 | Board of Visitors minutes June 25, 1888 |  |
June 25 1888.
At the annual meeting of the Rector and Visitors held
at the University on the 25th day of June 1888.
Present. Hon. J. L. Marye, Rector, and Messrs Randolph,
Stuart and Noland, of the Old members,
and
Hon. Wm H. Bolling of Wythe County and Mason Gordon, Esq of
Albemarle County, of the new members.
The Rector called the Board to order.
Since the last meeting of the Board the Governor appointed
four new Visitors, viz, the said Messrs, Bolling and
Gordon, W. Gordon McCabe, Esqr of Petersburg and Hon. Legh
R. Watts of Portsmouth, which appointments were ratified by
the Senate and the appointees commissioned by the Governor,
to fill the places of Messrs Martin, Venable, Parrish and
Perkins, whose terms expired on the 28th of February last.
Messrs Bolling, Gordon and Watts, previous to this meeting,
filed with the Secretary of the Board official certificates,
certifying that they had each taken and subscribed to
the oaths of office required by law to be taken by them as
such Visitors.
The Rector appointed the standing Committees of the
Board, as follows:
Finance, Miller & Observatory Funds.
Messrs Conrad, Randolph, Stuart & Gordon.
Grounds, Buildings & Boarding Houses.
Messrs Stuart, Noland & Bolling.
Library & Apparatus.
Messrs Watts, McCabe & Gordon.
Conduct of Schools & Examination of Students.
Messrs Randolph, McCabe & Watts.
Infirmary, Health, Sewerage & Drainage.
Messrs Noland, Bolling & Stuart.
A telegram was received from Judge Watts stating that he
was prevented from attending the meeting by the illness of a
member of his family.
The Executive Committee submitted its report which was
read and considered, and on motion it was resolved, that the
same be received, approved and adopted, together with its
recommendations, and that it be spread upon the records of the
Board
University of Va
June 23d 1888.
To the Rector & Visitors of the University of Va.
Gentlemen,
Your Committee at its meeting in October last acting
under the recommendation of the Faculty and the Proctor,
after thorough investigation, authorized the building of
the Dawson Row Mess Hall at a cost not to exceed fifteen hundred
dollars, of which sum the three hundred dollars appropriated
on Dawson's Row and the other on Carr's Hill, was to constitute
a part. The reasons for such change in and increase of
your appropriation, was so fully discussed at your meeting in
January as to render it unnecessary to go into it again.
The Board at its meeting in June having neglected to
provide for the teaching of Zoology in its resolution assigning
such subjects as had been taught in the School of Agriculture
to the other schools, your Committee directed Profr
Fontaine of the School of Natural History and Geology to organize
and take charge of a class of such students as might
desire instruction in that subject.
Acting under the authority conveyed to them by your
resolution of June 27th 1887 in regard to the "Commutation
of the Austin Legacy", your Committee requested the Rector
to visit the Executor and Legatees, and directed the Proctor
to pay his expenses. This was reported to your Board at its
January meeting.
The Professor of Medical Jurisprudence, Obstetrics and
the Practice of Medicine having urged the necessity to his
School of tuition in Microscopy and having stated that he
had not applied to the Board for the money to purchase Microscopes
because of the University finances, applied for authority
to expend one hundred & twenty five dollars for that
purpose. His application was endorsed favorably by the Faculty.
The increase in the numbers at the University during
the past year was one almost entirely to the Medical School;
for them to authorize such expenditure.
Profr J. W. Mallet was requested to take the supervision
of the Agricultural Course of such students as desired instruction
in that subject.
The Board at its last meeting having authorized the election
by the Executive Committee of a Secretary, the committee
unanimously elected Mr James D. Jones to that position.
At the meeting of your Committee April 16 the Chairman of
the Faculty forwarded a petition of certain citizens of Charlottesville
and its vicinity endorsed favorably by the Faculty
requesting that the use be given to the State Normal Institute
of the lecture rooms and such other facilities as are practicable
and may be consistent with the privileges already granted,
provided they decided to hold their annual meeting in Charlottesville.
Your Committee gave permission, subject however to the decision
that the Board might come to as to the advisability of
permitting the dormitories on the Lawns & Ranges to be occupied
during the summer.
The Board informally requested the Committee to ascertain
the views of the University Board of Health as to the advisability
of the occupation of the dormitories on the lawn & ranges
during the summer:
Dr Cabell's reply is herewith submitted & reads as follows:
Oct 13th 1887
Chn Executive Committee etc.
In reply to your communication of the 11th inst received
last evening I have to inform you that the same has been
submitted to the several members constituting the Health Board
of the University and that I have been authorized to submit the
following statement.
The question as to the possibly sanitary results of the
occupation of dormitories by summer Students may be considered
under the aspects, that of the danger of the importation of
disease from without and that of its spontaneous development
in appartments occupied by persons who do not observe proper
care in maintaining their proper sanitary condition.
With reference to the former it is obvious, of course,
that there is precisely the same kind of risk which exists
during the regular session in a greater degree because of the
larger number of regular students. But it may be added that
the experience of many years seems to show that the risk is
not great. Such facts as you referred to in your letter have
never occurred since the establishment of the summer schools
until this year. It is not easy therefore to estimate the
chances of their recurrence in any future year.
The question submitted by you has, however, another aspect,
that namely of the likelihood of a spontaneous outbreak
of disease among the summer students or among those who may
succeed them owing to a continuous occupation of the dormitories
without sufficient intervals for disinfection and thorough
removal of accumulated filth. With reference to this
view of the question we venture to say that the danger may be
very largely, perhaps wholly, removed by restricting the privilege
of Dawson Row and Carr's Hill and to the interval of time between
the 15th July and 12th September, provided, however,
that the most scrupulous care be taken to secure a thorough
and universal cleanliness and disinfection for two weeks before
and after their occupation by the summer students.
We take occasion to remark that the sanitary police of
the dormitories & of the grounds & buildings of the University
has seldom or never been as searching and as effective
as the exigencies probably call for. There ought to be a
frequent room to room inspection during the session and during
the summer when the rooms are occupied, with a constant
vigilance against the many forms in which dirt may disguise
itself both inside the rooms and immediately around the buildings.
With such measures faithfully carried out we are of
opinion that there would not be any very serious objection
to the occupation during the middle portion of the vacation
of the dormitories which have been specified. Very respectfully
your obt sert etc.
Chn Board of Health.
The Proctor requested that the Executive Committee should
interpret for his guidance the law of the University that requires
of each occupant of a pavilion "to keep them in repair,
internally and externally, so far as doors and windows are
concerned." Your Committee passed the following resolution:
"Resolved, that the law requiring occupants of pavilions
in the University to keep them in repair internally, and externally
so far as doors and windows are concerned, is interpreted
sash, blinds and fastings, shall be kept in good order and
fully protected by paint."
Your Committee advise that you add to this, that the
Proctor & Superintendent of Grounds & Buildings shall be the
Judge of the necessity of repairs and his notification as to
what repairs are needed shall be binding on the occupant.
We advise the following references to standing Committees:
| 1. | To Commee on Finance, Miller & Observatory Funds. | |
| Faculty report - Reduction of annuity | page 9 | |
| Faculty report - Deficiency - Salary of Profrs | page 10 | |
| Faculty report - Application of J. W. Wheat | page 14 | |
| Faculty report - Financial Budget - next session | page 16 | |
| Estimated receipts & Expenditures 1888-89 | page 17-18 | |
| Change of end of fiscal year from May 31st to June 30th see Proctor's Report |
page 5 | |
| Proctor's Report - receipts & Expenditures | page 1-9 inclusive | |
| Proctor's Report - as to Debt - appendix | N. | |
| Proctor's Report - as to Sinking Fund - Appx | G. | |
| Proctor's Report - as to Miller Fund-p 9 & Appx | L. | |
| Proctor's Report - as to Ex repairs Appx | E. | |
| Proctor's Report - as to Contingent Expr appendix | H. | |
| Proctor's Report - as to Interest appendix | F. | |
| Proctor's Report - as to Astronomical Exp' appendix | M. | |
| Proctor's Report - as to Bonded Debt appendix | N. | |
| Fees from Schools appendix | O. | |
| 2. | To Commee on Grounds, Buildings & Boarding Houses. | |
| Faculty Report - Improvement in Buildings | page 4 | |
| Faculty Report - Electric Lighting | page 5 | |
| Faculty Report - University Chapel | page 7 | |
| Faculty Report - Squib's Gymnasium | page 8 | |
| Faculty Report - Utilization of Old Reservoir | page 8 | |
| Faculty Report - Steam Boiler & pump & Sale of | page 14 | |
| Faculty Report - Gas for Laboratories | page 15 | |
| Proctor's Report - New Anatomical Hall | page 7 | |
| Proctor's Report - New Mess Hall | page 7 | |
| Proctor's Report - Insurance of New buildings, etc. | page 7 | |
| C. & W. Electric Light Co | page 4 | |
| 3. | To Commee Library & Apparatus | |
| Faculty Report - Austin Catalogue of Books preparation of |
page 15 | |
| 4. | To Commee on Conduct of Schools & Examination of Students. |
|
| Faculty Report - Statistics relative to students | page 3 | |
| Faculty Report - University local examinations | page 6 | |
| Faculty Report - Teachers of Pub. Schools | page 6 | |
| Faculty Report - University of Bologna | page 7 | |
| Faculty Report - Report on Petition of law students | page 11 | |
| Faculty Report - Academic Degrees | page 14 | |
| Faculty Report - Assistant in Engineering | page 14 | |
| Faculty Report - New Chair of Biology & Agriculture |
page 15 | |
5. To Commee. Infirmary, Health, Sewerage & Drainage
Report of Executive Commee & Dr Cabell's letter
In conclusion Your Committee take pleasure in congratulating
the Board upon the increased numbers in its professional
Schools and to Express the hope that the Academical Schools
will show greater increase in the coming year.
Respectfully submitted
W. C. N. Randolph,
Chairman.
The Chairman of the Faculty, Prof C. S. Venable, sent in
the Annual Faculty Report, & accompany documents
Proctor's Report
Librarian's Report
Report of Medical Officers of Infirmary
Professorial reports of the Several Schools
Annl Report of Commr of Accounts
A letter from Professor Venable declining reelection to the
office of Chairman of the Faculty & stating his reasons therefor.
Also a letter from same opposing the occupation of the
Dormitories on the lawns and Ranges and the buildings on Monroe
Hill, by summer students.
A letter from Major R. F. Mason, President of the Electric
Light Co.
The Secretary handed in a letter from Mr B. L. Rex, of
Loudoun County, asking to be allowed credit for the University
charges should be apply to enter as a medical student next session
Mr. R. T. W. Duke, Jr, representing the petitioners, presented
the petition of sundry citizens asking to be allowed the
& the public generally through the Base Ball grounds to
the University.
Prof. Venable, Chairman also handed in Report of Meteorological
Observations taken at the University for the year ending
May 31st 1888, by Mr. Jas Wearmouth.
On motion the Annual Report of the Faculty and the Annual
Report of the Proctor & Superintendent of Grounds & Buildings,
were read to the Board.
On motion the following references were made to the standing
committees
1. Petition of the Law Class - refd to Commee on Conduct of
Schools.
2. Report of Medical Officers of Infirmary - to Commee on Health,
Infirmary Sewerage & Drainage
3. Report of Prof. of Astronomy - to Commee on Conduct of Schools
4. Proctor's request for instruction as to pay of Profs for past
year to Commee on Finance
5. Communication of R. F. Mason, President Electric Light Coto
Commee on Grounds & Buildings
6. Resignation of Col C. S. Venable as Chairman of the Facultyrefd
to the Whole Board.
7. School reports - to the Commee on Conduct of Schools & Examinations
of Students.
On motion the Board adjourned to meet tomorrow at 9 A. M.
Jno. L. Marye
Rector.
Jas D. Jones,
Secretary.
June 26th 1888.
The Board met pursuant to adjournment on yesterday.
Present. The same members as on yesterday.
Resolved, that, a Committee of three be appointed to
wait upon Professor Venable, and to express the regrets of
this Board, at his resignation of the Chairmanship of the
Faculty, and to ask him to reconsider his resignation, or
declination, of reappointment, with the assurance that any
clerical help which he may desire will be furnished by this
Board.
The Rector appointed Messrs Randolph, Gordon & Bolling
the Committee under the foregoing resolution.
Messrs Conrad and McCabe appeared and took their seats
as members of the Board, the latter after having presented
an official certificate of his having taken the oaths of office
required by law, which certificate was placed on file
by the Secretary.
The Committee on Grounds, Buildings and Boarding Houses
submitted their report of which the following is a copy.
To the Rector & Visitors of the University of Va.
The Committee on Grounds, Buildings and Boarding Houses
having examined the Reports of the Faculty, the Executive
Committee, and the Proctor, and having taken a general survey
of the grounds and buildings, beg leave to report:
1. That the premises are in fair condition, quite as good
in the main, as the resources of the University will justify.
2 Your Committee approves the appropriation of $1100. to
complete the first and second stories of the main medical
building.
3 A dining room for messing students on Carr's Hill should
be erected, and a resolution appropriating $1500. therefore is
recommended.
4 The Committee highly commend the action of the Faculty
in contracting for the lighting of the buildings and grounds
of the University by Electricity. The Committee regard the
change from gas to the electric light as very important, as
a matter of comfort, economy and fty. They therefore offer
the accompanying resolution, providing for a continuance of
the contract for the ensuing year.
The Committee further recommend that the proctor take
immediate steps to obtain the consent in writing of all Insurance
Companies having policies on the University property,
to the introduction or continuance of electric lighting at
the University.
The Committee further recommend that all students be
advised to use the electric light in their rooms, instead of
gas or oil, provided the electric light can be supplied them
as cheaply.
5 Your Committee recommend the small appropriation of $100.
asked for for the improvement of Squibbs Gymnasium, to be
used, if the Faculty find it necessary.
6. The recommendation of the Faculty respecting the extension
of the Old Reservoir main from its present terminous at
& the work should be done as soon as the income of
the University will justify the outlay. In this connection
this Committee desire to enter their protest against the running
of the steam engine now supplying power to the Physical
Laboratory, by the Janitor who is said not to be an Engineer.
A serious accident might result, if this arrangement is allowed
to continue.
7 The sale of the Steam Boiler and Pump recommended by the
Faculty is approved by the Committee, provided a great sacrifice
can be avoided.
8 On the suggestion of the Faculty, Your Committee recommend
that the gas used for heating purposes in the Chemical
Laboratory and the Physical Laboratory, be paid for out of
the appropriation for fuel and lights.
9 The recommendation of the Faculty that the University furnish
to the Professor of Biology hereafter to be appointed, a
residence in lieu of that erected at the expense of the Miller
trust, is approved by your Committee.
10 Numerously signed petitions in favor of reopening to the
public, the road leading through the Base Ball grounds to
Dawson's Row, and maintaining a gate thereon, were laid before
Your Committee, & are herewith presented. The request seems
a reasonable one, but the Committee at present refrain from
making a recommendation in regard thereto.
The foregoing report was read and considered, and on
motion the same was approved and adopted, together with its
recommendations, with the exception of the 10th Section of
the report which refers to reopening the road through the
Base Ball grounds to Dawsons Row for the use of the public,
which is reserved for future consideration.
The Committee on the Infirmary, Health, Sewerage and
Drainage submitted their report of which the following is
a copy=
To the Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia.
Gentlemen.
Your Committee beg leave to report that they have
learned with much pleasure of the excellent health of the
students and residents generally, of the University during
the session just closing; and have noted with great satisfaction
the improved sanitary condition of the buildings &
grounds, all of which they believe is directly due to the
wise recommendation of the Board heretofore made & the
prompt & efficient manner in which those recommendations
have been executed.
With the abundant supply of pure water, the good sewerage
& drainage, the efficient police of the grounds, and
the well equipped Infirmary we now have, Your Committee
think disease need not hereafter be feared. Certainly it
seems now, that vigilance on the part of the Board of Health
with full authority from this Board to have their orders executed,
is all that is necessary to secure the perfect health
of the University.
In this connection Your Committee would submit to the
Board the letter from the Chairman of the Board of Health
on the subject of the occupation of the Dormitories by summer
students, & would recommend that his wise suggestions
be adopted. [See p. 122 [105] where this letter appears as
part of the report of the Executive Commee], and to effect
this they recommend the adoption by this Board of the following
resolution, viz,
Whereas in in opinion of this Board the continuous occupation
of the Dormitories, without sufficient intervals
for disinfecting & removal of accumulated filth therefrom,
is for various reasons most objectionable, and whereas the
Board is nevertheless desirous of offering every accomodation
to the summer Students, consistent with a due regard
for the sanatary condition of the University. Therefore
Resolved, that the privilege heretofore extended to the
Summer Students of occupying the Dormitories of the University
be hereafter limited to the Dormitories, A. B. C.
& D. of Dawson's Row and the Dormitories on Carr's Hill,
from the 15th of July to the 15th of September, upon the
terms heretofore prescribed for the Dormitories generally.
And upon the further terms that the said Dormitories be at
all times during the summer session subject to the inspection
of the Proctor, whose orders in regard to keeping the
same in a cleanly condition, at the expense of the occupant,
shall be strictly complied with.
In reference to the report of the Medical officers of
the Infirmary made to the Board of Visitors & referred to
that it be approved, and that in accordance with the suggestions
therein made it be ordered that the deficiency of
$63.88 be made good to the Medical Officers out of any surplus
rects of the next Session.
All of which is respectfully submitted
B. P. Noland
W. A. Stuart
W. H. Bolling.
The foregoing report was read to the Board, and after consideration,
the same, together with its recommendations,
was approved and adopted.
On motion the Board adjourned to meet tomorrow at 9
A. M.
Jas D. Jones,
Secretary.
Jno. L Marye
Rector
University of Va,
June 27th 1888.
The Board met in pursuance of adjournment on yesterday.
Present The same members as on yesterday.
Resolved, that the present occupants of the Boarding
houses, be allowed to continue in possession for the ensuing
year, upon the same terms as last year.
