University of Virginia Library

NEGRO STUDENT'S APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO COLLEGE

President Darden reported an application from a Negro student, Alphonso Edward Nichols, Jr.,
of Newport News, Virginia, for admission as a Pre-Medical student in the College of Arts and
Sciences. The President said that Mr. Nichols ranks ninth in his class of 192 at Huntington High
School and is well qualified for admission.

Mr. Darden pointed out that all of the twenty-two Negro students who are at present enrolled
in the University are in graduate and professional schools pursuing specialized studies for which
no provision is made in State-supported Virginia institutions for Negroes. The recent decision of
the Courts relative to the University of North Carolina, Mr. Darden noted, appeared to make Mr.
Nichols' admission legally obligatory on him; but he was bringing this case before the Board
because Mr. Nichols, if admitted, would be the first Negro student in the College.

During the extensive discussion that followed, President Darden observed that a case could
be made that adequate pre-medical education is not provided by Virginia in a Negro institution,
and that he was prepared to admit Mr. Nichols on this ground, thus putting his admission in the
same status as that of other Negro students now in the University. Several Visitors argued,
however, that this technicality should be avoided, and that, in view of the present concern of the
government of Virginia with the related problem in the public schools, the Board ought not to act
hastily without consulting higher authority in Richmond. Others felt that the position of the
University higher education and the clarity of the legal procedents demanded a prompt decision.

On motion of Judge Smith, seconded by Mr. Gravatt, the Board resolved that action on Mr.
Nichols' application be deferred until the Annual Meeting on June 16th, that the President shall
in the meantime consult with the Governor and the Attorney General, and that the Rector appoint
a special committee of Visitors to participate with the President in this conference.

Judge Bryan and Mr. Pollock asked that their negative votes be recorded.

Mr. McWane roted that he had voted for the resolution out of deference to the present related
problems of the Governor, but that he wanted to make clear his opinion that the Board ought to
take a definite stand on this matter no later than June.