EXTENSION SERVICES
I. Extension Classes
Extension classes are courses of instruction corresponding to courses offered
regularly in the University. They are taught by members of the University
faculty or instructors approved by the appropriate Schools or Departments of
the University and are offered for the benefit of persons unable to take courses
in residence. Extension classes are under the administration, supervision and
control of the University. Each extension course represents a definite amount
of study corresponding to an equivalent amount of work required in residence and,
when completed satisfactorily by persons meeting the entrance requirements of the
University, offers the same credit.
The ultimate purpose is to be able to say to any community in the state
that whenever as many as fifteen people come together for systematic study in
any given subject competent instruction will be offered.
An annual catalogue announcing courses offered in Extension is published
for free distribution and will be sent upon request.
Co-operation with Other Virginia Colleges.—In 1926 the University, in
co-operation with Roanoke College, adopted temporarily a plan for conducting
jointly extension classes in the city of Roanoke. This plan with certain modifications
by mutual consent of the two institutions has been continued. The organization
of the work is under the direction of the Roanoke center of the
University Extension Division. Members of the faculty of the University and
of Roanoke College conduct the classes.
Because the demand for extension courses is greater than the University
can meet with its own faculty, and because the plan described above has proven
satisfactory, the University has invited other colleges to participate in the extension
class work on a co-operative basis. Besides Roanoke College, Washington
and Lee University, Harrisonburg State Teachers College, Fredericksburg State
Teachers College, Randolph-Macon College, Sweet Briar College, Randolph-Macon
Woman's College, Farmville State Teachers College, Hampden-Sydney
College and Emory and Henry College have arranged to assist in this work
for the year 1929-1930. It is hoped that this co-operative plan may be extended
to include other higher educational institutions in the state as soon as
resources permit.
Extension Centers.—In addition to the main office at the University, it
has been found practical to establish several Extension centers in various sections
of the state where local offices may be established and from which the
work of the community or section can be conducted. These centers with the
addresses are as follows:
Richmond. Richmond School of Social Work and Public Health, Corner
Franklin and Shafer Streets.
Roanoke. Roanoke Chamber of Commerce Building.
Lynchburg. Second story of J. P. Bell Book Co., 816 Main Street.
Petersburg. Chamber of Commerce Building, Washington Street.
The work for the rest of the state is conducted through the central office
at the University.
II. Short Courses and Lectures
The Division of Extension offers a number of short courses or lecture conferences,
with meetings on consecutive days or at weekly intervals, which are
devoted to the study of some particular problem in which any group of persons
may be interested. No credit towards a degree is offered for work completed
in the Short Courses and the work is given merely for whatever benefit the
student may derive from it.
Lectures of a popular or technical nature or addresses for community and
club meetings and other special occasions are arranged by special request upon
payment of a minimum charge.
III. Correspondence Courses
The Division of Extension is offering for the first time Courses by Correspondence.
No credit towards a University degree will be given for the completion
of courses, but the State Department of Education will accept work completed
through the Correspondence Bureau towards the raising or renewing of
state teachers' certificates.
The Correspondence Courses are prepared in order to reach students throughout
the state who are so situated that they cannot enroll in Extension classes.
They are designed to furnish competent instruction and guidance in study where
class work is impossible.
Announcements of Correspondence Courses will be sent upon request.
IV. Visual Instruction
The function of this Bureau is to develop a larger visual education library
to meet more adequately the needs of the schools and civic groups in the state,
and to make available through co-operation with the University faculty visual
materials in order that the educational resources of the University may be
further extended through the state. This Bureau has also accepted the responsibility
of encouraging school administrators to provide for visual education in
their school programs. This Bureau has already a fair size library of motion
picture films which includes the complete set of the Yale Chronicles of America
Photoplays and a number of slides on historical, geographical and technical subjects
for loan to schools and civic groups. The following specific services are
offered.
(1) Motion pictures for school and community purposes.
(2) Lantern slides for school and community purposes.
(3) Advisory service on visual education problems.
(4) Exhibits of art prints.
To create more general interest in art and to facilitate a more universal
application of artistic principles in the home and in the public
life of the state, the Extension Division has a collection of
art prints. Thus far its offerings consist chiefly in the loan of
exhibits of Medici Prints of famous paintings to schools, churches
and other organizations throughout the state. The prints are arranged
by schools and include reproductions from the Italian,
Flemish, French, English, German and Spanish.
