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 | Board of Visitors minutes November 14, 1947 |  |
The regular monthly meeting of the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia was held
on this date at 10 o'clock in the Office of the President of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville,
Virginia, with the following present: The Rector, Edward R. Stettinius, Jr., President Colgate
W. Darden, Jr., of the University of Virginia; President M. L. Combs of Mary Washington College,
Visitors Anderson, Black, Calcott, Carrington, Garnett, Gay, Mears, Miller, Trout, Wailes, and Willis.
Absent: Barksdale and Bustard.
The minutes of the meeting of October 10, which had been copied and mailed to the members,
were approved.
The President made the following announcements
ENROLIMENT: 5,072.
GIFTS
| From the estate of Josephine Russell, of Portsmouth, Virginia, to be known as the Josephine Russell Fund of the McIntire Tumor Clinic, the income from the bequest to be used for tumor patients |
$6,000 |
| From the U. S. Public Health Service, a grant for research under the supervision of Dr. D. C. Smith to investigate the use of penicillin in the treatment of syphilis |
$4,800 |
DEATH OF DR. T. J. WILLIAMS
Dr. Tiffany Johns Williams, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology from 1941 to 1947, died
August 19, 1947.
Upon recommendation of the President, the following elections, promotion, appointment, and
leave of absence were approved
ELECTIONS
Mr. Robert Huntington Knight as Assistant Professor of Law, beginning October 23, 1947, at
a session salary of $4,000.
Mr. Neill Herbert Alford, Jr., as Assistant Professor of Law, beginning October 23, 1947,
at a session salary of $4,000.
PROMOTION
Dr. Edward L. Corey, Associate Professor of Physiology, to Professor of Physiology, at a
session salary of $5,600, effective December 1, 1947.
APPOINTMENT
Lieutenant Commander George M. Hagerman as Associate Professor of Naval Science, without
salary from the University, beginning October 9, 1947.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Dr. Edwin Morris Betts, Associate Professor of Biology, granted leave of absence for the
first semester of the session of 1947-48 for the purpose of editing Mr. Jefferson's Farm Book under
a Guggenheim fellowship.
CATHER ESTATE
Mr. W. Allan Perkins, Attorney for the University, presented a report concerning the Cather
estate in Florida.
At a meeting held on June 15, 1945, I appeared before the Board and presented a written
statement dealing with a possible interest which the University has in the estate of the late Rear
Admiral David C. Cather. I also presented to the Board a form of release of the University's rights,
which the University was requested by Mr. Harry Lupton Cather, brother and residuary legatee of
Admiral Cather, to execute and deliver.
This statement set out in detail the facts surrounding the situation, contained a brief
discussion of the law applicable to the case and concluded with the expression of my opinion that the
University should not execute the proposed release.
It was, thereupon,
RESOLVED, "That the statement above referred to be filed with the minutes of this meeting
and that Mr. Perkins be and is hereby instructed to advise Mr. Leslie Hall, Attorney-at-Law, Arlington,
Virginia, who is representing Mr. Harry Lupton Cather in this matter, that the University cannot comply
with the request that the release in question be executed and the rights of the University, if
any, surrendered."
By reference to my statement above referred to, which was filed with the minutes of the
meeting of June 1, 1945, it will be seen that the fund in which the University has a possible interest
is held by Florida National Bank of Jacks onville under Trust Instrument executed by Rear Admiral
Cather July 17, 1928, and amounts to some $14,000.00.
Upon the University's refusal to release this interest in said fund that Bank filed its bill
in chancery in the Circuit Court of Duval County, Florida, asking for guidance in the distribution of
this trust.
With the approval of President Newcomb I associated the law firm of Adair, Kent, Ashby and
McNatt, of Jacksonville, Florida, with me in the matter, and on Wednesday, November 5, 1947, Mr. Adair
and I argued the case before Judge Bryan Simpson in Jacksonville, Mr. Harry Lupton Cather being present
and represented at the hearing by Mr. C. C. Copp of Jacksonville.