Resolved, that the Executive Committee be empowered and
requested to contract for the continued lighting during the
ensuing year of the University Buildings & Grounds by Electricity.
Resolved, that the report of the Committee on the Library
& Apparatus, be postponed until the meeting in July.
The Committee on the Conduct of Schools and examination
of Students submitted their report of which the following
is a copy.
June 27th 1887.
Gentlemen,
Your Committee beg leave to report
1st Report from Schools.
A close examination of these reports shows the usual
faithful discharge of duty on the part of each Professor and
an unusual amount of diligence on the part of the students
of the various classes.
2d Local Examinations
These seem to be doing good work. There were 30 candidates
of which 24 were successful during the past year.
Your Committee advise that the Faculty be requested to
hereafter furnish the names and addresses of the successful
candidates for record in the minutes of this Board.
3. Teachers of Public Schools.
This addition to the usefulness of the Institution has
proved entirely successful. Your Committee cannot too highly
commend the spirit that actuated the Faculty in making valuable
additions to the University System. They recommend that
its continuance be advised and authorized by the Board.
4. The petition of the Students of the Law Class.
The Committee recommend that the action of the Faculty
in refusing permission to the students of the Law Department
to hold a separate celebration at the end of their academic
year and in consenting to the formation of an association to
be styled the "Law Association of the University of Virginia"
be confirmed.
5. Academic Degrees.
The importance of such action as recommended by the
Faculty in regard to the "Academic Degrees" and the short
time that Your Committee have had for its consideration has
induced them to request that they be permitted to postpone
their report on that subject until the meeting of the Board
in July.
The foregoing report was read to to the Board and on motion
the same was approved and adopted.
The Same Committee offered the following resolutions
which were read and adopted:
1. Resolved, that the Faculty be requested to furnish hereafter,
each year, for record on the minutes of this Board the
names and addresses of the candidates who have attained certificates
of excellence in the local examinations of the year.
2. Resolved, that the Board of Visitors highly appreciating
the value of the school for teachers established for the benefit
of the Public school teachers of the State on the recommendation
3. That the Board deem it inexpedient to grant permission
to the students of the Law Class to hold a separate
celebration at the close of the Academic Year, But they approve
and authorize the formation of an association to be
styled "The Law Association of the University of Va" upon
the plan indicated in the petition of the Law Class.
4. Resolved, that the Committee on Conduct of Schools are
permitted to postpone reporting on the subject of "Academic
Degrees" until the meeting of the Board in July next.
On motion of Dr Randolph, resolved, that the Rector be
requested to place Mr W. Gordon McCabe at the head of the
Committee on Conduct of Schools & Examination of Students.
The Rector thereupon appointed Mr McCabe to that position.
A communication from Mr B. L. Rex representing his wish
to attend a course of lectures in the Medical Department of
the University, & his lack of means to do so, was laid before
the Board, read and considered, & it was thereupon
Resolved, that so far as the expenses of the applicant
may due to the University, that the time desired by the applicant
not exceeding two years, be granted. Upon condition of
his giving bond and good security, bearing interest from its
date. The approval of such bond by B. P. Noland, Esq, shall
be satisfactory.
The Board on motion, proceeded to the election of the
Executive Committee which resulted in the election of Messrs
Randolph,
Gordon,
Marye,
Bolling,
&
McCabe.
The committee appointed to confer with Professor C. S.
Venable in regard to his tender of resignation of the Office
of Chairman of the Faculty reported that Profr Venable was
decided in the conviction expressed in his letter that he
could not longer continue in performance of the duties of that
office without impairing his efficiency in the work of his
school Whereupon the following Resolution was adopted.
Resolved, that, for the reasons stated in the letter of
Profr Venable, the Board feel constrained, with great reluctance,
to accept his resignation of said office. The high
qualifications of Profr Venable for this important work, and
the intelligent zeal and energy displayed by him in protecting
and advancing the interests of the University have proved
very valuable to the Institution. The Board therefore places
on record its sense of the serious loss occasioned by this
resignation and its deep regret that he feels compelled to
retire from the position. The Secretary is directed to deliver
to Profr Venable a copy of this resolution.
On motion Profr W. M. Thornton was elected Chairman of
the Faculty, pro tem.
On motion, Resolved, that the Proctor be, and he is hereby
authorized and directed to pay all current expenses of the
University, until the meeting of the Board shall take place
on the 11th of July next, when the Board will make the usual
appropriations.
On motion the Board adjourned to meet again at 4 P. M.
July 11th 1888.
Rector
Secretary.
| Board of Visitors minutes June 25, 1888 | |