University of Virginia Library

Upon the recommendation of the President, the following
appropriations were made:

  • Necessary enlargement of the amphitheatre to care for pipe
    organ, $8133.

  • Necessary increase in salaries of hospital staff, $3210.

  • Necessary increases in wages to orderlies, cooks, maids,
    and other help at the hospital, $750.

  • To carry on the work of the School of Spannish necessitated
    by the illness of Dr. Bardin, $111.10 per month

  • To carry on the work of the School of Biology, necessitated
    by the increase in students, $100.

The additional income from tuition fees in the first year
medical class, amounting to $2200, was appropriated as follows:

Laboratories -

       
1.  Chemistry, additional instructor,  $800 
Chemistry, additional apparatus,  500 
2.  Physiology, apparatus and laboratory
additions, 
900 
$ 2200 

For furnishing new Biological Laboratory, $1675

For Mr. Eugene Bradbury, architect, for services
in connection with the Biological Laboratory, $911.91

For bills of Charlottesville Lumber Co. and the
University for work done at the President's
residence, $70.


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Upon the recommendation of the chairman of the registration
committee, and with the approval of the President, the follow-
ing changes in registration fee were adopted:

  • 1. That the Delayed Registration fee be raised from $3 to $5.

  • 2. That old students in the College who fail the register
    during the spring registration period, be charged
    a fee of $5 for registration in the College at the
    opening of the session.

Action upon the suggestion, from alumni and others, that the
new Biological Laboratory be names for Professor Albert H. Tuttle,
was deferred.

The Rector announced the appointment of the following
members to constitute the heating committee: The Rector, Mr.
Scott and Mr. Duke.

With respect to providing funds needed to make the preliminary
arrangements for the celebration of the Centennial at
the University and the raising of the University of Virginia
Centennial Endowment Fund, the following resolution adopted by
the Finance Committee was presented and unanimously approved:
RESOLVED, That the Bursar of the University of Virginia be and
he hereby is authorized to borrow on behalf of the Rector and
Visitors of the University of Virginia from the depositories
of University funds (or from other banks if this be impracticable)
such sums, not to exceed Twenty Thousand ($20,000)
Dollars, as may be needed to make the preliminary arrangements


24

for the celebration of the Centennial of the University,
and the raising of the University of Virginia Centennial
Endowment Fund. This indebtedness, including interest thereon,
is to become the first charge against any and all monies
collected for the University of Virginia Centennial Endowment
Fund.

Upon the recommendation of the President, Mr. Leander
McCormick Goodhart was elected to the visiting committee of
the Leander McCormick Observatory.

The following action was had in the matter of the death
of Mr. Lester L. Newman, which occured at the University
Hospital on August 2nd, 1920:

The President, Dr. Alderman, first outlined the situation
and with much feeling expressed to the Board his sincere concern
that this young man should have come to an untimely death
through this deplorable mistake. Dr. Alderman was followed
by Dr. Flippin, who had been called into the operating room
by Dr. Hedges at the time of the fatal operation, and who was
with Dr. Hedges in all his subsequent connection with the case,
Dr. Flippin went over the situation from its inception leaving
no detail undeveloped, and thus laid before the Board a full,
complete and exhaustive narrative covering each and every phase
of the whole sad affair.

He was followed by Dr. Hedges, who himself administered
the fatal anesthetic, and while Dr. Hedges could add nothing
in substance to Dr. Flippin's statement he did elaborate some


25

parts of it so that the Board might have a more intimate
knowledge of the circumstances with which Dr. Hedges alone
had been in touch.

At the conclusion of Dr. Hedge's statement, Dr. Alderman
advised the Board that he had requested Mr. Perkins, as counsel
for the University, to prepare and present to this meeting a
formal statement of facts and a written opinion covering this
case from two viewpoints: first, whether the University of
Virginia is liable in damages for the death of this young
man; and second, irrespective of legal liability, whether it
lies within the power of this Board to appropriate a sum of
money for the relief of his grief-stricken parents.

Mr. Perkins then presented his written statement of facts,
which was read to Board in the presence of Drs. Hedges and
Flippin, and which was approved by them as setting forth all
of the facts clearly and succinctly. This statement was
followed by Mr. Perkins reading a carefully prepared legal
opinion, the conclusion of which, quoted verbatim, is as
follows:

"In my opinion the University is not liable in the present
case, and I am further of opinion that no authlrity has
been delegated to this Board by the State to appropriate
any of the funds under your control for such purpose
as we now have under consideration."

A very full discussion was then had by the Board at the
conclusion of which the written statement of facts and opinion
submitted by counsel, as above set out, was ordered filed with


26

the minutes of this meeting, and the following resolution was unanimously
adopted:

RESOLVED, That with feelings of deepest sorrow we have learned
of the tragic and untimely death of Mr. Lester L. Newman, which
occurred in our hospital on August second of this year, and to
his bereaved parents we extend the assurance of our heartfelt
sympathy in this great loss which deprives them of a well loved
only son, in whom was centered all of their future hopes.

To each of us individually it is a matter of sincere regret
that the limitations of law thrown about this Board by our State
are such as prevent any appropriation being made by way of compensation
to Mr. and Mrs. Newman for this overwhelming affliction.
We are at once made sorrowful by their bereavement, and this
sorrow is deepened by a feeling of our utter helplessness to
extend substantial comfort and effectual aid.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Dr. Alderman is hereby requested
to send a copy of the above resolution to Mr. and Mrs.
Newman.

And in fulfillment of the statement contained in letter of
our attorney to Messrs. Snyder & Roberts attorney for Mr. Newman,
under date of September 21st, copy of which is filed for his opinion,
Mr. Perkins is requested to at once advise Messrs. Snyder
and Roberts of the action taken at this meeting, transmitting to
these gentlemen a copy of the above resolution and a transcript
of the proceedings leading up to its adoption.

The President stated that the University Cafeteria was being


27

well patronized by the student body, and as a financial venture
was proving highly successful, due in a large measure to the
splendid management of Prof. J. L. Newcomb. The President
was requested to extend to Prof. Newcomb the thanks of the
Board for his services in this connection.

The committee on the new heating plant made a verbal report
as to its activities. After a general discussion the matter
was recommitted.

The President advised the Board that due to the illness
of Prof. Thomas Fitz-Hugh, Adj. Prof. J. L. McLemore had been
carrying Prof. Fitz-Hugh's classes, and he recommended adequate
compensation be made therefor. The President was directed to
make such arrangement with Prof. McLemore as he deemed proper.

The meeting then adjourned.

[signed] John Stewart Bryan
Rector.
[signed] E, I. Carruthers
Secretary.