Upon conclusion of the argument, Mr. Adair and I were of opinion that the case was a proper
one for settlement by compromise, and on Thursday, November 6, 1947, we agreed with Mr. Cather and Mr.
Copp that we would recommend the following settlement to this Board upon their assurance that if the
recommendation was approved by this Board the settlement would be immediately effected.
The proposed settlement is based upon the following figures:
| Trust fund held by Florida National Bank as of November 5, 1947 |
$14,570.00 | |
| from which shall be deducted the following items: |
||
| The Trustee's terminal fee | $ 412.50 | |
| Fee of Counsel for Bank | 300.00 | |
| Court costs and copying record (estimated) |
100.00 | |
| Pro-rata of California inheritance tax and Federal Estate Tax properly chargeable to this fund, |
3,460.38 | |
| 4,272.88 | 14,570.00 | |
| 4,272.88 | ||
| 10,297.12 | ||
| One-half to Harry L. Cather | 5,148.56 | |
| One-half to University of Virginia | 5,148.56 | |
| $10,297.12 | $10,297.12 |
Mr. Adair and I strongly recommend that settlement be made with Mr. Harry Lupton Cather upon
the above basis.
Respectfully submitted, November 14, 1947,
/s/W. Allan Perkins
Attorney for the University
The following resolution was adopted by the Board in regard to the final settlement of this
estate:
RESOLVED that upon payment of $5,148.56, (or of a sum approximately equal thereto) to
Vincent Shea, Bursar of the University of Virginia, by Florida National Bank of Jacksonville, Florida,
as Trustee under Trust Agreement executed by Rear Admiral David C. Cather, July 17, 1928, Henry P.
Adair and W. Allan Perkins, acting as Attorneys for The Rector and Visitors of the University of
Virginia, be and are hereby authorized and directed to execute, in the name and on behalf of said The
Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia, and to deliver to said Florida National Bank, Trustee
as aforesaid, a receipt for such payment and a release by which said Florida National Bank, Trustee as
aforesaid, shall be acquitted and forever discharged from any further liability or duty to said The
Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia, arising out of, or that may be incidental to said
Trust Agreement of July 17, 1928.
DEVELOPMENT FUND
Mr. Edward C. Anderson presented the report of a Special Committee to The Executive Committee
of The University of Virginia Development Fund, appointed by Admiral Halsey to study the method of handling
and administration of funds obtained through the Development Fund campaign.
Charlottesville, Virginia
The undersigned Committee, appointed by Chairman Halsey at the meeting of the Executive Committee
held September 11, 1947, to investigate and report upon the best method to be employed in the handling
and administration of funds obtained through the efforts of the Development Fund Campaign, respectfully
advises as follows:
I. The Committee is unanimously of opinion that the Alumni Association of the University of
Virginia is presently without power to constitute a new and separate Board of Trustees to hold and administer
funds that may now be obtaining through the efforts of the Development Fund Campaign. Its
reasons for entertaining this view are as follows:
The Society of Alumni of the University of Virginia was incorporated by an Act of the General
Assembly of this State, adopted February 6, 1873. By an amendment approved March 7, 1903, the name of
the Society was changed to the General Alumni Association of the University of Virginia. By Section
Seven of this Act, the Association was given "power to raise an endowment fund for the use and benefit
of the University, to be held by the Treasurer of the State, in Virginia registered century bonds, and
all funds belonging to said Association in excess of $1,000, and all those donated for the purpose of
building a public hall, shall be similarly invested and only disposed of as they may be deemed for the
purposes of the Association or the University." By Section Eight of the Act the Association was given
power to receive and hold property and donations passing by grant, conveyance, demise or bequest,
"under the general powers of endowment created in the Seventh Section of this Act..."
