University of Virginia Library

COMPUTER CENTER

The President reported that he had been approached by Remington-Rand Univac, a division of
Sperry-Rand Corporation, with a proposal to establish at the University a computer center and
training school to serve the Southern Region of Remington-Rand Univac. This would be one of
four regional training centers with the others serving the Eastern, Midwestern, and Western
Regions. The basic proposal included the installation of a Univac solid-state tape 80 or 90
computing system, together with a complete complement of additional equipment. In return for

the space to be used for the training center staff, the University would obtain for its exclusive use
a minimum period of 176 daytime hours per month on the computer. In addition to the 1,500 square feet
necessary to house the equipment, Remington-Rand Univac would require three large classrooms to accommodate
a class of 25 on a 12-hour per day, 6-day a week basis, and office space for 4 instructors
and a regional manager. In addition, rooms and meals for approximately 40 male employees, to be paid
for by Remington-Rand Univac, would be necessary.

The President explained that the University's efforts to obtain a scientific calculator from
the National Science Foundation had been unsuccessful primarily because of lack of experience in
computer operation. While the use of the solid-state computer proposed by Remington-Rand Univac
would be limited so far as scientific work was concerned, the President stated that some scientific
research could be conducted and that, in addition, the computer could be used for training purposes
by the Graduate School of Business Administration and the School of Commerce. It could also be employed,
he concluded, by the staff of the Comptroller in carrying on accounting work and other types
of punch card operations which would lessen the cost of renting equipment from another company.

After considerable discussion, the following resolution was adopted

RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia that
the President be and he is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Remington-Rand Univac
for the establishment at the University of a computer center and training school, subject to final
review by the Executive Committee and the General Counsel of the University and the approval of
the Governor