University of Virginia Library

Shannon Approves Space
For Religious Activities

By CHIP PERRY

Authorized student
religious organizations which
are recognized by Student
Council may now use
University facilities, University
President Edgar F. Shannon Jr.
announced yesterday.

His decision overturned a
long-standing University policy
which prevented use of space
for religious-oriented activities
because of Thomas Jefferson's
belief in the separation of
church and state.

Mr. Shannon endorsed a
recommendation from the
Calendar and Scheduling
Committee made in February.

At that time the committee
stated that the policy of
church and state separation
"would not be abrogated if
the University, on an
even-handed basis now permits
officially recognized student
religious groups, or students
seeking to organize such
groups, to use University space
under the same rules that
govern other student
organizations and students."

No Discrimination

Such groups, therefore, will
be able to meet anywhere on
the Grounds so long as they do
not discriminate by race, creed,
sex or religion.

The committee
added that "such use probably
would be consistent with Mr.
Jefferson's early plans for the
University. It would not
involve establishment of or
encouragement of any
religion."

A poll of other institutions
revealed in every case that
religious groups were allowed
to use school space.

Mr. Shannon requested the
committee to prepare with the
aid of University Legal Adviser
Neill H. Alford Jr., a new
statement of policy to replace
the one deleted by the
committee.

Need For Action

Mr. Shannon's decision
averted a complete
abandonment of restrictions
upon the use of University
facilities by non-student
organizations, citing the need
for action by the Board of
Visitors on this matter.

Fourth-year student Beat
Steiner and graduate student
Jim Keim, representing
religious groups desiring to use
University space, challenged
the policy in November in a
letter to the Calendar
Committee.

Praising Mr. Shannon's
decision yesterday, Mr. Keim
said "His action returns the
University to its own best
traditions of academic and
intellectual freedom to pursue
truth wherever it may lead."