MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS OF
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
HELD ON JULY 29, 1968
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University was held on the 29th day of July, 1968
at 11:00 o'clock in the forenoon in the Board Room of The
Medical College of Virginia, Health Sciences Division of the
University pursuant to due notice.
Present were all of the Visitors.
Present by invitation were the following: Fred O. Wygal,
Executive Administrator; Dr. Roland H. Nelson, Provost - General
Academic; Dr. Francis J. Brooke, Acting Provost Designate -
General Academic; Dr. Charles M. Renneisen, Dean - General
Academic; Raymond T. Holmes, Jr., Comptroller - General Academic;
James W. Bailey, Assistant Vice President - General Academic;
William O. Edwards, Office of Development - General Academic; Dr.
R. Blackwell Smith, Provost - Health Sciences; Colonel J. H.
Heil, Jr., Vice Provost - Health Sciences; L. Daniel Crooks,
Vice President, Business and Finance - Health Sciences; Mr. Charles
P. Cardwell, Director, Hospital Administration; Dr. Harry Lyons,
Dean School of Dentistry; Dr. Warren E. Weaver, Dean School of
Pharmacy; Dr. Doris B. Yingling, Dean School of Nursing, and Mrs.
Edna F. Hodges, Secretary to the Executive Administrator.
Mr. Dabney served as Chairman of the meeting and Mr.
Brent as Secretary thereof.
On motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried,
the minutes of the special meeting of the Board of Visitors
held on June 24, 1968 were approved in the form distributed to
all of the Visitors.
Moving to the next item on the Agenda, the Chairman called
on Mr. Brent to give the report of the Executive Committee. Mr.
Brent then stated that the Executive Committee had last met on
July 22, 1968 and that a copy of the minutes of the meeting would
be distributed to all of the Visitors in due course.
He continued and said that as directed by the Board of
Visitors the Executive Committee had considered the duties and
responsibilities of the Executive Administrator and that a memor-
andum setting forth the same had been approved, whereupon, he
distributed a copy thereof to each member of the Board.
Mr. Brent thereupon stated that the remainder of his
report involved the activities of the Executive Committee with
respect to the selection of a President and that this could be
more appropriately considered in Executive Session.
Mr. Eppa Hunton, on behalf of the Development of Master
Plan Committee, then stated that his Committee was in the process
of receiving proposals for a management study and also a master
planning study which would cost approximately $40,000 and
$140,000, respectively, and that the same would be referred to the
Executive Committee in due course in order that financing
priorities might be considered and a recommendation formulated,
with Board action to thereafter follow.
At the request of the Chairman, Mrs. Thalhimer reported
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on behalf of the Student Activities Committee that the Committee
was of the opinion that the services of an outside consulting
firm would be required in connection with graphic design and the
numerous items which would convey to the public the image of the
Institution and that this was a matter of great importance to the
students and the alumni. In terms of cost the order of magnitude,
she explained, would be approximately $30,000. A general
discussion then followed, after which it was suggested that the
Committee proceed to obtain proposals which would be submitted to
the Executive Committee for appropriate action, the general con-
sensus being that the work should be undertaken as soon as
practical.
Mrs. Thalhimer then stated that her Committee held the
view that it might be desirable to meet from time to time with
representatives of the Student Bodies as well as with the Deans.
She asked for an expression from the Board with respect to the
advisability of following this procedure and after a discussion
thereof, on motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried,
the Committee was authorized to proceed in this direction in order
that a channel of communication might exist from the Student
Bodies to the Board of Visitors, it being understood, however, that
the position of the administrative officials would be maintained
at all times.
Mr. Wygal, Executive Administrator, then reported that a
coordinating committee had been organized for the purpose of
bringing the two component parts of the University together and
distributed to the Visitors a memorandum setting forth the
function and organization of the Committee which was generally
reviewed and discussed.
Mr. Wygal also reported that the University will receive
$1110,000 of the $1,000,000 which has been allocated by the State
of Virginia for library expansion in four year colleges which he
indicated was a fair and satisfactory allottment.
The proposal of the Alumni Association of the Richmond
Professional Institute that Virginia Commonwealth University
diplomas or certificates be made available to former graduates
was then discussed by Mr. Wygal with a memorandum in connection
therewith being distributed. After a general discussion, on motion
duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, the administrative
officials of the University were authorized to make available to
graduates of the Richmond Professional Institute and The Medical
College of Virginia certificates confirming degrees previously
awarded at the expense of those requesting such certificates,
the certificate to be in such form and design as may be approved
by the Board.
Dr. Nelson then distributed to the meeting his report to
the Executive Committee dated July 22, 1968 which he proceeded
to review and a copy of which is attached to the minutes of the
special meeting of the Executive Committee held on July 22, 1968.
The report was generally discussed and then carried forward for
appropriate action upon recommendation of the Administration at
a later time.
