MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF
THE BOARD OF VISITORS OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
HELD ON MAY 20, 1968
A special meeting of the Executive Committee of the
Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University was held on
the 20th day of May, 1968 at 10:00 o'clock in the forenoon in
the President's dining room of the Richmond Professional Institute
pursuant to due notice.
Present were all of the members of the Committee
except Mr. Wilson.
Mr. Edward A. Wayne served as Chairman of the meeting
and Mr. A.J. Brent as Secretary thereof.
The Chairman thereupon welcomed Dean James Bailey,
Associate Dean of the College, Dr. Herbert Burgart, Dean of the
School of Art, Dr. Gerald Bass, President, Academic Senate, and
Dr. Allan Brown, Chairman, Department of English, all of the
Richmond Professional Institute faculty to the meeting. He then
explained that the Executive Committee was serving as a
screening committee for the selection of a President for Virginia
Commonwealth University and that it had been determined by the
Board of Visitors that the Committee should first give considera-
tion to the qualifications which the new President should possess
and that in doing so, the committee was most anxious to have the
views and assistance of the faculty of Richmond Professional
Institute and the Medical College of Virginia, as well as the
Boards of these two institutions.
A general discussion then followed as to those qualifica-
tions which would be most desirable in the President, with all
present expressing their views.
It was pointed out that the new President might well
have to devote more time to RPI in the next few years because of
its new and developing position.
It was also suggested that the President should fill
four major roles: education, public relations, leadership, and
understanding of the business operation of the University. While
the new President might not enjoy expertise in all four of the
areas mentioned, it would be highly desirable for him to be
sensitive to his own limitations in order that he might comple-
ment himself in developing his staff. Having developed a proper
and well balanced staff, he should be willing to delegate
authority.
It was suggested that the age bracket should run from
35 to 55 with 45 being the preference point.
In terms of experience, the new President should have
administrative experience in the academic world and have demon-
strated the ability to be innovative. He should be visionary
but with a practical approach and should also have experience
as a teacher.
The new President should also have an earned doctorate
or a terminal degree in his chosen field and while this was not
absolutely essential, a new President would start with a handicap
without it. In addition, he should have recognized competency
and the respect of his colleagues in his own area of discipline.
He should understand the concept of an urban University
as distinguished from a metropolitan school. He should be
sensitive to and of service to industry in terms of continuing
education.
He should also have an awareness and sympathy for
professional training but with relation to the development of a
strong Liberal Arts program.
He should also be highly effective in speaking to
diverse groups and should be-most articulate.
He should support the honor system and it would be
helpful if he could encourage faculty participation in the re-
commending process so that they might participate in the develop-
ment of new programs and the like.
At 10:15 o'clock, the representatives of the faculty
of the Richmond Professional Institute withdrew from the meeting
and Mrs. Bullard and Messrs. Willett and Bryan of the Richmond
Professional Institute Board joined the meeting.
Thereupon, Mr. Willett presented to the meeting a
memorandum entitled "Suggestions Relating to Desirable Qualifica-
tions for the President of Virginia Commonwealth University",
which were generally discussed.
Mr. Willett, in response to a question, stated that he
felt that the proposed organization scheme consisting of a
President with two immediate subordinates, one to head up the
Health, Sciences Division and one to head up the remainder of
the University was a good one and would "free up" the President to
develop policy in the early years of the University. He pointed
out, however, that it would be important for the President not
to rely solely on this line of communication to the faculty but
that he should frequently meet with the Deans and bring them
together with other key people from time to time in order that he
might remain close and be sensitive to the faculty. His
relationship should be such that he would feel free to visit
with the Deans from time to time.
In addition to the President's efforts in this direction,
it was observed that it would probably be desirable to have a
high level officer with the primary responsibility of seeking
government and foundation funds and that in interviewing potential
candidates, a reaction should be obtained to activity in this
area.
The Chairman directed that a copy of the memorandum
presented by Mr. Willett be attached to the minutes of the
meeting.
At 12:15 o'clock in the afternoon, the meeting suspended
for lunch and thereafter adjourned to the Board Room of the
Medical College of Virginia.
At 1:05 o'clock in the afternoon the meeting reconvened
and was joined by the following representatives of the faculty
and administration of the Medical College of Virginia: Charles
P. Cardwell, Jr., Vice President; Kinloch Nelson, Dean, School
of Medicine; Harry Lyons, Dean, School of Dentistry; Warren E.
Weaver, Dean, School of Pharmacy, Doris B. Yingling, Dean, School
of Nursing; D. T. Watts, Dean of Graduate Study and Basic
Science Departments, and Franklin Bacon, Dean of Students.
The Chairman stated the purpose of the meeting, after
which a general discussion followed during which the comments and
observations set forth below were made.
It was first suggested that the new President should
possess both administrative and educational capabilities and his
capacity and experience should have been demonstrated. Although
it was assumed that he would surround himself with the required
expertise in various areas, he should himself have some knowledge
of finance. In addition, he should be scholarly, sensitive to
public relations and have the capability of working well with
the Legislature.
It was pointed out that graduate work must be based on
a good college of arts and sciences and that the President should
know how to develop and administer this area. His administrative
experience could possibly have been obtained as Dean of a
Graduate School or as Dean of a College of Arts and Sciences.
He should be a hard-nosed person *ho has the ability
to make decisions and must have a combination of administrative
and academic understanding.
The new President should be forward looking in view
of the new concept of an urban University and should be sensitive
to quality, not just quantity. If at all possible, he should
have had some experience in the health disciplines and if he has
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not had such experience, he should at least have an open mind in
this direction.
An administrative team should be developed and the
President should be the quarter-back and public relations man.
It was also observed that the new President should
possess leadership and managerial capabilities as these are two
areas that cannot be delegated to staff personnel but must be
possessed by the President.
At 2:00 o'clock the representatives of the faculty and
administration of the Medical College of Virginia withdrew and
the meeting was joined by the following representatives of the
Board of Visitors of the Medical College of Virginia: Mrs.
Mahoney, Messrs. Cogar, Hooke, Scott and Temple.
Again, the Chairman explained the purpose of the
meeting, whereupon, the representatives of the Medical College of
Virginia Board expressed their appreciation at being given the
opportunity to express their views and a general discussion then
followed.
It was first suggested that while the President should
possess both business qualifications and educational capabilities,
probably strength on the business side was more important. It
would also be helpful, it was suggested, if he were a Southerner.
He should have strong administrative ability and a liberal arts
background and if possible, some association with a University
with a Medical School so that he might be sensitive to the peculiar
problems which are developed in this connection.
His strength as a disciplinarian should also be carefully
considered.
Age and maturity, it was pointed out, would be of help
as well as a strong academic background with an earned doctorate
degree if possible.
There being no further business to come before the
meeting, the same on motion duly made, seconded and unanimously
carried, adjourned.
APPROVED:
