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

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Navy ROTC training cruises. The UVa Naval ROTC unit commanded by Captain Peter A. Stark, J r., USNA, is one of 55 such units in the nation. Its purpose is to produce future officers for the United States Navy through Naval academic courses supplemented by summer Organizations such as the Trident Society, Semper Fidelis and the Rifle and Pistol teams are an integral part of a mid- shipmanhs life at the University. The award-winning drill team and drum and bugle corps participate annually in special events such as the Mardi Gras Festival. Unit activities include com- pany competition, semi-annual blood drives, mess night and a military weekend. The UVa unit also produces a yearbook, The Long Glass. and a semesterly newsletter, The Salty Ca valier. Air Force ROTC The Air Force ROTC Cadet Squadron provides preprofessional preparation for future Air Force commissioned officers. Various activities include visits to Air Force installations across the country, orientation flights in Air Force aircraft, Dining-Ins and Dining-Outs, picnics and a field day each semester. At Field Day, flights compete to win the Honor Flight Competition and its accompanying privileges. Under the Arnold Air Society, the Air Force ROTC squadron provides services for the community through blood drives and work with the Charlottesville Housing Improvement Program and the Special Olympics. Other Air Force ROTC groups include the Blue Lancers Honor Guard, the pistol and drill teams, and the newspaper, The Ca valier Con trails. The squadron also partici- pates in IM sports as well as the East Carolina University ROTC Tournament each year. 167

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Army ROTC Army ROTC offers a student officer training through military science courses and leadership labs. Each stu- dent investigates such subjects as American Military History, The Military in Society, Leadership and Manage- ment, Military J ustice, and the Organization and Employment of Army units. The cadet may also join the com- petitive rifle and pistol teams, a drill team which represents the University in competitions and ceremonial functions, and a special training group which conducts repelling, caving, and over- night excursions. Athletic and social events are an in- tegral part of the program. The annual Army-Navy intramural football game is a fall highlight. The big social event of the year is the spring military weekend which includes a tri-service parade, a semi-formal cocktail party for fourth year students, a formal ball, and a beerbalP' game tsoftball with sudsl 166

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168 Organizations Of Past And Present Although in the early days of Mr. Jeffersonls University students found little time for extra- curricular life, outlets appeared shortly after the first group of students arrived at the University when the students formed secret Greek letter organizations. Mr. Jefferson had high inspirations for this first group of young men. Expecting them to be mature, he planned a self-governing system for the University. A board of student ttcensors would be elected by the faculty to impose simple discipline rules. The system failed because the student censors did not fulfill their duties. Riots and disorder became rampant; two professors resigned. Soon the faculty assumed responsibility for maintaining order. A rigorous academic schedule was enforced with the students wearing uniforms. Personal funds were obtained only through the permission of the Proctor of the University. This system also failed and rioting continued with severe student outbursts. In May, 1830, a faculty member exchanged blows with a student whose conduct he considered profane. Nine years later, this same professor tnow chairman of the facultyl was horsewhipped by two students who resented his authority. A crowd of one hundred watched without offering aid to Harrison tthe professorl. The most tragic event occurred on November 12, 1840. A sixteen-year-old student from Georgia and a seventeen-year-old South Carolinian launched a two- man riot. Strangely dressed and masked, the two students evidently fired shots near the doors of several pavilions in the early evening. Professor J.A.G. Davis, who left his home to investigate, ran into the boy from Georgia. Joseph Semmes fired point blank, fatally wounding Davis. To this day the reasons behind the murder remain unclear. In 1841, Professor Henry St. George Tucker proposed an honor code which was adopted in 1842 after the students contributed their input to Tuckeris resolution. The Honor System, as it was to be called, was really a matter of spirit rather than law and developed over many years. A studentls word was always accepted without question. The 1842 action required the student to sign a pledge that he received no aid on his exams. Gradually, the students took the System into their own keeping and developed it independently from the faculty. Finally, Mr. Jeffersonls self-government has been established. Other organizations appeared at the University in the middle 1800s In 1858, a University Young Menls Christian Association, the first of its kind in the United States, was organized. By this time, religion had come to play an important part in academic life. The Ugly Club flourished in the 1800s Club membership was open to all who could pay the nominal dues required to purchase gifts for the clubis annual awards. Once a year the club erected a platform on the Lawn where voting took place to select the ugliest, prettiest, and smallest men at the University. Winners received their prizes and they delivered eloquent and humorous speeches. The ugliest man was awarded a pair of boots, the prettiest was given a necktie, and the smallest won a 20-pound stick of candy. Invariably the club members were students with a distinct taste for fun and a talent for amusing speech. The Calathumpian Band was organized before the Civil War. Credited with throwing the University into an unprecedented state of commotion on Christmas night, 1868, the rowdy group later merged into the Nippers. The Nippers, when ignited by strong potations, wreaked havoc on University-owned property. One night, for example, the Nippers saw fit to uproot the rare spruce seedlings that the Proctor of the University had just planted along either side of the Lawn. They piled up the shoots in front of the Proctorls door, leaving a message with them: The wicked goeth about pIanting young spruce trees, But the hand of the nipper plucketh them up? In 1873, a club was organized to flamboyantly celebrate the advent of Christmas. The group recreated New Orleans' Mardi Gras, and rode around grounds on highly decorated horses. Wearing lavish costumes, they blew horns and caused general tumult. By the late 180013 dozens of organizations were recognized on Grounds. Not all of them pursued merrymaking. The Army and Navy Club, the Camera Club, Chess Club, and Philosophical Society appeared. There was also a Mathematical Club, Civic Club, and Medical and Biological Journal Club. Religiously- oriented clubs in addition to the YMCA- the Menorah Club tancestor to todayls Hillell, and the St. Paulls Church Club, contributed to student life. Other social clubs included the Scarab Club, the Thirteen Club, and the Afternoon Tea Club. The Calico Club, a group whose three officers were the high- keepers of Cupidis bolts, the grand arbiter of social quality, and the umighty rusher. Students also maintained previous affiliations by their memberships in state, city and school clubs. These clubs were something like fraternities, each having its own colors, songs, and slogans. A serious side of University life was reflected in the three major student publications. The Virginia University Magazine was established in 1838, but later publication did not last long. In 1888, the student yearbook, Corks 4Q Curls was founded and is today the oldest continuous publication on Ground. Two years later, The Cavalier Daily published its first issue as College Topics. The name was changed in 1948.