1922-1923 General Report For The Year

Board Of Visitors

To fill vacancies caused by the expiration on July 1, 1922, of the terms of office of four members, the Governor appointed Mr. R. S. Moss and Mr. F. S. Walker to succeed themselves, and Mr. J. Marshall Lewis and Mr. T. Gilbert Wood in place of Dr. E. W. Magruder and Mr. W. C. Shackelford, all for the four years extending to July 1, 1926. Hon. A. J. McMath having resigned from the presidency of the State Board of Agriculture, and Hon. W. W. Sproul having been appointed in his place, the latter became an ex-officio member of this Board.

Changes In Staff

Students

The year has been fairly successful. The enrolment of students was practically the same as last year, hence problems of crowding continued to give us concern. The health of the students has been generally good, but unfortunately there were two deaths, one following an operation in a Roanoke hospital and another from pneumonia in the college infirmary.

The problem of discipline assumed somewhat serious proportions during the year and a full statement of facts has been supplied the Board. The entire question of discipline and the functions of the military department need careful study. A special faculty committee is now at work on the problem. In the meantime the Board has clarified its and the president's attitude to the whole matter.

In view of the overcrowded condition of the barracks, a special faculty committee has been studying the question of limiting the student enrolment.

Student Finances

A study of costs of attendance at the thirteen universities and colleges for men in Virginia shows that this institution is easily at the bottom of the list. The board for students has been reduced from $184 to $180 for the session, beginning next September; and the charge for uniform outfit for cadets has been increased from $99.50 to $105.00.

A proposition was tentatively presented from the corps of cadets for the establishment of certain scholarships in the college, and the Board authorized relief from the payment of the college fees (amounting to about $48 a session) for beneficiaries of such scholarships if established, provided such a scholarship is not less than $250.

A request was presented by the corps of cadets that a "student activities fee" be established officially, for payment by all students registering each year. This was deferred until discussed and reported upon by the faculty.

Death Of President Emeritus McBryde

It is my sad duty to call attention to the recent death of President Emeritus John McLaren McBryde, whose funeral was conducted at Blacksburg on March 22, 1923. Dr. McBryde's wonderful work for the college is too well known to members of the Board to require any eulogy from me, if indeed I were able to adequately pay tribute to so excellent a man. His memory will ever be revered by us all. The Board formally recorded on its minutes the following memorial:

"When on March 20, 1923, there occurred the death of Dr. John McLaren McBryde, president emeritus of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, every friend of the institution was filled with sorrow at the close of an educational career at once so long and so distinguished.

"During the sixteen years of active service as president he saw the institute rise from a state of disorganization to a position of high honor among American colleges, because of his wisdom, foresight and executive ability. With prophetic vision he imaged for the school a glorious future, and with unfailing courage, patience and skill he labored to make that image a more glorious reality.

"After retirement he watched the passing years give evidence of the soundness of his foundation principles, the wisdom of his far-reaching plans.

"The Virginia Polytechnic Institute stands today as his monument, a memorial more fitting than bronze or marble, the lengthened shadow of one man; and in the influence which his kindly spirit still exerts upon all those who knew him-board, faculty, students-he continues to live.

"It is as a tribute of respect, honor and esteem that the Board of Visitors of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute desires to place formally upon record this feeble expression of admiration for his achievements, gratitude for his services, and sorrow at his death."

Improvements In Service

Recent developments have made it possible to bring the training of teachers in vocational agriculture still more closely into connection with the State Department of Public Instruction, which should increase the usefulness of this work.

The faculty has approved three new two-year pre-professional curricula, for preparation for entrance to schools of pharmacy, dentistry, and law, respectively. These do not call for any additional instructors or equipment, but are merely regrouping courses already offered. They will be offered next September.

In a gradual and modest way we are undertaking to build up an engineering experiment station, which should be of considerable service to the industrial interests of Virginia. The first bulletin is now being printed. An arrangement is being made to test building materials for the State Department of Public Instruction in connection with the erection of schoolhouses.

It was decided to change the dates for Commencement to June 10-12, instead of June 10-13, changing alumni day to Monday instead of Tuesday and the closing exercises to Tuesday instead of Wednesday.

A number of beef-cattle have been received and handled in accordance with the livestock sanitary laws. Mr. Frank C. Baldwin, of Fredericksburg, has recently given the college a young Jersey bull, which should be of help in building up the Jersey herd.

Salary Adjustments

The salary scale, particularly for members of the instructional staff who are employed for more than nine months in the year, needs careful study and revision. The new arrangement of the summer school makes this all the more necessary. Along with this should go a revision of the plan for the occupancy of college-owned houses by members of the faculty. The present arrangement is by no means equitable.

Alumni Campaign

The president has visited with Mr. Lawrence Priddy a number of alumni chapters. As a result of the indefatigable work of Mr. Priddy, approximately $150,000 in subscriptions has been secured toward the erection of a world war memorial hall on the campus. We are greatly indebted to Mr. Priddy for his valuable work.

Reorganization Of Agricultural Departments

The Board having requested the president to make recommendations for a better organization of the agricultural departments, this was done, as follows:

1. All of the divisions of the agricultural college, namely, resident instruction, research, and extension service, should be definitely correlated thru subject-matter departments, each of these departments to be composed of all teachers, research workers, and extension specialists in the particular field; the head of each department should be chosen regardless of the division in which all or the main portion of his work may lie, and regardless of whether or not he is the senior member of the department thus formed; and all members of the staff of all three divisions in each such department should be under the general authority of the head of the department as concerns subject-matter.

2. The management of all dairy cattle owned by any division of the college should be transferred to the department of dairy husbandry, and all courses of instruction in dairy breeds, dairy stock-judging, and feeding dairy cattle, and all pedigree and registry work for dairy stock should be transferred to that department.

3. A man of recognized ability, broad training, and wide experience in animal husbandry in all of its chief branches, should be placed at the head of the department of animal husbandry; this man to be one who gives promise of holding such broad views as to his work that he can deal equitably with all breeds of beef-cattle, horses, swine, and sheep, to the end that a well-balanced and representative department may be conducted to meet the requirements of all phases of animal husbandry in Virginia.

4. The management and operation of the college farm should be put under the control of the department of agronomy, with authority to reorganize the management, change the personnel, and assign duties to the employes, as the head of this department may think best.

5. The professor of veterinary science should be the sanitary officer in charge of all livestock on the college premises, no matter what division, or department, or private individual may own the same; he should work under the direction of the heads of the departments of animal husbandry and dairy husbandry, so far as the care of the livestock under the management of these departments is concerned; and he should be held responsible for the proper compliance with all regulations of the State Live Stock Sanitary Board and of the United States Bureau of Animal Industry as they apply to Virginia.

These recommendations being approved by the Board the necessary steps have been taken to put them into effect.

Certificates Of Merit In Agriculture

The Board has authorized the awarding of certificates of merit to persons who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of agriculture in Virginia. Not more than two such certificates a year may be awarded. The recipients are to be selected by the Board from a list of not less than four names submitted by the agricultural faculty of the college, and the certificates are to be delivered at the annual farmers' institute.

It was decided to award the first two certificates of merit to Mr. J. F. Jackson and Dr. W. B. Alwood at the 1923 session of the farmers' institute.

Business Management

It is believed that the college is at present in a more healthful financial condition than at any previous time in its history. We are living strictly within our means, yet we are making many improvements.

It has several times seemed wise to discontinue the operation of the college coal mine; but we have continued, in the face of loss, to operate it, owing to the unsettled condition of the coal market. The condition of the mine now is such that it appears necessary to cease operations not later than the close of the current calendar year.

Biennial Budget Of Requests

The budget of requests to be presented to the Governor for the General Assembly of 1924 has been based on the current budget of operation and maintenance and on the last biennial budget of requests for capital outlay. A special effort will be made to secure adequate provision for fire insurance with an appropriation of $6,000 a year.

During the past four years the college has been fortunate in securing greatly increased appropriations; but these have gone largely to current expenses of operation, and to the rehabilitation of a greatly run-down physical plant. Very little has been made available for expansion of any sort. In view of the present greatly overcrowded plant and the constant demand for increased facilities, it seems imperative to make every effort to secure substantial appropriations for buildings and equipment from the next General Assembly.

This need has been recognized by other state institutions, and recently the University of Virginia Board appointed a commission to study ways and means of getting better support from the state. Upon writing President Alderman suggesting concerted action on the part of the various state institutions in this matter, a very cordial reply was promptly received. The Board requested the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to call a conference of the presidents and rectors of the higher institutions of learning, including the normal schools, to meet early in July, to devise ways and means, and to make recommendations for increased educational facilities for this state.

