 | Board of Visitors minutes December 8, 1892 |  |
Decr 8th, 1892.
At a meeting of the Rector and Visitors called by the
Rector and held at the University on the 8th day of December
1892 in pursuance of notice.
Present. W. C. N. Randolph, Rector, and Visitors, Messrs
Kean, Parrish, McCabe, R. W. Martin, Gordon, T. S. Martin, &
Patteson. Absent Mr McCormick.
Professor Thornton, Chairman of the Faculty laid before
the Board, Report & Supplemental report of the Faculty, School
reports, Librarian's, Proctor's reports, Report of the Superintendent
of Grounds and Buildings and several petitions.
These papers were referred to the appropriate Committees.
On motion, Resolved, that Basil B. Gordon be added to the
Committee on the Conduct of Schools and Examination of Students.
The Rector submitted and had read to the Board two letters
received by him from Col Archer Anderson of which the following
are copies:
Dr W. C. N. Randolph, Rector of the University of Va, Charlottesville,
Va:
Dear Sir: I hand you herewith my check on the 1st National
Bank of Richmond drawn to your order and certified by
that Bank for five thousand dollars ($5000.), which sum I
give to the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia
upon the following trust. The Rector and Visitors of
the University of Virginia are to invest this sum in bonds
of the State of Virginia, or such other securities as they
may select, and therewith establish a Scholarship in the said
University to be called the "John Y. Mason Scholarship".
They are to apply the income of these securities every year
to the maintenance and instruction at the said University of
some deserving student born in Virginia, who shall be deemed
by them unable to prosecute his studies without such assistance
and shall be selected under regulations to be prescribed
by them. The said Rector and Visitors may execute this trust
directly or through the agency of the Officers of the State of
Virginia in accordance with existing laws, so far as the financial
part of it is concerned, as the said Rector and Visitors
may elect. If I have omitted any important detail or any more
formal writing is required, I shall be glad to do what your
experience may suggest in order to carry out the purpose above
set forth.
In conclusion, I have only to request that as little mention
be made of my name in connection with this matter as may
of the University, and I remain, with great respect,
Dr. W. C. N. Randolph,
Rector of the University of Va.
Richmond, Nov. 22d, 1892
Charlottesville, Va.
Dear Sir. I received yesterday your letter of Nov. 18th
acknowledging mine of 17th, and I thank you for your kind expressions.
It gives me pleasure to accept your suggestion
that it be left to the discretion of the Board of Visitors
whether the endowment shall go to establish a fellowship or
a scholarship; and you will, therefore, consider my letter of
Nov. 17th as amended to this effect. With warm regard. Yours
faithfully.
Archer Anderson.
Professor Wm M. Thornton laid before the Board a letter
received by him from Mrs Leita M. Kent of Washington, City,
D. C., the widow of Mr Linden Kent decd, which letter was
read to the Board and of which the following is a copy:
Nov 9th 1892.
I am in receipt of your letter of Nov. 6th and concur
with you and my brother Charles Kent in your opinion, that
the fund in memory of my husband shall be devoted to establishing
the "Linden Kent Chair of English Literature". I,
therefore authorize you to say to the Board of Visitors,
that I am prepared to pay them on the 1st of January `93'
dollars, annually for the support of the chair and to further
secure this payment, by bequeathing to the Rector and
Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, at Charlottesville
Va, the sum of Sixty thousand dollars, for the
endowment of the Chair of English Literature, to be known
as the "Linden Kent Chair of English Literature".
Nothing would gratify me more than to see my brother
occupy this chair, and, while I confess, the suggestion from
you as to this probability has had some weight with me in
the change from Lectureship Fund, to the Chair of English
Literature, I would emphasize the fact, that in making the
gift to the University, the sole activating motive with me
has been, to honor the memory of my husband in a way that
seemed to me the most fitting. No longer able to honor him
in life and left only the burning desire of doing so in death,
the memory that a home in Virginia was soon to tell of his
abiding love for his native state, of a last drive around the
Classic Halls of his loved Alma Mater, of a career in life
such, that as an Alumnus of this University, he could be
pointed to with pride, almost spontaneously, upon his death,
inclined me to the thought, that in making greater the power
for good of this child of his native state, I would be doing
what he would most like to see and be associating his name
with a source of learning that contributed no little to the
success of his own life.
I appreciate my brother's unwillingness to accept this
Chair unless called to it solely upon his merits, and therefore
present.
Thanking you much for the pains you have taken to assist
me in this matter, believe me Very truly yours,
To Mr Wm M. Thornton.
P. S. Whenever my name must appear in connection with
this matter, I prefer always Mrs Linden Kent to Mrs Leita M.
