By Elizabeth Simpson The Virginian-Pilot December 1, 2012

NORFOLK

Eastern Virginia Medical School and the College of William and Mary said Friday they are requesting $1 million from the state to continue studying the idea of merging the two schools.

The two schools announced in July they had agreed to "exclusively explore" the possibility of a partnership that would turn EVMS into the William and Mary School of Medicine, setting off a passionate debate about the future of the local medical school and community partnerships.

Each school formed a due diligence task force to explore the financial, cultural, academic, political and administrative impacts of a merger. They hired Dr. Jordan Cohen, former president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges as a consultant.

Both schools want to make sure no financial or academic harm will be created by a merger.

Even if both schools were to support merging, it would have to be approved by the General Assembly and the governor.

A statement released Friday said the two schools are asking for a $1 million budget amendment in the state's 2013-14 budget to "explore possible increased collaboration and development of integrated academic programs."

"We've benefited from the input of faculty, students, alumni and staff," James J. Izard II, EVMS Board of Visitors member and chair of the EVMS due diligence committee, said in the statement. "We owe it to them, to our colleagues at William and Mary and to the people of Hampton Roads to fully explore the possibilities for collaboration and to have a strong understanding of the benefits to EVMS and the community at-large."

EVMS President Harry Lester characterized the merger idea as one of mutual interest between himself and William and Mary President Taylor Reveley when he announced the study in July.

Originally posted here:

EVMS and W&M ask for $1 million to study merger