University of Virginia Library

ORIGIN AND PURPOSE

The Extension activities of the University of Virginia have developed
gradually over a period of years. Even before the term "university extension"
came into popular use, the University was in numerous ways directing
its thought and talents to the life of the state as a whole in addition to
teaching its regular students. About 1915 conscious effort was made to coordinate
these extra-mural activities and to establish within the institution
an organization the purpose of which would be to make the University's resources
more readily and effectively available to the life of the state. It
was at this period that the Extension Division was established as an integral
part of the University. In 1925 a full-time Director of the Extension
Division was appointed.

Since the establishment of the Extension Division, the University's conception
of its function afield has enlarged and undergone modification. The
University's present conception of its duties and responsibilities extramurally

is due to its reflective thought on the problems no less than to the
influence coming from sister institutions active in the field of Extension and
to the reactions toward its activities carried on throughout the state.