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

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1913 CORKS AND CURLS 9 Glimpses of the Lawn A Short Treatment of Life and institutions at the University of Virginia. The University of Virginia, as a theme, is not a subject that affords the writer a wide play of originality. ' The bibliography is extensive and the treatment has been diversified. The later writings, and especially the correspondence, of Thomas Jefferson breathed the hopes and inspirations that its eminent founder entertained for the establish- ment of a national seat of culture and refinement. From neighboring Monticello, the statesman sage outlined its curriculum, planned its lawns and buildings, and permeated it with his ideals for lofty service to the country. He saw the curtain rise upon -his pet project for democracy and independence in learning, and died with the 'ichild of his old age exhibiting remarkable viability in spite of the inchoate symptoms of occasional student disorder, brought on by the sudden realization of untrammeled freedom. ' Jefferson died in 1826. l-lis plantations and his manors were sold under the auc- tioneer's hammer to pay his debts. A nation-wide contribution returned his estate to his family, but did not obviate the effects of a discovered Haw in the legal Jeiferson an Originator not a. Founder. title to them. Thus, his heritage to the University was a Wealth of ideals rather than a purse of gold. l-le founded the University as an artist paints a picture or a poet composes a sonnet, but not as a latter- day money baron confers a financial rating by swelling an educational exchequer. Per- haps, he was, then, an originator instead of a founder, as he is popularly termed. At any rate, his legacy has borne interest in subjective rather than worldly aggrandizemenr.

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SERPENTINE WALLS Hvlsiu

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10 coRKs AND CU-RLS Vorxxvr The early literature concerning the University, embodied largely in legislative pro- ceedings and in letters, evidenced the bold lines upon which the plan for the new 'college was constructed, and voiced vague fears andjdoubts in regard to the Student freedom allowed to the em-ancipated young men who composed the Government student body. That lic-ense would precipitate utter ruin to the cor- poration and overthrow the discipline necessary for the pursuit of wisdom was freely predicted, and incidents of ill-restrained anarchy and disorder do, indeed, mark the annals of a revolutionary adjustment period. But each upheaval of boisterous conduct caused the strata upon which the new social system was built to settle more firmly into place, and the dawn of a new sense of autonomy and independence augured the not-distant 'day of a well-governed republic. An unwritten law began to make itself known, and a mutual understanding of proper conduct was soon manifested. Statutes soon became unnecessary, and the rules of order and behaviour are enforced by public opinion to this day. If a man is found guilty of an act of dishonesty or opprobrium by a student com- mittee, after being given an opportunity to be heard, he is ordered to leave the University quietly and without notoriety, or submit to a public trial. The judgment of the under- graduate tribunal is nearly always conclusive, and its jurisdiction has' been exclusive ex- cept forp a single instance in recent years when a conference of deans took matters into their own hands, on a principle 'contrary to the Weight of authority, and banished five students for creating a -disorder. ' Thebexception in this example of faculty aggression only goes to prove the rule. The students declare who are unht for association, and put their conclusions into opera- The Honor tion. Thisiis the executive and judicial department of the' Honor System. System, which was. founded at'V1rg1n1a. .Its code of ethics is a sealed book, the spirit of which exists in the air, but can not be resolved into a definition. As was said by Dean W. M. Lile, in an address several years ago, it is an ineffable subject, no more to be discussed than the virtue of our women, but none the less realized. lts word is the still small voice of a general conscience. It has always sufficed for the control of student affairs, and is jealously guarded. La-st year, Mr. Churchill Humphrey formulated a set of supplementary rules for adoption, but they were voted unnecessary. One of the articles called for the election of a sheriff and the creation of a court. The students decided that they did not want a sheriff or a court. l Spectators of a repose and security that rivals the contentment of sweet Auburn, loveliest village of the plain, before it became a deserted village, do not all realize that the present order was preceded by a parlous and turbulent condition in Life. student affairs. It was not to be expected that a scheme of such ' sweeping departure from the old accepted dogmas of government should take root in a day, or that a university where a martinet did not wield an iron rod should attract to it young men determined to follow in the paths of peace. Early Early Student