It is thus seen that under the charter of the Association at that time in effect any endowment
fund raised by it for the use and benefit of the University had to be held by "the Treasurer of the
State, in Virginia registered century bonds." Your Committee is informed that when the Association
give funds which would be subject to the political control of the State of Virginia. The aforementioned
sections Seven and Eight of the charter of the Association were therefore amended as of December 5, 1907,
so as to authorize the Association to appoint by deed of trust a Board of seven Trustees, to be known
and designated as "The Alumni Board of Trustees of the University of Virginia Endowment Fund." It was
provided that this "Board and its successors shall be perpetual and its duties, powers, rights, privileges
and responsibilities shall be irrevocable, to hold, manage, invest and expend the funds now
raised, or hereafter to be raised, or any gift or grant heretofore or hereafter made to the General
Alumni Association for the use and benefit of the University of Virginia under the terms of this charter
and the provisions of said deed of trust herein authorized to be executed, which deed shall define the
duties, powers, rights, privileges and responsibilities of said Board."
Pursuant to the foregoing provisions of the charter of the Association, as amended, it executed
on February 15, 1908, a deed to Joseph Bryan, Thomas Nelson Page, Thomas F. Ryan, Alexander P.
Humphrey, Charles J. Faulkner and Williamson W. Fuller, and Edwin A. Alderman, President of the University
of Virginia, ex officio, Trustees, to be known as "The Alumni Board of Trustees of the University
of Virginia Endowment Fund" transferring and conveying "all gifts, funds, moneys, investments or subscriptions
now made or which may hereafter be made, to the said Trustees for the use and benefit of the
University of Virginia," together with "all such grants, gifts, funds, moneys, investments, interest,
credit, bonds, notes, or subscriptions that may hereafter be made of every character or description
whatsoever, including income, revenues, issues and profits thereof, either directly to the Trustees,
parties of the second part, or to this Association for the benefit of the University of Virginia."
While the charter of the Association has since three times been amended, on August 4, 1922,
January 24, 1929 and September 9, 1933, the rights, powers and duties of the Trustees and their successors,
appointed by the aforesaid deed of trust of February 15, 1908, have been fully preserved, it having
been expressly provided in the amendment of September 9, 1933, that -
"It (the Alumni Board) shall hold, manage, invest and expend, the funds
raised or hereafter to be raised, or any gifts or grants heretofore or hereafter
made by will, deed or otherwise, to it, or to the Alumni Association for the use
and benefit of the said Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia under the
terms of this charter."
It seems to your Committee, therefore, that title to any funds presently solicited by, or
obtained as a result of the efforts of the Alumni Association of the University of Virginia would
necessarily pass to "The Alumni Board of Trustees of the University of Virginia Endowment Fund"
created by the deed of February 15, 1908, and their successors presently in office. The execution
of a further or additional deed of trust at this time, whereby a new board of trustees would be created
for the purpose of receiving title to, possession and control of funds likely to be raised in
the present campaign would not, therefore, in the opinion of the Committee, be presently within the
power of the Association.
II. In this situation a majority of your Committee, Messrs. Scott and Hildreth, are of
opinion that a new non-profit, non-stock corporation should be organized under the provisions of
Chapter 151 of the Code of Virginia, to be designated as "The University of Virginia Development
Fund," that there be seven Trustees presently selected and named to manage the affairs and investments
of the corporation, and that the President of the University be at all times, ex officio, a
Trustee of the corporation; that the first seven Trustees be selected by this Executive Committee
to serve for terms of one to seven years, respectively, the term of each Trustee to be determined
by lot after their selection by the Executive Committee; that no Trustee drawing a term of more than
three years shall be eligible for re-election but that any Trustee drawing a term of three years or
less shall be eligible for election for one additional term of seven years, that the first seven
Trustees be selected without reference to their respective ages, but that all successor Trustees
shall be of the age of 57 years or less, so that upon the expiration of their respective seven year
terms of service they would have attained an age of not to exceed 65 years; that all successor Trustees
be nominated by a majority vote of the Trustees then in office, such nominations to receive the
approval of the majority of the Board of Managers of the Alumni Association of the University of Virginia
in attendance upon any meeting at which the selection of a successor Trustee shall come before
