Even though enrollment was down because of World War II, activities, classes, and events at the University of Virginia proceeded as usual. College Topics, the university newspaper, continued to report the affairs of the university, but in a more personal way than today, due to small numbers at the university. Student involvement in the university was very enthusiastic, and the students' devotion was overwhelming. The students supported and were concerned about their fellow classmates and countrymen fighting in the war, but campus life continued to proceed at the university.
The first year men were welcomed in many ways. The were taught the university songs: "The Good Old Song," "Hike Virginia," "Cavalier Song," "Virginia," and "Who's Gonna Win." The first year men were welcomed by fraternities. As soon as rush began, students were flattered by many brothers from different fraternities. If a young man was accepted into a particular fraternity, he became a pledge and was welcomed into that frat through "Hell Week," a full week of hazing. Fraternities would make pledges do acts such as: drink alcohol excessively, memorize the brothers names in and rules of the fraternity, and perform embarrassing acts in front of their sister sororities. The Honor Committee gave a speech explaining the tradition of the well known honor system. The university held many events and dances held for first year students.
The fall semester of 1944 started out on a few somber notes. Dr. William A. Lambeth, a very influential figure in Virginia athletics, died on June 24, 1944 in the university hospital. He was a Professor of Hygiene and Physical Education, and he was the Athletic Director of the university for many years. Due to the war, university enrollment was considerably down from 3,000 to 1,336. On August 2, 1944, students and faculty were disappointed to see that their main "hangout," the Cavalier, a bar, was merged with Jameson's Bookstore to form a "super college bookstore" located at the corner. A polio treatment ward was added on to university hospital for patients from surrounding areas on August 1, 1944. The university community was threatened by a polio outbreak of twenty-two students on August 22, 1944. A scheduled dance for students was canceled due to the Polio epidemic.
Many changes went on during this time at the university. The university used a numerical grading system until 1944 when a new alphabetical grading system was put into effect for two reasons: so the Professors could have a standard method of recording the progress of a student, and so the student would be able to gauge his progress. Of course the students wanted a full explanation of exactly what each grade meant. On August 25, 1944, L.G. Moffatt, a guest speaker, said, "The letter system is a much more flexible way of placing value on a person's ability and in many ways works to the student's advantage"(College Topics, August 25, 1944). The students didn't think so on August 8, 1944, when many of them received D's on their first English papers. Although student elections continued and a new president was elected on September 15, 1944, politics took a back seat to the war. Due to the war, the alumni launched a drive on September 29, 1944 for war memorial funds that would be donated to the university. There was a national fraternity conference held on December 8, 1944 to abolish the traditional acts of hazing. The government all men to complete a year of military training before entering college. Until this year, the Dean of students allowed no student to have a motor vehicle on campus.
Due to small numbers at the university, College Topics was much more personal than today's newspaper, The Cavalier Daily. In the paper, there was a list of students that needed to complete registration cards. A letter addressed directly to fraternity rushees about how to choose a frat was issued on September 4, 1944. The examination schedule of all students was in the September 8, 1944 issue. When, where, and which students were to register for the spring semester was in the paper. A large number of students, about three, were dismissed that semester, and the university felt that they needed to print a letter to the students restating the honor system because exams were coming up. It was as if the newspaper was the main way of communicating to the students.
Many changes have occurred at the university these past fifty years, but many traditions have stayed the same. Today we still honor traditions such as: streaking the lawn, rushing fraternities, and dressing up for sporting events. The university's population has grown, and the campus has expanded. There are many more classes and majors offered at the university. The students still take pride in walking around the beautiful grounds. The honor system has remained a way of life for the students at the university. The early years of the University of Virginia have laid the foundation for today's students and for those to come.
By: Karl Zeller