University of Virginia Library

Increased Pressure

Although Mr. Shannon did not
mention who determines the
entering class size, he did say that
expansion of the student body was
the result of increased pressure
from qualified applicants. He
wanted us to believe that the 1960
projected enrollment of 18,000 "is
not an objective of mine or the
Board of Visitors," that he was the
last to yield, but did so by the
facts. That is, the admissions policy
is based on an "attempt to make a
factual assessment of the 18 to 21
year old" qualified applicant pool.
Because of his frequent reference to
the State Council on Higher
Education, I sensed that his general
criterion (as opposed to a specific
criterion based on the University's
capacity) evolved as a duty to the
state vis-a-vis the State Council
which extracts expansion
commitments from state colleges
and universities.

Mr. Shannon stressed the fact
that the number of in-state high
school graduates wanting to
matriculate at the University has
soared in recent years.
Consequently, the University must
admit ever increasing numbers of
potential collegians in order to
remain a "viable institution of the
state." He apparently defines
viability in political terms as a
positive response to pressure.
"Pressure comes from qualified
applicants." Mr. Shannon did not
indicate that there was considerable
pressure at this time. Thus, he
thinks anticipatively.