University of Virginia Library

Overcoming "Bigness"

The University has not yet
reached the stage of "bigness,"
but the day is rapidly approaching
when it will. The report
states, "The University is in a
position to avoid the difficulties
of "bigness" if it takes the proper
precautions now. But if the
chance is missed in the next
building of dorms, it seems inevitable
that just such a problem
could arise.

Elliott Perkins, in the Founder's
Day Address he gave in
April, 1965, was very concerned
with the use of residence as an
educational force. In particular,
he recommended the residential
college system as a means of
acquiring the objectives of higher
education: