University of Virginia Library

REPORTS BY STANDING COMMITTEES

Mrs. E. Alton Parrish, Sr., Chairman of the Mary Washington College Committee, reported that the Committee endorsed the resolution recommending independent status for Mary Washington College. She commended the President for his sustained efforts to support the Committee in its attempt to consider fully the issue in time for action by the General Assembly at the current session. She pointed out that the President, accompanied by Dr. Kendig and Mr. Bice, had attended a briefing session on the matter conducted by the State Council of Higher Education on January 5, 1972. She concluded her report by thanking her Committee and the Board for their generous assistance and support throughout her tenure.

Mr. C. Stuart Wheatley, Chairman of the Educational Policy Committee, advised that a report on Graduate Arts and Sciences admissions was presented to the Committee by Dean Dexter Whitehead. The report reveals that the demand for admission to the Graduate School is strong. He also reported that during the meeting of the Committee the Rector commended the President for his efforts in setting limits on undergraduate enrollment. The President set limits on entering undergraduate student enrollment, stressing opportunity for the enrollment of transfer students.

A report on the activities of the Committee on the Future of the University by Vice-President David Shannon, scheduled for presentation at the Educational Policy Committee was postponed to the full Board meeting because of the general interest of the Board in that report.

Vice-President Shannon, Chairman of the Committee on the Future of the University, an administrative committee, is actively re-examining the enrollment projections made last March. Three work groups are investigating the projections. One of these is studying the internal situation, stressing the importance of determining how many faculty members will be required to achieve excellence, another group is working to determine the effect of enrollment on the environment, and a third group is studying what has happened at other universities that have grown to determine whether or not the changes have been beneficial. A report of the Committee's findings will be made to the President.

Vice-President Shannon then reported on the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Committee on a School of Public Affairs, headed by Mr. Frederick Mosher. The committee recommends the establishment of a graduate school for public affairs, offering a two year masters degree. The school would serve as a liaison with the Federal Executive Institute, would be interdisciplinary for both research and instruction, would be involved in comprehensive health care planning, and certain other functions. It would be a small school of 125-175 students. Vice-President Shannon gave his report to the Board for information at this time, advising that though a decision as to whether to continue planning for the establishment of the school has not yet been made, he is inclined to go forward with the plans.

Mr. J. Sloan Kuykendall, Chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, advised that his Committee had approved the preliminary plans for Law and Graduate Business Housing. Also reported was approval of a proposal to purchase the Cochran Property near the Children's Rehabilitation Center and receipt of a report that the bids on the Law School were approved after modifications were made. The Committee heard from Mr. Richard Shutts, Business Manager, a detailed report on the proposed pay parking plan.

In the absence of Mr. William S. Potter, Mr. Wright Harrison reported as Chairman pro tem of the Finance Committee that the Finance Committee is indebted to Mr. A. J. G. Priest and Mr. Harold Young who performed valued service to the Board of Visitors in the sale of the Hobbs Gas Company. The Secretary was directed to write letters thanking Mr. Priest and Mr. Young on behalf of the Board.

Mr. Harrison reported that the Committee approved strongly the appointment of Mr. Ward Sims as the Director of Development. Among the other items reported was the authorization by the Finance Committee of the sale of $17,000 worth of jewelry from the Christian Estate.

Dr. Edwin L. Kending, Chairman of the Medical Committee, reported that the graduate programs in Nursing are developing in a most satisfactory manner. There are eight students enrolled in each of the majors. He also reported that the proposed psychiatric institute funded by the Department of Mental Hygiene and Hospitals is to be located in the University of Virginia Medical Center. He reported that the Virginia Chapter of the American Cancer Society has established a cancer professorship at the Medical College of Virginia and one at the University of Virginia and that Dr. Shelton Horsley has been nominated for the Chair. He further reported that the prepaid health plan for the University employees will cost $39.16 per month, and that the final approval must come from the Legal Adviser and the Vice-President for Business and Finance.

The Rector thanked Dr. Kendig for his report, and for his outstanding service to the Medical Committee, to the Board of Visitors, and to the University.

Mr. W. Wright Harrison, Chairman of the Student Affairs and Athletics Committee, reported that his Committee had heard a report from Dr. James Camp, Director of Student Health. In view of the expressions of interest in the report, Mr. Harrison requested that copies of the report be mailed to members of the Board.

Mr. Harrison reported that the Student Affairs and Athletics Committee heard an excellent report from two impressive students, Mr. Ross A. Howell and Mr. Terry A. Dan who are co-chairmen of the Residence House Counselors. Mr. Harrison expressed high praise for the constructive work of the Residence House Counselors.

A discussion of the forthcoming budget hearings before the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees of the General Assembly of Virginia followed. Vice-President Crawford advised that some aspects of the budget may be questioned at the hearings. He expressed the view that the testimony of Mr. Philip Chabot, a member of Student Council, may have serious reverberations. An opponent of University enrollment growth, Mr. Chabot testified before the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees of the General Assembly of Virginia on January 25, 1972.