University of Virginia Library

NEW DORMITORIES

President Combs stated that Governor Battle had authorized a $20,000 appropriation for
preparation of preliminary drawings for a new women's dormitory, so that if the 1952 Legislature
approved a request for funds for this building, construction could get under way without too great
delay. These preliminary drawings had been submitted to the Art Commission, the members of which
came to Mary Washington and reviewed the plans and the location of the building. At an earlier date
the Art Commission had approved a master plan for Mary Washington with a dormitory located at this
particular site. The Art Commission disapproved of: (1) the proposed location of this building,
(2) the size of the building, both the fact that it was a four-story building and that too many
girls would occupy it, and (3) the design and structure of the building.

President Combs pointed out that the architects had planned a four-story structure because
the fourth story could be added at a cost for each girl housed of $2,200, whereas the cost for a
three-story structure would amount to $3,000 per student

President Combs stated that the architects were working on a substitute design which would
provide two buildings in place of the one which had originally been designed, but that it would cost
an additional $125,000 to house the same number of girls.

The Board referred this matter to the Mary Washington Committee with the request that the
Committee meet as soon as possible and prepare a written report setting forth both viewpoints concerning
this matter.