MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
March 20, 1975
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth Uni-
versity was held on Thursday, March 20, 1975, at 9:00 a.m. in the Sanger Hall
Board Room.
Present were Messrs. Dabney, Grey, Morgan, Norris, Scott, Shumate,
and Taylor; Dr. Gwathmey; and Mesdames Satterfield, Stone and Thalhimer.
Absent were Messrs. McGehee, Obenshain and Seaborn and Dr. Blanton. Also
present were Drs. Brooke, Hall, Neal, Willett, Wilson and Woods; Messrs.
Holmes, Imirie and Temple; and Mrs. Price.
Mr. Scott called the meeting to order. He stated to the Board that the
minutes of the previous meeting of the Board and of the Executive Committee
were not ready for Board approval.
Dr. Gwathmey reported on the Hospital Quality Assurance meeting held
earlier. He indicated that the committee had signed off on the hospital quality
assurance plan and that it would be coming to the Board at its April meeting.
The report of the University Interim Administrative Committee followed.
Item IV, Report by the Chairman of the Presidential Search Assistance
Committee, was postponed until the end of the meeting.
The Board reviewed the HMO Status Report. Dr. Neal indicated that we
were still awaiting word from the Attorney General's Office on the resolution
passed by the Board at the last meeting. Mr. Bill Crews will probably attend
the April meeting of the Board to discuss this in detail.
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Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the request to
change the name of the Department of Biometry to the Department of Biosta-
tistics was unanimously approved.
Mr. Scott reported that Item VII, Degree Proposal: Masters of Science
in Administration of Justice, would be postponed until the April meeting since
the Council on Academic Affairs had not yet taken action on the proposal.
On motion made and seconded, the Report of Gifts, Grants and Contracts
was unanimously approved.
The Board reviewed the Financial Statements and indicated that the sup-
plement following the statements was most helpful.
On motion made and seconded, the Faculty Appointments and Changes in
Status were unanimously approved. Dr. Brooke commented that the University
is most fortunate to be able to attract a person like Dr. David Manning White
and that he was most pleased that Dr. White had decided to join our faculty on
a full-time basis. Dr. Willett stated that we had another nationally-known per-
son on the faculty--Dr. Collin Turnbull. Following a discussion, Mr. Scott
asked that perhaps Dr. Turnbull could be asked to attend a future Board meeting
to make a presentation.
Mr. Imirie presented a report dealing with a model hospital accounting
system.
Mr. Scott reported that due to scheduling problems the Cancer Center tour
could not be held following the Board meeting. By a show of hands, the Cancer
Center tour was scheduled following the April Board meeting (2 p.m.).
The Board went into Executive Session.
The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
Approved
REPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY INTERIM ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE
March 20, 1975
Mr. Temple's Remarks
Mr. Temple reported that the Careers Conference had been a success. He read
statements from several letters received from counselors endorsing the success
of the program.
Mr. Temple stated that the printed materials pertaining to the private fund drive
for the Cancer Center would be ready around mid-April and that the drive would
probably get underway by mid-May. An evaluation team will begin reviewing names
of prospective donars shortly. Mr. Temple continued that he had sent a letter to
members of our congressional delegation indicating the purpose of the fund drive
and other facts regarding the Center. He indicated that he hoped that Governor
Godwin would be available to speak at the kickoff luncheon or dinner, but a date
had not been confirmed with the Governor's office.
Mr. Temple indicated that he had no spectacular news to report regarding the Annual
Fund drive, but that it was making gains over last year. Overall, the Development
and University Relations staff is quite pleased with the progress of the Annual Fund
Mr. Temple reported that on April 6, 1975, the annual Honors and Awards Convocation
would be held at Dogwood Dell and that Judge James E. Sheffield and Dr. Warren W.
Brandt would both be honored for their service to Virginia Commonwealth University.
Mr. Temple stated, that in compliance with the resolution passed by the Virginia
General Assembly regarding a parking study on the Academic Campus, the State
Highway Department had been contacted and asked to do this study for VCU.
Mr. Temple reported on the procedures being used in connection with the budget.
