 | Board of Visitors minutes March 10, 1858 |  |
SPECIAL MEETING.
March 10th 1858
In pursuance of a call by the Rector, the Board of
Visitors met today at 2 oclock P.M. present T.J. Randolph,
Rector, J. R. Edmunds, J. B. Baldwin, M.R.H. Garnett, Wm.
J. Robertson and James Neeson, Wm. J. Joynes, Visitors when
the following proceedings were had.
Mr. Robertson laid before the Board the following
communication to wit
Virginia
I feel it to be due to myself, and to you, my
associates in the Board of Visitors, to lay before you, at
this my earliest opportunity, the accompanying correspondence
which has recently taken place between Professor Harrison
and myself. I present copies only, holding the originals,
so far as in my possession, subject to the call of the Board.
It will be seen that the subject of this correspondence is
a letter written by Professor Harrison to Alexander Rives Esqr.
Senator from Albemarle County, in the Virginia Legislature.
It appears from the last note of Professor Harrison
that a copy of the letter in question will be forthcoming
if called for by the Board of Visitors; and it only remains
for me, in advance of its production, to state the reasons
which induced me to call upon him for it; and which in my
judgment, require that it shall now be called for by the
Board.
In my opinion, formed from twice reading the letter
carefully, it contains most serious charges and imputations
upon the personal integrity and honor of a majority of the
members of the Board of Visitors (without specifying by name
which of them are intended) in reference to their official
conduct, in transactions with Professor Harrison.
If I am right in my construction of the letter, the
propriety of calling for its production would seem to be
Harrison ought to be glad of the opportunity to correct my
error, by exhibiting it to the Board.
As to the protection claimed for private correspondence,
my views have already been expressed in a letter to Professor
Harrison, a copy of which I have laid before you.
While I can by no means admit that private correspondence,
once become public, is entitled to the immunity due
to its original character, I deem it proper to say that this
letter in question not only did not profess to be confidential
but on the contrary was evidently intended to be used as a
means of influencing the action of a public body: and it
was so used by the gentleman to whom it was addressed - having
before I even heard of its existence, been shown or read
to several members of the Legislature, without any injunction
of confidence, or precaution used to ensure secrecy.
I infer too from the letter itself, that a duplicate
of it was addressed to a western member of the legislature
for the purpose of being used among the delegates from that
portion of the state.
The letter to Mr Rives was shown to me by one of the
members of the Legislature; and it is hardly necessary for
me to say that it was without any obligation of confidence
respecting it, either express or implied. Besides all this,
Professor Harrison has thought fit in his letter to me to
volunteer a reaffirmation of the contents of this letter;
and to say that there is nothing in it he wishes to retract
by the Board, it is necessary that the letter should be laid
before them.
For these, among other reasons, I feel bound, upon my
responsibility as a Visitor, and a gentleman, to ask that
the Board of Visitors will call upon Professor Harrison to
produce the letter, for their inspection and consideration.
yours &c
Whereupon Col Randolph by authority of Professor
Harrison presented the following letter to him to wit
March 10th, 1858
Having understood that a letter written
by me to Alex Rives Esqr and designed to be private, had
given offence to some members of the Board of Visitors, I
wrote to a friend a note, which he was authorized and directed
to show to Mr Edmunds, then in Richmond. The object of that
note, as set forth in the note itself, was to do what I considered
only right and just to do, by disclaiming any purpose
to give by the letter referred to any offence to any
member of the Board of Visitors or in any way to impugn the
motives which may have prompted their action. Regretting
as I do, that any expression should have been used by me
that was susceptible of such construction. I avail myself
you directly what I said to him through a friend and to
authorize you to make such use of it as may be consistent
with the only purpose and end of the explanation now given.
your friend & obt. Servt.
Upon consideration whereof it was
Resolved 1. That the letter of Prof. Harrison to
Col Randolph is satisfactory to the Board.
2. That in view of this letter the Board,
while approving the action of Mr. Robertson in bringing
to its notice the letter of Prof. Harrison to Mr. Rives,
seen by Mr. Robertson and by him deemed offensive, consider
it unnecessary to make the call on Prof. Harrison suggested.
3. Resolved, further, that the Secretary communicate
a copy of the proceedings to Alexander Rives Esqr
with a request that he will show it to those gentlemen who
have seen Prof Harrison's letter to Mr. Rives, but to no
others.
The board then adjourned until tomorrow morning 9 oclock.
