 |
 |
 | Board of Visitors minutes March 15, 1945 |  |
A special meeting of the Board of Visitors was held on this date at 11 o'clock in the office
of the President. Present, R. Gray Williams, Rector; visitors Lewis C. Williams, Christopher B. Garnet
C. O'Conor Goolrick, E. C. Anderson, D. S. Lancaster, Maitland H. Bustard Mrs. O. A. Calcott, Mrs.
Phoebe E. Willis, Mrs. Bertha P. Wailes and Richard A. Carrington, Jr., and President Newcomb.
The minutes of the meeting of December 23, copied and mailed to the members, were approved.
The President made the following announcements covering enrollment and gifts:
ENROLLMENT: 1137
| From the General Education Board, toward the support of a study of the specifications covering the classification of state employees during the period terminating June 30, 1946 |
$14,500.00 |
| From the General Education Board, for the salary of an additional staff member to prepare educational materials on resources and their utilization for adult groups, during the two-year period beginning July 1, 1945 |
8,000.00 |
| From Miss Dorothy M. Strickland, of Roanoke, establishing a loan fund for medical students, to be known as the STRICKLAND MEDICAL STUDENTS LOAN FUND, in memory of her father, the late Dr. James Thomas Strickland, of Roanoke |
500.00 |
| From Mr. D. C. Reams, a former student of Engineering, a second check for the purpose of strengthening the Humanistic Division of the Engineering Library |
50.00 |
The following resignation and elections presented by the President were approved:
Resignation of Mr. W. Patton Graham, Professor of Romance Languages, effective June 30, 1945:
RESOLVED, that the resignation of Professor Graham be and is hereby accepted; Professor
Graham has carried on his work at the University with devotion and skill, and the Board
wishes for him many years of happiness in his retirement.
ELECTIONS:
Mr. Frederick G. Baender, Acting Professor of Mechanical Engineering, at a salary of $5,000
for a period of 12 months, encumbency to begin April 1, 1945, and extended to October 1, 1946
at the same salary rate.
ELECTIONS:
Mr. James Myers Mullendore, Assistant Professor of Speech, at a session salary of $2,800, encumbency
to begin July 1, 1945.
Lt. William F. Thompson, USNR, Assistant Professor of Naval Science and Tactics, effective January
17, 1945.
Lt. Howard C. Van Riper, USNR, Assistant Professor of Naval Science and Tactics, effective February
5, 1945.
Lt. Olin O. Taylor, USNR, Assistant Professor of Naval Science and Tactics, effective February 25, 1945.
DEATH OF MRS. LILA S. GILMER:
The President announced the death of Mrs. Lila S. Gilmer, a member of the Board of Visitors, which
occurred on February 23, 1945, and he was requested to extend to the family the sincere sympathy of the
members of the Board.
REPORT OF THE NEW BUILDINGS COMMITTEE:
In the absence of Dr. W. D. Haden, chairman of the New Buildings Committee, President Newcomb
made a verbal report of the selection of architects for the several projects, as follows: That contracts for
architectural work on the new dormitories, cafeteria and student union unit, the reconstruction of the North
and South Wings of the old hospital building and the addition to the chemical laboratory had been made with
Eggers & Higgins of New York.
The selection of architects for the several projects, as outlined, was approved by the Board, and
the President was authorized to sign the contracts on behalf of the University when approval has been made
by the State Board of Architects.
The President further explained that it had been deemed desirable to secure a block model for the
proposed hospital construction and also site plans for other University construction; that the cost of such
model and plans would not exceed the sum of $10,000; that the expenditure had met with the approval of the
Governor, and that he had made an appropriation to cover the cost thereof. Motion by Mr. Lewis C. Williams
to approve of having the block model and site plans prepared, was adopted.
REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE:
Mr. Bustard, of the Finance Committee, presented for the action of the Board the following matters
considered at a meeting of said committee on the 14th instant.
RESOLVED, that the following stocks purchased by the Finance Committee of this Board as
investments for the endowment funds of the University, be and are hereby approved:
200 shares of Life Insurance Company of Virginia common stock @ 93, and
200 shares of Continental Can Co. 3 3/4% preferred stock @ 102½
Approved
RESOLVED, that the Finance Committee of this Board in making investments for the
endowment funds under its control, confine such investments in common stocks to such an amount
as will not exceed thirty per cent of the total value of the said endowment funds at the date
of the last valuation, and that such purchases made of common stocks be reported to this Board at
the first meeting following such purchases.
Approved
USE OF ROTUNDA - ARCHITECTURAL SERVICE:
Mr. Lewis C. Williams, chairman of the Committee on Use of the Rotunda, stated that he desired some
architectural advice in determining the proper procedure, and requested permission to employ the services
of Eggers & Higgins to prepare plans for same, which was approved.
COMMITTEE ON CONSOLIDATION OF MARY WASHINGTON COLLEGE WITH UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA:
A motion by Dr. Lancaster, that a committee on the consolidation of Mary Washington College with
the University of Virginia be appointed by the Rector, was adopted.
SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS:
A committee from the Board of Managers of the University of Virginia Alumni Association presented
the following communication in reference to the above matter:
In regard to the proposed School of Foreign Service and International Affairs at the University
of Virginia, the Board of Managers of the University of Virginia Alumni Association respectfully
submits for your consideration the following:
1. The establishment of this School was proposed by Mr. Edward R. Stettinius, Jr., a member
of our Board of Visitors and now Secretary of State, in a memorandum dated March 16, 1943, addressed
to the Rector and the President of the University. As that memorandum states the proposition so
well and forcefully we are taking the liberty of attaching a copy of the same hereto. We think it
is in order to state that the interest of Mr. Stettinius in this School has not abated. On February
28, 1945, he addressed a letter from Mexico City to a member of this Committee in which he said, "I
agree entirely that the time is slipping away from us and if we are really to be effective in establishing
a School of Foreign Service at the University it should be done immediately. As a matter of
fact, from my talk with you, you will recall that I thought it should have been done at the time of
my original memorandum in 1942, a copy of which I gave you."
2. At a meeting of the Board of Managers of the Alumni Association on February 3, 1945, the
following two resolutions were adopted:
"It was moved, seconded and unanimously carried that the Alumni Association make $10,000.00
such purposes as may seem most desirable in the judgment of the Board of Managers. This
commitment is contingent upon the announcement of this School by July 1, 1945.
"It was moved, seconded and unanimously carried that President Henry appoint a committee
to request that a meeting of the Board of Visitors be called at an early date to consider the
prompt establishment of the School of Foreign Service. The Board suggested that President Henry
should be a member of this Committee.
3. The able committee appointed by Dr. Newcomb to study the feasibility of establishing
the School of which Dr. L. G. Moffatt of the School of Romance Languages is Chairman, has
made its report. This report goes into all phases of the School including its purpose, nature of
course of study, curriculum, organization and plan of instruction and a "conclusion" of which a
copy is attached.
4. It is a well-recognized fact that many attribute the lack of efficiency on the part of
some engaged in diplomatic, consular and foreign service to inadequate preparation. It is obvious
that the United States must and will take an ever greater and greater part in the affairs of
the world. We quote the following from an article about Mr. Stettinius by Bob Considine in the
Reader's Digest of March, 1945:
"He has a young man's outlook on the world. He believes we should train diplomats
and foreign-service men as we train midshipmen and cadets, and he will recruit young
blood until such a school develops."
5. We can think of no University or place of instruction better suited for such a School
than the University of Virginia. The fact that many other institutions are planning for the
same sort of instruction shows the tremendous interest in and need for a broad and special
training to equip suitable persons for this field of services. We understand that already many
inquiries have come to the University in regard to this School by persons interested in
entering themselves or their sons.
6. We respectfully urge the prompt announcement of this School, notwithstanding the fact
that it may be impossible to adequately supply the personnel of its faculty and directors now.
We are convinced that everyone believes that such a School should be established at the
University of Virginia. In the opinion of this Committee and of all with whom we have talked
the feeling is that such a School at the University of Virginia in the language of the street
would be a "natural".
7. We appreciate the privilege of appearing before the Board of Visitors. We trust
that our enthusiasm and zeal for this object will not be misconstrued and that we will not
be thought of as stepping beyond the limits of our proper concern. The Alumni Association is
increasing in strength and effectiveness from year to year. We believe that we are representative
of the general alumni. This substantial contribution which the Association offers out
of its comparatively small but increasing reserves is tangible evidence of the sincerity of
our interest in this undertaking. In addition to this sum we feel quite sure that the sum of
$35,000.00 for the Library for International Studies will be raised by the Association as a
party of the Alumni Fund. We also understand that a committee of Alumni are thinking in terms
of much greater support in money and prestige. The prompt announcement of this School will in
our opinion accomplish indirects effects as great or greater than the direct results from the
School itself.
The Committee has also asked the President of the Association, Mr. Henry, to present in
a few words the general status and objectives of the Alumni Association and to let the Administration
and the Board know that the Association is doing its best and hopes to do better for
the good of the University of Virginia.
MEMORANDUM
Subject: University of Virginia School of Foreign Service
From: Edward R. Stettinius, Jr.
Last week, at a dinner at the White House, I had a chance to discuss with certain important
representatives of the State Department the outstanding opportunity offered to the University
to inaugurate a school of foreign service. Very few universities in the country have formal
schools of this type. I am told that Georgetown University has courses in Foreign Service, but
they are more in the nature of cramming or tutoring courses that boys take after their graduation
from regular academic courses.
The State Department is currently taking thirty to fifty boys a year for foreign service
work. Their plans for the future will require at least a hundred a year.
The establishment of a foreign service school seems to me to be a natural step for the
University to take. The school would be unique as the first one of its kind. The geographic
setting of the University — its Jeffersonian atmosphere and traditions, and its proximity to
Washington — make such a school particularly appealing. I am told by State Department officials
that this step would arouse such great interest throughout the country that we could be very
selective as to the quality and quantity of students to be admitted. The School would surely bring
great prestige to the University from a national standpoint.
The general tendency is to postpone actions of this kind until after the war. It would
appear, however, that this is something the University could undertake immediately with little
added expense. An outstanding course of this kind at a great American university, already
in operation at the close of the war, would attract high-caliber boys of the armed services who
have become with international affairs. As an outgrowth of the present war, the United
years, and there is going to be more and more demand for young men trained for thinking along international
lines.
It was recommended by a prominent member of the State Department that, to get the University
of Virginia School of Foreign Service started immediately without any special financial aid, we give
a degree in foreign service after a four-year course — two years in the academic departments and two
years in the School of Foreign Service.
I believe the subjects to be taught could undoubtedly be handled by existing members of the
University faculty. All that would be necessary would be to select some outstanding internationalist,
such as a Cordell Hull, Joseph Grew or Joseph Davies, to come to the University in residence and act
as Dean of the School.
If we do not act quickly, other universities are bound to take the lead in grasping this opportunity
For example, Lowell Thomas, in a broadcast before the students of the Taft School subsequent to my discussions,
said that Sumner Welles had personally emphasized to him the necessity for internationally-minded
young men to represent the United States in the post-war world. Also, American University has
already announced special summer courses to train government employees in speaking foreign languages
fluently so that they may be enabled to better participate in the inter-government relationships of
the present and future.
The time to act on this project is now, and I urge that it be studied promptly.
May 16, 1943.
Following the presentation of the foregoing paper, and a general discussion of the matter, Presid
Newcomb presented the following paper that he had prepared on the establishment of the school:
PLAN
of the
SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
of the
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
I. Purpose
Events of the recent past seem to point inevitably to increasing participation of the United States
in world affairs. It is therefore obvious that we have and shall continue to have, for reasons of national
self-interest among others, a vital role to play in world reconstruction and rehabilitation, the establishment
and maintenance of world peace, world trade and finance; in fact, in all aspects of the mutual exchange
on an international basis of ideas, goods, and services. New opportunities and needs, in addition to those
of the past, are constantly arising. Consider, for example, the possibilities in the new fields of international
journalism and transportation, or the interchange of the progress and results of scientific research
and inventions.
The field is vast, varied and vital. The best interest of our nation demands specially trained men,
in its manifold departments of international relations; and the young man who seeks a career in non-governmental
service that involves contacts with foreign countries must possess that general background and specialized
equipment which will be conducive to his success.
Of equal importance is the education of at least a segment of the American public in the meaning
and responsibilities of its participation in world organization for peace. To participate intelligently
and effectively we must have at least a nucleus of public opinion that is conversant with the historical
background of world affairs, a grasp of the world's economic problems, a sympathetic and tolerant understanding
of the view-points of other nations, and a knowledge of civilizations and cultures other than one's own. All
of this represents a liberal education in itself.
II. Nature of the Course of Study
With the objectives then of preparing young men for careers in the foreign services of the government,
or in non-governmental foreign service, and also of offering a well-balanced educational program in international
affairs for its own sake, the University of Virginia is establishing a SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE AND
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS. To meet these objectives it is believed that two conditions are essential:
1st. The student must first be broadly educated in the basic liberal arts subjects.
2nd. The specialized curriculum should be inclusive enough and flexible enough to
permit him to frame a program to suit his individual tastes and needs.
For the purpose of fulfilling these conditions all students in the School, during their first two
years, will be required to take the basic liberal arts courses leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts.
These are English, Mathematics, Science, and Foreign Languages. In addition, they will be required to take
certain general college courses whose presentation will be oriented to the special needs of their advanced
program. These are History, Economics, American Government and Human Geography.
The advanced program of the last two years, constituting the field of concentration, will be articulated
from the courses listed in the following section. There will be a large measure of selection and
flexibility in framing the program of concentration, but the whole must represent a comprehensive unit
meeting the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts. This program, of course, will be formulated
under the advice and guidance of advisers in the School.
The normal time for the completion of the program for the Bachelor's degree is four years. It may
happen, however, that a student will wish to prepare himself further by taking more courses than could be
fitted into his degree program. In this case he may stay on for a fifth year and do one of two things: frame
a program from the remaining courses that will meet the requirements of the degree of Master of Arts, or take
a number of the courses that will be useful for his future career but which do not meet the degree requirements.
