Royal Charter / Transfer to Faculty / Act to Establish a Normal School / Transfer to the State
Act to Establish a Normal Normal School
An ACT to establish a normal school at William and Mary College in connection with its collegiate course.
Approved March 5, 1888.
Whereas it is represented that the college of William and Mary is desirous of establishing, in connection with the collegiate course, a system of normal instruction and training, so as to prepare white male teachers for the public free schools of the commonwealth, and is unable to do so because of the inadequacy of its resources; therefore, to aid the said college in the purposes aforesaid,but subject to such conditions and restrictions as are hereinafter mentioned,
I. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That there shall be appropriated annually out of the treasury, from any money not otherwise appropriated, the sum of ten thousand dollars to the college of William and Mary, payable to the order of the board of visitors hereinafter mentioned: provided that the following conditions be compiled with by the said college.
2. The said college shall establish, in connection with the collegiate course, a system of normal instruction and training, for the purpose of educating and training white male teachers for the public free schools of the state.
3. That the board of visitors shall hereafter consist of the existing ten members, who shall from time to time fill all va- cancies occurring in their number, not to exceed ten, in the mode
now provided by the charter; and of ten additional and associate visitors, who shall be appointed by the governor, and who shall fill any vacancy occurring among the said associate visitors; and the said board so constituted shall control and expend the funds of the college and the appropriation herein provided, and shall make all needful rules and regulations concerning the said col- lege, appoint all professors, teachers, and agents, and fix their salaries, and generally direct the affairs of the college.
4. The board of visitors shall prescribe rules for the examina- tion and selection of the pupils applying for normal instruction, and shall require each pupil selected, to give satisfactory assur- ance of his intention and willingness to teach in the public schools of the state, for at least two years after leaving said institution and each of said pupils shall have free of charge for tuition, the privilege of the college course.
5. Each county and city in the state shall be entitled to one pupil, who shall be nominated by the county superintendent of schools, and, if any vacancy occurs, it shall be filled by the board of visitors from the state at large, and one additional pupil for each additional representative to the house of delegates above one, and said pupils shall receive gratuitous instruction, and the charge for board, washing, lights, and fuel, shall not exceed ten dollars per month.
6. It is further enacted, That the provisions of this act shall cease when the annuity granted herein shall be withheld by the general assembly, and the terms of office of the associate visitors appointed by the governor shall thereupon cease and determine.
7. The superintendent of public instruction shall be ex-officio member of said board.
8. This act shall be in force from its passage.