the Board of Managers for consideration and action; that for each vacancy the trustees then in office
shall nominate three persons, one of whom shall be selected by the Board of Managers in the manner
stated; that no member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia shall be selected either
as an original or successor Trustee; that the charter of the corporation provide that all securities
held by it shall be placed in the possession, as custodian, of some trust company or companies or bank or banks
having trust powers, and that the corporation may in its discretion employ the services of some corporation
or individual, or duly accredited officer of the University, as investment counsel and/or custodian;
that the corporation shall apply faithfully the gifts or grants to the objects or purposes designated by
the donor or grantor, but when no direction, condition or limitation is attached to the gift or grant,
the corporation shall hold the same with full power to invest and reinvest in accordance with the discretion
of its Trustees, and such portion as the Trustees may deem necessary of the income and/or principal
from any and all funds at any time held by the corporation shall, except as otherwise specifically
required and provided by the donor or grantor, be applied to the needs of the University of Virginia
after full conference with the President and Rector and the Corporation shall pay the same, to the Bursar
of the University, to be expended as directed by the Corporation; that the corporation, acting through
its Board of Trustees, shall have the broadest investment discretion and special care should be taken
in the preparation of its charter to see that its powers are expressed in terms in conformity with
modern investment practice.
If such development fund corporation is organized, Mr. Gay concurs in the statements in this
report as to the manner of its creation, the selection of its director-trustees and the manner in which
they and the corporation shall function, but reserves for further consideration any expression of opinion
upon the question whether, in the over-all interest of the University, it is wise and expedient to create
at this time a new agency for holding and administering funds procured through the conduct of the campaign
presently being undertaken.
Mr. Gay pointed out the problem of handling gifts received by the Alumni Association. Under
present trust agreement, all funds received by the Alumni Association must be paid to the present Alumni
Board of Trustees. He pointed out that no other Board of Trustees can be appointed by the Alumni Association
to receive funds. Mr. Gay believes conflict would result between new Development Fund Corporation
trustees and the present Alumni Board of Trustees. He recommended that the Board continue looking
for some other way to solve this problem.
Part of Mr. Gay's recommendation was deleted - that part providing for the Development Fund
Trustees to consult with the Board of Visitors concerning the expenditure of income of the Development
Fund.
Mr. Anderson stated that the present Alumni Board of Trustees has not actively solicited funds,
nor is it their duty to do so. The new Development Fund expects to continuously solicit funds with
definite goals to be attained.
Mr. Stettinius expressed the view that the Alumni Board of Trustees should be consulted.
President Darden stated he believed everything should be done to work through the present
Alumni Board of Trustees. He agreed to discuss with the Alumni Board of Trustees this whole problem on
December 6.
CONTRACT WITH THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
The Board endorsed the action of the President in signing a contract with The MacMillan
Company for the publication of Professor James Hart's book entitled "The American Presidency in Action:
1789."
REPORT OF THE FINE ARTS COMMITTEE
The following report was submitted by a special committee to study the advisability of
establishing a School of Fine Arts, in accordance with a resolution adopted at a meeting of the Board
on September 12, 1947, and was approved as submitted.
University of Virginia
The special Committee in respect to the School of Fine Arts, appointed October 8, 1947, by the
Dean of the College in pursuance of a resolution of the Rector and Visitors has the honor to submit the
following report.
The Committee recommends,
1. That the facilities of the McIntire School of Fine Arts be expanded sufficiently to provide;
(a) Elementary courses in drawing, modeling, and creative design suitable for election by any
candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Arts; and
(b) Advanced courses in drawing and modeling and elementary painting, sculpture, and graphic
arts of an adequate number and variety to make a strong field of concentration as major subjects for the
Bachelor of Arts degree.
2. That in order to carry out the above program there should be added to the faculty a teacher
of drawing and graphic arts, a teacher of advanced drawing and painting, a teacher of modeling and sculpture,
and a part time teacher of creative design; and also a fine arts librarian; and further, expanded
resources for the Fine Arts Library and the Museum of Fine Arts be provided.
