University of Virginia Library

STATEMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL PURPOSE

The President reported on the status of the Self-Study of the University which was endorsed by
the Board at its meeting on 29 September 1962 (Minutes, Board of Visitors, University of Virginia,
No. 12, 29 September 1962, p. 363) and which is required by the Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools to be made every 10 years. One of the requirements of the Self-Study is a statement
of institutional purpose bearing the approval of the Board of Visitors. The President presented
for discussion a statement of institutional purpose which had been prepared by the Steering
Committee for the Self-Study and which bore the President's approval. The President reported that
he was presenting this statement with the understanding that the University Senate would also be
called upon for its approval at a later date.

After considerable discussion, the Board deferred formal action on the proposal and asked the
President to resubmit the statement to the Steering Committee with the suggestion that (1) the
opening sentence of the statement be amended by adding the word "free" before inquiry in order that
the sentence might read as follows: "A university is a community of scholars having as its central
purpose the enrichment of the human mind by stimulating and sustaining a spirit of free inquiry
directed to an understanding of the nature of the universe and man's role in it"; and (2) the
Steering Committee consider the expansion of the activities designed to support the central purpose
of the University to include the development of honor among men and of gentlemenly conduct.

The President was authorized by the Board to seek action from the Executive Committee on the
revised statement if action were needed before the June meeting. Otherwise, the statement will
be brought back to the Board at the June meeting for further consideration.