[1968-11-08] Minutes of a special meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University held on November 8, 1968.

              MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF 
 THE BOARD OF VISITORS OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY 
          HELD ON NOVEMBER 8, 1968
    A special meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board
of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University was held on the 8th 
day of November, 1968 at 11:30 o'clock in the forenoon at No. 910 
West Franklin Street in the City of Richmond, Virginia, pursuant 
to due notice.
    Present were all of the members of the Committee and by 
invitation Mr. Wygal and Dr. Brooke.
    Mr. Wayne served as Chairman of the meeting and Mr. Brent 
as Secretary thereof.
    The meeting was opened with consideration of a
memorandum presented to the meeting by Mr. Wygal which reflected 
the recommendations of the Special Committee appointed to consider 
the proposed studies of the University's academic programs, adminis-
trative structure and physical facilities. After a discussion 
thereof, on motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, 
the memorandum and the recommendations therein contained were 
approved, with the employment of Cresap, McCormick & Paget being 
authorized provided the expense thereof did not exceed the sum of 
$36,000. The Secretary was directed to attach a copy of the 
memorandum to the minutes of the meeting.
    In connection with the proposed appointment of Dr. John E. 
Corbally as President of the University, Dr. Brooke then reported 
that the breakfast meeting attended by Dr. Corbally and the Deans
and key faculty members of the General Academic and Health Sciences 
Divisions had resulted in Dr. Corbally receiving the enthusiastic 
support of such persons and that it appeared that no adverse comments
had been received from any segment of the University.
   A general discussion was then held with respect to the 
Compensation and various benefits which might be made available to 
Dr, Corbally as an employee of the University, after which on motion 
duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, it was determined to 
offer the position of President of the University to him with the 
details of the compensation to be paid and related benefits to be 
negotiated subject to further action by the Executive Committee.
   The meeting thereupon adjourned to the President's dining 
room in the Hibbs Building, at which time Dr. Corbally joined the 
meeting. The Presidency was offered to Dr. Corbally and the terms 
of the proposed employment generally discussed, following which Dr. 
Corbally indicated that he was most impressed by what he had seen 
of the University and those associated with it and that he would 
consider the offer and would advise the Committee prior to the 
end of the month.
   There being no further business to come before the meeting, 
the same on motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, 
adjourned.

APPROVED:
        MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 
         VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY 
             BOARD OF VISITORS



  The Executive Committee of the Board at its meeting on Octo- 

ber 30, 1968, approved the establishment of a committee composed 

of representatives of the two divisions of Virginia Commonwealth 

University to prepare a proposal through which the University could

make appropriate use of the financial resources and personnel of 

the State Council of Higher Education in proper coordination with 

professional consultant firms with respect to the proposed long- 

range study of the academic programs, administrative structure 

and physical facilities of Virginia Commonwealth University.

  After conferring with Dr. Prince Woodard and Mr. Donald Finley

 the State Council, the following information and proposals rep- 

resent the basis for proceeding with the study:

1. The three areas for which there is need for employing consul- 

  tants are:

  (a) Academic Programs

  (b) Administrative Organizations

  (c) Physical Planning

  The degree of involvement of the consults will depend on the 

  nature of the information developed as a result of the self- 

  study conducted in cooperation with the State Council of Higher 

  Education staff.


2. The State Council of Higher Education obtained a grant for 

  in-depth campus planning of an Urban University. $25,000 from 

  this grant is available for this purpose. In addition to the 

  $25,000, the State Council has offered to make available the 

  services of one staff member full-time, and a second staff
    member half-time. The Council has developed an outline for 
    conducting a planning project and would be a participant and 
    partner in the activity. Any consultants employed wool& have 
    to be acceptable to the State Council as well as VCU. Funds 
    available through the Council grant must be used prior to
    July 1, 1969.   Other institutions are interested in this 
    source of funds and it is imperative that VCU enter into an 
    agreement with the State Council without delay. The adminis- 
    tration of GAD and HSD endorse the proposal of the State Coun- 
    cil of Higher Education for in-depth campus planning.
3.  The General Academic Division has made a comprehensive study 
    of its academic programs which was initiated several years ago 
    with an increasingly intensive effort from the last academic 
    year to the present. The study has amassed a great amount 
    of information and has progressed to the point that the ser- 
    vices of a consultant are not only desirable, but urgently re- 
    quired to bring an immediate and objective review of informa- 
    tion on hand.
    While the General Academic Division has the most urgent need
    of such a study, the Health Sciences Division would le involved
    to the extent that obvious areas of overlap should be carefully
    reviewed, thus making this survey University-wide. The aca- 
    demic programs sub-committee is developing information that 
    would be of value in this area.
    The firm of Cresap, McCormick & Paget has submitted a proposal 
    to survey the academic programs of the General Academic Divi- 
    sion. The proposal recognized that a study may reveal programs 
    which involve the Health Sciences Division which would require
                                                                                   .- 3  -


       coordination. Cresap, McCormick & Paget estimates that six 
       months would be required for the study which would cost $32,000 
       plus, expenses not to exceed $4,000.
       Since the long-range studies designed in cooperation with
       'the staff of the State Council of Higher Education would fully 
       assemble all available data needed in the study, it is the 
       opinion of the SCHEV officials and VCU committee that a re- 
       presentative of Cresap, McCormick & Paget should review the 
       assembled information and offer another estimate of costs for 
       their study. Then, on the basis of the new estimate, it is 
       recommended that VCU enter into a contract with this firm to 
       conduct the proposed study.
4. With reference to the retention of Dober, Paddock, Upton and 
       Associates, Inc., to make a comprehensive survey of a long- 
       range physical expansion program, it is recommended that 
       action be deferred pending the outcome of the State Council 
       and Cresap, McCormick & Paget studies.
5.     In connection with the administrative organization, it is 
       recommended that this study be considered at the time a 
       president is selected or the needs of the University require 
       the initiation of the study.