Vet School

A committee formed to study the feasibility of starting a New England school of veterinary medicine at Tufts University returned a "favorable but cautious" report to the president of Tufts Monday.

The proposal is now under consideration by Tufts President Jean Mayer, who originally proposed the vet school, and the Tufts Board of Trustees. However, they will take no formal action on the proposal until February, Harry Zane, a spokesman for the university said yesterday.

The proposed vet school would be part of the Tufts campus but would serve as a resource center for all of New England. It would use existing institutions, facilities and personnel throughout the region, Zane said.

The plans involve establishing teaching and diagnostic centers at each of the six state universities in New England.

Contracts between the state and Tufts University will cover the cost of the interstate centers.

The presidents of the six universities have formed a committee to examine the proposal.

"Whether the school ultimately proves feasible depends very heavily on the success of this unprecedented attempt at regional and public-private cooperation," Zane said.