Kent.
On motion the Board adjourned to tomorrow morning at 10
o clock.
Jas D. Jones,
Secretary.
W. C. N. Randolph
Rector
The Board met in pursuance of adjournment on yesterday.
Present. The Rector and all Eight of the Visitors, including
Mr McCormick who arrived to day, (and would have been
present on yesterday, but for a mistake made by the Secretary
in naming in his notice to him the 9th instead of the 8th as
should have been.)
The following preamble and resolutions were unanimously
adopted:
The Rector having laid before the Board, the correspondence
with Col Archer Anderson of Richmond City Va, presenting
to the University the sum of Five Thousand dollars, to be invested
in Bonds of the State of Virginia or such other securities
as they may select, and therewith establish a scholarship,
or fellowship in the University to be called the "John Y. Mason
to be applied to the maintenance and instruction at the
said University of some deserving student born in Virginia who
shall be deemed by them unable to prosecute his studies without
such assistance and to be selected under regulations to be
prescribed by them.
Resolved, 1. That the Board of Visitors accept the said donation,
upon the terms and for the purposes indicated by the
donor, and will make suitable regulations for carrying the
same into effect according to his intention.
2. That the Rector cause the action of the Board to be communicated
to Col Archer Anderson, and express to him the thanks
of the Board, for his judicious liberality, a liberality not
only valuable to the cause of education, and to the persons
who will enjoy its benefits, but also as an example.
3. That the Rector inquire of Col Anderson whether it will
not be consistent with his intention, if the Board should, in
the exercise of the discretion given by his letter of the 22d
Nov. 1892 elect to establish a Fellowship, they may not provide
that that the basis of election be that of merit alone.
The following resolution in reference to Mrs Linden
Kent's proposition was adopted:
Resolved, that the Rector and Visitors of the University
of Virginia accept the proposition of Mrs Linden Kent to endow
a chair in the University with which the name of her late lamented
husband shall be associated, and that the Chairman of the Faculty
be requested to visit Mrs Kent as soon as it may be agreeable
to her for the purpose of ascertaining when she will be
her plan. The Rector and Visitors beg to thank Mrs Kent for
her generous offer to the University and to express their
gratification at the prospect of having linked with a chair
in this institution the name of an alumnus so honored as that
of her late husband.
The following was adopted:
1. Resolved that R. G. H. Kean, Esq, he requested to accompany
Profr Wm M. Thornton to Washington to see Mrs Kent in regard
to the establishment of the Linden Kent Profr of Eng. Lit.
in the University, if in his discretion Mr Kean shall see fit
so to do.
2. Resolved that Profr Thornton be empowered to invite Mr
H. T. Kent to come from St Louis to Washington to attend the
conference in regard to said professorship, at the expense
of the University of Virginia, shall Profr Thornton in his
discretion deem it advisable.
The Committee on Grounds & Buildings submitted a report
which was read, approved and adopted and on motion the same
was referred to the Finance Committee. The report reads as
follows:
To the Rector & Board of Visitors.
The Committee on Grounds & Buildings, to whom the Report
of the Superintendent of Grounds & Buildings was referred, beg
leave to report.
That the various items of work ordered by the Board at
its annual meeting in June appear to have been vigerously carried
for the present postponement of which, a good reason is assigned,
in the anticipated approach of unsuitable (winter)
weather.
Your Committee note that in several instances the amounts
appropriated have been exceeded, namely
| In the Dispensary building by | 52.00 | |
| Heating the Chemical Laboratory by | 571.29 | |
| New seats in Lecture Rooms | 137.75 | |
| making a total excess of appropriations | $ 761.04 | |
| In addition to this there is contracted to be expended upon the new Ice pond |
$800. | |
| And for ice houses convenient to the same there is asked for |
400. | 1200.00 |
| And for pay of Policeman $80. per mo. | 960. | |
| And for pay of a foreman $75. per mo. | 900 | |
| 1860. | ||
| Deducting heretofore paid for police $50. per month |
600. | 1260.00 |
| Total unanticipated excess. | $3221.04 |
of this aggregate, the first amount of $761.04 having been
expended and paid, it is no longer open for consideration.
The reasons for constructing the new ice pond seem to
have been sufficient, namely the fear that ice gathered from
the former source of supply might a source of disease.
As the use of the existing ice ponds, contiguous to the
old pond, would necessitate a great amount of hauling, at
times when it might be impracticable to obtain teams upon
any reasonable terms we consider the construction of a new
recommend the approval of the work, and the appropriation
of the $1200. required for it.
Your Committee recommend the payment of $80.00 per month
for efficient day and night police as the same appears to be
necessary.
