ORIENTATION FOR NEW U.VA. STUDENTS 
 FOCUSES ON SELF-GOVERNANCE

	CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Aug. 18 -- The message to new
University of Virginia students and their parents is simple and
direct: Students are accountable for their actions, both
individually and as residents of a learning community.
	During ÒOrientation Ô95Ó student affairs personnel are
emphasizing the concept of self governance to build a sense of
community and to help students recognize the consequences of their
actions in light of a broad range of social issues such as civility,
substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases and racial
stereotyping.
	The Dean of Students Office has launched a months-long
effort to stress accountability through a series of communications
to parents and entering students.  The effort to reach parents began
immediately after their sons and daughters were offered admission to
U.Va.  They received a letter that congratulated them on raising
offspring who succeeded in being accepted at U.Va. and suggested
that they talk to their sons and daughters about social
responsibility.
	The message was reiterated during ÒDay on the Lawn,Ó an
annual reception in April for newly accepted students and parents,
and was repeated in June during an annual alumni event for parents
with prospective U.Va. applicants.  Parents of entering students
will hear the message again during an Aug. 26 panel discussion.
	Upper classmen and student affairs personnel will describe
how studentsÕ behavior impacts quality of life within an educational
environment during three ÒPersonal Responsibility for Building and
Maintaining Community at U.Va.Ó seminars Aug 28. 
	ÒWe expect students to govern themselves, take
responsibility for their actions, be aware of the consequences of
inappropriate behavior and confront those who disrupt community
standards.  That kind of conduct supports and encourages personal
and intellectual development of students in and out of the
classroom,Ó said  Ron Stump, Associate Dean of Students. 
	Giving the message depth and texture will be the wide
variety of people who voice it throughout First Year Focus, a series
of programs designed to smooth the transition from high school to
college life.  Student leaders, representing such diverse interests
as the honor system, Judiciary Committee, student health and
residence life, and administrators, representing the University
police department, the Dean of Students Office and even parking and
transportation services, will convey the message.
	ÒWhatÕs unusual about U.Va. orientation is the team effort
involved.  Everyone, including the president, will talk about how
student conduct can foster an environment through which people can
develop an appreciation for diversity, tolerance and the practice of
civil discourse.  At U.Va. we define ÔcommunityÕ by these values,Ó
Stump said.
	Each year hundreds of U.Va. students assume leadership roles
by participating in such organizations as residence staff, Student
Council, University Union and peer health educator positions.   
	ÒU.Va. students have tremendous autonomy,Ó said Associate
Dean of Students Sybil Todd, who believes such an approach benefits
the University community.  ÒBy creating an environment of tolerance,
students can expand their circle of acquaintances, experiment with
ideas and define their identities,Ó said Todd, who has been asked to
teach the approach to student affairs personnel at other colleges
and to educators with the Lynchburg school system.
	Statistics reflect the success of U.Va.Õs approach to
student orientation.  About 97 percent of first-year students return
to the University the following year.
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August 17, 1995
	FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact Ron Stump or Sybil Todd at
(804) 924-7133.  Todd, who has been namedVice President forÊStudent
Affairs at the University of Utah, will not be available after Aug.
31.