The Chairman of the Committee has prepared the attached appendixes that are informative of
existing and needed facilities to carry out the two recommendations. The Committee transmits these
appendixes as the special statement of the member of the Committee best in position to give the information.
Chairman
The Committee
E. APPENDIX E
Estimated cost of the recommended program for
Visual Fine Arts, Majors in Art for B.A. degree
If satisfactory appointees could be obtained for lesser grades of faculty members than estimated,
the budget might be squeezed down $1,000.00. It is more likely to secure the right men it will
have to be squeezed in the higher direction. Combination of skills of the teachers is another factor.
Without someone of experience in teaching who can assume the direction of the visual arts there is an
impossible administrative situation. The present Professor of Art and Architecture desires to drop the
first half of his title. Teaching the subject of most importance, guiding all the design, and administration
of architecture is a full load and added to this is the direction of the Fine Arts Library and
of the Museum. The latter two you are urged to provide for. In September the visual arts should be
on their feet enough to have a member of that staff assume direction.
| One part time instructor in Creative Design, lowest grade of instructor's salary |
$ 2,640.00 |
| Two assistant professors and one associate professor ($3,510.00, $3,930.00, and $4,400.00) |
11,840.00 |
| Librarian, Grade VI (Grade said necessary by Dr. Clemons) | 2,160.00 |
| Honorarium, Curator of Museum of Fine Arts | 500.00 |
| Operating expenses of School of Visual Arts | 3,500.00 |
| Increase in Museum Budget | 1,900.00 |
| $22,540.00 | |
| If lesser or minimum sums for faculty, museum curator, and museum budget are estimated |
$20,000.00 |
Salaries in the above budget are subject to periodical increases.
The teacher of advanced work need not be appointed for the first year of operation and his
estimated salary should be used that year for purchases of new equipment; otherwise, there should be
$4,000.00 set up for new equipment. The Architectural School contributes a large amount of equipment.
ALLOCATION OF CARRUTHERS HOUSE
The allocation of the house on East Range formerly occupied by Mr. E. I. Carruthers was referred
to the Buildings and Grounds Committee with authority to act.
OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOL
The following report on the progress of plans for an outdoor swimming pool was presented by
Mr. Christopher B. Garnett, Chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee.
Mr. Stettinius
Members of the Board of Visitors of the University
The Buildings and Grounds Committee of the Board of Visitors, meeting today
in Charlottesville, adopted the following resolution to present to the Board:
We recommend to the Board that the site of the outdoor swimming pool be on
the location of the present reflecting pool for the following reasons:
1) Construction of the swimming pool will remove the present hazard and
eyesore.
2) It will be convenient to the Gymnasium and proposed Student Union Building.
3) It can be used as part of the development of a beautiful area.
The Committee feels that the pool must be highly sanitary and that necessary
construction be carried out to make it available to women students.
We recommend that the architects chosen for the construction of the new dormitories
and Student Union Building of the University be requested to make a study and
prepare plans for consideration for such a pool and landscape gardening of the area.
MCGREGOR LIBRARY
The following resolution was adopted:
The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia, having reviewed the report of the
Curator of the McGregor Library for the period of its first ten years, hereby resolve.
That the gift of this great collection of Americana, the first such Library to come to the
South, has had an inestimable value in the advancement of the humanistic studies at the University and
that its effect on the life and culture of the South and of the nation, though not measurable in exact
terms, has been extensive and wholesome;
That by attracting scholars to the University, not less than by making available to its own
faculty and students the historical monuments of our past, it has fostered the growth of the understanding
of our own heritage; that it has strengthened the traditional Virginian beliefs in our American
forms of life and government; that it has served to broaden and interpret the influence and meaning of
the expression "Jeffersonian Democracy"; and that it has stimulated the study and appreciation of
history in a manner and by a means not heretofore available in this region of the United States.
