Cherington Group Asks New Central Infirmary

A special Corporation Committee has recommended a centralized medical center--including a combined infirmary and hygiene building--be built on a lot between Dunster and Holyoke Streets it was learned last night.

The new building, a replacement for Stillman Infirmary, would be constructed in the area which now includes Cronin's, Cahaly's, Arthur Parker's, and a parking lot. These properties are University owned. The project, according to sources, would cost well over a million dollars.

The six man committee, at one time chaired by former Corporation member Henry L. Shattuck '01 and now headed by Charles R. Cherington '35, professor of Government, filed a preliminary report last June to various medical officials, and now has handed a final report to President Pusey and the Corporation.

The proposed building, if completed, would be for Harvard students only. Early in Committee meetings the possibility of a joint Harvard-Radcliffe building was discussed and rejected.

Outmoded Facilities

It is believed that the present Hygiene Building would be used primarily for administrative offices, with the top floors of the main building allocated for infirmary purposes.

Outmoded facilities caused the Committee's study and report. The once complete system is now considered inadequate and inconvenient.

Arlie V. Bock, Henry K. Oliver Professor of Hygiene, long a proponent of improved facilities, yesterday called the present separate building set-up "antiquated" and asserted that there is a "desperate need for improved facilities."

Bock had previously termed the only solution to the problem the ripping down of Stillman.

It is believed that the report also discusses the possibility of an increased staff for the medical building and an increased medical fee for students. The report also praises Bock for his work and innovations in the current system.

Polled Students

Last spring, in an effort to determine just exactly what kind of medical service undergraduates want, Cherington polled 80 students to get opinions on the quality of food and medical services.

In addition to Cherington, and Shattuck, who resigned late last fall to head a government committee on German war prisoners, the committee includes Livingston Hall, vice-dean of the Law School; Stanley F. Teele, associate dean of the Business School; Dr. Herman L. Blumgart, professor of Medicine; and Dr. Hugh R. Leavell, professor of Public Health Practice.