University of Virginia Library

STATEMENT OF THE RECTOR AND VISITORS CONCERNING THE FUTURE
OF THE UNIVERSITY

An ad hoc committee, appointed by the Rector to draft a statement following extensive discussion at a preliminary meeting submitted a draft for the consideration of the Board. The committee members were Mr. Robert P. Buford, Chairman, Mr. Donald E. Santarelli, Mr. Warren B. French, Jr., and Vice-President Crawford and Shea.

In developing the final statement, the Rector made it clear that the University either already has the necessary facilities, or that they are under construction, or are funded to increase the enrollment to 15,000 students by 1976.

Before a vote was taken, the President, Vice-President Shannon, and Vice-President Shea expressed approval of the statement.

The following statement was then adopted by the Board of Visitors without dissent:

In accordance with the historic role of the University of Virginia as the capstone of education in the Commonwealth and as an institution of national prominence and in recognition of its obligation to all the people of the Commonwealth, it shall be the policy of the University to enroll all qualified Virginia residents who seek admission here, without regard to race, religion, or sex, providing financial assistance where necessary to the extent of available funds.

To implement this policy it was necessary to study past enrollment history, the availability of facilities and the prospective growth of the University. A Committee on the Future of the University, composed of representatives of the administration, faculty and student body, has completed this study and its report has been carefully considered by the Board of Visitors. An important point considered by the Board is the increasing number of transfer students from the community college system.

Clearly the demand for admission to the University must be balanced against the availability of suitable facilities, both existing and under construction or funded, and account must be taken of appropriate faculty to student ratios.

After considering the Report of the Committee, the recommendations of the President and the views expressed by the Student Council, the Board of Visitors has determined that the total enrollment of the University must be increased from its present level to approximately 15,000 for the 1976 session. Additionally, if funds are made available for necessary faculty and facilities, the enrollment must be increased to approximately 16,000 by 1980. This is substantially less than the 18,088 students previously projected for 1980.

In order to assure the admission of qualified Virginia residents, the Board directs the President that no arbitrary limits are to be applied to enrollment except that the number of out-of-State students admitted for the next several years shall be limited to the number entering for the fall 1972 session. (Preliminary estimate - 1465)

The Board proposes to review at regular intervals the determinations set forth in this Statement.

(Conclusion of Statement)

The Rector expressed appreciation to the students, faculty, administrators, and members of the Board who worked so diligently to gather and interpret the extensive information which formed the basis of the statement. In view of the diligent efforts of the various segments of the University, and the sustained attention of the Board to these important matters, the Rector expressed satisfaction with the statement, describing it as one that the University can live with with no sense of holding back, and one that honestly deals with the issues.

Noting the final paragraph of the statement, Mr. William S. Potter requested that the determinations set forth in the statement be reviewed each time new official enrollment projections are requested by the State.

The President added his thanks to those of the Rector to the Board, the drafting committee and to the senior administrative officers for the excellent work done to bring this statement to its finished form.

The President announced that in light of the Report of the Committee on the Future of the University that steps have already been taken to improve the management, conversion, and planning of space. In view of the Board's statement, he advised that the enrollment of the entering class will not be frozen.