University of Virginia Library

FEDERAL AID TO MEDICAL EDUCATION

President Darden reported that Dr. Lippard had been asked by the Association of American
Medical Colleges to furnish an expression of opinion of the University's governing board concerning
federal aid for medical education. The Association suggested checking one of the following expressions
of attitude:

  • 1. We oppose federal financial aid to medical schools (in addition to the types of
    special grants now being received) in any form at this time.

  • 2. We approve, at this time, of federal financial aid for the general support of medical
    education if it can be provided with adequate safeguards for the continuing autonomous
    control of medical education.

  • 3. We urge the passage of H.R. 5940 if possible in this session of Congress. (As S-1453
    it has already passed the senate.)

The Board approved none of these proposals but directed the Rector to appoint a committee
to draft an appropriate resolution limiting the University's endorsement of federal aid to medical
education to the training of personnel for the armed forces. The Rector appointed Mr. Talbott and
Mr. Gravatt who submitted the following resolution.

RESOLVED: That to the extent that the military requirements of the United States government
demand expansion of facilities for the education of doctors and nurses as a part of the national
defense program, it is the sense of this Board that the expense of such expansion should be
subsidized by the United States government.

FURTHER RESOLVED: That the foregoing is not to be construed as approval of educational
subsidies by the United States government in other fields and for purposes not related to national
defense.