Thursday March 11th 1858
The Board met pursuant to adjournment present the
same gentlemen as on yesterday when the following proceed-
ings were had.
Mr. Garnett submitted the following.
The Board has inspected the Proctors reports and finds
that they have not been made weekly, and are unsatisfactory
Chariman of the Faculty to the former order that such Reports
should be made weekly in all parts of the session, and that
the Proctor is required to make the inspection of all the
dormitories and of all the Hotels without exception weekly.
The faculty is especially requested to insist rigidly upon
a full performance of the Proctors police duties, and to
impose upon each failure, such fines, as the regulations
allow, unless specially remitted for good cause particularly
stated in writing.
On motion of Mr. Joynes it was
Resolved that the members of the Faculty be requested
to attend the Board this evening for the purpose of a conference
as to the health of the University, and the course
which ought to be pursued by the Board in relation to it.
The Executive Committee reported that on the 5th day
of September last they appointed Anselem Brock Hotel Keeper
in place of Addison Maupin, whose office was vacated by his
refusal to execute bond as required by the resolution of
the Board, & Mrs. Sally A McCoy as Keeper of the Hotel to
which J.S. Dix had been appointed & had declined to accept;
both of said appointments being made to continue until the
next annual meeting of the Board-
It is ordered that the Proctor advertise that the
Board of Visitors, at their next annual meeting will proceed
to make permanent appointments of Keepers of both of
said Hotels, and to invite applications to fill the vacancies
The Board then adjourned until tomorrow morning at
9 oclock.
Friday March 12th, 1858
The Board met pursuant to adjournment, present the same
gentlemen as on yesterday, when the following proceedings
were had.
Mr. Robertson offered the following resolution which
was adopted.
Resolved that the medical faculty be severally requested
to state in writing, whether in their opinion it is necessary
or proper to take any measures in addition to those already
recommended by themselves and by the Faculty for the purpose
of ensuring the health of the University.
The following preamble and resolutions were unanimously
adopted.
The Medical Faculty having expressed the opinion that
the rooms on the ranges cannot be longer occupied with safety,
and recommended that they be vacated, and the whole Faculty
having expressed their concurrence in that opinion and
recommendation and the Board from their own personal inspection
of the premises, and from a consideration of all the
facts brought to their knowledge concurring in the same
views, therefore.
1. Resolved that the Faculty take immediate measures
to provide accommodations elsewhere for all the students
now occupying rooms upon the ranges, and that they require
range rooms, and that these rooms remain vacant during the
remainder of the session.
2. Resolved that the additional expenses necessarily
incurred by the Students in consequence of the measure required
by the foregoing resolution, be paid by the University
on the order of the Faculty.
3. That in giving these instructions as to these rooms
on the ranges only, the Board is guided by the opinion of the
medical faculty , that as to those rooms only such a step
is necessary. If therefore at any time the medical Faculty
shall find it proper to extend the same operation to other
rooms, the Faculty are authorized and instructed so to extend
it.
4. Resolved That the Faculty be earnestly instructed
to cause a thorough investigation to be made without delay
into the condition of all rooms occupied by students whether
within or without the precincts, and to act in reference to
them all, under the advice of the Medical Faculty, according
to the principles declared in the foregoing resolutions.
5. Resolved That the Medical Faculty be authorized and
instructed to provide at the expense of the University for
the efficient nursing dieting and attendance of sick students
in all cases in which they may deem it necessary until
the completion of the infirmary now in progrees.
Resolved that the foregoing resolutions be communicated
to the Faculty of the University for the purpose of interchanging
full understanding of their import and design.
The Rector laid before the Board memorials signed by
a portion of the students asking a suspension of lectures
in view of the health of the University, upon consideration
whereof it was unanimously
Resolved That the Board upon the most earnest and careful
consideration of the said memorials and of the entire
subject to which they refer, and upon the fullest conference
with the medical Faculty; are of opinion that the measures
adopted at the present meeting are amply sufficient to protect
the students against any danger of disease and recognizing
as they do the highest moral obligation not to subject
the students to any, even the least risk of health, the
Board are unanimously of opinion that it is unnecessary and
inexpedient to suspend the lectures.
Resolved That in view of one of the resolutions of the
Faculty presented to the Board this day, the Board think it
proper to call the attention of the Faculty and especially
of the Chairman to the 2nd and 3rd clauses of section 1 of
chapter 1 of the printed enactments and express the opinion
that the provisions contained therein are ample to declare
and secure the entire subordiantion of the Proctor and other
officers to the chairman of the Faculty, and the responsibility
of the chairman for the faithful execution of all laws made
for the government of the University - and that it has not
been the purpose of the Board or of the Executive Committee
to impair the responsibility of these officers to the chairman,
or his authority and control over them, or his responsibility
to the Board for the fidelity of these officers in
the execution of these duties.
2. Resolved that in order to avoid any supposed interference
with the authority or responsibility of the chairman
as established by the enactments referred to, hereafter
all orders to the Proctor or other subordinate officer
whether made by the Board or the Executive Committee shall
be transmitted also to the chairman in order that he may
see to the faithful execution of such orders.
Mr. Garnett submitted the following resolutions which
were unanimously adopted.
1. Resolved that the grounds within the University
shall be thoroughly and permanently drained on a plan to be
approved by the Executive Committee.
2. The basements of all the rooms on the Ranges shall
be examined and arrangements made for thorough and permanent
ventilation and such other provisions for health as the Executive
Committee may on consultation with the Medical Faculty
deem proper.
3. A similar examination shall be made of all other
rooms, and the Executive Committee is authorized to adopt such
sanitary measures in regard to them or the University generally,
as they may think expedient.
4. No cattle horses or hogs shall be kept within the
walls of the University.
5. The entire grounds and cellars shall without delay
be thoroughly cleaned and purified. They shall afterwards
be inspected daily, and shall always be kept clean and pure.
6. The Executive Committee shall have authority to employ
such special agents and laborers for the residue of the
session as they may think necessary to execute the sanitary
measures prescribed; but nothing herein contained shall be
construed to relieve any of the University officers from
their regular duties, except so far as expressly ordered by
the executive Committee.
7. A select committee of Mrs Garnett Edmunds and Baldwin
shall be appointed to report a plan for the reorganization
of the Proctors duties and their division between two officers,
one of whom shall execute all police duties.
Mr Neeson offered the following resolution.
Resolved that the Chairman of the Faculty be requested
to communicate to the parent or guardian of each student a
statement of the health of the University as disclosed by
the Report of the medical Faculty, fully and distinctly
showing the origin progress results and present condition of
the epidemic, together with the resolutions of the Board for
the promotion of the health and relief of the students passed
at this meeting.
Whereupon Mr Faldwin offered the following substitute
which was adopted.
1. Resolved that the Secretary furnish to the chairman
of the Faculty copies of the resolutions for the removal of
of the students from the ranges and of that in response to
and that the chairman cause a copy of those resolutions to
be communicated to the parent or guardian of the student.
2. Resolved that the chairman at the same time inform
the parents and guardians that having thus provided for the
removal of all students from those portions of the University
as to which there exists any apprehension of a return of the
disease and having made provision for an immediate and
thorough draining ventilation and purification of the entire
University, the Visitors feel warranted in expressing a
strong hope and confidence that the disease which has prevailed
at the University but which has now almost entirely
disappeared will not again return.
Mr. Edmunds offered the following resolution which was
adopted.
In case the medical Professors of the Faculty shall
advise the removal of a student from any out-boarding house
in consequence of the danger to the health of the student
the Faculty are hereby instructed to provide proper accommodations
for the students in conformity with the resolution
in relation to students residing on the ranges reserving for
future consideration any questions arising from such removal.
On motion of Mr. Robertson it was
Resolved that a Department of Practical Chemistry be
organized upon the terms set forth in the following plan,
proposed by Professor Maupin Cabell and Davis - to take effect
at the commencement of the next session.
Plan of Organization
of a department of Practical Chemistry, as concurred in
by Professors Maupin Cabell and Davis.
1. A department of Practical Chemistry shall be established
in connexion with the school of Chemistry
2. In this department shall be taught a systematic
course of qualitative & quantitative analysis, and the applications
of Chemistry to the arts.
3. To be admitted to the instruction in the department
of practical Chemistry, the student must be a member of the
school of Chemistry, or must have previously attended a
course of instruction in Elementary Chemistry, either in this
institution or elsewhere; and if elsewhere he must furnish
to the professor by examination or otherwise satisfactory
evidence that he is qualified to enter upon the study of
practical chemistry with advantage.
4. The Laboratory shall be kept open, and the instructor
shall give his personal attention to the students therein
from 9 oclock A. M. to 5 oclock P. M. for five days in the
week throughout the session.
5. The fee for instruction in practical Chemistry for
five days in the week shall be $40; for four days $30 for
three days $25; and for any less time $20 per session. Each
student shall also be required to make a special contingent
deposit of $10 which shall be chargeable with the cost of
chemicals and other incidental expenses, according to the
following plan. The Assistant Instructor shall be required
during the session and to apportion the same among the several
students in proportion to the number of days they may have
been respectively engaged in receiving practical instruction
in the Laboratory; excert that a separate charge shall be
made against each student for the amount of the solutions
of Gold silver and platina he may have used. He shall be
further charged with the cost of such articles of glass or
apparatus as he may injure or destroy in using.
6. The receipts from the foregoing contingent charges
shall be expended under the direction of the Professor of
Chemistry in the purchase of chemicals & apparatus as the
wants of the department may require.
7. The Faculty shall have power for satisfactory reasons
to allow a student to matriculate in the department of practical
chemistry alone, upon condition however of his paying
a tuition fee of $50 and a Laboratory fee of $20 and of his
being subject to the special charges enumerated in the foregoing
enactments.
8. A student matriculating in the school of chemistry
and also in the department of practical chemistry shall pay
a fee in no case exceeding $30 for the former and the specific
fees for the latter; but the fees paid for practical
chemistry shall not be considered in adjusting the fees to
be paid for attending any of the other schools of the University.
9. The Professor of Chemistry, with the advice and consent
of the Executive Committee shall have the power of
the duty of giving instruction in the department of practical
Chemistry.
10. The Assistant Instructor shall receive a stated
salary of $700 per session, and the fees of tuition in the
department of Practical Chemistry to an amount not exceeding
$500. He shall also be entitled to the use of a Dormitory
and the use of the Library free of charge.
11. The course of instruction and the requirements for
graduation in the school of Chemistry shall remain as heretofore
12. Such Students as give evidence of satisfactory
skill and attainments in Practical Chemistry shall be entitled
to a certificate of proficiency in the same under the seal
of the University.
Resolved that the Secretary furnish to Mr Edmunds a
copy of all the resolutions and proceedings of the present
meeting relating to the subject of the health of the University
including the report of the Medical Faculty and that
Mr Edmunds be authorized and requested to lay the same before
the General Assembly.
Resolved that Mr. Edmunds be requested to communicate
to the General Assembly now in session the earnest and unanimous
conviction entertained by the Board of Visitors that
at no time in the history of the University has there been
a crisis in its affairs so imperatively demanding the promt
assistance and support of the General Assembly and that the
Board of Visitors feel bound by the highest obligations of
bill now pending before it for making an appropriation to
the University.
On motion of Mr Edmunds it was resolved that the executrix
of Fabius M Lawson having communicated that a debt from
the University to the decd was now due & demandable, The
Executive Committee is instructed to pay the same upon demand
provided the University is under obligation to do so.
On motion of Mr Robertson it was
Resolved that the purchases made at the sale of Mr.
Stevenson's estate by Professor Gildensleeve for the University
are approved and that the sum of $73 with interest
thereon from the time when the same was paid be refunded to
him out of the Library fund.
Th. J. Ranolph
Rector
R. T. W. Duke
Secretary
Special Meeting
March 19th, 1858
A special meeting of the Board of Visitors of the
University of Virginia, having been called to meet at the
University this day by the request of three of the members
viz Messrs Edmunds Tucker and Robertson, the following
gentlemen appeared: T. J. Randolph Rector, J. R. Edmunds
J. B. Baldwin W. T. Joynes and J. R. Tucker visitors
When the following proceedings were had.
Mr. Joynes offered the following preamble and resolutions
which were adopted.
The Board having convened this day in consequence of
representations that there had been since their last meeting
a material change in the health of the University, and
in the views and opinions of the Faculty and Students, as
to the course which ought to be adopted in reference thereto,
held a conference on these subjects with the members of the
Faculty and also with committees of the students representing
those in favor of a suspension of the lectures and also those
opposed to that course; and the Board having ascertained
that there has been an increase of disease among the students
since the late meeting of the Board, and that an apprehension
prevails among a large majority of the students that the disease
will still further increase hereafter, and that the
existence of this state of feeling has already caused many
of the students to leave the University, and will probably
cause many others to leave, and believing that strong grounds
exist to justify this apprehension; and the Faculty in their
conference with the Board, and in their resolutions subsequently
adopted, having in view of the recent changes in the health
of the University and of the apprehended increase of disease,
and in view also of the state of feeling among the students
and of its actual and probable influence upon their studies
and progress, having recommended a suspension of the lectures
until the 1st day of May and a prolongation of the session
until the 29th of July.