(5) Bulletin service.
V. School Relations
The Virginia High School Literary and Athletic League has been conducting
interscholastic literary and athletic contests in Virginia schools since 1913.
The operation and control of the League is now shared by the Extension Division
with representatives elected by the schools in all sections of the state, and
with two supervisors of the State Board of Education. All public high schools
of the state are eligible for membership in the League, while the private preparatory
schools are invited to participate as a distinct class in some of the
athletic and literary contests.
In 1926-1927 by action of the Legislative Council of the League, membership
dues were inaugurated. During the school year 1928-1929, 175 public high
schools of the state became members—9 in the Class A, or large city group;
39 in Class B, or intermediate city group; and 125 of the Class C, or county
school group.
In athletics, the program of contests includes football, basketball, baseball,
tennis, and track; in literary work, debate, public speaking, public reading, essay,
verse, short story, publications and spelling. The League program in as many
fields as is practicable submits criticisms of the year's work to all schools. The
various departments of the University aid in reviewing the materials entered in
the contests and their criticisms are sent each individual school for the purpose
of fostering higher scholastic standards. In this manner each department of
the University has the opportunity of relating itself to the secondary school
and expanding its educational influence into every corner of the state. For determination
of championships, schools are classified according to size and divided
into districts according to location. In 1928-1929 fifty-five bronze and silver
trophies were awarded to schools whose representatives were successful in state
and class literary and athletic championships. These trophies are awarded to
the school and not to the individual representative. Ninety state monograms
were awarded at the state interscholastic track meet and final literary contests.
A basketball tournament in the fall for county schools and a state track
meet and tennis tournament and the final state literary contests in May bring
together a large and select group of high school students.
Local or interschool competition is also sponsored. Through the co-operation
of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, 244 gold, 235 silver and 371 bronze medals
were awarded in the past year to pupils who achieved certain athletic standards or
were winners in local literary activities.
VI. Publications
For the purpose of disseminating information and carrying the results of
study, research, and investigation of its faculty to as many people as possible,
the Division of Extension publishes twelve bulletins on various subjects each
year. Most of the bulletins are issued free of charge, but for some a nominal
price is set which covers only the cost of printing. The Division of Extension
also issues regularly a leaflet, "Extension Topics," which is chiefly a letter to
Extension students serving as a bond between them and the University; and "Extension
News," which is circulated widely as a medium of information about the
classes, publications and activities of the Division. Special care is given to the
task of placing the printed materials in the hands of those who most appreciate
and profit by them. A leaflet published annually describes available Extension
publications.
VII. Citizenship Education
The services of the Bureau of Citizenship Education include the single lecture,
the short course consisting of three to ten lectures in citizenship and government,
citizenship institutes, and the furnishing of information. The single lecture deals
with citizenship in a general way unless some particular subject is requested.
The short course begins with a general study of the mechanics of local, state, or
national government and continues with their application to the life of the citizen.
The institutes are arranged upon request in co-operation with the Virginia
League of Women Voters or other state organizations. They deal with problems
of a state-wide nature in the field of government and citizenship.
Supplying answers to specific questions in the field of citizenship and government
is a service of the bureau less conspicuous to report but no less important,
inasmuch as it meets an immediate and pressing need of the individual. In addition
to direct public services the instructor in charge compiles bulletins on phases
of citizenship and government not only for the bureau but also for the Virginia
High School Literary and Athletic League when the subject of debate concerns
government. Similarly the instructor compiles package libraries and bibliographies
on governmental questions.
VIII. Package Libraries
The function of this Bureau is to assemble information and reference material
on subjects of current interest for the use of organizations or individuals
requesting such data. The material is furnished at a nominal charge for postage
and packing. Clippings from a number of newspapers and magazines of general
appeal are filed, and bulletins of national and state organizations collected.
Especial attention is given to supplying the needs of members of the Virginia
High School League for material on the subject of the state-wide debate.
IX. Bureau of School and Community Drama
The Bureau of School and Community Drama has as its immediate purpose
assistance in the selection of suitable plays for schools and community organizations.
It also offers help in the actual production or staging of plays.
In a few communities of the state personal assistance in play production will
be offered.
Printed announcements giving more fully the services that can be rendered
by this Bureau will be sent upon request.
