University of Virginia Library

The First Fruit

One of the administration's recent
decisions which has been most offensive to
students of the University was the one which
required that all entering undergraduates pay
a $100 deposit on their rooms in the dorms
for next year. Under the decision, they were
not required to live in the dorms, but if they
chose to live elsewhere they forfeited the
$100. It was only natural that the students
who went to the Mountain Lake conference
shared the repugnance to this decision with
their fellow students. Thus it was only natural
that it was one of the issues on which they
argued most passionately and forcefully.

Apparently their arguments were
satisfactory and acceptable to those who heard
them. Mr. Shannon's announcement yesterday
to rescind the decision-much more rapid
action than anyone dreamed of-seems to
confirm our speculation about the increased
receptiveness of administrators to student
feelings as a result of the conference. Mr.
Shannon heard the students' opinions on the
matter, was impressed with the legitimacy of
them, and acted accordingly. Once again
administrative receptiveness to a reasonable
student request has girded up that bridge
between generations.