University of Virginia Library


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The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Visitors of The Rector and Visitors of the
University of Virginia was held on this date in the Office of the President of the University of
Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, with the following present. The Rector, Barron F. Black;
President Colgate W. Darden, Jr., of the University of Virginia, Visitors Anderson, Barksdale,
Carrington, Emmett, Gravatt, Mears, Smith, Talbott, Wailes, and Willis. Absent: Dr. M. L. Combs,
President of Mary Washington College; Visitors Garnett, Gay, and Howard.

The minutes of the meeting of September 8, 1950, which had been copied and mailed to the
members, were approved.

ENROLLMENT

The President reported that the present enrollment of the University was 4,168.

GIFTS

The President announced receipt of the following gifts.

             
From the Virginia-Carolina Chemical Corporation, to continue a fellowship
in chemistry under Dr. Alfred Burger for the session 1950-51 
$2,000 
From the Institute for the Study of Analgesic and Sedative Drugs, for
studies on bromide intoxication under the direction of Dr. S. W. Britton 
2,100 
From the Upjohn Company, for the continuation for one year of studies
on testosterone cyclopentylpropionate under the direction of Dr.
William Parson 
3,000 
From the McGregor Fund, in support of studies of the University libraries
by Mr. Harry Clemons, during a three-year period 
7,500 
From Mr. Thomas W. Streeter, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Collection,
valued by the Division of Rare Books and Manuscripts of the Alderman
Library at 
500 
From Mr. Samuel M. Bemiss, three rare books, valued at  645 
From Mr. Ronald Tree, the library collection from "Mirador," valued at  3,000 

DEATH OF DR. SMITH

Dr. Dudley Crofford Smith, Professor of Dermatology and Syphilology, and on the professorial
staff of the University since 1924, died August 30, 1950.

The Resolutions Committee was requested to draft an appropriate resolution which could be
sent to the family of Dr. Smith.

RESIGNATION

The following resolution was adopted.

RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia
that the resignation of Mr. Alfred Akerman, Associate Professor of Forestry and Director of the Seward
Forest, be and it is hereby accepted as of November 1, 1950. We wish for him many years of happiness
in his retirement.

The Secretary was requested to write a letter to Dr. Akerman expressing the appreciation of
the Board for his service to the University.

- - -

Upon recommendation of the President, the following change in title, cancellation of appointment,
leave of absence, promotion, and elections were approved.

CHANGE IN TITLE

RESOLVED that the title of Mr. Blake B. Woodson, who was elected Instructor in Foreign
Affairs on September 8, 1950, be and it is hereby changed to Lecturer in Foreign Affairs for the
first semester of the session of 1950-51.

CANCELLATION OF APPOINTMENT

RESOLVED that the appointment of Dr. C. Paxton Stodder as Instructor in Pharmacology be and
it is hereby canceled since Dr. Stodder, who has been in military service, cannot be released to come
to the University.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Dr. Rowland Egger, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Bureau of Public Administration,
granted half-time leave of absence during the first semester of the session of 1950-51
to work with the Administrative Tribunal of the United Nations.

PROMOTION

Dr. Marcus Burr Mallett, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, promoted to Associate Professor
as of the beginning of the session of 1950-51.

ELECTIONS

Dr. Feliks Gross as Visiting Professor of Foreign Affairs for the second semester of the
session of 1950-51, at a salary of $3,500 for the semester.


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Mr. Guy Estes, as Assistant Professor of Forestry and Director of the Seward Forest, effective
November 1, 1950, at an annual salary of $4,050, to replace Mr. Akerman.

Mr. Avery Catlin as Part-time Instructor in Engineering for the session of 1950-51, at a
session salary of $1,500.

UNCOLLECTIBLE HOSPITAL ACCOUNTS

The following resolution was adopted.

RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia
that the Hospital Accounts Committee be and it is hereby authorized to charge off as uncollectible
accounts schedules 154, 155 and 156, aggregating $32,858.78, recommended by them for cancellation.

ELECTRIC LINE THROUGH COPELEY HILL

An application from the Virginia Electric and Power Company to extend electric lines
through a section of Copeley Hill was referred to the President with authority to act.

TIAA CONTRIBUTIONS

A resolution was adopted continuing the policy of matching Teachers Insurance and Annuity
Association contributions for faculty members called into the armed forces, which policy had been in
operation in World War II.

FEE TO MR. VENABLE MINOR

The Board voted a fee of $750 plus expenses to Mr. C. Venable Minor for legal services
rendered the University in the case of Gregory Hayes Swanson v. The Rector and Visitors of the University
of Virginia.

NCAA MATTER

The President presented a letter from Mr. H. C. Willett, President of the National Collegiate
Athletic Association, in which Mr. Willett stated that the NCAA Council at its meeting of
August 12 voted as follows:

"That the Council recommend to the next Convention of the Association that the
membership of the University of Virginia be suspended until the Constitutional Compliance
Committee certifies that the University of Virginia is in compliance with
the Constitution, By-Laws, and Regulations of the Association, such suspension to
provide that the University of Virginia shall not be eligible to enter athletes in
NCAA meets and tournaments, shall not be eligible to vote in the business affairs
of the Association, and that member institutions shall not schedule intercollegiate
athletic contests with the University of Virginia until its compliance is certified."

The President stated that the Executive Committee of the NCAA had approved by a vote of
eight to five the modification of the present rules so that it would be possible for the University
of Virginia to conform. After discussion of the matter, a resolution was adopted directing the
Special Committee of the Board on the Study of NCAA Regulations to consider the feasibility of approaching
eastern and southern institutions to determine if possible what stand each plans to take
on the present NCAA rules at the annual meeting, and further to attempt to organize support among
these institutions for the proposed recommendations of the NCAA Executive Committee. The Special
Committee was asked to explore the feasibility of securing data showing actual violations of the
present Code.

STETTINIUS MEMORIAL FUND

The President requested permission of the Board to establish a fund to be known as the
Edward R. Stettinius, Jr. Memorial Fund. He stated that he hoped to secure from friends of Mr.
Stettinius funds to endow the Stettinius Chair of Foreign Affairs. This proposal was unanimously
approved.

ROBERT COLEMAN TAYLOR ESTATE

The President presented to the Board the question of approval of investments in this trust,
which is held for the benefit of Lillian G. Taylor, and which will eventually come to the University.
Whereupon a resolution was adopted requesting the Finance Committee to consider changes in this fund
as recommended by the Central Hanover Bank and Trust Company, Trustees.

INSCRIPTIONS FOR ACADEMIC BUILDING

The Board authorized a committee composed of the President, former President Newcome, and
Dean Ivey F. Lewis to select appropriate inscriptions for the two tablets above the doors of this
building

STATUS OF HOMER RICHEY

The President reported that Mr. Homer Richey, who at the June Board meeting was promoted
from Assistant Professor to Acting Associate Professor, had declined the promotion. Whereupon a resolution
was adopted rescinding this action.

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION

The President again discussed with the Board the difficulties at the Hospital. He stated
that he had advised Dr. Lentz of the dissatisfaction of the Medical Faculty with the administration
of the Hospital and of their wish that a new administrator be secured to take over the responsibilities
shared by him and Mr. Bokinsky, before Mr. Bokinsky's call to active duty with the armed services.
He reported that Dr. Lentz did not object to the employment of a new director, but did take
the position that he was entitled to remain at his present salary as a member of the Medical Faculty
The Members of the Board informally expressed the view that since Dr. Lentz did no teaching his employment
by the University was as administrator of the Hospital

It was the sense of those present that the President should secure the services of a new
administrator.


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GARDEN CLUB RESTORATION PROJECT

Mrs. Smith reported that the Garden Clubs of Virginia had voted to donate the receipts of
the 1951 Garden Week to the restoration project now under way at the University. The Rector was
requested to write the president of the Garden Clubs of Virginia to express the appreciation of the
Board for this generous gift

WILLIAM JACKSON HUMPHREYS ESTATE

Mr. Merideth P. Wiswell, of the firm of Parsons and Wiswell, Attorneys, of Huntington, West
Virginia, appeared before the Board and outlined the procedure being taken in the settlement of the
Estate of the late Dr. William J. Humphreys.

Among other matters discussed by Mr. Wiswell, he reported that for the purpose of payment
of taxes it had been necessary to sell several parcels of land in the City of Huntington, West Virginia.
These sales have been made by Mr. Wm. E. Parsons, who has been appointed Ancillary Administrator
in West Virginia, and who, in making these sales, has acted under the general power of sale
given the Executors, and their successors, under the Will.

The sales made by Mr. Parsons are as follows:

                     
Kyle District: 
Part Lot 1, Block 20, Belford Extension
40 × 100 ft., being the northeast corner of 11th Avenue and 5th Street west 
$ 2,000.00 
Part Lot 20, Block 70 north 25 × 50 ft. 
Lot 7 Block 70 West End Realty Sub.  1,200.00 
Lot 6 Block 70 West End Realty Sub. 
located on 12th St. west & 4½ Alley 
Gideon District: 
Lots 74 - 75 Norwood Addition near the Geneva Kent School  300.00 
Lot 30, South Side Home sites or #1405 - 11th Avenue  4,500.00 
Lot "C", Block 287, Flowers Sub. or #3064 - 7th Avenue  3,500.00 
$11,500.00 

Mr. Wiswell explained that these sales had all been made at appraised prices but in order
to be entirely sure that the appraisal was not too low his firm had these properties re-appraised
with a view of obtaining values as to the date of sale, and that, in his opinion, the amounts received
in each case were adequate, and Mr. Wiswell asked that the Board approve the action of the
Administrator in making these sales, adding that although the sales had been consummated and deeds
delivered and purchase price received, the purchasers understood that the transactions would have
to be approved by the Circuit Court of Cabell County, West Virginia, in the pending chancery cause
of Margaret A. Humphreys and The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia v. Washington
Loan and Trust Company, Trustee, et als.

Mr. Wiswell was requested by the Board to address a letter to President Darden in which he
will repeat and possibly amplify the statements made by him to the Board, as above stated, upon the
subject of values of the several parcels of land which have been sold, the purpose of the sales, and
the advisability of each, so that these facts may be available for future reference.

It was, thereupon,

RESOLVED that in view of Mr. Wiswell's assurance that the sales were necessary at this time,
that in each case the prices are fair and adequate, which facts will be further stated in his letter
above referred to, this Board approves each of said sales

- - -
Dear President Darden:

Concerning the five sales of the properties located in Huntington, West Virginia, of the
William Jackson Humphreys Estate, which sales were made by deeds from William E. Parson, Ancillary
Administrator, c.t.a. of the Estate of William Jackson Humphreys, please be advised of the following
information concerning the advisability of each of those sales and conveyances

Part Lot I, Block 20, Belford Extension -

This property is a vacant lot being 40 × 100 feet in size, located on the Northeast corner
of Eleventh Avenue and Fifth Street West and was sold for $2,000.00 cash. This lot is located in
a fair residential section of the City and was I believe, sold for its fair market value.

Part Lot 20, Block 70, North part 25 × 50 feet, Lot 7 of West End Realty Sub. of Block 70,
Lot 6, West End Realty Sub. of Block 70
-

The above portions comprise a single vacant lot, being 50 × 124 feet and is located at
the corner of 12th Street West and 4½ alley. This lot was sold for $1,200.00 cash and is located
in a rather poor residential section of the City. The amount received is in my opinion, the fair
market value therefor.

Lot 74 and 75, Norwood Addition -

These two lots are approximately 50 × 120 feet each and were sold for the total sum of
$300.00 cash. These vacant lots are located in an undeveloped outlying section from the City and
there are no adequate streets, gas, electricity, or sewage systems servicing this section of the
City. The amount of $300.00 received for these lots are in my opinion, the fair market value therefor

Lot 30, South Side Home Sites -

This improved lot, known as 1405 - 11th Avenue, contains a small frame bungalow and was
sold for the sum of $4,500.00 cash. The house thereon is about 30 years old, and was in great need
of painting and structural repairs due to the fact that the joists in the rear of the house were


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broken, allowing the rear portion to sag. Also, this house was in great need of interior decorating,
etc. and the house itself was located one-half block from the colored residential section of the City.
It is located upon a lot 40 × 80 feet and the price received therefor is in my opinion, the fair
market value.

Lot "C", Block 287, Flowers Subdivision -

This is a lot approximately 40 × 60 feet and contains a small frame bungalow known as
3064 Seventh Avenue, which lot was sold for the sum of $3,500.00 cash. The house thereon is located
about one-half block from the main C. & O. railroad tracks and is located in a poor residential section
of the City. The house itself is about 30 years old and greatly in need of painting and repairing,
both inside and out. The rear portion of the house will have to be partially rebuilt, due
to the poor state of repair. This house is located in front of an unpaved street and the purchase
price received therefor is in my opinion, the fair market value thereof.

All of the above properties were sold in order to raise sufficient funds with which to pay
West Virginia Inheritance taxes, debts of decedent, and costs of administration. Each of the above
properties were appraised in April, 1950 by three competent real estate agents as to their fair market
value and the above prices represent those appraisements. Furthermore, immediately preceding
each of the sales above, I had each of the above properties appraised as to their fair market value
as of September, 1950, by a highly competent real estate agent and the appraisements made by him as
to each of the above properties was the same as each of the selling prices as noted.

The above information is to be appended to the resolution adopted October 13, 1950 at the
meeting of the Board of Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia and that resolution requested
that I forward the above information in letter form.

Yours very truly,
(s) Merideth P. Wiswell
- - -

On motion the meeting was then adjourned.

Barron F. Black
Rector
Vincent Shea
Secretary