III. The curriculum.
As stated above, the required subjects in liberal arts of the first two years will be presented in
the traditional manner, but others in this group, such as History, Economics, Human Geography and American
outlines the rise of the democratic ideal, its growth, development and struggles, and its outstanding
personalities and documents, with particular emphasis on the roots and traditions of American democracy.
The course in geography will describe the main geographical areas of the world, their resources, needs,
and mutual economic relations, with special reference to the place of the United States in the world
picture. The course in Economics will be the Principles of Economics, with an orientation towards
international economic problems and American Economics projected against the world scene. The course in
American government is just what the name implies. All these courses are designed to aid in the formation
of a loyal citizen of his own country and an enlightened citizen of the world.
Every student will study for four years one of the major modern foreign languages. He will also
be required to devote one summer, here or elsewhere, to intensive study of the language exclusively, in
order to obtain a highly efficient practical command of it. The fourth year of language is devoted to a
study of the civilization and culture of the area of which it is representative.
The program of concentration for the last two years, and the fifth year, when desired, will be
formulated from among the following:
American History
European History
Latin-American History
The British Empire
Russia, Political, Social and Economic
Canada, Economic and Social History
Far Eastern History and Government
International Relations
American Foreign Policy
Inter-American Relations
Comparative Government
International Organization
International and Maritime Law
Constitutional Law of the United States
Diplomatic History of the United States
Diplomatic Practice
International Economics
Money and Banking
Commercial Law
Accounting
Statistics
IV. Organization and Plan of Instruction
The organization of the School falls into two categories: The policy-making body and the
instructional staff. The policy-making body is to be composed of a group of twelve outstanding men in
the fields of international affairs, such as diplomacy, finance, commerce, transportation, communications,
journalism, education, etc. It is to be headed by a Chairman who shall be at the same time the Director
of the School, in general charge of its functioning and responsible for putting into practice the
policies formulated by the Board.
The instructional staff of the School will be chosen from among the members of the University
faculty, with such additions as are essential, organized into a closely integrated and independent teaching
unit for the purposes of the School, under the leadership of a faculty chairman who shall also serve as
Assistant to the Director. In this way the School, while still a corporate part of the University body,
and enjoying all the facilities offered by the University, will in a large measure constitute an independent,
closely knit entity with certain characteristic features all its own. The regular classroom instruction
will be supplemented with frequent lectures by experts and distinguished figures in the several fields of
international affairs.
The courses of the first two years will be taught by the traditional classroom methods. In the
last two years, however, classes will be divided into small groups for the purpose of individualizing
instruction and promoting individual initiative and discussion, and the tutorial method will be followed
wherever practicable. One feature of the final year will be the preparation of a paper on some subject
within the student's field of interest, designed to aid the student in synthesizing his knowledge of it,
and to demonstrate his grasp of it, as well as to train him in the methods of gathering materials and the
effective presentation of them.
V. Conclusion.
The University of Virginia presents certain characteristics which render it the ideal location
for such a School. It is situated close to Washington, the center of the political and diplomatic life
of the Nation, with its rich libraries and archives offering easy access for trips of observation, investigation
and research, and at the same time making readily available experts and distinguished
diplomatic and political personalities for lectures here. The interest in international affairs of its
great founder, Thomas Jefferson, who in his plan for the University contemplated a School of Diplomacy,
is still a strong tradition here. In the course of its existence many former students and others closely
connected with its early life have been prominent figures in the field of International Affairs. Among
them might be mentioned James Madison, James Monroe (for whom the James Monroe School of International Law
at the University is named) Thomas Nelson Page, W. W. Yen of China, John Bassett Moore, Woodrow Wilson,
and Edward R. Stettinius.
The University of Virginia offers the student of this School all the resources and facilities
of a great University with a rich heritage of tradition and a wide and honorable prestige. His degree
will be a recognized one from a recognized institution of learning.
There is already on hand an adequate faculty and a majority of the essential courses. Plans are
already under way to supplement the staff so that the few courses not now being given may be offered in
the near future. The University possesses a fine Library, containing a large collection of books on
International Affairs, and funds are being raised to enrich it still further. The University is likewise
the fortunate possessor of the John Bassett Moore Library of International Law and Diplomacy, a priceless
collection gathered together by that distinguished figure in diplomacy and presented by him to his Alma Mater.
Following a general discussion of the matter, the following motion by Mr. Garnett was adopted:
RESOLVED, that the President's paper be adopted as the expression of our purposes, and
that the School of Foreign Service and International Affairs be established, and that it be
opened to first year students on July 2, 1945.
RESOLVED, further that the President be authorized to give publicity to its establishment, and
RESOLVED, further, that the Special Committee of the Alumni Board of Managers be thanked for
their assistance in the establishment of the school.
On motion the meeting then adjourned.
Rector.
Secretary.
| Board of Visitors minutes March 15, 1945 | |