They are not prepared at present to recommend the employment
of a foreman at $75. per month.
The Committee call the attention of the Board to the fact
that the three out of four instances presented, amounts have
been expended beyond the sums appropriated. In one instance
the excess being more than 40% beyond the amount authorized,
and that too when the appropriation provided that the sum to
be expended should be "not exceeding" the amount named.
The Committee have no doubt that the money so expended
was deemed to be advantageously spent, but they feel constrained
to observe that that the utility of a system of Estimates and
appropriations, depends entirely upon a rigid adherence to the
principle, that there is no authority by which money can be
expended except by the provisions authorized by the Board, or
of the Executive Committee, within the limits of the functions
of the latter.
In view of an unanticipated expenditure of about $2000.,
as above shown, and the probable failure of collection of interest
on the R. & D. R. R. Bonds, this committee respectfully
refer the suggestion of the Superintendent, to add $1878.54 to
the General Appropriation for maintenance and Repairs to the
Finance Committee.
The following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, that in future the Proctor be directed to pay
no bills of any kind in excess of the appropriations made to
meet such bills, unless specially authorized to do so by the
Board or by the Executive Committee.
Resolved, that the nomination of Mr Jesse Ramsburgh of
Frederick, Md, by Mr B. F. Brown to the Valentine Birely
Scholarship is confirmed.
Resolved, that the Rector, Mr Gordon, and Mr T. S. Martin
be appointed a Committee of three to inquire and report
as to the condition of the investment in Richmond & Danville
Railroad bonds.
Resolved, that It shall be the duty of the Finance Committee
at least once in each year to examine all investments
of Funds of the University, actually seeing and counting the
securities, and making report thereon to the Board.
Profr Noah K. Davis having suggested to the Board the
propriety of appropriating about the sum of $500.00 to pay
off a small debt outstanding the tract of five acres of land
on the north side of the county road in rear of the Rotunda,
and to put the same in proper order and condition as grounds
for athletic sports and amusements for the students of the
University; and it appearing on investigation that, by virtue
of a deed bearing date on the 25th day of November 1887,
the title to four acres of said land stands vested in "The
International Committee of the Young Men's Christian Association"
on the 16th day of April 1863, and that, by virtue of a
deed bearing date on the 30th day of May 1888 the title to the
other acre of said land stands vested in Noah K. Davis, Wm M.
Thornton and A. P. Bibb as trustees for The Young Men's Christian
Association of the University of Virginia: Now therefore
it is
Resolved that Mr Noah K. Davis be requested to ascertain whether
or not and if at all on what terms the said land can be placed
under the dominion and control of the University authorities,
and to what extent the University is at present the University
is at present interested beneficially in said property.
Resolved, that the application of the Business Editors of
the University Magazine, and College Topics to have assigned
to them the use of Room 14 East Range for an editorial room,
etc. be referred to the Chairman of the Faculty to be disposed
of as to him seems best.
The Finance Committee submitted its report which was read,
approved and adopted together with its recommendations and is
in the following words and figures:
To the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia,
Gentlemen: The Committee on Finance beg leave to refer to
their annual report made in June last for information as to
the financial condition of the University for the current session.
The Committee regret to find from the report of the Superintendent
of Grounds and Buildings that in several instances
the allowances made by the Board have been exceeded. It is
keep within the limits of such appropriations. In order to
meet these expenditures in excess of the appropriations made
thereto, the Committee recommend the following appropriations,
to wit:
| For Dispensary | $ 52.00 |
| For Heating Chemical Laboratory | $571.24 |
| For Lecture Room Seats | $137.75 |
| Total | $760.99 |
It appears to the Committee that several appropriations in
addition to those provided for in the said annual report
should be made, and they therefore recommend the following
additional appropriations be made, to wit:
| For Construction of new Ice Pond | $ 800.00 |
| For Construction of new Ice Houses | 400.00 |
| For Publishing University Laws | 200.00 |
| For Additional pay for Policeman | 360.00 |
| Total additional appropriations | $1760.00 |
| Add appropriations for deficiencies from above |
760.99 |
| $2520.99 |
Your Committee regret that the finances of the University
will not permit the several appropriations asked by
the different members of the Faculty for their respective
schools.
R. L. Parrish
Thomas S. Martin
Marshall McCormick
Camm Patteson.
The Library Committee submitted its report which was
read, approved and adopted and is in the following words and
figures, to wit:
To the Rector and Board of Visitors of the University of
Virginia.
Your Committee herewith report that they adopt the suggestions
of the Chairman of the Faculty appended hereto as a
proper disposition of the $2500.00 set apart by the Finance
Committee for the Library for the fiscal year 1892-93 believing
it to be in all respects proper.