That the Rector and Visitors have observed with profound satisfaction the steady growth of
the McGregor Library and its services to many schools of the University; that at least one tangible
measurement of the Library's influence can be found in the phenomenal increase in the study of history
since the establishment of the McGregor Library, the faculty in American history having exactly doubled,
and during this same ten-year period, the graduate enrollment of students in history having come to exceed
that of all other schools in the humanities, while undergraduate enrollment has jumped to nearly
one thousand students, giving history third place among the undergraduate schools.
That any diminution of the income of the McGregor Library for acquisitions, with resultant
decrease of strength and usefulness, would be viewed by the Rector and Visitors with the keenest regret.
The Rector and Visitors further resolve that for the next ensuing ten years they propose to
continue at least in its present strength and capacity the staff and maintenance of the Rare Book and
Manuscript Division of its Library, of which the McGregor Library is an integral and important part;
that the $2,500.00 which has annually for ten years been spent by the University for additions to the
McGregor Library be reassigned to the Rare Book and Manuscript Division for the next ensuing ten years,
and in the event of further appropriations from McGregor Fund that this money or appropriate parts of
it be specifically designated for additions to the McGregor Library in the same manner as under the
original Deed of Gift.
They resolve further that application be made by the President of the University to McGregor
Fund for a ten-year annual grant for additions to the McGregor Library, so that the growth of the library
along the lines laid out by the late Tracy W. McGregor and the Trustees of McGregor Fund may be continued
at least on its present level.
That the Rector and Visitors would be especially gratified if the Trustees of McGregor Fund
would consider an eventual endowment of the McGregor Library, which would constitute a lasting guarantee
that this "Library of American History" would maintain the permanent and continuous growth essential to
the vitality of such a library.
That the Rector and Visitors would urge upon the Trustees the continuance of the wise counsel
and friendly help of an Advisory Committee for the McGregor Library such as has met semiannually during
this ten-year period, and that they would hope that the Trustees of McGregor Fund would be willing to
have representatives from their number continue to serve on such a committee.
DUNNINGTON PROPERTY
A proposal to lease part of the Dunnington property for the erection of an ice-cream and soft-drink
stand was disapproved by the Board.
ACCOUNT WITH CITIZENS BANK
A request from the Citizens Bank and Trust Company that the University open an account with that
bank was presented and was referred to the President with power to act.
SALARIES OF MEDICAL FACULTY
The President reported on a conference with the clinicians of the Department of Medicine, and
action on this matter was deferred until the December meeting of the Board.
The following resolution was adopted:
RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia
that medical contracts for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1947 be settled on the basis of
the previous year's contracts.
MEDICAL TUITION FOR VIRGINIA G.I.'S
The President made a report on the study of the tuition of Virginia veterans in the Medical
School, in which he recommended the awarding of scholarships to these veterans. The Board approved the
awarding of such scholarships, the amount to each individual not to exceed the difference between the
tuition rates for Virginians and non-Virginians.
LOAN TO UNIVERSITY PRESS
The report of the President on a petition from the University Press for a loan from the endowment
funds for new equipment was referred to the Finance Committee with power to act.
HERMITAGE FOUNDATION MATTER
The Committee appointed at the July 11 meeting of the Board to meet with Mrs. Sloane for a discussion
of the Hermitage Foundation matter, presented the following report.
The Committee appointed by the Rector to investigate and report on the proposal of Mrs. Florence
K. Sloane that there be an arrangement made between the Hermitage Foundation and the University of Virginia,
whereby the latter would direct and carry on the work of the Foundation after Mrs. Sloane's death, respectfully
reports as follows:
The Hermitage Foundation is a charitable corporation organized in 1937 under the laws of the
State of Virginia.
It is the owner by deed from Mr. and Mrs. William Sloane of a tract of land of seven acres located
in Lochhaven, an extremely desirable residential section of the City of Norfolk. The property is in
the form of a peninsula jutting out into the Lafayette River. There are three buildings, in the English
Tudor Style, the major one being partially occupied as the home of Mrs. Sloane.
This house has fourteen galleries filled with many rare paintings and objects of art, with
special emphasis on Eastern art. This is the lifetime collection of Mr. and Mrs. Sloane and it has been
transferred to the Foundation.