1. Therefore Resolved that the Board concurring with
the Faculty in the views expressed by them, direct that the
Lectures in the University be suspended from this day until
the 1st day of May next, and that the Session be prolonged
therefrom until the 29th day of July next.
2. Resolved that during the suspension of lectures
directed by the foregoing resolutions the Faculty require
all students as promptly as possible to vacate all the dormitories
within the University.
3. Resolved that so much of a resolution adopted by
the Board at its last meeting as prohibits the reoccupation
of any of the rooms on the ranges at any future time during
this session be rescinded - and that it be referred to the
executive committee to authorize the occupation of these rooms,
or any others in the University as they think proper.
4. Resolved that the next meeting of the Board be held
on the 27th day of July next.
Resolved that the Secretary furnish to the chairman of
the Faculty a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolutions
and that the chairman cause a copy of the same to be communicated
to the parent or guardian of each student.
The following is a copy of the communication from the
Faculty referred to in the forgoing preamble and resolutions
"The Faculty having maturely considered the subjects
referred to them by the Board of Visitors respectfully submit
the following statement of their views.
1. The amount and character of the sickness which until
a few days ago prevailed and seemed likely to prevail in the
a suspension of the Lectures, but within a few days
circumstances have occurred, which have shaken the previous
convictions of all and wrought a complete change in the minds
of some of the members in respect to what their duty obliges
them, in this aspect of the matter to recommend. The Medical
Members of the Faculty having now expressed the apprehension
that the Health of the students may be endangered
by their longer continuance here at present, the remaining
members of the body, in view of this fact, unite in advising
a suspension of the Lectures on this ground.
But besides these grave apprehensions, so universal an
alarm pervades the whole body of students, which the extreme
illness of two of their number and the reported indisposition
of many who remain here, and of several who have gone home,
augment, and so many have left the University, and express an
intention to leave it, that the Faculty are convinced, that
there is no reasonable probability of restoring confidence,
and of quieting the agitation, which now for several days
has prevented an effective application to their studies.
These reasons, of which those last stated operate
very potently on most of its members, constrain the Faculty
reluctantly yet decidedly to the opinion, that no alternative
remains but to suspend for a time sufficiently long to afford
ground to hope that the local causes of diseases may be
removed and the tendency to come under their influence obviated
by reaction [?] and change of scene.
2. A corresponding prolongation of the session the
Faculty believe to be required by the established policy of
the University from which it ought not to depart, of conferring
degrees as testimonials of actual acquirements. To abate
any considerable part of the attainments ordinarily required
would be unjust to the public, which has learned to
confide in the diplomas of the University, unjust to past
and future recipients of such certificates of merit, and
unjust to the true interests of the young men, who are now
candidates for the honors of the institution.
3. As to the period of suspension, the Faculty are
necessarily principally guided by the opinion of the medical
men belonging to it, and they think, with the lights at present
before them, that it should not be less, and need not
be more than 6 weeks, say to the 1st of May. They submit,
however, that it would be expedient to confer on the Faculty
power to extend the period, should circumstances seem to
require it.
4. As to the time for which the session should be prolonged
the Faculty are of opinion, that it would not be
expedient to extend it into August, on account of the heat
which usually prevails at that season, and the languor thence
arising.
5. The Faculty beg leave also to submit it as their
opinion that no student should be permitted to reside, during
the suspension within the limits of the University, and that
their continuance in the neighborhood should be as far as
alike concur to recommend this course.
6. They also submit for the consideration of the Board,
without venturing now positively "to recommend it, the expediency
when the exercises are resumed, of forbidding more
than one student to occupy any room within the University."
On motion of Col. Randolph the following resolutions
were adopted.
Resolved that in consequence of the inadequate and unsuitable
accommodations for a large number of the students
at the University and the present state of the health of its
inmates - it is deemed expedient at the regular annual meeting
of the Board of Visitors to take into consideration the
necessity of limiting the number of students to be hereafter
admitted to matriculate.
Resolved that the Executive Committee be instructed to
ascertain what number of students can be suitably and comfortably
accommodated in the present buildings within and
without the precincts and report the same to the next regular
annual meeting of the board.
The Board then adjourned until the 27th day of July next.
Secretary
July 27th 1858
In pursuance of the adjourning order of 19th of March.
The Rector appeared and remained at the University two days
but no other members of the board having been in attendance
there was no meeting.
Secretary.
| Board of Visitors minutes March 10, 1858 | |