MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS OF
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
HELD ON APRIL 30, 1968
An adjourned meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University was held on the 30th day of April, 1968 at
10:00 o'clock in the forenoon in the Governor's office, Capitol
Building, in the City of Richmond, Virginia, no notice thereof
being required.
Present were Mrs. James B. Bullard, Mrs. Charles G.
Thalhimer and Messrs. Andrew J. Brent, Virginius Dabney, Eppa Hunton, IV., C. Coleman McGehee, Dr. Richard A. Michaux, Dr.
James W. Mullen, S. Buford Scott, James Edward Sheffield, John
H. Temple, J. K. Timmons and B. Walton Turnbull.
Also present was the Honorable Mills E. Godwin, Jr.,
Governor, the Honorable Carter O. Lowance, Commissioner of
Administration, and Mrs. Pat Perkinson, Administrative Assistant
to the Governor, and Mrs. Audrey Moore, Secretary to the Governor.
By unanimous consent, the Governor served as Chairman
of the meeting and Mrs. Moore as Secretary thereof.
The Chairman thereupon called on Mr. McGehee, Chairman
of the Nominating Committee, for the report of his Committee.
Mr. McGehee then stated that it was the pleasure of his Committee
to place in nomination Mr. Andrew J. Brent as Secretary, Mr.
Edward A. Wayne as Vice Rector and Mr. Virginius Dabney as Rector,
all to serve until the next regular annual meeting of the Board of
Visitors and/or until their successors are duly elected and
qualified. Mr. McGehee stated that the three gentlemen had all
agreed to serve if elected. Thereupon, on motion duly made,
seconded and unanimously carried, those persons nominated by the
Nominating Committee were duly elected to the offices indicated,
to serve for the term set forth.
Governor Godwin then congratulated the officers and added
that the new University would be in capable hands under the
direction of the three officers named, along with the other Board
members. The Governor emphasized the opportunities that lie ahead
for the new University, and stated the caliber of the Board will be
reflected in the University's accomplishments.
Following the Governor's offer to make himself avail-
able to the Board at the appropriate time to communicate re-
commendations that had come to his office for the Presidency of
the University, the Governor and Mr. Lowance left the meeting.
Mr. Dabney thereupon assumed the Chair.
Mrs. Moore continued to take the minutes of the meeting.
The Rector thereupon pointed out that it would be
necessary under the statute for the Board to elect an Executive
Committee and that it was also recommended that the following
Committees be appointed and consultants be obtained as indicated:
Finance Committee
Property Committee
Academic Policy Committee
Development of Master Plan Committee with a consultant
(to study long range physical needs based on projection
reports, rate of growth, probable student body,
present buildings and grounds of two merging insti-
tutions).
Library Facilities Study Committee with a consultant
(to study library resources and needs).
A general discussion then followed, after which on motion
duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, the officers were
directed to structure the various Committees and to present
nominations to the Board for the election of an Executive Committee.
The Rector thereupon stated that the officers would meet and
would have recommendations in connection with the various
Committees and a preliminary draft of By-laws at the next meeting.
The Rector then excused the press and asked the Governor
to return to the meeting to relay communications on recommendations
for the Presidency of the University. Governor Godwin presented
the names of individuals who had been suggested to him for considera-
tion of the Board in selecting the President of the University and
placed the information in the hands of the Rector, pending appoint-
ment of a Selection Committee. It was understood that the
Presidents of the merging institutions automatically would be
considered.
The Governor and Mr. Lowance stated that the present top
cash salary for a State University President in Virginia is
27,000 and that the present salary at MCV is 25,000. In the
discussion which followed it appeared to be the consensus that the
Board might properly expect further adjustments in college
Presidents' salaries after July 1st; and that in view of the
present MCV salary, the Board would be safe in assuming a floor
of at least 25,000 for the President of the new University.
Mr. Wayne reported that it was the recommendation of
the American University Association that, while the
responsibility for the naming of a President lies with the
Trustees, choice of the Administrative Head should be made only
after giving consideration to suggestions of those concerned.
The Association further recommended that a Screening Committee
draft a list of requirements of the qualifications that the
individual should have - not for the purpose of picking the in-
dividual or of naming names, but to identify the type of man
sought for the position.
In connection with the discussion of future needs,
members of the Board referred to the Study Commission's references
to the Elko Tract in Henrico County. It was agreed that the Master
Plan which is to be developed should clarify any questions in this
regard. Mr. Lowance mentioned that the State Highway Department
wished to relocate its equipment depot on a small portion of the
Elko Tract, which he did not believe would interfere in any way
with any other uses of the main body of land. Members of the Board
expressed no objection to the proposal.
There was brief discussion of administration-student
relationships but further consideration of this subject was
deferred until the organization of Committees and possibly additional
study of the matter by the Executive Committee.
The Board was informed that the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools has, in effect, committed itself to accredi-
tation of the new University on the basis of the present accredited
status of the merging units.
A discussion then followed with respect to future
meetings and it was concluded that it would be desirable to hold
the next meeting of the Board on Tuesday, May 7, at 10:00 o'clock
in the morning at the Medical College of Virginia Board Room,
Medical Education Building, 11th and Marshall Streets, the meeting
to be followed by a lunch and an orientation program to be pre-
sented by the Administration of the College.
Mr. Scott then suggested that it might be appropriate
for the Board to meet regularly on each Tuesday with the May 14
meeting to be held at Richmond Professional Institute in order
that an orientation program might also be presented by the
Administration of RPI.
The Board was assured that appropriate office space
for the Rector and necessary secretarial staff could be provided
in a State Office Building.
There being no further business to come before the
meeting, the same on motion duly made, seconded and unanimously
carried, adjourned to the 7th day of May, 1968 at 10:00 o'clock
in the forenoon at the Medical College of Virginia Board Room,
Medical Education Building, 11th and Marshall Streets in the
City of Richmond, Virginia, no further notice thereof being re-
quired.
APPROVED:
