University of Virginia Library


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A special meeting of the Rector and Visitors was held on this date at 11 o'clock in the office of the
President with the following present: The Rector, R. Gray Williams, Visitors Garnett, Goolrick, Lancaster,
Bustard, Mrs. Calcott, Mrs. Willis, Mrs. Wailes, Carrington, and Black; President Newcomb, President Combs of
Mary Washington College, and Mr. Chisling of Eggers & Higgins, Architects.

The minutes of the meeting of July 14, which had been copied and mailed to the members, were approved

The President made the following announcements and recommendations:

ENROLLMENT: 1218

GIFT:

From Mr. M. Ronald Brukenfeld for the establishment of a scholarship in memory of the late Captain
Sidney S. Young
a check for $650.00 covering the first four years of the scholarship.

RESIGNATION: PROFESSOR RANDALL THOMPSON

On motion, the following was adopted:

RESOLVED, that the resignation of Professor Randall Thompson, effective October 31, 1945 be
accepted with regret. Professor Thompson has carried forward his work as head of the Music Department
of the University with devotion and skill, and the Rector and Visitors wish for him success and happiness
in his new field.

ELECTION: Dr. Harold Lee Alden,

Professor of Astronomy and Director of the Leander McCormick Observatory, at a session salary of
$4,500 effective September 15, 1945.

Dr. Samuel A. Mitchell, Director Emeritus of the Leander McCormick Observatory.

On motion, the following was adopted:

RESOLVED, that Dr. Samuel Alfred Mitchell, for the past thirty years Director of the Leander
McCormick Observatory be and he is hereby appointed Director Emeritus of the Leander McCormick Observatory.

CHANGE IN TITLE: Professor A. D. Fraser,

On motion the title of Professor A. D. Fraser was changed from Professor of Archaeology to Professor
of Classical Archaeology and History.

MRS. R. C. TAYLOR'S BOOK COLLECTION PROVIDED SPACE IN THE ALDERMAN LIBRARY:

On motion, the following was adopted:

RESOLVED, that a sum not in excess of $15,000.00 be authorized to be used for furnishing and
equipping a room in the Alderman Library to receive the valuable collection of books belonging to Mrs.
Robert Coleman Taylor of New York City; to be paid from unappropriated endowment income.

ARCHITECT TO PLAN ROOM FOR MRS. ROBERT COLEMAN TAYLOR'S BOOK COLLECTION:

Mr. R. E. Lee Taylor was appointed to work out the plans for the room in the Alderman Library to
receive the valuable collection of books belonging to Mrs. Robert Coleman Taylor.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CONTRACTS WITH THE CLINICAL STAFF OF THE MEDICAL SCHOOL:

A special committee, consisting of Goolrick, Garnett and the Rector, was appointed to study the
situation with relation to existing contracts with the Clinical Staff of the Medical School, in collaberation
with the President and the Dean of the Medical School.

NURSES' HOME - EXTENSION OF TIME FOR COMPLETION:

On motion, the following was adopted:

RESOLVED, by the Board of Visitors of the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia, that
approval is given to request of GRAHAM BROTHERS in a letter dated August 18, 1945, for an extension of
time of completion of the NURSES HOME from August 27, 1945 to December 20, 1945.

RESOLVED, FURTHER, that approval of this extension of time by the Federal Works Agency be requested.


439

NURSES' HOME ADDITION - IN RE: CONTINUATION OF FEDERAL ALLOTMENT TO COMPLETION:

The President advised the Board that it had been necessary to grant an extension of time for
completion of the Nurses' Home Addition by the contractor and to request the Bureau of Community Facilities
that construction be continued to completion, and read the correspondence with the Division Engineer
of the Bureau of Community Facilities in the matter, following which the following resolution
was adopted:

RESOLVED, that the assurance to the Bureau of Community Facilities contained in a letter of
Frank J. Hartman addressed to Mr. Henry J. Sullivan, Division Engineer, under date of August 21,
1945, be and the same are hereby confirmed.

RESOLVED, FURTHER, that a copy of this letter be spread upon the minutes of the Board.

Mr. Henry J. Sullivan, Division Engineer,
Bureau of Community Facilities,
Washington, D. C.
RE: Project VA: 44-356
Add'n to Nurses Home
Dear Sir:

In reply to your telegram of August 20th., relative to the allotment for the above Project, we
hereby request that construction be continued to completion and certify that:-

  • 1. The Project is of a permanent character and will serve a useful purpose in the postwar
    period for housing and training Nurses which will be needed for the Army and Navy,
    Veterans' Hospitals and the contemplated expanded post-war hospitalization program,
    both Federal and State.

  • 2. The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia agree to provide any additional
    funds which may be required to complete the Project beyond the Federal allotment which,
    for this Project, is $147,500. (See Par.(e), page 6 of Application for this Project
    dated 14th January 1944 - Excell Construction Cost).

  • 3. The Rector and Visitors agree to provide all funds required for the maintenance and
    operation of this Project when completed.

Yours very truly,
Frank E. Hartman,
Director
FEH:P cc: Dr. Newcomb Dr. Lentz

APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF COMMON STOCKS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR THE CONSOLIDATED ENDOWMENT FUNDS
OF THE UNIVERSITY:

Mr. R. Gray Williams, Chairman of the Finance Committee, reported that the Committee had purchased
a small lot of common stock, and offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

RESOLVED, that the action of the Finance Committee in purchasing sixty (60) shares of common
stock of the Life Insurance Company of Virginia, @ 99¼ net; and nineteen (19) shares of common
stock of the Charlottesville Woolen Mills @ 146 net, be and the same is hereby approved.

CLAIM OF MAMIE C. COVINGTON ON ACCOUNT OF THE INJURY AND DEATH OF HER HUSBAND, CASTOR COVINGTON:

Mr. Perkins, Attorney for the University, appeared before the Board and made a report upon the
claim of Mamie C. Covington, now pending before the Industrial Commission of Virginia, for compensation
on account of the injury and death of her husband, Castor Covington, which occurred on the 19th of May,
1945, while said Castor Covington was employed as a storeroom orderly in the University Hospital. Mr.
Perkins, after making a full statement of facts in this case, briefly outlined what he considered to be
the law applicable thereto and reported that counsel for said Mamie C. Covington had offered to settle
the claim for the sum of $1500.00.

Mr. Perkins further made a recommendation to the Board that he be authorized to offer $500.00
in full settlement of the claim and he requested this Board to appoint a Committee with full power to
act in the premises should said offer of $500.00 be declined. After a full discussion of the whole
situation, it was

RESOLVED, that the Attorney for the University is hereby instructed to decline the offer of
counsel for Mamie C. Covington as widow of Castor Covington, deceased, to settle her claims for
compensation by the payment of $1500.00, but said Attorney is hereby authorized to settle claim,
if possible, for a sum not exceeding $1000.00.

MOTOR VEHICLES - USE OF BY STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY:

On motion, it was

RESOLVED, that the regulations with respect to use of motor vehicles by the students of the
University adopted June 9, 1943 be rescinded, and that the regulations adopted July 6, 1942, be
adopted in its stead, as follows:

No first-year students in the college, engineering, or education departments shall, while the
University is in session, maintain or operate a motor vehicle in the University, the City of
Charlottesville or the County of Albemarle, without the written consent of the Dean of the
University


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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CONSOLIDATION OF MARY WASHINGTON COLLEGE WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA:

The Committee submitted the following report, and its recommendations therein were adopted:

To the Rector and Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia:

The Committee on the Consolidation of Mary Washington College with the University of Virginia is
not yet ready to present a full report. However, in order that the conversion of Mary Washington into a
liberal arts college may proceed without delay during the coming biennium, we submit the following recommendations
for action at this time:

  • (1) That the salary scale for faculty members of Mary Washington for the next biennium be:

           
    Instructors from  $ 1800 to $ 2300 
    Assistant Professors from  $ 2400 to $ 2900 
    Associate Professors from  $ 3000 to $ 3400 
    Professors from  $ 3500 to $ 4800 
  • (1a) That contracts with faculty members be made from year to year until the consolication is complete.

  • (2) That President Combs in consultation with the Chancellor decide on the new positions which are to be
    created for the first and second years of the next biennium, subject, of course, to the approval of
    the Rector and Visitors.

    We recognize the fact that an educational institution is seriously handicapred without an adequate
    library with good library service. As a college of liberal arts the library facilities of Mary
    Washington must be improved, and we recommend, therefore:

  • (3) That provision be made in the budget of Mary Washington College for an annual library appropriation
    of $50,000. These sums are to be used for increases in library personnel, and for increases in
    books, magazines, binding, supplies, equipment, et cetera, under the direction of the librarian.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE ALUMNI BOARD OF MANAGERS IN RE: THE ATHLETIC SITUATION:

On motion the following motion by Mr. Garnett was adopted:

RESOLVED, that the report of the Committee appointed by the Alumni Board of Managers to investigate
the present and post-war athletic situation be referred to a committee of the Board for its study and
recommendation.

PLANS FOR CERTAIN OF THE PROPOSED NEW BUILDINGS:

Mr. Chisholm, of the firm of Architects, Eggers & Higgins, presented the preliminary plans for the
men's dormitories, cafeteria and women's building, which were examined by the Board and approved.

The location of the student union building, formerly assigned to location #6 on the plat of the
University at the meeting on June 15, 1945, was considered and changed to the site parallel with the Memorial
Gymnasium, east of the reflection pool and extending onto the playing field adjacent to the tennis courts.