A copy of a newspaper clipping giving a more detailed description of the property and containing
pictures of the house and of some of the objects of art is attached hereto.
At the present time the building or museum is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 1:00 to
5:00 p.m., and on Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. In addition a series of art lessons for both children and
adults is conducted in another building.
The Committee has received the general impression that the facilities of the museum were not
being very widely used, perhaps due to the rather remote location, and possibly also to the manner in
which it has been conducted.
The Foundation is now being financed by the income from an irrevocable trust created by Mrs.
Sloane. The trustee, The Guaranty Trust Company, now holds the principal sum of approximately $270,000;
the income from this fund for the last five years has been as follows:
| 1942 | $ 3,500.00 |
| 1943 | 4,000.00 |
| 1944 | 7,000.00 |
| 1945 | 9,500.00 |
| 1946 | 10,000.00 |
Under the terms of the trust nine-tenths of each year's income is available for the support of
the Foundation. The remaining tenth is added to the principal until $100,000 is accumulated when the entire
income becomes payable to the Foundation.
Under the will of William Sloane, a trust was created of which the present principal amounts
to $250,000. This sum is held in trust for the life of Mrs. Sloane. Under its terms she was given the
power to invade the principal, but she is about to surrender this power. Upon the death of Mrs. Sloane
one-half of the principal is paid to the Foundation and the balance is to be divided into two funds,
each of which is to be held in trust for the life of one of Mrs. Sloane's sons. Upon the death of each
son the principal of his trust is to be paid over to the Foundation.
Mrs. Sloane's will also makes a bequest to The Hermitage Trust, of an amount estimated to be at
least $100,000.00. This will make an aggregate ultimate amount available to the Foundation, directly or
through the trust, of not less than $620,000.00.
The buildings upon The Hermitage property, and owned by The Foundation, are valued at approximately
$225,000.00. The extensive water frontage enhances the value of the land. It is conservatively
estimated by real estate agents to be worth $150,000.00.
The art objects, paintings and the like, which are the property of the museum or Foundation, are
estimated to be worth $200,000.00.
Thus the aggregate involved in value in the proposal made by Mrs. Sloane is at least $1,200,000.
Mrs. Sloane proposes that the University of Virginia have a minority representation on the
Board of Trustees of the Foundation during her lifetime - (she is a woman well over seventy), that the
name of the University be linked with that of the Hermitage Foundation; that the University, through its
representatives on the Board, contribute advice and assistance in the conduct of the museum and school.
She would be willing to agree in advance to a definite program of activities. She would reserve for
herself and her family a portion of the second floor of the museum building for living quarters.
Upon Mrs. Sloane's death she would expect the University to have a majority representation on
the Foundation Board, although she would like to continue to have her family represented thereon for a
period of years.
Mrs. Sloane's proposal contemplates that the present plans of the Foundation be carried out
in general by the maintenance of the museum and art classes in Norfolk. If it should appear subsequently
that public interest in these activities has ceased, or if the site should become undesirable, Mrs. Sloane
would be willing for the activities of the Foundation to be transferred to Charlottesville to a suitable
fireproof, air conditioned building which could be erected, we believe, with the proceeds of the real
estate in Norfolk. She expresses a desire to have the building in Charlottesville patterned as closely
as possible on the present building in order that the beautiful panelling, part of which was imported
from Europe, may be reinstalled and the paintings appropriately reestablished. The committee doubts that
the English Tudor style of house, in which style the museum is constructed, would harmonize with the
architecture at the University. However, while the point has not been discussed with Mrs. Sloane, we do
not believe that she would insist on the building being reconstructed exactly as it now is if the activities
were transferred to Charlottesville.
The Committee does not believe it wise to approach the matter with any idea of transferring these
activities from Norfolk because extremely unfavorable political implications might arise from any report
that such a step were contemplated. However, it can do no harm to have in the agreement with the Foundation
a saving provision to the effect that the property could be sold and activities removed.
