University of Virginia Library

The article about the University
Senate appears to be a step in the
right direction to provide leadership
to students, faculty and staff in the
concerns of the University community,
whether physical or social.
Leadership is also needed in times
of emergency, when decisions must
be made by those on the scene and
later analyzed by responsible
government.

Although I have no official
capacity to endorse the creation of
leadership structures, it does appear
to me that we could use representatives
of such a body as the senate
and the organizations from which
they are chosen. Elements of such
in-depth leadership could participate
in the emergency planning
function as well as make contributions
to the normal plans for
improvement.

Long and hard work on such
ideas and analyses can refine a
system of representative democracy
so that it can survive the turbulence
and troubles that beset it. It is my
hope that we can contribute to
"continuity of government" in
times of serious natural or accidental
disaster and even "grave
national peril."

This is a genuine community of
scholars, but these are people too.
They must have a framework of
leadership. Some need it for protection.
Some need it as a way to
express themselves as all reach
upward toward light and enlightenment
Let us never fear that Mr.
Jefferson's spirit of democracy will
die as long as there is a willingness
to exchange ideas. It does appear
that your paper is now embarking
on a more positive exchange of
ideas. Anything we can contribute
for mutual understanding will be
gladly offered and the opportunity
to participate in our courses can be
included too.