University of Virginia Library

State Of The U

The University seems to be taking on the
appearance of a drastically changing institution
to the outside world, or at least to that
part of the outside world occupied by its
alumni. More and more frequently we hear of
alumni who have expressed concern over the
current course of the University's development;
more and more frequently we hear of
alumni who have expressed concern that the
current generation of students is not upholding
all that the University has always
stood for; more and more frequently we hear
of alumni who are worried about the "Leftist"
trend of the students, in the context of
creeping communism.

Let us say, first of all, that there is no
recognizable Leftist trend among the students
of the University. There might be a handful of
students who are Leftists, and maybe an
occasional communist or advocate of communism
(although we know of none), but the
current trend of student attitudes as a whole
can only be characterized as changing from a
hard Rightist position toward a more Middle
position. In fact, the majority of students may
well be hard-core Rightists.

The symbol of the trend which seems to
be alarming many alumni is, as might be
expected, the accepted presence of an SDS
chapter at the University. No doubt the
alumni have read about Columbia and have
encountered the reports that many SDS members
are communists or the rumors that the
whole thing is communist-inspired. On the
other hand, however, they must have missed
the reports that each chapter of the SDS is
"sovereign" and has the option of following
the national organization or not.

The University's chapter - a small one -
has not as yet done anything which warrants
associating it with its nationally infamous
"colleagues." It has not captured any buildings,
or distributed any legally subversive
literature, or burned any puppies. It has held
peaceful demonstrations, distributed controversial
posters on the Viet Nam war, challenged
the presence of ROTC on the Grounds
rather vociferously - it has not hesitated to
criticize sharply what it does not like, it has
shrunk from no issue where it finds a need for
change or correction.

In doing so, it has not always been
constructive in the tone of its approach, but it
has hardly been harmfully destructive in its
actions. In fact, it has initiated needed discussion
on matters such as ROTC or the war
which has been constructive because of the
opinions offered and the opinions evoked. It
has introduced a new boldness into the drive
to change things which many feel have been
too long unchallenged or even unconsidered.
It has occupied itself actively in the pursuit of
what (it feels) is the "truth," which is the
pursuit to which the University is dedicated.

We have heard no reports of communism,
active or otherwise, in the local chapter, but
there is no question that it finds considerable
fault with our form of government in its
current state. This brings up a controversial
question - should the United States (or the
University) tolerate communists within itself?
Let us say only that we do not fear the
presence of communistic attitudes among our
fellow citizens or students, for we are certain
that our democracy can withstand the challenge
they present to it. Our government is
no stronger than its ability to withstand such
challenges; to shelter it from them at all costs
is a rather paranoid reaction, one which
indicates lack of faith in it. We have faith in it,
and see no serious threat to it now from
subversive forces - rather its problems lie
either within it in the form of incompetent
politicians or without it in the form of bombs;
it is the sources of these problems that the
SDS challenges.

The alumni's fears are gratifying, but they
are unnecessary. There is no doubt that the
University is in a new era of change and
challenge, and that institutions within it
which have always been accepted without
question are being questioned for the first
time.

More active liberal students are "struggling"
to untrench their reactionary fellows,
and an occasional "Leftists" tries to untrench
everyone. What does it all make for? a
refreshing and long overdue active dialogue
between student and student, student and
faculty member, student and administrator,
faculty member and faculty member, and so
on, which has created an intellectual (and
general) atmosphere much more lively and
interesting than the University has had for
years. It is an atmosphere which is a vital part
of education, one which contrasts sharply
with the repressive, sleepy atmosphere the
University knew for too long.

It is manifested in the presence of the
SDS, or in more and more beards and Levis, or
in a demonstration on the Lawn, but it is also
manifested in a conference on a mountain or
in an innocuous modern building. For the first
time the University is trying to keep up with
the times which have raced ahead of it for
years. In doing so, however, it has hardly
forsaken its past and the good aspects thereof,
nor is it about to forsake them. There are still
plenty of coats and ties and white columns
and Epicureans, the Lawn is nearly green
again, and, in fact, the Rotunda is as firmly
fixed as it ever was.