Basil B. Gordon
Camm Patteson
W. Gordon McCabe
Memorandum of Suggestions to the Library Committee of the
Board of Visitors as to the more pressing needs of the University
Library
1. More shelf room.
This is necessary in order to permit the classification of the
books now in the library and of new books as received. Partial
relief may be obtained by storing Public Documents in new
shelves to be erected in the Faculty room at a cost say of 5c
a volume for 6000 volumes, total $300.
The gradual absorption of the entire Rotunda for library purposes
is suggested as the best ultimate disposition of this building
2. A classified catalogue.
Thus alone can the present resources of the Library be made
entirely effective. A card catalogue is by the concurrent
testimony of the most skilful librarians the best, type written
and in duplicate (subjects and authors). Estimated cost
$1000.
3. A large file of current periodical literature.
The annual expenditure should be at least $500.
4. New books.
Each department should be brought abreast with the present
state of science and kept there.
The Committee on the Conduct of Schools and Examination
of Students submitted its report which was read and considered
and on motion the same was approved and adopted by a unanimous
vote, and is in the following words and figures, to wit,
To the Rector & Board of Visitors of the University of
Virginia,
Gentlemen, Owing to the interruptions inevitably incident to
the Final Exercises in the University, your Committee on the
Conduct of Schools was unable to present to the Board at the
meeting in June last certain matters of importance & asked for
further time to formulate recommendations touching these points.
The request was granted, & the Committee, after mature
deliberation, now makes the following recommendations=
That the system of elections for the B. A. degree be further
extended, & that the following orders be issued by the Board,
to date from the beginning of the Session of 1892-93:
I. The degree of Bachelor of Arts of the University of Virginia
shall be conferred on a student who has been graduated
in Eight (8) "B. A. Courses", of which at least one must be
elected from each of the following six groups=
1. Latin, Greek.
2. French, German, Spanish, & Italian.
3. General History, English Literature, Modern English.
4. Mathematics, Astronomy, Mechanics.
5. Chemistry, Physics, Geology, & Biology.
6. Logic, Political Economy & the Science of Society.
As stated above, the candidate for B. A. is required to elect
one subject from each of the 6 groups, but the other two courses,
making the Eight (8) necessary for the degree, may be
elected from the whole number of courses embraced in the six
groups.
II. The degree of Master of Arts of the University of Virginia
shall be conferred upon a Bachelor of Arts, who has been
graduated in "the M. A. Courses" in each of the four (4) "schools"
elected by himself & approved by the Faculty.
But it is expressly ordered that none of the work done in "the
B. A. courses" by the applicant for the degree of Master of Arts,
shall be counted again as part of the advanced work required in
the four (4) "schools", which the candidate may elect for his
"M. A. courses"
III. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of
Virginia shall be conferred on a Bachelor of Arts or Master of
Arts, who, in addition to having passed successfully a rigid
examination in graduate work in two (2) "schools", elected by
himself & approved by the Faculty, shall have prepared & printed
a thesis (approved by his Professors in the "schools" elected),
which shall evidence independent research or original treatment
of some subject belonging to the "school" elected as his major.
IV. The preliminary degree required of candidates for the M.A.
& Ph. D. degrees, may be that of this University or of some other
it is expressly ordered that the degree shall be submitted
for the approval of the Faculty (who shall have absolute power
to accept or reject the degree offered), & that the Candidate
must, in addition, be a graduate in "the B. A. courses" of
this University of such subjects as he elects for his M. A.
work, & in "the M. A. courses" of this University in the two
(2) "schools" elected for his Ph. D. work.
But this condition may be waived in favor of candidates
for the M. A. degree, who evidence upon examination adequate
preliminary training to pursue with profit, in addition to
the B. A. course, the more advanced work in each "school"
elected.
V. That the Course in "English & American History" in the
"School of Historical Science" is hereby declared an "M. A.
Course", (to date from the beginning of the session of 189293)
VI. That the course in "Early English" in the School of English
is hereby declared an "M. A. Course", (to date from the
beginning of the Session of 1892-93).
VII. That the Professor at the head of the "school of Historical
Science" be requested to provide an advanced or M. A.
course in "Political Economy & the Science of Society", in
addition to "the B. A. course" embraced in the six groups of
subjects given above in this Report.
VIII. That it is hereby ordered that any student electing
the "School of Historical Science" as one of the "schools"
for his Ph. D. work may elect work either in History or in
Political Economy & the Science of Society.