LEWIS C. WILLIAMS - ILLNESS:

The Rector explained to the meeting that the absence of Lewis C. Williams, a member of the Board, was
due to illness, whereupon the Secretary was directed to communicate to him the sympathy and prayers of his
fellow members for his speedy recovery.

MARY WASHINGTON COLLEGE MATTERS:

President Combs presented the following matters, which were approved:

ELECTIONS:

Dr. Warren G. Keith, elected Acting Associate Professor of History, at a salary of $2,600 per nine
month's session, incumbency effective 9/17/45; tenure one year.

Mr. George S. Graham, elected Instructor in History for one year, at a salary of $2,000 per nine
month's session, incumbency effective 9/17/45.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

Mr. Bernard M. Fry, Assistant Librarian, leave of absence extended for one year in order to complete
requirements for Ph. D. degree in Library Science.

RESIGNATION:

The resignation of Miss Jane G. Scranton, effective immediately, to accept a position at the University
of Vermont.

INCRFASE IN SALARY:

The salary of Miss Faith E. Johnston, Assistant Professor of Home Economics, be increased from
$2,000 to $2,300 per session of nine months, effective 9/17/1945.

PURCHASE OF SITE FOR PROPOSED HEATING PLANT:

Pursuant to the instruction given to the President at the last meeting of the Board, authority has
been secured from Governor Darden for the purchase of three lots from Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Winn and three lots
from Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Burton as a site for the proposed new heating plant, on the condition that the
purchase price not exceed $1750 per lot. Originally the owners stated that they would not accept less than
$2000 per lot. After some attempt to induce them to reduce the price without success, the real estate firm
of Hunter and Gibson was requested to contact the owners in an effort to secure a better price. As a result,
the owners have given a 30-day option to Hunter and Gibson, dated September 7, 1945, for the six lots in


441

question at the price of $10,00, thus saving the college $2000 and making it possible to obtain the
property under the authority given by the Governor. The above amount is a net price to the owners.
The firm of Hunter and Gibson feel that it should be paid the sum of $300 for securing the options on
behalf of the college. The purchase price to be paid the owners, plus the fee requested by the real
extate firm, will be less than the $1750 amount per lot authorized by the Governor.

It is, therefore, recommended that the following action be taken:

RESOLVED, by the Board of Visitors of the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia
that Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia and is hereby authorized to accept the
the options obtained for the six lots and to pay Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Winn $4750 for lots numbered
15, 16, and 17, block 53, College Heights section, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Burton $5250 for
lots numbered 12, 13, and 14, block 53, College Heights section, upon execution of the deeds, together
with certificates of titles and abstracts approved by the attorney for the University the
proper officers of the Board are authorized and directed to accept said deeds, and make payment
as herein before setout to the respective owners and have said deeds recorded, and to pay the
real estate firm of Hunter and Gibson the sum of $300 for their services in securing the property
on behalf of the college.

PURCHASE OF BROMPTON PROPERTY:

In compliance with instructions given to the President by the Board at its last meeting, the
authority of Governor Darden has been secured for the purchase of the historic Brompton estate, containing
approximately 174 acres with a colonial residence extimated to be worth from $35,000 to $40,000 in
terms of what it would cost today to build, two barns, and one or two other out-buildings, including the
small frame building used as headquarters for the Confederates during the Battle of Fredericksburg in
the early part of December, 1862, price not to exceed $65,000.

It is, therefore, recommended that the following action be taken:

RESOLVED, by the Board of Visitors of the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia
that Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia be and is hereby authorized to purchase
the tract of land known as the Brompton property, embracing approximately 174 acres with a colonial brick
residence and other appurtenances, and to pay a sum not exceeding $65,000 to the estate, upon
execution of the deed, together with certificate of title and abstract approved by the attorney
for the University, the proper officers of the Board are authorized directed to accept said deed,
and make payment as herein setforth to the estate, and have said deed recorded.

Mr. Goolrick was excused from voting on this resolution as he represents some of the
heirs interested in the property.

FUND FOR RUGS AND DRAPERIES FOR THE PRESIDENT'S HOUSE:

Mrs. Willis presented the matter of providing rugs and draperies for the new home of the President
whereupon the following was adopted:

RESOLVED, that a fund not to exceed $3,000 be appropriated to furnish rugs and draperies for the
President's home at Mary Washington College, if the funds can be made available by the College.

BUDGET FOR 1946-48 PRESENTED:

President Combs presented his estimates for the Governor's bi-ennial budget for 1946-48 showing
requests for all purposes for 1946-47 of $2,537,454 and for 1947-48 of $1,028,876, with estimated
revenues for each of the years of $651,235.

The meeting then adjourned,

R. Gray Williams
Rector
E. I. Carruthersa
Secretary