MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS OF
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
July 19, 1973
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University was held on Thursday, July 19, 1973, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 149
of Sanger Hall.
Present were Messrs. Dabney, McGehee, Norris, Obenshain, Scott,
Seaborn, Sheffield and Turnbull, and Mrs. Stone. Drs. Blanton, Gwathmey,
and Thornton, Mr. Shumate and Miss Keyser were absent. Also present were
Drs. Brandt, Brooke, Fleshood, Neal, Willett, Wilson and Woods; Messrs.
Holmes and Imirie, and Miss Cosby.
In the absence of the Rector, Mr. Scott as Vice-Rector, called the
meeting to order. On motion made and seconded, the following minutes were
approved: Special Meeting of the Property Committee, held May 4, 1973;
Regular Meeting of the Board of Visitors, held June 21, 1973; and Special
Meeting of the Finance Committee, held July 12 , 1973.
Mr. McGehee presented and recommended for approval the proposed
1973-74 budget as approved by the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee
also recommended that, if possible, more money should be found for the
libraries. Dr. Brandt, at the request of the Finance Committee, distributed
some charts comparing VCU to several other State institutions. Following
discussion, on motion made and seconded, the 1973-74 budget was approved.
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Following the report of the President, Mr. Dabney suggested re-
visions in the three resolutions of condolences and appreciation. On motion
made and seconded, the following three resolutions were adopted unanimously
as amended:
Dr. David Milford Hume served with distinction
as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery
at the Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Common-
wealth University. His contributions were magnified
by his innovative genius which had a profound effect
upon all who knew and worked with him. His restless
spirit and dissatisfaction with levels of achievement
in science, education and solutions to personal and
health problems were the source of his motivation. His
dedication will be a continuing source of inspiration to
those who come after him.
Dr. Hume received worldwide recognition for his
pioneering advances in human kidney transplantation,
immunology, endocrinology, and other basic and clinical
sciences, but his influence had a much greater impact
on the world of medicine than these accomplishments
alone would indicate. His total devotion to the sick
was always a source of inspiration to students, young
surgeons in training, and practicing physicians, and
his ability to transfer his own standards of excellence
in health care was unparalleled.
Dr. Hume's untimely death is a severe blow to the
Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth
University of which he was so proud. The institution will
prosper in the future as a result of his imagination, his
dynamism, and the inspiration that he has given to all
who comprise the University in its broadest sense.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of
Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University records
its deep appreciation for the great contributions of Dr.
Hume to the Medical College of Virginia and to Virginia
Commonwealth University and humanity throughout the
world. He was a man driven by a desire for perfection
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that always challenged the seemingly impossible. The
Board wishes to express to his wife and children its
deepest sympathy;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolu-
tion be presented to his family.
When Dr. Franze Edward Lund came to Virginia
Commonwealth University in 1969 to serve as Chairman
of the Department of History, Political Science and
Geography, he brought with him a rich background of
academic and administrative experience in addition
to a reverence for scholarship.
As Chairman he greatly expanded the history faculty,
and he also restructured the Department to allow qualified
faculty to teach in their areas of expertise. His leader-
ship and dedication were quickly recognized in the
responsible University committee assignments that he
was asked to accept.
His years of service with the University were few
as a result of his untimely death, but his influence upon
students and faculty will long be remembered because of
his warmth and sincerity and his sensitivity to the needs
of students and colleagues.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Visitors
of Virginia Commonwealth University records its deep
appreciation for the contributions Dr. Lund made to Virginia
Commonwealth University. The Board recognizes the positive
influence that his ideals and personal objectives have had
upon all with whom he worked. The Board expresses to his
family its deepest sympathy;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution
be sent to his wife.
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Dr. George Jeffries Oliver served the cause of
education in Virginia for a period of 48 years with
loyalty, devotion and distinction.
He served the Richmond Professional Institute as
Provost for one year and as its first President for seven
years during a critical period in its growth and develop-
ment.
His vision, devotion and leadership as President
of Richmond Professional Institute made possible the
expansion and upgrading of physical facilities, faculty
and educational programs that have served as a firm
foundation for the further development of the qualities
of excellence now to be found at the Academic Division
of Virginia Commonwealth University.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of
Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University records
its deep appreciation for the many contributions that
Dr. George Jeffries Oliver made to the Richmond Pro-
fessional Institute during a very important era in its
growth. The Board wishes to express further its
appreciation for the influence that his positive leader-
ship and his warm human qualities at Richmond
Professional Institute had upon Virginia Commonwealth
University. The Board desires to extend to his wife and
family its deepest sympathy;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolu-
tion be sent to his wife and son.
Mr. Imirie presented the proposed increase in room rates and ex-
plained that the low daily census and the salary regrades have made this
increase necessary to keep charges level with costs. Medicare and
Medicaid, as of July 1, 1973, pay either the per diem cost or the average
daily charge, whichever is the lower. They have been paying costs. It
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was noted that management studies are constantly being done to determine
ways in which to increase efficiency. On motion made and seconded, the
room and board increases were approved unanimously to become effective
as soon as possible.
