University of Virginia Library

Gratifying Returns

In terms of voter turnout, the College
concluded its most successful election ever
yesterday. We think that the 73 per cent
turnout is a good indication that students
were finally concerned and committed over an
Honor Committee election - something we
had hoped to contribute to when we
undertook to expand our election coverage to
include substantive campaign issues.

We congratulate the winner and offer our
thanks to the losers whose efforts helped to
make the election successful and significant.
The campaign might have been a bit cleaner -
we don't feel that there is ever any
justification for the type of self-righteous ad
hominem attacks and aspersions that occurred
in it; but it was a hard fought battle between
candidates who were deeply committed to
their conception of the Honor System rather
than to procuring a gold star on their brag
sheets.

Mr. Clement will undoubtedly have an
arduous year. He will have to find a way to
reckon accurately the true support for the
Honor System. He may then be faced with the
more difficult task of leading the Committee
to some sort of agreement on changes which
may or may not have to be made. He will have
to learn to live with the fact that he may be
the Chairman who goes down in history as the
one who "tampered" with an Honor System
which has served the University for 127 years.
Such a charge would be ridiculous of course,
since it will be the opinion of the students,
rather than his own, that dictates any changes.
Nonetheless, the possibility will weight heavily
on his mind.

We would be remiss here if we failed to
commend Larry Altaffer and the rest of the
outgoing Honor Committee for their work
this year. They have opened new areas of
study and consideration in their term in
office, and their work will undoubtedly be of
great aid in the coming year.