IX. That the nomenclature of "Junior", "Intermediate" &
"Senior" classes is hereby abolished & shall not appear in
the catalogue, official Reports or Class Lists of the University.
X. That the recommendation of the Faculty be granted that
the present law in regard to what is required of students
from other Medical Schools who desire to enter at once here
upon the second year's course in Medicine, be so modified that
the words "one course of lectures of 9 months or two courses
of less than 9 months" shall read "one course of 7 months or
two courses of less than 7 months".
For other matters recommended in the various reports from
members of the Faculty, submitted to this Committee, we respectfully
ask for further time with a view to more careful consideration.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
W. Gordon McCabe, Chairman
R. G. H. Kean
R. L. Parrish
Basil B. Gordon.
Report of the Committee on the revision of the Laws.
To the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia.
Your Committee of six, to whom was referred the subject
of the Revision of the Laws, by the resolution adopted on the
1st of July 1891, (Record p 275 [238]), availing themselves
of the authority conferred by said resolution, met at the
Greenbrier White Sulphur Springs on the 29th of July 1891, and
was three days in session, and worked with commendable
diligence, going over the entire report of Mr Dabney's work,
critically, and carefully and section by section.
It seemed to the Committee, that the Revised Laws of the
University should be divided into chapters with appropriate
headings, numbered with Roman numerals, and into sections with
Arabic numerals consecutively from the first to the last, from
1 to 301 inclusive. In going over Mr Dabney's, the Committee
sought to simplify, and abbreviate the Code as far as was consistent
with clearness. To this end they struck out many sections,
the subject, matter of which was dealt with in some other
place, generally making merely a reference to the section when
the subject was dealt with.
In a number of instances, sections which had been retained
by Mr Dabney because he found them upon the old record, which
however appeared to Your Committee to be no longer useful, were
stricken out, as obsolete or unuseful.
In many other instances, amendments, some merely verbal,
others, substantial, and growing out of a definite policy, were
made, or new sections substituted in place of those reported.
In doing this work, each member of the Committee was furnished
with a copy of Mr Dabney's report, and made thereon corrections
or alterations, which were agreed upon by the Committee.
In most instances, these corrections, or alterations were
agreed on unanimously. In a few cases there was a diference of
opinion, among the members of the Committee, and in some cases,
it was felt that it was best that certain subjects (a few in
the action of the Board itself. With the exception of the
matters thus reserved, Your Committee herewith return and
report the copy of Mr Dabney's draft, with the omissions,
corrections and substitutions made the Committee and with
the division into Chapters, and sections noted, and recommend
its adoption in this form so soon as the matters so reserved
shall be dealt with by the Board.
In order to bring this long protracted, and much needed
work to a close, Your Committee respectfully recommend, that
the Board proceed to deal with the open questions so reserved,
and as soon as they are disposed of, provide that the laws as
so revised be ordered to be printed from the corrected draft
herewith submitted.
It is recommended further that Chap. LXVIII. of the Code
of Virginia be printed with and prefixed to the Laws as so
printed, and the pamphlet be entitled, "Laws of the University
of Virginia 1892". That 5000, copies of the same be printed
for the use of the University, the printing to be done by contract
to be made by the Proctor, the proof to be corrected and
a proper index prepared by Mr Walter D. Dabney, or such other
person as the Rector may designate. That when printed, two
copies be given to each professor, and assistant professor,
and one each to all other officers of the University, and to
each Hotel Keeper, and to the Chairman as such, 100 copies,
and that the rest of the Edition be delivered to the Librarian,
to be safely kept; and issued only on the written order of the
Chairman of the Faculty to each of the officers, professors or
instructors of the University who may need one, for his own use.
This report was ready for submission to the Board at the
annual meeting in June last (1892), but as it became obvious
from the quantity of work about current matters, then before
the Board, that it could not be dealt with, the Board informally
postponed the consideration of the subject, to the present
meeting.
The acknowledged importance of the subject calls for final
action as soon as practicable.
Respectfully submitted,
Decr 8th 1892.
R. G. H. Kean, Chairman
R. L. Parrish
Camm Patteson.
The report of the Committee on revision of the Laws of the
University, of which the foregoing is a copy was submitted to
the Board and with it the copy of Mr Dabney's draft of the
laws referred to in said report, also a memorandum by the Committee
of subjects referred to in the report as not acted upon
but reserved for the action of the Board itself.
The report was read and considered and the Board acted
upon said open questions reserved for it and the result of its
action made to appear in said copy, thus completing the Code.
Thereupon on motion the said report, includings its recommendations,
and said Code, were approved and adopted by a unanimous
vote.
Rector
Secretary.
| Board of Visitors minutes December 8, 1892 | |