The University of Virginia in Charlottesville and nearby Farmington Country Club have much in common. Only three miles apart, both are housed in buildings designed in the early 19th century by Thomas Jefferson, who also founded the university. Some of Virginia's most prominent citizens are, or have been, members of both institutions. In fact, 150 of the school's faculty and staff currently belong to Farmington, including President Frank L. Hereford Jr., 52. But in one area, the college and the club differ completely. The University of Virginia admits and is actively recruiting blacks; Farmington does not accept blacks as either members or guests. Last week, after members had voted overwhelmingly to continue the club's restrictive policies, Hereford was undergoing pressure to resign from Farmington.
Racial Policy. Hereford's troubles began after he became president in September 1974. Unlike his predecessor, Edgar F. Shannon Jr., Hereford refused demands that he renounce his Farmington membership. An internationally known physicist and longtime Virginia professor, Hereford is by no means a racist. By staying in the club and lobbying for admission of blacks, he insisted, he could do more good than by resigning. His argument: "A change in Farmington would help to change the setting in which the university exists. This isn't an ideal community for blacks, but I'm trying to make it better." Despite protests by students and many of the faculty, Hereford stuck to his guns.
Finally, at the urging of Hereford and others, Farmington's management in December decided to poll the 3,867 members on the club's racial policy. The questionnaire ignored the subject of membership, asking only if blacks should be admitted to the club as guests. The answer, by a 2-to-1 vote: no.
The reaction of blacks and many whites on campus was summarized by the student newspaper, the Cavalier Daily, in an editorial titled OUR RESIDENT EMBARRASSMENT: "The vote is in and Mr. Hereford must decide which way he will go: with the university which has been entrusted to him, or with his country club and its racist policies."
Blacks were particularly bitter, arguing that Hereford's membership in the club has already hurt the university's black recruitment program. Says Vivian Gordon, assistant professor of sociology and one of the 20 blacks among Virginia's faculty of 1,500: "Blacks know about the Farmington thing; they don't want to teach here." White liberals were also upset. Ruth Angress, head of the German department, resigned from the university. Said she: "Hereford didn't even say he regretted the way the vote turned out."
At week's end Hereford had still not taken any action, apparently hoping that the Farmington board of directors, scheduled to meet Feb. 9, would reject the vote. Until then, he may well ponder how Founder Jefferson, who was both a libertarian and a slaveholder, would have solved his dilemma.