University of Virginia - Corks and Curls Yearbook (Charlottesville, VA)

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JDMINISTRAI'TION

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COBKS AND CHELS OF NINETEEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOUR finding ways in which the laboratories, classes, and professors could further the fighting power of the United States. In this modern day, with the enrollment standing over two thousand, many new buildings and departments, and the strong influence of modern thought and indus- trialism, it is surprising that the University has managed to retain as many of its old characteristics as it has. Still do activities find themselves choked by the indifference manifested by the students; still is the University criticised for snobbishness and unsociable conduct except in its own cliche's. The faculty, as cautious and conservative as ever when student publications or discussion groups get in a critical or radical frame of mind, as recently as 193I forbid inot entirely without reasonl a student magazineis publication. It is not only faults, if the above are faults, that have been perpetuated. The University has managed to maintain the amateur standings of its teams and the spirit of sportsmanship in its games, despite the ever-encroaching professionalism in the athletics of other schools. The Honor System stands triumphantly as strong as ever and as jealously guarded by the students, evidenced by the storm of protest which arose this year when needless, if well meant, changes were suggested. More important than all of these, is the fact that, somehow, the University is different from other schools. Virginians have never followed other universities into exaggerated collegiateism, and dignified reserve remains the password. Strangely enough and quite impossible to explain, is the fact that the term Virginia gentlemen still means something. Individually, the students are, very probably, little diHerent from their predecessors. Perhaps not quite as lusty, they write letters to College Topics instead of rioting, and confine their parties to fraternity houses and private rooms instead of singing songs and blowing horns along the Ranges. But the Lawn still stands in all the beauty that Jefferson visioned and there is as little place for the liar or cheat within its walls as he would have wished. If it is different from the dream of Jefferson, it is still, in no small way, lVIr. JeHerson's University. Virginia is Virginia. This is the most we can say of it and the least. A not too stickily glorious history stands behind it and a present which is certainly not too perfect is here to remind students and faculty alike that much is to be done. And if the students are indifferent and the football teams lose games and nobody goes to classes during Easter Week, there are those who consider this conduct a not too unhappy compromise with fate-a passable escape from the evils of the college factories and the great god rah-rah. It is not entirely improbable that among those who so believe, would stand hir. Jefferson. t24l

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WK JEF F ERSONlS IDEAS for the Administration of his University were and are different from those of other Colleges. He wished an equal distribution of power between the interested friends, faculty and students. The Board of Visitors guided by the Rector should attend to all external affairs and act as advisors. The Chairman of the F aculty and his aids should attend to the needs of the llAca- demic Village? Jefferson wished the students to rule their own conduct as soon as they proved able. It was not until after the Civil War that we gained the freedom which both students and administration lovingly guard to-day. This system guided our destinies until 1904 when the late Dr. Alderman was made the first President of the University. Dr. Alderman made many changes for the advancement of our University. He was a great educator and ably carried on the dreams of Mr. Jefferson. We lost the beloved Dr. Alder- man in 1931, but his work is being carried forward by Dr. Newcomb. We all have the greatest faith in our President.