MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
HELD ON JULY 23, 1970
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University was held on the 23rd day of July, 1970, at ten o'clock in the
forenoon in the Board Room of Sanger Hall on the Health Sciences Division
campus.
Present were all members of the Board except Miss Keyser; Drs.
Blanton, Mullen, Thornton; and Messrs. Obenshain, Temple.
Present by invitation were Drs. Brandt, Coppedge, Smith, Wilson,
Woods; Messrs. Edwards, Holmes, Imirie, Ware; and Miss Wilkinson.
Mr. Hunton served as Chairman of the meeting. He introduced
the two new members of the Board and welcomed them.
The minutes of the June 4 meeting of the Board had not been
received and will be presented for approval at the next regular meeting.
The Chairman then called on the President to present his report,
a copy of which is hereto attached.
At the conclusion of Dr. Brandt's report Mr. Sheffield requested
that at the next regular meeting of the Board Dr. Brandt bring the Board
up-to--date on the recent HEW reports.
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The report of the Hospital Accounts Committee was adopted on
motion made, seconded, and unanimously passed.
The report on Gifts and Grants Was accepted on motion duly made,
seconded, and unanimously carried.
The proposed operating budget for 1970-71 was approved as sub-
mitted, subject to the review and comment of the Finance Committee of
the Board.
The Board authorized on motion duly made, seconded, and unanimously
approved that the Faculty Senate be established and recognized to represent
the faculty in the following areas of responsibilities and concerns:
1. To express opinions on University affairs as the
Faculty Senate deems appropriate and necessary
2. To participate in formulating academic or educa-
tional policies which affect more than one school
3 , To consider such policies, programs, and other
matters as the administration, college faculties,
student organizations, and individual members
of the faculty may propose
4. To help create, maintain, and protect a University
environment, conducive to growth of scholarship,
creativity, learning, teaching, research, service,
and respect for human dignity and rights
5. To accept and share responsibility with adminis-
tration and students in an effort to improve the
stature and effectiveness of the University
This authorization carries the approval, in principle, of the by-laws.
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In reference to House Joint Resolution No. 73, the Board requested
Mr. Hunton to send written acknowledgment to the Clerk of the House, with
copies to patrons of the Resolution and the Senate and House Committees,
stating that the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University
has been and will continue to maintain the identity of the Medical College
of Virginia as an individual college within the framework of the Univer-
sity, as stated in House Joint Resolution No. 73.
The proposed Hospital Rate Change was passed on motion duly
made, seconded, and unanimously passed.
The faculty appointments and changes of status were passed on
motion duly made and seconded with one correction: changing the
separation date for Maggie Nelson to 8/31/70. Dr. Brandt pointed out
(for the benefit of the new members) that faculty salaries were confidential
information.
Dr. Brandt announced that at its last meeting the Building Naming
Committee voted to recommend to the Board of Visitors that the new
dental building be named The Harry Lyons Building. A motion was made,
seconded, and unanimously passed to endorse the recommendation of the
Building Naming Committee to name the new dental building The Harry
Lyons Building. Dr. Brandt requested that this be kept confidential until
such time as he could obtain Dr. Lyons' approval.
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A proposed parking agreement with the State was presented for
the review and approval of the Board. Dr. Brandt indicated that he would
seek legal advice subsequent to Board approval. On motion duly made,
seconded, and unanimously approved the Board granted permission for
VCU to enter into the proposed parking agreement.
Mr. Hunton announced that he has been in touch with Mr. Troy
(the Attorney General's office) regarding the new Conflict of Interest Act. It was announced that Dr. Wyndham Blanton is critically ill
. It was announced that Dr. Wyndham Blanton is critically ill
and will probably need surgery.
The Nominating Committee (composed of Messrs. Dabney,
Turnbull, and McGehee) then made the following recommendation to
the Board: That the Executive Committee be composed of Messrs.
Dabney, Hunton, Obenshain, Scott, Sheffield, Turnbull, and Wilson.
In addition, the officers shall be Mr. Hunton, Rector; Mr. Wilson,
Vice Rector; and Mr. Obenshain, Secretary. On motion duly made,
seconded, and unanimously passed, the recommendation was adopted.
