19750121 r-75-3RESOLUTION No.
R-75-3
WHEREAS, the General Assembly of Virginia did charter and
establish George Mason University to serve the needs of the people
of Virginia and more particularly those residing in Northern
Virginia; and
WHEREAS, the population of Northern Virginia served by George
Mason University approximates 1,000,000 people; and
WHEREAS, the General Assembly from time to time has provided
for the improvement and growth of George Mason University and as-
sisted in the creation of new programs to serve the needs of higher
education; and
WHEREAS, acting upon the requests of the alumni, students, and
the general citizenry of the area, the Board of Visitors of George
Mason University, after an in-depth study assisted by Dr. Loren
Thompson, President Emeritus of George Mason, and Dr. Michael H.
Cardozo, formerly Executive Director of the American Association of
Law Schools, distinguished experts in this field, found that:
(a) Law schools located in Virginia can accommodate only
one-half of qualified Virginia applicants.
(b) No law school located in Virginia is within commuting
distance of the residents of Northern Virginia and approximately
800 of them are attending law schools in the District of Columbia.
(c) Tuition fees for law schools located in the District
of Columbia are approximately three times that charged to Virginia
residents in State-supported law schools.
(d) Law schools in the District of Columbia cannot ac-
commodate all qualified applicants.
(e) A law school at George Mason University would relieve
much of the pressure on existing State-supported law schools to
admit more Virginia residents.
(f) The market for lawyers is such that approximately one-
half of all members of the Virginia Bar reside in Northern Virginia.
Accordingly the Board of Visitors determined that a law school
of quality was feasible, and needed at George Mason University to
fulfill the obligations intrusted to it under the Master Plan ap-
proved by the General Assembly in 1967; and
R-75-3 ~ ~W -2
WHEREAS, despite the denial of the requested approval by the
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the Board of Visitors
is seeking such approval from the General Assembly of Virginia,
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the City of Fairfax,
Virginia, that it endorses the establishment of a law school at
George Mason University, and urges the General Assembly of Virginia
to grant such approval.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be de-
livered to each member of the legislature representing Northern
Virginia.
Adopted: January 21, 1975
Attest: