 | Board of Visitors minutes June 27, 1879 |  |
Feb. 4th 1879
Upon the unanimous recommendation of the Executive Committee
which was concurred in by a majority of the other members
of the Board, viz. Messrs Goode, Gilmore & Hart, and communicated
to the Secretary in writing some days prior to this
date, the meeting to be held on this day in pursuance of the
adjournment on the 12th of September last was by consent, postponed
to the 27th day of June next, and notice thereof forwarded
by the Secretary to each member of the Board prior to this date.
Secretary
June 27th 1879
The Board of Visitors this day met in pursuance of the
postponement from the 4th of February last.
Present Messrs Conrad, Gilmore, Marye, Randolph and Whitehead.
On motion Mr. Marye was chosen Rector pro temp., in the
absence of the Rector, who thereupon called the Board to order.
A communication was received from the Rector, Mr. Stuart,
stating that he was prevented by sickness from being present at
this meeting.
On motion the Secretary was requested to inform Prof. Harrison,
Chairman of the Faculty, that the Board were in session
and ready to receive the Faculty report and any other matters
to be submitted for consideration, which being communicated by
the Secretary to Prof. Harrison, he appeared before the Board
and submitted the Annual report of the Faculty with the usual
accompanying reports of the Proctor &c, and other papers- which
were received by the Rector pro tem. and laid before the Board.
The Rector pro tem. on motion proceeded with the reading of
the Faculty report, which being concluded, On motion the Board
adjourned to meet tomorrow at 9 A.M.
Rector. pro. temp.
Secretary.
University of Va., June 28th 1879
The Board met and was called to order at 2.45 P.M. by the
Rector pro tem. Mr. Marye.
Present, the same members as on yesterday with the addition
of Mr. Goode and Mr. Hart.
On motion of Mr. Whitehead the Board decided to enter on the
examination of the papers submitted by the various candidates
with this business Dr. Randolph submitted the report of the
executive Committee which bears upon the question of filling
said chair, and is as follows:
Your Committee have the honor to make the following
report of their transactions for the past year: Your Committee
authorized Dr. J. F. Harrison to expend sixty dollars in the
purchase of instruments necessary for the instruction of his
class. A petition largely signed by students requesting that
the ordinance in reference to board should be so amended as
to permit them to change their boarding houses without requiring
them to give up their rooms. We referred their application
to the Faculty who advised that no change should be made in
the ordinance; we therefore declined to accede to their request.
The President of the U.S. appointed Professor J. L. Cabell
a member of the National Board of Health. Your Committee having
satisfied themselves that his class would not suffer, authorized
his acceptance. He was subsequently appointed by the Board
of Health their President. This compliment to our distinguished
Professor was well deserved and highly honorable to the University.
In April your Committee requested Dr. Cabell to attend
the meeting of the National Medical Association at Atlanta
and thus authorized his absence. In May last Professor Ward
wrote to the Chairman of the Faculty offering to furnish the
fifty dollars. Your Committee authorized the Chairman to request
Professor Ward to proceed to have the cases made and to
inform him that the amount would be paid on their delivery.
At your called meeting in September last you requested
your Executive Committee "by correspondence or otherwise to
collect such information as they could in regard to the qualifications
of the candidates for the Professorship of Natural
History and Geology". In your resolution prescribing the subjects
to be taught in the School you specified the following;
"Geology, Mineralogy and such branches of Natural History as
the Board of Visitors may hereafter determine". Profoundly
impressed with the importance to the University and the material
interest of the State, of a judicious selection of this Professor;
and being conscious that the subjects to be taught
were those that were less known by gentlemen of the average
culture than almost any others taught in the institution; your
Committee were naturally diffident of their ability to correctly
appreciate the requirements necessary for such an appointee.
This being the case they availed themselves of the informal
permission granted by the Board at their called meeting of applying
to the Faculty for their advice, such application was
made by the Rector and Chairman of the Ex. Committee. A Committee
was appointed by the Faculty and their report was considered
and unanimously adopted at their December meeting. It
is forwarded as a part of this report and your attention respectfully
called to it. Your Committee have only considered
their qualifications. They have excluded from their investigations
the qualifications of theoretical Geologists. First
because the University has for thirty years taught by its Professors
of Natural Philosophy a class in didactic Geology and
Mineralogy. The well known capacity and conscientious devotion
to duty of its two professors Rogers and Smith is ample guarantee
that the science so far as it can be taught didactically has been
successfully taught by them. Second, the present condition of
the State, her poverty, the failure of her old industries and
the necessity for new, when taken in connection with her rapidly
increasing reputation for mineral wealth admonish us of the need
of a more than didactical course on these subjects. Third, in
common with all new studies the success of a Professor in securing
a class is problematical. Had we a theorist alone he would
be useful for nothing else but didactic teaching. While with a
practical man who has won reputation in the field and and laboratory
by geological surveys the University would be thrown in
renewed and more intimate relations with the material interests
of the State. Fourth, the University had the honor of inaugurating
and partially completing the only Geological survey of
the State worthy of the name, The Geological Survey of Virginia
by Professor Rogers. It is most desirable that he should have
the credit of its completion. This can only be done by a Field
Geologist. For these reasons your Committee have thought that
your intentions as shown when the chair was organized could only
be carried out by a practical Geologist.
It seems to us obvious that only a Geologist who has won
reputation among scientific men by work in the field and in the
laboratory could be classed as such. We then have turned our
attention to such alone and have given most weight to information
that shows the success or failure of candidates in original research
or in field work. Information that proves excellence in
writings or lectures on Biology, Evolution and all similar speculative
studies cognate to Geological Knowledge for practical uses
have been regarded as of little worth either to carry out the
original design of the donor or the intentions of the Board in
the establishment of the Chair. In estimating the value of the
testimonials and of such information as we may have obtained by
by correspondence or otherwise have carefully weighed the sources.
Have given most weight to the opinions of specialists and scientists
of acknowledged reputation who are leaders in this branch
of science and least weight to popular estimate and newspaper
articles other than those of the Scientific periodicals. Placing
the first as far ahead of ourselves in Knowledge of the subject
and not recognizing the latter as more than equals. Of the candidates
whose testimonials are before you there are five who
rank high among scientific men, Messrs. Fontaine, Comstock, Kerr,
Hitcock and Little. The three latter hold official rank as
Geologists of States and have been or are now engaged in surveys
of their respective States. Of these five from all the information
that we have been able to get, Mr. Fontaine ranks highest.
He commends himself most to us both as a Virginian, an alumnus
and Master of Arts of the University, as a trained and successful
teacher, as a Geologist who has won his reputation by his surveys
last works scientists consider his best. It is useless for us
to allude to his testimonials, they are before you for your consideration.
Sufficient is it for us to say that our information
derived from correspondence or otherwise more than justifies any
commendation of him they may make. We cannot cease this subject
without testifying our obligation to our Faculty individually
and collectively for the valuable aid furnished us in our investigation.
At your meeting in September, Professor Joseph Leconte's
name was brought before you as possibly an available candidate.
He was written to and invited to become a candidate, he held the
matter under advisement, but finally in January declined to present
his name.
On motion, resolved that the election of Professor for the
Chair of Natural History & Geology be postponed to the regular
annual meeting commencing on the 30th inst.
Jno. L. Marye
Rector pro: temp.
Jas. D. Jones
Secretary.
June 30th 1879
At the annual meeting of the Board of Visitors of the
University-
Present- Messrs Conrad, Bocock, Gilmore, Hart, Marye,
Randolph & Whitehead.
The Board was called to order by Mr. Marye, Rector pro tem.
A letter was read from the Rector, Mr. Stuart, stating that
he continued to be too unwell to attend the meeting and that
his physician had prohibited his doing so. Mr. Goode, it was
announced upon information by letter from him, is prevented from
being present by his official duties in Congress.
On motion the Board proceeded to consider the matters of
business brought to its attention by the Annual reports of the
Faculty and its Chairman, with the accompanying papers, submitted
at the irregular meeting concluded on the 28th inst. and references
made to the appropriate Committees for their consideration
& report to the Board.
A letter, in which our Honored Rector, the Hon. A. H. H.
Stuart, under date of the 28th inst. gives an account of the
connection of W. W. Corcoran, Esq. with the question of selecting
a suitable person to fill the chair of Natural History & Geology,
recently endowed by him, having been produced and read before
the Board.
On motion- The Board doth resolve, that having in their
possession full and accurate information of the entire action
taken by M. Corcoran as to the selection of the person to fill
the said chair, deem it their duty to put on record their declaration,
that all criticisms on unfavorable sentiments which
have been expressed or felt in regard to the participation of
Mr. Corcoran in this matter have been caused by misapprehension
of the facts of the case, and that Mr. Corcoran is entitled to
occupy the same high position of enlightened and disinterested
with so much unanimity assigned him.
2. Resolved that the circumstances seem to justify a renewed
declaration on our part of our unshaken respect for Mr.
Corcoran, and our undiminished gratitude for his noble and enlarged
benefactions to this cherished Institution of Learning.
3. Resolved, that the Secretary forward a copy of these resolutions
to Mr. Corcoran.
Mr. G. F. Nicolassen submitted his application, forwarded
through the Chairman of the Faculty, to be allowed a special
examination at the beginning of the next session, which on being
read and considered was on motion referred to the Faculty with
the request that they report to the present meeting of the Board
their recommendation in the premises.
At 4 P.M. the Board proceeded to consider the election of
a Professor to fill the Chair of Natural History & Geology, in
pursuance of its resolution of the 28th inst. and after such
consideration Mr. Conrad moved that William M. Fontaine be
elected Professor of the Corcoran School of Natural History and
Geology in the University of Virginia, which motion was seconded
by Mr. Gilmore.
Whereupon William M. Fontaine was elected by the unanimous
vote of the Visitors present, viz- Messrs Bocock, Gilmore, Hart,
Marye, Randolph & Whitehead.
Resolved, that the Secretary inform Mr. Fontaine of his
election, by letter.
On motion the Board adjourned to meet at 9 A.M. on the 3d
proximo.
Rector pro temp:
University of Virginia
July 3d 1879.
The Board met in pursuance of adjournment on the 30th ult.
Present, Messrs Conrad, Bocock, Marye, Randolph, Whitehead,
Gilmore, & Hart.
Mr. Marye, Rector pro tem. called the Board to order.
The Library Committee submitted their report, which was
read and adopted, and is as follows:
The Committee on the Library respectfully report that upon
a personal inspection of the Library, they find the Books well
preserved, and the cases and other furniture in good condition.
The judicious plan persued both as to the classification and
cataloguing of the books, maps, engravings &c renders the access
to and use of the Library convenient and agreeable.
In regard to the matters specially mentioned in the report
of the Faculty, the Committee recommend as follows.
I. That the concession proposed by the Faculty as to the
use of the Library by certain persons during the vacation be
ordered on the terms suggested. And the Committee further recommend
that the use of the Library be granted to such persons
as are now on who have heretofore been members of the Board of
Visitors who are residents in the vicinity of the University.
II. That the disposition by sale of imperfect books, odd
volumes, duplicate sets, and useless books, be ordered, under
the restrictions and terms proposed by the Faculty.
III. That hereafter the income annually received from the
fund contributed by President Madison for the benefit of the
each year for the Library, as "The Madison donation."
IV. In regard to the enlargement of the appropriation for
the Library, the Committee, while duly sensible of the great
desirableness thereof, can furnish us information to aid the
Board in its conclusions which is not already possessed by
other members.
V. The Committee recommends that the Board place on its
Records an appropriate testimonial as to the long and faithful
services rendered as Librarian by William Wertenbaker, Esqr.
The deep symathy of its members in his bodily afflictions, and
that the existing salary allowed him be continued to him during
the residue of his life. And in view of the increased labors
imposed upon the Assistant Librarian, F. W. Page, Esq. by the
disabilities of Mr. Wertenbaker, it is recommended that the
sum of _____ be allowed to Mr. Page as compensation for the
present fiscal year. The forms of orders to be entered in
the above matters, in case the Board concurs in the foregoing
recommendations, are herewith presented.
Chairman.
Ordered, that the following regulations in regard to the
use of the Library be adopted, in the stead of the existing
regulations on the same subject.
