University of Virginia Library

APPROVAL OF POLICY STATEMENT ON USE OF THE CENTRAL GROUNDS

• The following resolution was adopted:
• RESOLVED by The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia that the following policy statement on the Use of the Historic Central Grounds of the University be and it is hereby approved:

General Statement:

The Historic Central Grounds, consisting of the Rotunda, the Lawn, the Amphitheatre and the Pavilion Gardens, is the focal point of interest for visitors to this institution as well as for members of the University community. Emphasis is placed upon accessibility. This area and these facilities are to be enjoyed by the public they attract. The Gardens and the Lawn are primarily for viewing, and traffic and use which would encroach upon the planted areas are to be discouraged. A certain dignity is to be observed in the use of the Rotunda. It is not to stand as a sterile shrine, neither is it to be envisaged as an auxiliary lecture hall nor a substitute student union.

These statements of policy shall be reviewed periodically by a standing committee, known as the Historic Central Grounds Committee, which may make recommendations for changes to the President. Until changed, they are to be administered by the Curator of the Historic Central Grounds.

ROTUNDA - GENERAL

The restored Rotunda will permanently house furnishings of great value and a substantial segment of the University's first library collection, which Mr. Jefferson assembled. From time to time other valuable collections will be exhibited. As a consequence, security measures will be required with attendants on hand to insure their effectiveness.

Occasionally the Dome Room may be in use while the building is open, and the interior design makes it impossible to secure it. Stands should be placed on the stairways notifying visitors when the Dome Room is temporarily closed.

The Rotunda will normally be locked at 5:00 p.m. for the night. If any room is reserved for use after 5:00 p.m., security guards will be on duty in the Rotunda and the cost of this security service will be charged to the organization making the reservation.

When a request is made for room reservation, the Curator may consult with the Historic Central Grounds Committee to determine if the proposed use is in compliance with this policy. The denial of a reservation request by the Curator may be appealed through normal administrative channels.

ROTUNDA - DOME ROOM

Guided tours of the Dome Room will be available when the room is not reserved for special occasions. Such occasions might include University-wide receptions and dinners, special ceremonies, and official entertainment of groups by the President. In each case, the occasion should be of such importance and general interest to the University community as to warrant the special recognition of a Rotunda presentation.

Requests for reservations may be made to the Curator who will schedule the use of this room.

There will be a use charge for each reserved use of the Dome Room, plus an hourly security charge after 5:00 p.m. The capacity of the room for banquet use is 134 persons; for receptions, 170 persons. Food and beverages served in the Dome Room are to be obtained through and served by University Food Services.

ROTUNDA - MAIN LEVEL - WEST OVAL ROOM

This room will be furnished as a ceremonial office and will be occupied by the Chairman of the Bicentennial Committee during 1976. Its primary use is that of a ceremonial office for the President of the University, an appropriate place to greet visiting dignitaries.

The Curator of the Rotunda will have a desk in this room after 1976. The room itself will be on view to the public.

ROTUNDA - MAIN LEVEL - EAST OVAL ROOM

This room is designated as the Board of Visitors room and can seat 30 persons at its conference table. Its primary use is that of a meeting room for the Board. On certain special occasions, it may be scheduled by the Curator for other meetings.

When not in use for meetings, this room will be on view to the public.

ROTUNDA - MAIN LEVEL - NORTH OVAL ROOM

This room will be used as a conference room and can accommodate 15 persons. A desk for the Curator may be located here during 1976. The Curator will schedule the use of this room.

ROTUNDA - LOWER LEVEL - EAST OVAL ROOM

This room has a seating capacity of 110 persons. Furnished with chairs and display cases, it will be used primarily as a visitors' center and assigned to the University Guide Service.

ROTUNDA - LOWER LEVEL - WEST OVAL ROOM

This room may be reserved for lectures and meetings of University-wide appeal. Use of the room for honor trials will have priority over other uses.

This room will be scheduled by the Curator and any food or beverages served must be obtained through and served by University Food Services. Seating capacity of the room is 110 persons.

ROTUNDA - LOWER LEVEL - NORTH OVAL ROOM

This room will be used as a conference room and will be scheduled by the Curator. The north door will normally be kept locked.

HISTORIC CENTRAL GROUNDS - THE LAWN

Any formal use of the Lawn other than for academic processions is discouraged. In particular, the Lawn should not be used as an athletic playing field. The Amphitheatre is to be appropriately used for outdoor events.

HISTORIC CENTRAL GROUNDS - THE GARDENS

The gardens of the Pavilions are public areas. Those garden areas adjacent to the Pavilions are not required to be open to the public at all times. They are to be open when not in personal use, and they must be open on certain occasions, e.g., Garden Week. To temporarily close these gardens for personal use by the Pavilion residents, an appropriate sign may be placed upon the gates notifying the public. Where a garden is divided into two portions by an intervening wall, the remote section shall be open to the public at all times. The use of the gardens for social gatherings of University organizations is to be permitted where consistent with the occupancy of the Pavilion as a home by the resident.

RESERVATIONS -

Any group wishing to reserve the Amphitheatre, any Pavilion garden or any room in the Rotunds shall first obtain a reservation from the Curator of the Historic Central Grounds. No reservation of any adjacent garden shall be made except with the consent of the resident of the Pavilion, who shall be contacted by the Curator. For this purpose the Assistant to the President shall be considered the resident of Pavilion VIII, the Secretary of the Colonnade Club the resident of Pavilion VII.