University of Virginia Library

UNIVERSITY BUDGET AND THE LEGISLATURE

Mrs. Smith reported that through conversation with a member of the Legislature she had
gathered the impression that the University should attempt to organize greater support in the
Legislature for its budget requests, that there was a basic group of University graduates who
would strongly support the budget but they needed assistance to get our requests approved. It
was the feeling that V.P.I. had successfully organized support for its program and that the
University Board should attempt to follow suit.

Mr. Howard stated that it was his impression that the support of V.P.I.'s budget had
not been organized by their Board of Visitors, but that many groups in the State who were interested
in farm problems had rallied behind the program at V.P.I. and strongly supported it in the
Legislature.

The President stated that political power in the state of Virginia is still controlled
by the rural vote. In high school after high school not a single graduate enters the University,
whereas V.P.I. is drawing from all over the State. It was his feeling that unless we can tie the
University more closely to the high schools we cannot move forward. With such a tie we could
broaden the support in the Legislature for the University.

Mr. Talbott stated that he thought a large number of high school graduates did not come
here because they were not properly prepared. Mr. Gravatt stated that he thought there should be
a stronger tie between the various alumni groups in the State and the University, that these
groups were interested in the progress of local students at the University

Mr. Howard said he believed the really controlling factor in the selection of a college
by a boy was the recommendation of the principal or some particular teacher. It was his feeling
that the work Dean Stiles was carrying on would in the long run tie the teachers of the State
more closely to the University and that they would thus be encouraged to recommend to more boys
that they come to the University.