"The Librarian may permit persons residing at, or near
the University, for purposes of study, during the vacation,
to use the Library, with the approval of the Chairman, and
at such hours as may be specially appointed, on condition that
each such person pay to the Librarian, a fee of Three dollars
and make a contingent deposit of Fifteen dollars against which
may be assessed any charge for loss of books, or injury to them.
But the use of the Library during vacation shall not be allowed,
except upon the condition that the Librarian or Assistant Librarian
consent to remain during vacation to attend the Library,
or employ a competent substitute, approved by the Faculty, to
act in his place, for whose fidelity the Librarian or Assistant
Librarian so employing him shall be responsible.
Ordered, that the income annually received from the Fund
donated by James Madison for the benefit of the Library be
specifically mentioned in each annual appropriation for the
Library, and the books bought with this income be stamped with
his name.
Ordered, that ex-members of the Board of Visitors resident
at or in the vicinity of the University be allowed the use of
the Library.
The Board having heard with sincere sorrow of the feeble
health and suffering state of Wm. Wertenbaker, Esqr. who, with
but slight interruption of time, has filled the Office of
Librarian, from the date of his appointment in 1825 by Thomas
Jefferson until the present time, do here record their testimony
as to the conspicuous fidelity and usefulness of this
veteran officer, and the zeal with which he loved and labored
for the University- and they tender to him their earnest sympathies
in his severe affliction.
The Secretary is directed to deliver a copy of this
minute to Mr. Wertenbaker.
Ordered, That the Librarian do make sale in such mode
as shall be ordered by the Faculty of such imperfect books,
odd volumes, sets of books where duplicate sets exist, and
useless books, in the Library, the net proceeds of which sale
shall go into the Library appropriation.-
Provided, that the List of the Books so to be sold, shall
have been first examined, and the sale thereof ordered by an
unanimous vote of the members of the Faculty present at a meeting
convened for the consideration of the matter.
In view of the largely increased labors imposed upon the
Assistant Librarian, Mr. F. W. Page, it is ordered, that he
be allowed Seven hundred dollars as his compensation during
the present fiscal year- and that as compensation for the increased
labor performed by him for the two months preceding
the 1st of June last, he be allowed the additional sum of One
hundred and twenty five dollars.
Report of Committee on Apparatus.
The Committee have examined the condition of the Apparatus
&c belonging to the Schools of Natural Philosophy &
Chemistry. We find the rooms, apparatus and chemicals in their
usual neat and orderly condition. We have nothing to suggest
in the way of additions to the appliances for instruction in
these Schools, beyond the annual appropriations recommended
in the report of the Faculty.
John Hart Com.
Paul Whitehead Com.
J. H. Gilmore Com.
Which report was read and on motion adopted.
The Committee on Grounds and Buildings submitted the
following as their report which upon being read & considered
on motion was approved & adopted- as follows:
The Committee on Grounds & Buildings have made careful
examination of the grounds & buildings & see nothing at this
time especially needed except the painting of all the exposed
exterior wood work of the various buildings. This is particularly
needed for the preservation of the wood work & your Committee
are of opinion that an expenditure of one thousand dollars
will be perhaps sufficient for the purpose.
If this amount can be spared they would recommend an appropriation
of this sum in addition to the usual appropriation
of three thousand dollars for repairs.
Your Committee would also recommend that the Proctor be
directed to have a porch built in front and rear of the house
now occupied by Prof. Price and on consultation with him, to
make such other repairs as said residence may need and as can
be done, all at an expense of not over $500 which we recommend
to be appropriated for that purpose.
Your Committee have considered the application of Prof.
Schele upon the subject of a stable & recommend that leave be
given him to erect a stable near the stables now used for the
experimental farm, at such point as may be agreed upon by himself
& Prof. Page. Your Committee approve of the action of the
Proctor in regard to the sewer in rear of the Rotunda & recommend
its approval by the Board.
There being no house that can be assigned to Prof. Fontaine
your Committee recommend that the rent be commuted.
July 1, 1879
W. C. N. Randolph,
Chairman
Resolved, that the Proctor be and he is hereby authorized
and empowered, if in his opinion, it should be necessary, to
negotiate a temporary loan not exceeding five thousand dollars
in amount, to be applied to the payment of arrears of salary
due to the Professors, provided that the payments made, be in
equal proportion of the amounts so due and in arrears to the
different Professors.
