University of Virginia Library

Madison Men Versus
Boys Of University

The following two letters, the second
in response to the first appeared
in the Madison School Breeze on Monday,
November 13. The Cavalier Daily
presents them here for the diversion
of its readers. —Ed.

Although I may sound prejudiced,
I feel I must say something
about the invitations to the
Freshman and Sophomore Mixer
to the various schools in the area.
Why was Virginia left out? For
years they have extended gracious
invitations to the students of Madison
to their football games, dances,
opening week-ends, etc.

The Virginia Cavaliers are
gentlemen, an image the men on
our own campus should look up
to and try to imitate. Could it be
they don't want Virginia taking
the girls away? Any guy who
makes himself pleasing in a girl's
eyes will have no trouble getting
a date, and the beating up of boys
from other schools doesn't help
the Madison men's image one bit,
in fact, it shows their immaturity.

I probably won't attend the
mixer, but, if I did, I would be
pleased to see a gentleman among
the crowd. It isn't fair when
gracious invitations are extended
to us, so, why leave them out?

Although we may sound prejudiced,
we feel we must say
something in rebuttal to Miss
Emerson's letter to the editor about
Virginia "gentlemen."

There is no denying that these
"gentlemen" have, in the past,
extended "gracious" invitations to
the Madison ladies to attend their
football games, dances, and other
social activities. This we commend.
But we do not commend their
ulterior motives. After meeting
several of these so called "gentlemen,"
and getting to know
them, it is plain to us that quite
a few of them are just pleasure-seeking
"boys" looking for fun.
In any event, this was the impression
displayed to us by their
actions.

We are trying to look at this
problem with an open mind, not
with a closed one. Living at a nearby
motel, a favorite UVa. stop on
weekends, we have come into contact
with a number of these "gentlemen."
Approximately 75 per
cent of those we have met, appear
nothing more than spoiled young
"boys," engaged in the sport of
woman-chasing, seemingly at the
expense of others. (note: approximately
75 per cent of our acquaintances).
They return night
after night telling luscious tales of
their experiences at Madison. Inebriated,
disorderly, and "ever so
cool," is this the image we should
try to imitate? We strongly feel
Miss Emerson's concept of a "gentleman"
is entirely out of
proportion.

We do agree that any guy who
makes himself pleasing to a girl's
eye should have no trouble getting
a date. Approximately 25 per cent
of those we have met from Virginia
fall into this category. It is
this minority group we welcome to
Madison.

Now in reference to the "mob
brutality" on behalf of the Madison
men to the Virginia "boys,"
(note: the use of Madison "men"
and Virginia "boys" in Miss Emerson's
article) are you aware of the
extenuating circumstances concerning
their dates on those weekends?
If not, ask the young women
who have dated these "gentlemen,"
what they encountered.
We feel you will be extremely
surprised.

Although we have not met Miss
Emerson personally, we are sure
that she is an "authority" on
college social life. To make such
a comparison between Virginia
"boys" and Madison "men," she
must have dated quite extensively
during her first full eight weeks
here. She also appears to be one
of the few students on this campus
who are entirely misinformed.. Virginia
was invited!!!