MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
October 28, 1974
A special meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Visitors of
Virginia Commonwealth University was held on Monday, October 28, 1974, at
3:00 p.m. in the 910 Conference Room.
Present were Drs. Blanton and Gwathmey; Messrs. Dabney, Obenshain,
Scott and Shumate. Mr. Sheffield was absent. Also present were Drs. Brooke,
Neal and Willett; Mr. Temple and Mrs. Price.
Dr. Blanton called the meeting to order.
Following a discussion and an examination of the Board's by-laws, it
was agreed that the committees of the Board would continue to function as cited
in the by-laws. Major policy items should be passed through the appropriate
committee before coming to the entire Board. However, if in the judgment of the
president time is a factor, an item may appear on the Board agenda without having
previously gone through the committee process.
There was a discussion on setting up a program of continuing education
for Board members. It was decided that a committee of the Board would be set
up with Dr. Willett as consultant to present a proposal to the entire Board at its
next meeting.
Dr. Willett gave a report on the procedures being used in the presidential
search. He informed the Committee that candidates from the outside would be
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screened first and then there would be a screening of candidates from within the
University. If any members of the Presidential Search Assistance Committee
wish to be seriously considered for the presidency, they would have to resign
from that committee. There was a discussion on whether or not Board members
should nominate people themselves or simply refer people to the appropriate
official at the University. It was agreed that it would be best if Board members'
names were not directly connected with nominations.
Following a discussion on the Development Committee and the Cancer
Center Sub-Committee of the Development Committee, it was agreed that Dr.
Blanton would talk to Mr. Walton Turnbull to see if he is still interested in
heading the fund raising campaign for the Cancer Center. There was a con-
sensus of the Committee that the person heading this drive, in addition to other
qualifications, would have to devote a significant amount of time to the campaign
There was a consensus of the Committee that the administration should
continue to pursue the idea of a "Third Campus" and formally present its recom-
mendation to the Board of Visitors.
A discussion was held on the party for the Brandts on November 20. It
was agreed that the administration would handle the planning of the party and
that an appropriate gift should be bought and given by the Board of Visitors on
behalf of the University family. A committee was authorized to secure a gift
in the price range of up to $1,000.00. Mesdames Dabney and Shumate and
Dr. Willett were appointed to a committee to select a gift.
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Dr. Neal read to the Committee Dr. Richard Lower's letter of resignation.
The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
