University of Virginia Library

On call of the Rector, a special meeting of the Board of Visitors of The Rector and Visitors
of the University of Virginia was held on this date at 11.00 a.m. in the office of Mr. Thomas B. Gay,
Electric Building, Richmond, Virginia. The following were present. The Rector, Barron F. Black,
President Colgate W. Darden, Jr., of the University of Virginia, Visitors Carrington, Emmett, Garnett,
Gay, Gravatt, Howard, Mears, Smith and Willis. Absent: Visitors Anderson, Barksdale, Talbott and
Wailes.

CASE OF WILLIAM V. JOHNSON

The Rector read a letter from Mr. Richard R. Fletcher, Director of Student Affairs at the
University, citing the circumstances in the dismissal of Mr. Johnson as a student in the University.
Whereupon a resolution was adopted denying the petition of Mr. Johnson that he be allowed to change
the record to state that he withdrew voluntarily from the University.

ENDOWMENT FUND BILL BEFORE LEGISLATURE

The President stated that he had discussed with Mr. Gay a bill pending before the Legislature
to free endowment funds in state-controlled colleges and universities from inclusion in the
State budget. He stated that the bill had passed the House but had run into difficulties in the
Senate, where an amendment had been introduced which would have completely emasculated the bill.

Mr. Darden stated that he had discussed the matter with the Governor, who raised the
question of whether in the long run the University would be as well off as at present, since other
institutions in the State had been pressing for a uniform salary scale for their faculties, and
the State officials had defended the differential between the University and the other institutions
by stating that University endowment was sufficient to make up the difference.

On Saturday, February 23, the Governor called Mr. Darden from a meeting of the Association
of Virginia Colleges to discuss the bill. The Governor stated that he had just seen a delegation
from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, which group had stated that it was indefensible for a salary
differential to exist between V.P.I. and the University. Mr. Darden said that he had also talked
to Mr. Bradford, Director of the Budget, who was opposed to the bill. The question to be decided
by the Board was whether or not it should attempt to get the bill passed at this session of the
Legislature. Mr. Darden stated that he believed enough support could be marshaled in the Senate
to secure passage of the bill, and that the Governor had indicated he would sign it.

The President stated that the freeing of endowment funds from State control, plus the
recognition by the State of the pre-eminence of the University in the field of higher education
in Virginia, would make it possible to develop the University into an outstanding institution.

Mr. Gay stated that he had conferred with the Governor concerning this matter. He read
to the Board a part of the "Report on Higher Education in Virginia" which set forth what the committee
drafting the report believed should be the philosophy of the State towards endowment funds
of its institutions of higher education. He stated that he believed many donors would give to
the University if they were assured their gifts would not result in reduction of State support.
Such funds should be used to strengthen the institution rather than as replacement for State
appropriation.

Mr. Gay then referred to the Reorganization Act of 1927 which stipulates that all collections
of fees, revenues, etc., with the exception of the endowment fund, be paid into the State
Treasury. He stated that he had discussed this matter with Mr. Bradford who maintained that the
reorganization bill did not mean that endowment income should be excluded from consideration in
budgeting.

Mr. Gay stated that he had discussed with the Governor the matter of the salary scale
for the Faculty at the University in the light of its differential over that of other state institutions
and felt that the Governor was sympathetic to the view that in order to maintain its
position of eminence in the field of higher education it was necessary to maintain that differential.
Mr. Gay and Mr. Darden thought it was important, however, in considering what action the
Board should now take, that the Governor be considered as sympathetically behind such a differential,
or we might lose out in a fight before the Legislature. To sum up, Mr. Gay stated that
the members of the Board must make up their minds whether we should take the political risk involved
in pushing for passage of the bill at this time

Mr. Black stated that he feels in the long run we would lose if a fight developed,
because V.P.I. is a powerful force in the State Legislature.

Mr. Gay stated that he was not at all reconciled to the view that V.P.I. could maintain
its position before the Legislature for equalization in the pay of its faculty. He stated
that he would be willing to try to get this bill through at the present session.

Mr. Black said that he believed this was a bad time to attempt to press for passage
of the bill. He thinks we should wait until another Governor is elected. Mr. Gay stated that
what disturbed him was that if we do not secure passage of the bill now, two years hence we will
have a record of having failed to secure passage of the bill, and it will be even more difficult
to secure passage at that time.

President Darden said that he did not believe the political climate was suitable to
press for passage of this bill in the current session of the Legislature.

Whereupon Mr. Mears made a motion that we not press for action at this time. As
there was no second, the motion died.

