Mr. Tucker be conducted under the direction of the
Proctor subject to the control of the Executive Committee.
But this order is not to commit the Board for payment or reimbursement
otherwise.than they are pledged by the former
resolution.
Resolved that the expense of repairs to Pavilions rendered
necessary by the excesses of the Students during the last Session
shall be defrayed from the funds of the University.
Resolved that the executive Committee be charged with the
duty of enquiring into the manner in which the duties of Librarian
are performed, and of reporting to the Board at their next
meeting: And in the meantime that they have full authority to
adopt such measures as they may deem proper to correct abuses,
and, if necessary, to remove the present Librarian and appoint
another.
The Board then adjourned Sine die.
| Board of Visitors minutes August 17, 1837 | |