Not Just for Men Anymore

John Flowers

Cavalier Daily

Cavalier Daily

1996-05-31

Not Just for Men Anymore
By JOHN FLOWERS
Cavalier Daily Managing Editor
The Class of 1971 entered into its fourth year with some new sights to behold. In addition to the 92 black students (a record then) enrolled, the University became accustomed to its first year of coeducation, as 350 first-year and 100 upperclass women also joined the ranks of the undergraduate class.
In their first meeting since 1966, the Cavaliers pulled off a narrow victory over Virginia Tech, 7-0. Cabell Hall narrowly missed destruction after a short in the electrical system started a fire the top floors. Students did their part and helped faculty members remove important books and other from faculty offices.
Homecoming proved somewhat depressing. Virginia lost to underdog Wake Forest. 27-7. But the highly anticipated Army game at Scott helped cheer some spirits, as Virginia stunned Army with a slim 21-20 victory
The Alumni Association said it felt funds drying up, after announcing a 50 percent drop in those applying to the association. In addition, Alumni Director Gilbert J. Sullivan said donations were also down for the year.
Provost Frank L Hereford Jr. announced he would retire to pursue research in his first love, physics. Hereford said he always was more of a researcher than an administrator. Of course, a few years later Hereford was welcomed as the University's next President.
The Board of Visitors new student code of conduct drew heavy fire. Critics said the rules were intended to quiet some of the more politically active voices in the community. The Board soon revised its code of conduct after Student Council protested the vagueness of some of the terminology.
As a result of the strike in May, in which people demonstrated for peace by blocking traffic in front of the Rotunda, 21 students, one student's father, a maintenance worker and local teacher were given charges, ranging from disorderly conduct to unlawful assembly.
The Virginia Weekly and University Union became embroiled in a controversy with the administration about whether Huey Newton, Black Panther Party co-founder and minister of defense, would speak University Hall. Administrators said under federal and state statutes the University could not comply with two of Newton's requests, including allowing the Black Panther Party to provide security for the event.
Because administrators and the Black Panthers stood firm on their requests, Newton never was allowed to appear
The Pep Band voted to discontinue playing the popular Southern anthem of "Dixie" at all future functions. The group, along with D. Alan Williams, vice president for student affairs, believed the song promoted racism and was discontinued.
In a sudden move by University administrators, Football Coach George Blackburn's contract expired and was not renewed after six years with Virginia. Williams said the move was made to insure a stronger standing for the Cavaliers in the ACC. Defensive coordinator Don Lawrence sooned [sic] was named as Blackburn’s replacement.
The Cavalier basketball team took its most impressive win this season with a 79-53 desimation [sic] of defending ACC champion N.C. at the beginning of the spring semester.
The win not only looked great for the nationally-televised broadcast, but it assured Virginia its first winning season since 1934.
The Lawn began to change face, as students learned 37 women would take residence there next Year. Although women never were denied rooms in the past, this was the first time they had applied.
The Honor Committee's decision to not expel a student found guilty of stealing several drinks from a vending machine created what is now called the seriousness clause. The student originally was given 24 hours to leave the University, but the Committee decided the charges were not grave enough to warrant such an extreme measure.
Several drug arrests dotted fourth-year students remaining days. Local Law enforcement officials arrested two first-year students were arrested [sic] for selling marijuana. In addition, federal agents arrested a third-year student for importing and conspiring to import hashish; the arrest was made shortly after the student received a package of hashish valued at about $7,000.
Anti-war protests, rallies and petitions were common this year, as evident when nearly 80 students walked out of a speech given by U.S. Solicitor General Drwin N. Griswold.
The students met in front of the Chemistry Building to organize future protests in Washington; they then returned to question Griswold about the logic of the U.S.’s current foreign policy.