Mr. Gravatt stated that if V.P.I. and William and Mary organized against us in the
Legislature he was sure the University would be defeated. Mr. Gay stated that the institutions
of higher learning in the State were supporting this bill and he doesn't see how after its passage
they could reverse their stand and use it as a basis for opposing the present salary differential.

Mr. Gay then moved that a resolution be adopted that it was the sense of the Board
that this bill should be passed at this session of the Legislature and requesting the President
to take such action as is appropriate to secure its passage. This motion died, as there was no
second.

Mr. Garnett then moved that the matter be left to the discretion of the President.
President Darden wanted the Board to understand that if the matter were left to him, he would
leave the bill in committee. Whereupon a motion was passed to leave the matter to the discretion
of the President.

Mr. Gay asked to be recorded as voting in opposition to this decision. However, he
stated that if the President should change his stand and press for the passage of the bill, he,
Mr. Gay, would vote yes.

GARDEN CLUB TABLET

The Rector stated that he had received letters from Mr. Talbott and Mr. Gay suggesting
certain changes in the language of the inscription to be placed on a tablet marking the restoration
of the gardens at the University. Mrs. Smith clarified some of the questions raised by Mr.
Gay and after discussion the inscription with suggested changes was approved as follows.

THE GARDEN CLUB OF VIRGINIA

TABLET FOR COLONNADE CLUB

In accordance with the instructions of the Board at the last meeting, the President presented
a draft of a proposed tablet to be placed on the Colonnade Club (Pavilion VII). This draft
was prepared by Mr. Harry Clemons, Librarian Emeritus of the University, and was approved as submitted,
as follows:

After discussion it was decided to postpone the determination of a date for the unveiling
of this marker

MEDICAL FACULTY SALARY PLAN

Dr. Emmett stated that the report of the committee of the clinical faculty of the Medical
School concerning a new salary scale for the clinical staff had been unanimously approved by
the entire clinical staff of the Hospital; that the Medical Committee of the Board of Visitors
had considered this plan very carefully and recommended to the Board its adoption

There were inquiries by Board members concerning certain phases of the plan and after
considerable discussion the plan was approved with the following amendments.

1. That the language of the plan be revised to state clearly that all expenses of the
several departments are to be covered before any distribution of excess earnings is made.

2. That costs of equipment which cannot be paid out of general running expenses are to
be paid out of the reserve funds

3. That title to all equipment will rest in the University.

4. That in the language of the plan where a chairman of a department and the dean are
required to approve a program of expenditures, the Bursar be added.

5. That out of the Research and Development Fund $1,500 a year be paid as a supplement
to the salary of the dean.

6. That within two years after adoption of the plan, a group clinic be established, the
plan for such clinic to be submitted to the Board for approval prior to its institution.

7. That the agreement be made retroactive to July 1, 1951.

UNIVERSITY BUDGET

Physics Building

The President stated that he had conferred with the Governor and had received authorization
to proceed with advertising for bids for the Physics Building. Although the funds available
are not adequate, there is a $450,000 conditional appropriation for the current biennium which
the Governor has authority to use as a supplement if sufficient funds are available in the State
Treasury.

Hospital

The Hospital is operating at a deficit and has been doing so through both years of this
biennium in spite of a large increase in rates which was made in April, 1951. Of course the Legislature
will have to make up this deficit, but it makes it difficult to secure funds for the
University proper when more and more money is being needed to keep the Hospital operating.

A special plea has been made for the $2,000,000 appropriation requested to replace the
old non-fireproof wings of the Hospital. The Dean of the Medical School, the President of the
Medical Alumni Association and the Director of the Hospital appeared with the President before
the House Appropriations Committee to make a plea for these funds, but there are insufficient
funds within the current revenues of the State to provide this $2,000,000. The President said
that in conversation with some members of the Legislature he found it their feeling that after
this biennium the Legislature would be able to provide for the capital outlay needs of State institutions,
having met the needs of the public school construction program in the last two bienniums.
The President said that he feels the best we can hope for from the segregation case now
pending is equalization and that such equalization will require several hundred million dollars
for public school construction. Hence he does not feel that the future looks any more promising
than the present

The President said it was important that the record show that the Board of Visitors and
the President have done everything they can to place before the Legislature the urgency of granting
the request for $2,000,000 for Hospital construction, that the fire hazard is very great.

After discussion of the matter it was the sense of the Board that each member should do
everything possible to call to the attention of the appropriate members of the Legislature the need
of the University Hospital for this appropriation

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On motion the meeting was then adjourned