University of Virginia Library

"4-1-4" Rebuttal

Much as I, as a student would
welcome any system by which
"something for nothing" may be
"learned" by the student and
much as I am certainly forward-looking
enough to recognize the
need for academic changes at the
U., I cannot condone the proposal
cited in the CD editorial of
February 14 ("4-1-4") for the
following reasons:

It is impractical. Such an innovation
would entail need-less
paperwork and would only, in the
tradition of true Virginia conservatism,
create a bureaucratic
mess.

It is unrealistic. Such a program
is based on the premise that this
is a University comprised overwhelmingly
of students interested
more in their academic pursuits
than their grade-points. That this
is not the case is seen by such
events as the rapid filling-up of
courses known to be easy (and the
subsequent lack of capacities in
courses known to be hard), often
with complete disregard to their
academic worth for the student.
Surely if this student body were
dedicated wholly to the pursuit
of intellectual worlds, such a
system could be praised as a valid
contribution to the furtherance of
intellectual freedom.

It is unnecessary. Any students
wishing such academic freedom as
this system would provide must
prove (for example, through the
Honors Program) that they have
the academic responsibility.

Let me suggest that The Cavalier
Daily, in recognising the need
for reform at the University, not
to be too hasty in appraising the
reality of the situation.

Gregory Krimer

Such a program as a 4-1-4 system
has been used effectively at Williams
College and at Hollins College, where
an independent study program has
operated for several years.-Ed.