University of Virginia Library

A Controlling Principle
Is Coherence

(72) The preceding catalog of needs does not pretend to be
exhaustive, but does attempt to show that the kinds of
solutions developed for "problem" situations should not be
ad hoc, rule-of-thumb, thoughtless, or necessarily traditional.
The solutions must be articulated with the governing
philosophy of the campus and must not war against the fragile
condition of community and genuine inquiry which will not
occur of its own accord but will stand a chance of springing up
if nurtured. A policy or a facility or a piece of equipment that
is merely "nice" or different" or "interesting" is not
automatically qualified for inclusion at Birdwood. It must first
of all "fit in."

(73)This does not mean, on the other hand, that we should
place rigid boundaries around our thinking. The early stage of
planning for Birdwood should involve a great deal of individual
and collective "brainstorming." We should run a great many
flags up the flagpole, and even if we see some that we don't
really respond to initially, we ought to look at them long
enough to make a rational decision, not a reflexive one. I
would here, for example, raise a few flags in conclusion as
matters that might well be considered but on which I myself
have given no extensive thinking: