University of Virginia Library

Ongoing Service

In contradistinction, Mr.
Shannon's view of the University is
one of an ongoing service instituted
to meet continued state needs. He
must make do with what the
University has today and plan
better things for tomorrow. Its
contribution to the state
supplements other state
institutions. For example, other
colleges, many primary and
secondary schools, highways, police
and fire protection, etc. all are a
part of the total picture of the state
providing for the welfare of its
citizens. Consequently, as Mr.
Shannon astutely noted, the
University competes in stiff
competition with other state
institutions for scarce resources.

This casts Mr. Shannon as the
University's chief administrative
official, in a political role. One may
surmise from Mr. Shannon's own
remarks that he is not a "president"
in the truest sense, but a mere agent
of the state. This is not to imply
that he does not consider himself as
a catering to two sots of
needs-those of the state and his
students. Rather, where needs
conflict, the pinch is necessarily to
be felt by students.