On motion duly made and seconded, the reports of gifts, grants and
contracts were accepted unanimously.
The Faculty Appointments and Changes of Status were approved unani-
mously on motion made and seconded.
Dr. Thomas C. Barker, Dean of the School of Allied Health Professions,
discussed the role of the School in its 11 programs. In the state, seven of
these are offered only at VCU. Dr. Barker also pointed out the effect that
the cutback in Federal funding of grants is having on the School.
The Nominating Committee (Mr. Dabney, Mr. Norris and Mr. Sheffield)
submitted the following nominations for officers of the Board of Visitors for
1973-74: Rector - Dr. Wyndham B. Blanton, Jr.; Vice-Rector - Mr. S. Buford
Scott; Secretary - Mr. Richard D. Obenshain. On motion made and seconded,
the officers were elected unanimously.
The Board decided not to have a meeting in August. Therefore, the
next regular meeting of the Board will be held on Thursday, September 20,
1973, at 9:00 a.m. in the President's Dining Room.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
Chairman Secretary
Report of the President to the Board of Visitors
July 19, 1973
Dr. Brandt announced that he will be on vacation from July 27 until August 20.
The Faculty Handbook will be going to the printers in the near future.
Applications for the West Campus are still running behind the number received
last year. However, the major difference is in the numbers of applications
which would not have been accepted. This may be due to the opening of the
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. The acceptable applications are
about the same as last year.
The resignation of Miss Rosemary Fritsch has been accepted, and she will be
leaving around the end of August. There will be a temporary replacement until
the search committee finds a permanent Director of Nursing Services.
A student group has invited Angela Davis to speak at VCU next fall. She will
be paid entirely from student fees; no State money will be involved. We are
trying to get the Mosque for this occasion which is much better for crowd con-
trol than is the gym.
The suit against Jerry Lewis has not yet been filed because of the change in
personnel in the Attorney General's office.
The number of students and parents participating in SOAR (Summer Orientation
and Advance Registration) is down from last year.
Three faculty members have appealed their tenure decisions. These appeals
are moving along, and we expect these appeals to be completed within the
next few weeks.
Out of 600 business schools and 1,800 candidates in the country, a VCU
School of Business student, Mr. Charles Murphy, has been chosen as the
outstanding business student in the country by Delta Sigma Pi, a national
honorary business fraternity.
Dr. Fleshood showed a model which has been prepared for an exhibit at the
State Fair which will be 40' x 10'. Mr. Philip Meggs and Mr. Charles Scalin
from the Communication Arts and Design Department made the model. The
exhibit will be a modular one which can be broken down into various segments
in order to be used at other affairs throughout the state. It will cost about
$9, 000 to construct it, but none of the money will come from State funds. A
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committee was formed to get this project under way for the State Fair. Some-
one will eventually be given the responsibility for handling the exhibit and
getting it to other functions, such as county fairs and shopping centers. Mr.
Scott suggested putting a slogan, "Virginia Commonwealth University - Virginia's
Urban-Oriented University," across the top of each section. It will be staffed
by faculty, staff and students. There will also be several special presentations
at the State Fair, such as a music ensemble and a gymnastics performance.
Mr. Turnbull has agreed to serve as chairman of the fund drive for the Cancer
Research Center. Mr. Scott and Mr. Shumate will serve as the vice-chairmen.
We have hired a Director of the Center of Teaching Effectiveness for the West
Campus. He will work with faculty to improve the instructional program.
All State agencies, with the exception of educational institutions, will have
their computers consolidated by June, 1974. At some point, the educational
institutions will also be included in the consolidation of computers.
The Art Commission has approved the schematics of the dormitory and the
working drawings of the Education-Science Building. Mr. Hamner's office
and the architects are still working on the design of the Health Sciences
Building. The contractor is at work on the parking deck, but he has run into
very poor soil and is trying to get some more money because of this.
Dr. Brandt recently sent an AAUP article to the members of the Board and will
be mailing another article from the AAUP Bulletin soon. Both articles deal
with tenure quotas. Dr. Brandt is trying to keep the Board up to date on the
tenure quota situation. It will probably end up with the Board having to choose
between the faculty strongly against tenure quotas and the administration in
favor of them. Mr. Turnbull commented that the members of the Academic
Policy Committee seem to recognize the need for such a system, but they do
not like the term, "quotas."
Dr. Brandt then distributed a revised job description for the provosts which
will apply to the provosts on both campuses.
Dr. Brandt expressed his appreciation to the members of the Board for re-
commending his raise to the Governor.
The White House of the Confederacy has not yet obtained a clear title to the
Ruffner property. The City of Richmond gave this property to the White House
of the Confederacy. If the White House is not going to use it but is going to
sell it to the University, the City of Richmond feels it should get some money
from the White House.