It is not easy to say just what it would be well to do. It appears that the three principal means used in other states are: (1) the mill tax, as in Indiana and other western states; (2) the severance tax, as in Louisiana, Minnesota, and possibly other states; and (3) the bond issue, as in North Carolina and elsewhere.

It is respectfully urged that the Board proceed to take some definite and vigorous action at once, as the future of this institution is at stake and there can be but little progress unless greatly increased funds are forthcoming.

Physical Plant

The new agricultural extension division building is progressing favorably. This building will be a handsome addition to the plant, and it is being paid for with extension division funds that are unappropriated, which have been accumulating for a period of years, and which were authorized by the Governor to be used for this building.

The stock-judging pavilion is now under way and will be ready for early use.

Work on the heating improvements has been in progress for some time, and good headway has been made. A special appropriation of $50,000 was made for this, and all of the buildings on the quadrangle, together with the dining-hall, will be connected to the central heating plant.

General repairs have been continued, and numerous improvements of a more or less important character have been made. These will be continued during the summer. It is believed that the physical plant as a whole is in better condition than at any time for many years; but numerous additional repairs are needed, particularly on the interior of the various buildings and residences.

Plans are being made for extensive road improvements during the summer, there being great need of this before another winter comes.

The athletic association has in hand funds with which to begin the construction of a concrete stadium of considerable proportions. It is hoped that work may be started this summer.

Additions have been made to the equipment for fire protection, and the college is now fairly well provided. The cadet corps has been used quite effectively during the year in fighting two or three very dangerous fires in the town. The town is now providing fire-fighting equipment of a modern type, which should give additional protection to the college. Fire escapes have been erected on all buildings where needed, and in accordance with the state law.

A Problem Of Organization

Special attention is asked to a problem of organization, relating to the distribution of duties. It seems to be necessary, in the interest of efficiency within the organization of the college, to rather definitely segregate certain functions of administration and impose them as definite responsibilities and duties upon certain officials. Three years ago the Board adopted a plan of reorganization. This has worked well, with a few exceptions. The part with which we should be most concerned at present is that division relating to the management of students. Results this session have conclusively shown that the plan is not properly functioning in this division, and the need for betterment is apparent. Much thought has been given to this problem and certain more or less definite conclusions have been reached. These may be modified to some extent as a result of the work of the special faculty committee, but it seems that in the main the following is at least a part of what is needed to bring about better results.

The discipline of the college is not adequately administered, and the same is more or less true of other phases of student life. Many details of discipline and student activities are brought to the president of the college for attention. The president is not and cannot be, with his present numerous duties, in close touch with the students, and it is hardly fair to him or to them that he be forced to pass on matters which are of necessity rather foreign to him. In the attempt to handle such details, the time and energy of the head of the institution are consumed, and the larger problems of administration, which he and he alone is in position to consider, and for which he is primarily employed, are robbed of attention that should be given to them, and the institution suffers loss. However important the resident instruction division may be, it must he recognized that it is but one division of an institution which is much greater than, and far more complicated than, the ordinary college for the instruction of resident students. Our experiment station and our extension division each have a director, but the president, who is responsible for all divisions, must at present carry largely the details of a third division—that of resident instruction. This arrangement is not logical and it is not economical.

The proper functions of a college president are to act as professional adviser to the trustees, have general supervision over all officials and all the work of the entire institution, formulate policies, work out organization and plans, and represent the institution before the federal and state authorities and the general public. If this be properly done it means that he must have ample time for thought, for consultation with others, and for doing sufficient reading and study to keep up with his profession of educational administration. This is utterly impossible for a president of this college under the present conditions, if he is at all conscientious in the performance of his duties, and the results are far from satisfactory to him. He is ever conscious of a neglect of the more important phases of administrative work. This is a wasteful policy. The executive head of an institution should not use his time and energy in the performance of duties that may be just as well performed by an official who is paid less. It is certain that there is great need of keeping the institution favorably before the public, of fostering the interest of the alumni, of connecting up with the other institutions and interests of the state, of bringing into the work of this college the best that can be gleaned from educational literature and the study of other institutions, and the agricultural and industrial interests of the state and country. But when one must consume a large portion of his time with such things as demerit lists and class delinquencies, the punishment of careless youths and the amelioration of the evils of the jazz student-life of the present day, there is neither the time nor the nervous energy left for calm constructive thinking and the formation of deliberate and intelligent judgments. Moreover, there is always the knowledge that the discipline is not adequately administered and the student life not adequately cared for, and cannot be, under such circumstances.

The conclusion is that there is a missing link in our organization and that we need an additional official, who for want of a better term may be designated as "dean of men." This title is used in a number of colleges at present. His duties, outlined in detail later, would be to have general oversight of the student life of the college, keep in as close touch as possible with it, and relieve the president of such details, also assisting him in various other ways as hereafter designated. When the institution was small and less complicated the president and military department could handle the situation fairly well, but the demands upon the president have greatly increased, and the military department can apparently never again be depended upon to care for the situation adequately. If such an official be provided, and (which is very important) if the other officials already provided carry their responsibilities and perform their proper functions as prescribed in our present plan of organization, then the duties of the president and the duties of the dean of men may be definitely set forth as follows:

Duties Of The President

I. In relation to the Board of Visitors:

a. Responsible to the Board only, and exercising such powers as are delegated by the Board, subject to the approval of the Board.

b. Agent of the Board—its "eyes and ears" in the management of the institution in all its divisions—and the adviser of the Board.

c. Define objectives and formulate general policies and plans for the consideration of the Board.

d. Ex-officio member of the executive committee of the Board.

e. Attend meetings of the Board, as its adviser, without voting.

f. Nominate all officials and members of the various staffs, including experiment station and extension division, to the Board, for appointment, promotion, and salary amounts.

g. Prepare the annual working budgets and the biennial budgets of requests for appropriations, and submit to the Board.

h. Perform all executive functions, subject to the approval of the Board, reporting at meetings of the Board such matters as appear to be sufficiently important to justify the attention of the Board.

II. In relation to the Internal Organization:

a. Chief executive officer of the entire institution, including experiment stations and extension divisions as well as all instructional and service departments and divisions.

b. Organize the various staffs of the institution, assign duties, and hold the proper officials and all employes responsible for the proper performance of their duties, looking to the heads of divisions and departments for directing and reporting on their subordinates.

c. Maintain the proper coordination and correlation among divisions and departments to promote economy and efficiency.

d. Preside over faculty, council of administration, public exercises, etc., unless delegated to others; call meetings, appoint committees, arrange dockets, etc.

e. Suggest, encourage, and authorize developments in departments; and give general authorization for improvements to physical plant.

f. Handle budgets of requests, and authorize expenditures in the divisions and departments within the limits set by the action of the Board.

g. Consider appeals from members of the staffs, employes, students, or others, and transmit same to the Board where considered advisable.

h. Delegate authority and define duties and functions, in accordance with the organization plan approved by the Board, after which he shall not be held directly responsible for the duties and functions thus delegated, but shall deal with or report to the Board for action, failure on the part of any official or employe to perform properly the duties and functions delegated to him.

III. In relation to the Outside:

a. Represent the institution before the state and federal authorities and the general public.

b. Maintain helpful relations with other institutions, organizations, accrediting agencies, departments of government and individuals, cultivating favorable attitudes toward the college.

c. Build up and keep in good condition as far as possible alumni organizations and interests.

d. Handle budgets of requests for appropriations before state and federal authorities.

e. Look after officials and visitors coming to the college; and cultivate the interest of influential persons for the institution and its support and development.

Duties Of A Dean Of Men

1. Act as head of the division designated on the organization chart as "social control," representing this division in the council of administration, and being the general director of the work of the military department, the chaplains, the Y. M. C. A., and other agencies concerned with the discipline, social and religious welfare of students.

2. Have general charge of student activities, student organizations, and student publications—this includes the Y. M. C. A., athletic association, literary societies, technical societies, dance clubs, The Bugle, The Tech, etc.—with authority to permit or to prohibit any activity or the participation of any student.

3. Have general oversight of the organization of the student-body, or "corps of cadets," its executive committee, sub-executive committee, and other committees or divisions; being the final authority in cases connected with the administration of the honor system and the constitution and by-laws of the corps, except that the right of appeal to the president and Board of Visitors shall not be denied.

4. With the commandant, deal with military offenses and breaches of discipline such as are not dealt with under the usual regulations, or such as are of more serious importance; and with the deans of instructional divisions, deal with academic delinquencies; being the final authority in such matters, except that the right of appeal to the president and Board of Visitors shall not be denied.

5. Consider all athletic coaches and managers whose appointments by the director of athletics are proposed, with authority to approve or disapprove, and have authority to prohibit any student from participating in any athletic exercises, contest, or public celebration.

