Of Interest in other sections: Student Protest and Racial Desegregation Issues Overlap

A Radical View of the University of Virginia

Published by the Radical Student Union in Spring of 1970 (Students for Social Action, Southern Student Organizing Committee, and Students for a Democratic Society).

This publication, a joint effort of all the radical student activist organizations, questions the status quo and the University's enforcement of it through each and every capacity. Many of the opinions echo student complaints at Berkeley (locus parentis). In the poignant paranoia, the turn of a critical eye not just to the established government in America sending troops to Vietnam but rather to the BOV and the professors who encourage them to produce like robots and not question the meaningless of it all.

The Iconoclast   Issue 1   Issue 2

This publication, produced by a radical social activism group feeling underrepresented in the Cav Daily, discusses some key social issues dominating the minds of a growing number of University students as of 1966. Issues such as racial discrimination and anti-Vietnam sentiments are explored thoroughly by the most convicted students. The first hand account of anti-war protesters being pelted with snowballs from a crowd of observers is particularly interesting. Published by the Students for Social Action. 1966

Plume & Sword

It's easy to assume that the authors of this publication arrange its contents with a radical agenda. They manage to point out the ugly parts of human nature (cruelty to children in "A Christmas Story" and the demonized white "Santa Claus" on the cover) throught their short fiction and art. They do directly point our racial discrimination in the interview with Leroy Willis and they express frustration with the established Student Council naming when and where student demonstrations can take place. One does get the sense that while this publication might try to accomplish too much within its pages, it does preserve space for the perverse and the voice of the "other." Student Publication, 1961

"Students For Free Society To Hold Meeting Tonight"

Amidst the rise in liberalism, a "new right" group emerges at a time when the majority of the University's politically active students are taking up the rights of Women and Blacks. The Cavalier Daily, November 26, 1968

Different Agendas

While we do see a rise in liberalism, photographs like this one remind us that pockets of conservative students were vocal and visible during this time period as well. As announced on the poster, Young Republicans hosted President Nixon to speak at the University. While one member of YR seems to be cheering his arrival, a serious faced black man standing to his left seems to suggest his disapproval with his clenched fist and straight face. This captures the tension in priorities of different groups of students. 1963-78

"Students Rebel at University of Virginia"

Student protests at the University received national attention from the New York Times News Service. These 150 students made several demands, including the resignation of a Board of Visitors member Wheatley for his apparent racist policies regarding integration at the University. They lodged complaints against the BOV because of its inability to reflect the varying perspectives of the students. President's Papers, 1968-69

Letter from Williams to Shannon

Vice-president for Student Affairs Alan Williams warns Shannon of the request of five students to hold an open meeting with the Board of Visitors. These five students, who become leading proponents for increased minority representation at UVA, know the power to change rests in the hands of a group of individuals who are largely inaccessible to the student body. President's Papers, October 24, 1968

More Than Just The War

Student demonstrations before 1970, while focusing much on their anti-war sentiments, included a number of other social causes. As the liberalism of the student body increased into the late 1960s and the 1970s, students began examining some of the inequities a little closer to home. Students began speaking out about Charlottesville's intolerance of black people and the University's lackadaisical approach to recruiting more African American students. While this seems to be quite the progressive leap for Virginia gentlemen, notice their traditional coat and tie garb while making demands for change. February 17, 1969

Letter from Evans to Shannon

Student Council endorses the VA Council on Human Relations' demands for higher recruitment of black students. Student Council President Mark Evans praises Shannon's attention to their demands as well. This seems to be quite a shift from the conservatism expressed in earlier Shannon and Evans documents. President's Papers, May 8, 1968

Letter from Shannon to Evans

After Student Council President Mark Evans informs Shannon of the Martin Luther King Chapter of the VA Council on Human Relations' request to demonstrate about racial inequality at the University, Shannon responds with his opinions about the complexity of the Chapter's demands, such as higher recruitment of black students, appointment of a dean in Admissions' office to oversee this and to set up a Martin Luther King scholarship fund. President's Papers, May 13, 1968

Letter re: Student Council Proposal

A Student Council proposal to not fund any organization meeting in an establishment which refuses to serve black patrons receives this loaded cover letter from Dean Runk. Runk views council's initiative as an attempt to appease the "black power" rising at the University. President's Papers, February 20, 1968

"Shannon Answers Questions"

President Shannon maintains open dialogue with students in Student Council about University issues. Hot topics such as coeducation and recruitment of black students rank high on the Council's agenda. The Cavalier Daily, November 20, 1968