He indicated that each dean and department head would appear before the Interim
Committee, the Academic Vice Presidents, Mr. Holmes and Mr. Rennie to make a
"pitch" for their particular school or department. The Interim Committee hopes that
this will increase morale among these administrators. Mr. Temple called on Mr.
Holmes to give details concerning the budgeting procedures.
Dr. Brooke's Remarks
Dr. Brooke reported that Dr. Arnold P. Fleshood, Assistant Vice-President for Aca-
demic Affairs, suffered a cardiac arrest on March 14, but that he has now been
moved from the coronary intensive care unit and appears to be making fine pro-
gress. Dr. Brooke also offered general comments concerning the funding of the
proposed Student Center, indicating that a thorough-going discussion with the
appropriate committee (s) of the Board would be scheduled prior to the April meet-
ing of the Board of Visitors.
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Dr. Neal's Remarks
Dr. Neal reported that, again on March 10th, the Virginia Supreme Court failed
to hand down a decision regarding the "friendly" writ of mandamus. Realizing
this was now a very unusual situation, Mr. Temple and Dr. Neal met with
Attorney General Andrew Miller on Wednesday, March 12th to discuss VCU's
concerns and apprehensions. Dr. Neal continued that Mr. Miller confirmed that
the situation was very unusual. However, the Attorney General's office does
not wish to ask the Chief Justice what the opinion will be but when the decision
might be expected. A letter from Mr. Temple has been sent to Mr. Miller indicat-
ing what this delay is costing the University (approximately 1 percent per month).
Armed with this, the attorneys for both parties will appear before the Chief Justice
to ask when a decision might be forthcoming.
Dr. Neal reported that the investment board of a major insurance carrier is reviewing
a recommendation from their staff to provide continued funding for the Virginia Hospi-
tal Laundry. Their decision is expected at any time.
Dr. Neal stated that the Board will be receiving at its April meeting a University-
wide recommendation regarding tuition. However, we have been asked by the
School of Medicine at the University of Virginia what we expect our tuition to be
next year for out-of-state medical students. The Board of Visitors at UVA is inter-
ested in this information. It appears that the UVA Board felt that the out-of-state
medical school tuition was too low and pushed for a $3,000 figure for the 1976-77
academic year. Apparently, by agreement, the $3,000 figure will be reached next
year at UVA. Their request to us was would we be near that level next year and did
our Board know about it. Dr. Neal continued that if the trends continue, we will
be near that figure next year for the entering student. For the benefit of the School
of Medicine at UVA, this Board of Visitors has been advised of that possibility re-
garding tuition.
Dr. Neal reported that the resolution passed by the Board at its February meeting re-
garding the HMO has been given to the HMO Executive Committee of VCU and to Mr.
Bill Crews in the Attorney General's office. Mr. Crews has been provided all the
data and the copies of the grants. He will be responding to this Board in writing
and, if desired, can attend the April meeting to respond to any question. The MCV/
VCU HMO Executive Committee was informed at its meeting on yesterday (3/19/75)
that the Richmond Memorial Hospital has provided six nominees and they have been
approved and accepted by the Capital Area Group Health Association. CAGHA now
has thirteen members--six from Richmond Memorial Hospital, one trade union repre-
sentative plus the six original. As offered earlier, five of the six original will resign
leaving eight potential spots for VCU, if desired. The HMO grant recipients have
been working with VCU's University Relations Office on a brochure of explanation of
an HMO and why VCU is in the planning situation. Dr. Jessee will report to the
Richmond Academy of Medicine after the April meeting of their Board of Trustees re-
garding the status of the HMO.
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Dr. Neal stated that the financial management study is underway and on schedule.
Mr. Jim Reynolds will report to the Board on April 17th the results of the Phase II
study.
Dr. Neal indicated that a letter from Dr. Francis McMullan had been received by
several members of the administration. In this letter, Dr. McMullan expressed
his gratitude for the University's commitment to maintain the identification of
the MCV Campus of VCU as had been agreed upon in joint meetings of the MCV
Alumni Association and University and Board representatives some fifteen months
ago. Dr. McMullan continued in his letter that he felt the spirit of the concern
of the MCV Alumni had been met and the identification of the Medical College of
Virginia's name was in proper perspective at this time.
