University of Virginia Library

APPEAL OF EXPULSION—W. W. ARCHER, III

PRESENT: Messrs. Denny, Parker, Scott, and Valentine, attorneys, with Mr. Scott's client,
W. W. Archer, III and his father, and Mr. Denny's client, William R. Walker and his father

Mr. Scott stated that he would like to open the hearings with Mr. Archer's case, and make
such variations thereafter in the presentation of evidence on the facts in the cases of Mr. Archer
and of Mr. Walker, evidence on the admissibility of evidence obtained by the University Administration
against the two young men, and arguments on their behalf, as might assist Mr. Denny, who
must take the 1:30 train to Chicago. The Rector replied that the Board had agreed to this on the
previous afternoon and was now ready to hear the two students present their cases in any manner
and order they pleased

Reading from the University Catalogue's section on "Conduct" the sentence that begins,
"Before action is taken on any accusation of bad conduct however, the student concerned will
first be informed of the charge against him", Mr. Scott said that he would attempt to show
(1) that Archer had never been informed of the charge, and (2) that the circumstances under which
the University Administration, in the person of Mr. Fletcher, obtained evidence against Mr. Archer
were such that it ought not to be used against him

Mr. Scott asked the Board to keep in mind two points: (1) He, Mr. Scott, and all the other
attorneys were present simply as friends of Archer and Walker and their families, and (2) The
legal technicalities raised in this hearing would be the work of the attorneys, if any members of
the Board should be offended by them, this ought not to prejudice Archer and Walker

Mr. Scott then presented Mr. W. W. Archer, who read to the Board a 5-page letter written by
himself, appealing to the Board to repeal the penalty imposed on his son. At the request of the
Rector, Mr. Archer signed this letter and handed it to the Secretary, who was ordered to file it.

Mr. W. W. Archer, III recited to the Board the story of his actions in the early morning
hours of April 4th. Following suggestions by Mr. Scott, Mr. Archer then told of his relations
with Mr. Fletcher after April 6th. He denied knowing that Mr. Fletcher is the disciplinary officer
of the University, but said that for a day or two he had been "stopped from going" to see Mr.
Fletcher by his fraternity president, who "said I'd be a scapegoat". He had finally gone to see
Mr. Fletcher in company with two other students who have since been expelled from the University.
Mr. Fletcher had been courteous and friendly, hopeful of keeping the University and students out
of trouble with the lawyers, and promising strict confidence. Archer had asked Mr. Fletcher if he
ought to go home and prepare his parents to expect penalties, but Mr. Fletcher hadn't seemed to
think it necessary

Questioned by Board members as to whether Mr. Fletcher had promised him immunity from
punishment, Mr. Archer would only say that he thought Mr. Fletcher had implied immunity in the
original interview in saying not to tell his parents of the situation.

Mr. Denny, questioned by Mr. Scott as to the stories told by two other expelled students,
now in the Army, said that they did not materially differ from Archer's account of Mr. Fletcher's
conduct