Mr. Hunton requested that the minutes show that the Board
expresses appreciation to the members of the Board that were not
reappointed for an additional term; they are Mrs. James B. Bullard,
Mrs. Charles G. Thalhimer, Mr. Andrew J. Brent, and Mr. J. K. Timmons.
The meeting was adjourned.
APPROVED:
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE BOARD OF VISITORS
JULY 23, 1970
1. Dr. Brandt welcomed the two new members of the Board who were
present and apologized to the Board members for the short time between their
appointment and the meeting. Dr. Brandt indicated that several educational
programs were held last year for members of the Board to become acquainted
with each division and with the hospital; he indicated similar arrangements
would be made again this year for the new members. He also indicated that
in the past all inquiries from members of the press, etc., had been referred
either to him or to the Rector. (He pointed out that as members of the Board
they would experience a certain amount of pressure on admissions.)
2. The enrollment picture is progressing very well on the Health
Sciences Division campus; Academic Division applications are approximately
28 to 29 per cent higher than last year's. The Academic Division stopped
accepting new applications June 15 and closed all admissions around July 15.
3. Dr. Brandt indicated that several presidents of State institutions
of higher education had met with the House Appropriations Committee; Dr.
Brandt is scheduled to attend such a meeting on August 10 in Norfolk. He
will report on the meeting at the next Board meeting.
4. Dr. Brandt pointed out that the VCU administration has been in
the process of working up the budget for next year. Increased faculty
salary was the first priority on the list with new faculty positions second.
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A fair amount of progress is being made in administrative appointments also.
5. In relation to the physical plant operation, the gym and the
library have been accepted. Also, the equipment for the library has started
to arrive and is being installed.
6. The Master Site Plan is expected to be returned from the printer
soon. The Board of Visitors is scheduled to review the Plan on August 3.
Dr. Brandt pointed out a number of projects that cannot be started until after
the Plan has been approved by the Board, the Governor's Office, and the
Art Commission.
7. The police departments from each campus have been combined
and are becoming a very impressive department.
8. The Leigh Street situation is still progressing; the State Depart-
ment of Mental Hygiene and Hospitals has taken a position against the
present proposal.
9. The Commission appointed to consider the Veterans Administration
Hospital question has not yet met. The visit by the National Administrator
of the VA was recounted and evaluated.
10. Dr. Brandt called on Mr. Holmes to report on the campus building in-
surance coverage. Mr. Holmes indicated that the University does have
extended coverage and has not had any problems obtaining coverage as yet.
11. The hospital has been accredited for two years, but some major
deficiencies were recognized by the accreditors as anticipated.
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12. The Multi-Phasic Screening Center project is progressing;
the bids have been let.
13. A Clinical Services Advisory Committee has been established
which should help significantly with the problems in the hospital area.
It is beginning to function in an effective manner.
14. Dr. Brandt pointed out that the State will not allot enough
salary for the hospital positions. This situation creates several problems. 15. Mr. Edwards is working on the Annual Report of the President.
. 15. Mr. Edwards is working on the Annual Report of the President.
16. Plans for the inauguration (November 10) are progressing.
Dr. Willett is chairman of the Steering Committee. Mr. Ralph Ware (as
a member of the committee) gave a short report on the progress.
17. The Student Personnel operation on the campuses is being
reorganized. The organization is headed by two deans, one for Student
Life (responsible for student government, organizations, activities, etc., on both campuses); the other, Student Services (responsible for housing
on both campuses); the other, Student Services (responsible for housing
operation, housing services, and other types of services on both campuses). 18. Dr. Brandt requested authorization to work up some type of
. 18. Dr. Brandt requested authorization to work up some type of
recognition for the members who had completed service on the Board.
General agreement indicated approval.
19. Dr. Brandt pointed out that VCU would experience some
problems as a result of the new Conflict of Interest Act.
20. Rumors have been circulating as to what results the
Governor's Commission on Efficiency will bring.
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21. In accordance with the law, eight Board members' terms
will expire again in four years; Dr. Brandt indicated attempts will be made to obtain Legislative action to provide for more uniform rotation. 22. Dr. Brandt thanked the Board for its effort in regard to his
made to obtain Legislative action to provide for more uniform rotation. 22. Dr. Brandt thanked the Board for its effort in regard to his
. 22. Dr. Brandt thanked the Board for its effort in regard to his
recent salary increase authorized by the Governor.