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Continuing his report, Dr. Nelson then presented a
memorandum containing recommendations with respect to the
establishment of positions, the filling of positions, salary
supplements, extensions of leave of absence and separations from
the faculty, and in particular called attention to the appointment
of Dr. Walter R. Coppedge as Assistant Vice President for
Academic Affairs. After a discussion thereof, on motion duly made,
seconded and unanimously carried, the recommendations contained
in the memorandum were approved and the secretary directed to
attach a copy thereof to the minutes of the meeting.
The Chairman thereupon called on Dr. Smith, Provost -
Health Sciences Division, who presented to the meeting a memorandum
dated July 12, 1968 setting forth recommended new appointments,
promotions, termination of appointments and special actions, all
of which were reviewed and discussed, after which on motion duly
made, seconded and unanimously carried, the recommendations set
forth in the memorandum were approved and the secretary directed
to attach a copy thereof to the minutes of the meeting.
Mr. Wayne then suggested that in the future it would be
most helpful to the Board if faculty matters such as those just
considered were first referred to an appropriate committee of the
Board so that the same might thereafter be considered upon the
joint recommendation of the committee and of the Administration.
Continuing his report, Dr. Smith then distributed to the
Visitors a list of gifts, grants and contracts and briefly
reviewed the same.
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He then called attention to the memorandum in connection
with the Chaplain's service which was distributed to the Visitors
prior to the meeting and indicated that The Medical College of
Virginia Foundation and various ecclesiastical organizations were
prepared to appropriate funds for a continuation of the service if
the program were approved by the Board which he recommended be done.
The matter was reviewed, after which on motion duly made, seconded
and unanimously carried, the Chaplain's service program was
approved and The Medical College of Virginia Foundation requested
to support it in such manner as it might consider appropriate.
Dr. Smith then pointed out that for some period of time
the Richmond Eye Hospital and the Health Sciences Division had
been discussing joint activities looking to the establishment of an
Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Center of some magnitude. In this
connection, he explained that the City of Richmond had recently
agreed to sell the George Wythe School property to the Richmond
Eye Hospital in order that the property might be available for
the construction of a new Hospital facility. He stated that the
Richmond Eye Hospital was now prepared to proceed. with the joint
consideration of the matter and had asked the Health Sciences
Division to participate and to appoint the necessary committees.
In conclusion in this connection, he advised the Board
that the Board of Visitors of The Medical College of Virginia had
sometime ago approved a Memorandum of Intention which contemplated
the action now requested. After a discussion thereof, on motion
duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, the Health Sciences
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Division of the University was authorized to cooperate and
participate with the Richmond Eye Hospital in the development of
a joint program looking to the establishment of an Eye, Ear,
Nose & Throat Center and in furtherance thereof, the Provost -
Health Sciences was authorized to appoint such committees of
the University as might from time to time appear appropriate.
The meeting then recessed for lunch, following which
financial reports were presented by Mr. Crooks and Mr. Holmes
in connection with the Health Sciences Division and the General
Academic Division, respectively.
The Chairman then announced that the Board would at this
point go into Executive Session for the purpose of receiving the
report of the Executive Committee in connection with the selection
of a President. Mr. Turnbull thereupon suggested that as this was
the last meeting of the Board of Visitors which would be attended
by Dr. Nelson, it would be appropriate for the Board to formally
express its appreciation to him for the services which he has
heretofore rendered to the Richmond Professional Institute as well
as to the University; whereupon, on motion duly made, seconded and
unanimously carried, the following resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, Dr. Roland H. Nelson has served with
dedication and distinction as President of the Richmond
Professional Institute and as a Provost - General
Academic of Virginia Commonwealth University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Nelson has now accepted a position
of great importance and responsibility as the President
of a large University and therefore will no longer be
associated with Virginia Commonwealth University, and
the Board of Visitors desires to record its recognition
of the significant contribution made by him;
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board
of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University hereby
expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Nelson for his
unselfish and highly dedicated and effective service to
the Richmond Professional Institute which contributed
materially to its development as an educational institu-
tion of great importance and which as a component part
of the University will continue to play a significant
role in higher education in the Commonwealth; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary shall
forward a copy of the foregoing resolution to Dr.
Nelson.
Thereupon, all present except the Visitors and Mr. Wygal
withdrew and the Chairman asked Mr. Brent to continue the report
of the Executive Committee.
Mr. Brent then stated that 103 persons had been nominated
for the position of President of the University and that letters
had been written to 42 who appeared to be most promising inquiring
as to their interest. Of those to whom letters had been forwarded
13 had indicated that they would like to be considered, 15 had
requested that they not be considered and to this time replies
had not been received from 14.
Continuing his report, Mr. Brent said that it now appeared
that in order to move the matter along as quickly as possible,
it would be desirable to select those who might be interviewed by
the Committee and that this would be done at the next meeting of
the Executive Committee.
Mr. Brent read the list of those to whom letters had been
forwarded asking for an expression of interest and made
available for inspection the list of all nominees.
The Chairman then announced that the next meeting of
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the Board would be held on August 26, 1968 and that a notice
of the time and place would be forwarded in due course. In this
connection, the general view was expressed that it would be
well for Board meetings to be held from time to time at both
Divisions of the University.
There being no further business to come before the meeting,
the same on motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried,
adjourned.
