MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
January 16, 1975
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University was held on Thursday, January 16, 1975, at 9:00 a.m. in the
Sanger Hall Board Room.
Present were Drs. Blanton and Gwathmey; Messrs. Dabney, Grey,
McGehee, Norris, Obenshain, Scott, Seaborn, Shumate and Taylor; and Mrs.
Satterfield. Absent were Mr. Morgan and Mesdames Stone and Thalhimer.
Also present were Drs. Brooke, Fleshood, Hall, Neal, Salley, Sparks, Willett,
Wilson and Woods; Messrs. Holmes, Imirie and Temple; and Mrs. Price.
Dr. Blanton called the meeting to order.
On motion made and seconded, the minutes of a regular meeting of the
Board of Visitors, held November 21, 1974, and a special meeting of the Development Committee, held December 11, 1974, were unanimously approved
Dr. Blanton reported on the Hospital Quality Assurance Committee which
had met earlier. He indicated that this committee would be meeting once every
two months rather than once a month. Also, the committee had reviewed the
hospital quality and review program and no action by the Board was necessary
at this time. Dr. Blanton assured the Board that the hospital would move in the
direction required to meet the guidelines.
The report of the University Interim Administrative Committee followed.
During this report, the Virginia Hospital Laundry situation was discussed and
the Board agreed to let the administration handle this situation as they deemed
appropriate.
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On motion made and seconded, the Board unanimously approved the
concept of a State Center for the Aging to be located at the Medical College
of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University and authorized the administra-
tion to appear before the General Assembly in support of the project but felt
that we should not become too involved in the request for financing.
On motion made and seconded, the following resolution was unanimously
approved:
RESOLVED, that the income received from the Estate of
Isaac Davenport has been applied strictly in accordance
with the terms of the Will during the calendar year 1974;
FURTHER RESOLVED, that all future remittances from
said Estate will be applied likewise.
Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the Letter of
Intent for the Program of a Master of Science with a Major in Gerontology was
unanimously approved and directed to be forwarded to the State Council of
Higher Education.
Dr. Willett reported on the progress of the Presidential Search Assis-
tance Committee (PSAC). Dr. Willett stated that he hoped to be able to
schedule a meeting with the PSAC and the Search Committee (Executive Com-
mittee of the Board) in the middle of February. A meeting was scheduled
for February 14. Dr. Willett continued that he hoped recommendations could
be made to the Board by April of 1975.
Following a discussion on programs of Board orientation and continuing
education and Board organization, there was a consensus that further planning
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be delayed until March due to the time pressures on Board members resulting
from the presidential search and other matters.
Following a lengthy discussion on the HMO Status Report, it was
moved, seconded and unanimously approved that the item be tabled until the
February meeting with the following stipulations: (1) Dr. Jessee be requested
to slow down implementation of his "Project Schedule;" (2) A report be prepared
on the HMO (using examples of others already in operation) for presentation
at the next meeting of the Board; (3) A report be given on the reaction of members
of the Richmond Academy of Medicine to the MCV/VCU presentation on the HMO
program; and (4) The administration make a recommendation to the Board at its
next meeting.
The Financial Statements were presented to the Board. Since the state-
ments were approved at the last meeting of the Board, no action was taken.
On motion made and seconded, the Report of Gifts, Grants and Con-
tracts was unanimously approved.
On motion made and seconded, the Faculty Appointments and Changes
in Status were unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 12:50
Secretary
Chairman
REPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY INTERIM ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE
January 16, 1975
Mr. Temple's Remarks
Mr. Temple reported on a bill which has been introduced into the General
Assembly by Delegate Mary Marshall asking for the creation of the Center
on Aging. Mr. Temple called on Dr. Woods to give some background infor-
mation on this subject.
Dr. Neal's Remarks
Dr. Neal reported on the arrest of a faculty member in the School of Dentistry
for practicing without a license. The warrant was sworn out by the State
Board of Dental Examiners. The individual in question has been removed from
clinical dental contacts and final action or judgment will await the disposition
of the court case and the outcome of the Dental Board decision regarding an
examination for licensure here in Virginia. The dentist is a good teacher and
does hold valid licenses in Illinois and Michigan.
Dr. Neal stated that some time ago it was recognized that our procedures for
processing invoices for payment needed revision and plans were made to change
our methods. Realizing the tremendous task involved, the audit staff was
assigned to work with the Accounts Payable and Purchasing Departments during
the transition period. It is felt that we are in the most critical period of our
adjustment to the new system. The audit department has been committed to
stay with invoice processing until we reach a current status which is about
90 days away. In addition to actual invoice work, the audit staff will work
with departments to help install proper procedures and eliminate problem areas.
This will require training and instruction in the new methods.
Dr. Neal reported that a decision on the "friendly suit" is expected next
Hamner's Office, final adjustments to the working drawings for the supply
building and the temporary re-routing of the steam lines are now in final
review form. Among the problems are finding three potential suppliers of
Monday or Tuesday (January 21 or 22). Following negotiations with Mr. Doug
the brick specified by the Art Commission. Dr. Neal continued that pre-
liminary drawings of the new 550-bed hospital are essentially finalized.
We are ready, following the release of the bond monies, to sign a contract
for the working drawings on this major item. The appropriate administrative
groups and committees will need to begin planning immediately as to what will
go into remodeled space of the hospital buildings to remain in this overall
project so as to preclude any omissions of necessary hospital functions.
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Dr. Neal reported on the financial management study being conducted by
Booz, Allen & Hamilton. Approximately 112 interviews have been conducted
with members of the hospital staff and all six schools. In addition, the
consultants have reviewed various documents. The consultants are now
writing the first draft of a report pursuant to the outline recently distributed
to the Board. On the evening of February 19th, the written report will be
available for discussion at the special meeting of the Board of Visitors.
Dr. Neal reported to the Board that Delegate Earl Dickinson of Louisa has
asked the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the costs involved
in the Medical College of Virginia's agreement to join the Laundry Coop.
The administration is receiving numerous phone calls from Mr. McCutcheon's
office, Mr. Carter Lowance and Mr. Maurice Rowe in reference to this situa-
tion. Dr. Neal continued that the firm of Payne-Weber has indicated to the
Virginia Hospital Laundry that they will guarantee to the bank that is providing
money for the construction loan a 100 percent pledge of assurance against those
monies if the bonds are sold through the Industrial Development Authority by
either appeal of the recent court decision or through new application. The
bank understands that the participating hospitals cannot obligate themselves
for monies beyond the service contract. Currently the contractor is carrying
the project on his own. The City of Richmond anticipates an appeal of the court
case.
Dr. Brooke's Remarks
Dr. Brooke reported that a student, Mr. Carson Kittrell, who had been suspended
for one year, for disciplinary reasons, at the close of this past semester has
filed suit against the University. Neither Dr. Brooke, Dr. Wilson nor the
Office of the Attorney General feels that there is merit in the suit.
New degree proposals for the Doctorate in Pharmacy, the Bachelor of Science
in Information Systems, and the Masters in Public Administration are under-
going internal review and will presumably be placed on the February docket
for the Board.
Construction of the three floor addition to the Cabell Library is progressing
well, and the additional space should be in full use during the late Spring.
There remains hope that the Education-Science Building will be ready for
occupancy for the approaching Fall semester, but the timetable is extremely
tight.
The Spring semester opened with a minimum of confusion and dissatisfaction.
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Noting interest by some members of the General Assembly in the percentage of
tenured faculty at institutions of higher education, Dr. Brooke reported that,
of the 625 full-time members of the faculty on the academic campus, 206 (33%)
are tenured. The breakdown by individual schools is as follows:
Arts - 38% Arts and Sciences - 31%
Business - 37% Education - 30%
Social Work - 35% Community Services - 23%
These figures depict tenure status as of July 1, 1974. For the 1974-75 academic
year, 54 members of the faculty are undergoing tenure review.
The MCV section of the VCU Women's Club is sponsoring a Mardi Gras Ball,
to be held at the Westwood Racquet Club on Saturday, February 8. Compli-
mentary invitations will be sent to members of the Board within the next day
or two.