It is the view of the Committee that the proposal of Mrs. Sloane is an attractive one, involving
as it does in itself little or no increased financial obligation.
However, the Committee considers that it would be an anomalous situation for the University to
undertake what might be described as an extension or branch in the fine arts in view of the fact that
there is no present school of painting and sculpture at the University. Indeed, Mrs. Sloane's proposal
is predicated upon the establishment of such a school.
The Committee, therefore respectfully reports that the first decision to be reached is whether
or not the University desires to establish a School of Painting and Sculpture. That decision must, of
course, be made by the Board, after whatever study and investigation it may deem proper.
The matter has some urgency because we are informed that on account of her age Mrs. Sloane desires
to settle as promptly as possible the carrying on of the activities of the museum. In addition,
the letter from her attorney informs us that she has been approached by another large institution of
learning outside of Virginia. She, however, would prefer an affiliation with an institution within the
State.
The Committee spent the better part of a day conferring with Mrs. Sloane and viewing the
property and its contents. In addition the chairman has had four conferences with Mrs. Sloane.
November 3, 1947.
The Board directed that a copy of the Report of the Fine Arts Committee be transmitted by Mr.
Barron Black to Mrs. Florence K. Sloane to show intent of the Board to comply with one of the provisions
under which the Hermitage Foundation might be transferred to the University of Virginia.
UNIVERSITY BUDGET
The Rector proposed that a summary of the biennial budget requests for 1948-1950 be prepared
and sent to the members of the Board, and that the Bursar submit to the Finance Committee the detailed
University budget on Wednesday, November 19.
MARY WASHINGTON COLLEGE MATTERS
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
The following resolution was adopted:
RESOLVED, by the Board of Visitors of the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia,
that the request of Dr. E. Boyd Graves, Associate Professor of Philosophy, for a leave of absence, beginning
granted.
COURSES IN EDUCATION
The following resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, at a meeting of the Board held September 12, 1947, the following resolution was adopted:
"Resolved by the Board of Visitors of the Rector and Visitors of the University of
Virginia that in view of the critical shortage of public school teachers that Mary Washington
College be and is hereby permitted to retain two elective courses in education so as to enable
graduates to secure the Collegiate Professional Certificate, provided the Attorney General agrees
that such procedure is legal" - and
WHEREAS, Dr. Combs has this day reported to the Board that upon taking up the matter with the
Attorney General of Virginia, he stated that he was of opinion that the Board should exercise its own
judgment and discretion in the matter; and
WHEREAS, after considerable discussion of the provisions of Section 833e of the Code of Virginia,
as embodied in the Act approved February 22, 1944, dealing with the conversion of Mary Washington College
into a liberal arts college for women during a period of four years next ensuing, and the requirement that
after that date "no student shall be admitted to technical courses designed for the training of teachers,
except those who can qualify for advanced standing leading to graduation, within a period of four years";
and
WHEREAS, it is the consensus of opinion of the Board that the term "courses" as used in Section
833e of the Code means completed programs of study or curricula leading to a professional degree in education,
and that the retention of two elective courses or classes in education to be counted toward a B.A.
degree will not be violative of the intent or purpose of the Act of the General Assembly above referred to;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the aforesaid action of the Board of Visitors, as expressed
in the resolution adopted at the meeting held September 12, 1947, be and the same hereby is ratified,
approved and confirmed; provided, however, that not more than twelve hours credit toward a B.A. degree
(requiring at all times a minimum of 126 hours) be granted toward classes or courses of this nature.
HOME ECONOMICS AND COMMERCIAL COURSES AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
A study group consisting of the Mary Washington Committee, President Darden, and President Combs
was appointed to consider the continuance of these courses. They were directed to report to a special
meeting of the Board, to be called by President Darden at the request of the Mary Washington Committee.
There being no further business to come before the meeting, the same was adjourned after a motion
to that effect had been made, seconded, and carried.
Edward R. Stettinius, Jr.
Rector
Secretary
| Board of Visitors minutes November 14, 1947 | |