6. Be the final authority in requests from students: to be permitted to sell articles in the dormitories or on the campus or to solicit for sales, orders, or subscriptions of any sort; to hold meetings of the corps, of the classes, or of other student groups; to conduct student celebrations, athletic games, dances, entertainments, etc., and to use any room, building, section of the campus or equipment, etc., for such purposes.

7. Deal with requests from students for leave of absence, or for leaving before the end of a quarter or the beginning of a holiday; and with cases of late return after holidays, or otherwise over-staying leave.

8. Consider and pass upon requests for being excused permanently or for a considerable period from military duties, from living in barracks, from eating at the dining hall, and similar requests, or requests for special permits that are not of the ordinary type provided for in the regulations; and also consider and act upon resignations of students.

9. Handle requests for and arrangements connected with trips of student-body, or any group (such as athletic teams, classes, etc.) of students away from Blacksburg; and also holidays or suspension of duties for any reason.

10. Have general oversight of the living arrangements of all students, whether in military or not; having authority to prohibit students from rooming or boarding where it seems inadvisable.

11. Act as counselor and adviser to students in any matter connected with the college life, seeking to influence them individually and collectively for right attitudes and acceptable conduct; and make and enforce such regulations as seem to be necessary and expedient to bring about the desired results.

12. Direct and also give part of the instruction in the "orientation course" for freshmen, and do whatever may be possible to guide students aright in the selection of their programs of study, in cooperation with the deans, course advisers, and others.

13. Instruct in the courses in "American citizenship" and "rural citizenship" with the assistance of others.

14. Conduct correspondence with parents relative to the conduct or progress of students, to their living conditions, to their relationships to other students and to college officials, etc.

15. Appoint students to waiterships in the dining-hall, and to other positions, except as assistants in instructional departments; grant loans from the student aid funds and scholarships, with the advice and assistance of officials concerned.

16. Have general charge of chapel exercises, assemblies, public exercises, commencement events, etc., selecting speakers, arranging programs, etc., with the advice of the president.

17. Direct the preparation of catalogs, bulletins, printed announcements and circulars, advertisements, etc., which represent the college resident instruction division officially, with the assistance of officials directly concerned in each case, and edit and correct the proof for the same.

18. Assist the treasurer and other officials in bringing the students to a performance of the requirements of the college as to payment of charges and attention to other business transactions or regulations as to procedure in official matters.

19. Consult the council of administration as to matters where there is doubt as to the best procedure, seeking their advice but acting on his own responsibility, authority being given to call a meeting of the council whenever he considers this advisable.

20. Preside over meetings of the council of administration for the consideration of demerit lists and quarterly reports of students; and preside in the absence of the president whenever it is considered wise to hold a meeting of the council.

21. Assist the president in such matters and on such occasions as the latter may desire, particularly with a view to relieving him of details connected with the resident instruction and student life division of the institution.

22. Get information as to general policies from the president, and then act in the spirit of these general policies on his own responsibility, being held directly accountable for the performance of his functions in this manner. This provides amply for the exercise of individual initiative and discretion, while at the same time carrying out the general policies of the administration.

Appointment Of A Dean Of Men

It is recognized that t.he duties as here outlined for a dean of men are carried in some institutions by the dean in charge of admissions, records, courses of study, etc.—an official in our organization called "dean of the college." At this college it does not seem expedient to add at this time these duties to those now carried by the present dean of the college. It is readily conceived that at some future time it may be found feasible and wise to combine the two offices; hence the establishment of an additional deanship should be looked upon as an experiment, the arrangement being subject to change after a year's trial if it appears advisable to make a different assignment of duties.

The Board having authorized the creation of the office, careful search for a suitable man will be made during the summer.

Summer Activities

The agricultural high school teachers' conference, the boys and girls clubs summer short courses, and the annual farmers' institute will be held here this summer as usual. The athletic meet of the agricultural high schools of the state was held here in the spring.

Plans are well in hand for a two-weeks conference and course of instruction for superintendents, foremen, and others in charge of mechanics and laborers. A good number of manufacturing establishments will send representatives. This project is conducted in cooperation with the State Board of Education.

Conclusion

We are particularly indebted to the special committees of the Board on insurance, heating improvements, and animal and dairy husbandry, for their valuable services during the year. The whole Board has faced the somewhat embarrassing and perplexing situations arising during the year, with a determination to do what is best for the interests of the institution and the state which it serves. The conscientiousness and wisdom with which the members have acted have been of immense value.