With its prominent law school and proximity to Washington, D.C., the University has long been the site of discussions around law and politics. In fact, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson will visit Grounds on Thursday to discuss her memoir published last year and talk with Law Professor Kimberly J. Robinson. In this week’s From the Archives, ahead of Justice Jackson’s visit, we take a look back at noteworthy law-related events and discourse on Grounds, as well as legal action involving the University’s administrators and students.
1950s
Sep. 22, 1954
“Law School Puts Books On Exhibit”
In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of John Marshall, former chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, the University’s Law School put its valuable collection of books belonging to George Wythe, former attorney general of Virginia, on display in a joint exhibit with William & Mary. Among these books was Wythe’s copy of Chancery Decisions, which he gave to Thomas Jefferson as a gift. The book was considered the most valuable volume in the Law Library’s collection, which numbered more than a hundred thousand books.
1960s
Sept. 30, 1964 and Oct. 2, 1964
“Byrd Opponent To Speak” and “Congressional Hopeful Attacks Byrd Machine”
By None, John Levin
Edward E. Haddock, an independent candidate for Congress from the Third District of Virginia, gave a speech at the University on Sept. 30, 1964. He spoke against Harry F. Byrd’s political machine, although he said he was a Democrat “from the Courthouse to the White House.” His issues with Byrd’s administration stemmed largely from their overwhelming control in Virginia, which he lambasts as “selfish interests” designed to discourage Virginians from voting at all, much less from running as independent candidates.
1970s
Sept. 28, 1971
“Protection Of Voting Rights Taken To Court By ACLU”
By Parkes Brittain
The American Civil Liberties Union sued the office of the registrar, alleging that students at multiple Virginia colleges had been wrongfully denied the ability to register and vote. According to one second-year student, some University students had been barred from voting on the grounds that they are not considered permanent residents of Charlottesville while studying at the University.
1980s
Sept. 20, 1983 and Sept. 21, 1983
“Black Law students’ concerns go unaddressed” and “Law Weekly does respond to all Law students’ concerns”
By Marvin W. Smith and Michele Clause, Rob Duston and Rebecca Lee
Two letters were submitted to the editor of The Cavalier Daily one day apart, the first criticizing the Virginia Law Weekly for failing to publish letters related to the release of confidential minority grade information and the second a response from the editors of the Virginia Law Weekly. Marvin W. Smith, the author of the first letter, claims that the Virginia Law Weekly had received submissions from Black Law students about this issue and that their refusal to publish them spoke to a larger culture of “blatant insensitivity” at the Law School. The editors of the Virginia Law Weekly responded with a list of their policies regarding publishing letters to the editor, including their cutoff dates for each issue, a refusal to publish work that has already appeared in another publication, and occasionally delaying a letter to save space.
1990s
Sept. 21, 1992
“Davenport alters suit to face only Casteen”
By Greg Volkar
Photos by Chris Pierson
Ted Davenport, former executive director of the Virginia Student Aid Foundation, filed a multimillion dollar lawsuit against University President John Casteen. In the lawsuit, Davenport, who had been fired from his executive director role in VSAF for making improper loans to student athletes, alleged that Casteen fired him in an effort to avoid receiving sanctions from the NCAA and to further his own career.
2000s
Sept. 15th, 2005
“First Amendment wall planned for Downtown”
By Catherine Conkle
Photos by Pete O’Shea
A monument to free speech was erected at the Downtown Mall, created and maintained by the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, which was founded by former University President Robert O’Neil. The monument is made of two chalkboards and a podium, which can be used by citizens to express their opinions. It is not monitored by any government entity, only the Jefferson Center and any citizen who happens to walk by it.
Read More
UJC wraps up fall recruitment, anticipates election of four new representatives
By Grace Little | 2 hours agoUJC will be electing four new representatives in accordance with its new referendum.
Is a U.Va. degree worth it?
By Grace Little | YesterdayThe College Scorecard — a resource managed by the U.S. Department of Education — offers an answer to whether a U.Va. is worth it in the form of a breakdown by median salary and student loan debt after graduation for a range of majors.
Board of Visitors hears from Sheridan and Mahoney on U.Va.’s path forward
By Cecilia Mould | YesterdayThe central long-term goal which Mahoney said he is focused on is free and open inquiry.