Ordered that the action of the Faculty in the expulsion
of Charles Fremont Jones, a student from Indianna be hereby
confirmed.
Ordered that the action of the Faculty in expelling Mr.
F. L. Holmes be hereby confirmed, but the Board submits to the
discretion of the Faculty any future modification in this
case of the sentence of expulsion.
Your Committee having considered the report of the Committee
of the Faculty on Boarding Houses and the Report of the
Ex. Committee recommend, that
1st The amount paid by each Boarding House Keeper for each
person boarded shall be five dollars instead of seven and a
half per month as herefore.
2d That the action of the Ex. Committee in regard to the
petition of students applying for leave to change their boarding
house without changing their room, be confirmed and the
request of the petitioners not acceded to.
3d In reply to application of Mr. Shumate; that the Board
decline to assign more rooms to the Messes than has been already
assigned by the action of the last year.
4th That a charge of 20 cents per head per month be assessed
upon all students while living at the Mess as rent for the
rooms used as Mess Halls and offices.
W. C. N. Randolph,
Chariman.
The Resolutions of the Faculty allowing special examinations
to Mr. G. F. Nicollassen and to Mr. A. B. Gunter who
failed in the final examination in History was received and
considered by the Board and on motion,
Resolved, that the resolution be approved and adopted
and the said examination be allowed, and this privilege is
granted the applicants without the usual matriculation fee.
It being stipulated that the applicants shall stand the regular
final examination in History with the class at the close of
the next session.
The Committee have examined the annual reports from the
several schools, they fully confirm the statement of the general
report of the Faculty as to the diligence in study of the
body of the students. They also show, we think, that the percentage
of successful candidates for graduation in many schools,
perhaps in all, is larger than usual. We interpret this to
mean, not any letting down of standards, but higher preparation
and better work on the part of the students.
The Reports come to us in a very convenient form prepared
by the Faculty. We advise the adoption of that form.
Many of our professors are subjected to a great amount
of mere drudgery in the correction of exercises &c. This is
especially true in the School of Modern Languages. For the
partial relief of Prof. Schele de Vere who has so long and so
well filled this Chair, we recommend, that, with the advice
and consent of the Executive Committee, he be authorized to
select a Tutor in his department who shall aid in the instruction
of the School as the Professor may direct and for the
quality of whose teaching the Professor shall be responsible,
we further recommend an appropriation of more than $600 for
the salary of said Tutor.
Since the foregoing part of this report was written the
Committee have read the report of the Faculty on this subject
which advises that certain items in the form submitted be
stricken out on the ground that they cover ground already
covered in the general Faculty Report. We therefore recommend
that the Faculty be requested to prepare a form of "Special
School Reports" to be used hereafter, making that form provide
for "Average Attendance" on Lectures as heretofore.
W. C. N. Randolph,
Chairman.
Ordered, 1. That in conformity with the recommendation
of the above report the Professor of Modern Languages is authorized,
with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee
to employ a Tutor.
2. That a sum not more than $600 be appropriated as salary
of said Tutor.
Resolved, that twenty dollars per annum be added to the
salary of the Janitor.
Ordered, that the Proctor be authorized and requested to
provide suitable cases for storing the records of the Board
of Visitors and of the Miller Board and have the same placed
in the respective offices of the Secretaries of the two Boards,
and also the necessary tables, chairs &c for said offices.
Ordered, That the assignment of Lecture Rooms for Professors
Page & Fontaine- The care of the Museum Building & contents,
the question as to what branch of Natural History shall be
assigned to Prof. Fontaine, and provision to enable Prof. Fontaine
to remove to the University certain specimens which he
proposed to place in the Museum, be referred to the Executive
Committee.
It appearing to the Board, that, within a few years past,
the minutes and records of the Board have been open to the inspection
of persons not members of the Board, and that the
present Secretary found this liberty being exercised when he
entered upon his official duties, and it being clear to the
judgment of the Board that the minutes and other Records should
be open to the inspection only of the members and officers of
the Board, (and to the General Assembly of Virginia whenever
so requiring) the same is so ordered, and the Secretary instructed
accordingly.
In order to Inform the Faculty and the Proctor of the
action taken by the Board in matters needed to be communicated
to them respectively copies of the proceedings of the Board in
such case shall be delivered by the Secretary.
The Board of Visitors being of opinion that R. H. Dabney
is a student of the State of Virginia within the meaning of
Chap. 102, Acts of 1875-1876.
Resolved, that Mr. R. H. Dabney is entitled to the benefits
of that Act, and may be educated under the existing regulations
in regard to Virginia students, in the University without
charge for tuition in the Academic department.
The Finance Committee submitted the follow- as their report
which upon being read and considered on motion was approved
and adopted.
The Finance Committee beg leave to report.
1. That the Financial condition of the University is more
satisfactory and encouraging than it has een for many years.
As appears from the Report of the Proctor, the entire past
due indebtedness, with the exception of $3000 (for which
adequate provision is made) is now funded in bonds payable in
30 years.
2. An estimate of expenditures for the next year is herewith
reported with the recommendation that the necessary appropriation
be made.
3. The additional expenditures recommended are $1000.00
for the repairs, especially the repainting of the College buildings
- $500 - for the addition of a porch and such other improvements
as may be necessary, to the house occupied by Prof.
Price, $600, for the salary of an Assistant instructor in the
School of Modern Languages.
| Salaries of 15 Professors at $3000 each | $45,000. |
| (including Prof. Natural History & Geology just elected) |
|
| Salaries of two adjunct Profs., Applied Chem & Engng |
4,000. |
| Salary of Demonstrator of Anatomy | 800. |
| Salary of Assistant Instructor in Modern Languages |
600. |
| Salaries of officers | 4,300. |
| Adertising | 500. |
| Printing | 150. |
| Catalogues | 500. |
| Repairs and improvements to be itemized in Proctor's report, including $1000 for repairs of College buildings & $500 for repairs &c to Prof. Prices house |
4,500. |
| Labour | 1,200. |
| Contingent account | 1,250. |
| Interest on debt | 7,500. |
| Library | 300. |
| Fuel | 500. |
| Gas | 500. |
| Commutation of rents | 1,200. |
| Apparatus & material, School of Chemistry $150. and special appropriation of 150. School of Natural Philosophy $150., Engineering $50; in all |
500. |
| Library from Corcoran Donation | 1,000. |
| Experimental farm | 1,000. |
| Special appropriation - Asst Librarian | 700. |
Holmes Conrad, Chairman
Resolved, that hereafter the matriculation fee shall be
sixty dollars ($60), which shall embrace all charges for Room
Bent, Diplomas, Infirmary use and Medical Attention;
Provided that in case of those students who live at home,
there shall be an abatement of $15 on account of room rent,
and of $7.50 on account of medical attendance and Infirmary-and
Provided that in the case of those students who prefer a
room to themselves there shall be an additional charge of
Fifteen dollars ($15).
Resolved, That the Matriculation fee now provided for the
sum of $7.50 in each case shall be set apart and held as an
Infirmary fund for the use of Infirmary as heretofore.
Resolved, that a sum not to exceed $500 be expended in
the repair of the house occupied by Prof. Price.
Resolved, that the several appropriations recommended in
the report of the Finance Committee be and they are now made
as though each formed the subject of a separate resolution.
Resolved, that the salary of the Secretary of the Board
of Visitors be fixed hereafter at one hundred and fifty dollars
($150).
The Board doth appoint Prof. James F. Harrison Chairman
of the Faculty for the ensuing year and doth appoint the Rector
and Thomas S. Bocock and W. C. N. Randolph as the Executive
Committee of the Board for the ensuing year.
Resolved, that the members of the Board of Visitors, now
in attendance have felt with deep regret the absence of their
Rector, the Hon. A. H. H. Stuart and they beg leave to tender
and their sincere desire for his speedy recovery.
And this being the last regular meeting which will occur
during the term of service of the Present Board they deem it
proper to record their sense of the ability and fidelity which
have characterized all his his official action, and the distinguished
courtesy he has displayed in his intercourse with
his fellow members.
Ordered that the Board do now adjourn.
Rector pro temp.
| Board of Visitors minutes June 27, 1879 | |