The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-13
To Unite Here With Aid
of Rockefeller Endow-
ment of S2,0O0,O0O.
PRESENT PLAN
TO LEGISLATURE
Few Details Yet Remain to Be
Worked Out Between Medical
College of Virginia and Uni
versity Trustees-Fcrrnal
Statements to Be
Issued Shortly.
Especial to The Times Dispa toh. ]

Especial to The Times Dispatch
Charlottesville. Va, November l2.-
Although no official statement has yet
been given out as to tho result OF the
called meeting OF tho board OF visitors
OF tho University OF Virginia last
night. X was learned to-day that the
members went on record as favoring
some plan. which will be perfected
later, to move the university medical
school to Richmond and unite with the
Richmond medical school under Il
Rockefeller foundation endowment or
s2,o00.0 900. II is understood that tho
board altered some what the proposal
offered by the Medical College of Vir-
ginia at Richmond. and now awaits the
approval or ITS revised plans by the
Richmond authorities before giving ont
e.ny statement for publication. How
ever. since the university has agreed 10
the general plan. there Is very little
doubt but that tho Richmond institu-
tion will acquicsce in whatever
changes the board has made in the
original proposal.
Department of University.
The new medical school, If the plans
go through. viii be q regular depart
inent OF the University Of Virginia. but
located in Richmond. because OF ITS
superior clinical advantages The
Rockefeller Foundation proposes to es-
tablish frst-cfasS medical school IN
every section OF tile United states, and
Virginia has been chosen FOR the
Southern section. Because Of It's more
central location. the donation was first
offered to Vanderbilt. at Nashville. but
sf..v. l. tl..A
church the Tennessee institution could
not accept the proposition made by the
foundation Virginia was picked as
the next most desirable institution on
which 10 place the endowment.
The gift will bo made tho con-
dition that the school be moved 20
Richmond ana that the requirements
he raised to those OF the present uni
vsrsity medical department After q
few years the degree II. \. or II. S.
VIII be required for admission.
IL Is rs yet undecided as to whether
the entire course will be removed to
Richmond or only the last two years.
Since the principal clinical work comes
In the latter part Of the regular medical
training 1t IS possible That the first
two years OF the course Will be kept
in Charlottesville. but no definite plans
iinve as yet bcen made.
General Assembly Must Approve.
Ever since plans were perfected for
consolidation OF the University Col
iege of Medicine and tho Medical COL
iege OF Virginia 1t has been understood
that the ultimate plans was q consol :
idation with the medical department
tf the University Of Virginia ana ne
f.otiations have been for some
weeks No final steps II was stated,
could be taken by the University OF
sNirginia without The official sanction OF
Tho General Assembly. as the univer-
sity Is a State institution. and II Is
Understood that committees repre-
senting the two boards OF trustees are
working out the full details OF the
plans, which Will be presented as soon
ns tho General Assembly convenes.
officials or the Medical College Of
Virginia declined to discuss the re-
port from Charlottesville last night,
Indicating that an official statement on
the subpect would be issued shortly. IL
has been a matter OF common knowi-
edge for some weeks. however. that
the negotiations had reached the point
Of practical agreement, only minor de-
tails such as the name or the future
medical department, and It's least rela :
tions TO the University being now In
dispute. In fact tho plan of consoi-
idation has never been entirely dronped
since an offer was made by the Uni
rcrsity OF Virginia to DIR. George Ben
johnson to become professor III It's
medical school some years ago.
FIexaer Inspected Local school.
Or. Abram FlcXner, representative OF
the Rockefeller Foundation was III
Richmond at tho time OF the opening
of the Medical College of Virginia in
September, and made a careful inspec-
tion of It's equipment and conditions,
stating at tho time that his purpose
WA to classify or grade the institu-
tion with reference to future aid. Ii
has been stated that In Its comprehen-
sive plans for aid OF medical education
throughout this country, the officials OF
the Foundation picked out Richmond,
Nashville and New Orleans as the logi-
cal locations in the South for great
medical schools.
Dr.. Flexner's objections to tho local
medical school were tho small number
OF instructors giving their whole time
to teaching, the limited clinical work.
tho majority OF the hospitals here be-
ing private, and not available for pur-
poses OF medical education. limited
buildings. and the fact that llttle re-
search work was being done. Objcc-
rions to the university We're lack of
clinical material and diversified hos
f'itals. and lack OF n large body OF
varied practitioners of medicine from
which TO draw experienced instructors.
These objections, 1t has been pointed
OUT can be best met by q consolida-
tfon of forces. and definite statements
from the boards OF trustees of the two
institutions of the details OF the pro-
posed merger, of the cost to the State
for tho erection OF proper buildings for
such an institution, OF tho cost to the
city OF providing public hospital
which would give ample clinical nd-
pantages. while. ut the saplo time sup
plying tho city's greatest need. ana OF
of tho financial aid to be extended by
she Rockefeller Foundation for cndow-
nnent are expected to he Issued shortly.