MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
April 17, 1975
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University was held on Thursday, April 17, 1975, at 9:00 a. m. in the Sanger
Hall Board Room.
Present were Drs. Blanton and Gwathmey; Messrs. McGehee, Norris,
Obenshain, Scott, Seaborn, Shumate and Taylor; and Mesdames Satterfield,
Thalhimer and Stone. Absent were Messrs. Dabney, Grey and Morgan. Also
present were Drs. Andrako, Brooke, Hall, Neal, Salley, Willett, Wilson and
Woods; Messrs. Holmes, Imirie, and Temple; and Mrs. Price.
The Board went into Executive Session at which time Mr. Jim Reynolds
and members of his staff from Booz, Allen & Hamilton briefed the Board on the Phase II Report on MCVH. Following the presentation, a motion was made,
Phase II Report on MCVH. Following the presentation, a motion was made,
seconded and unanimously approved that the Executive Committee of the Board
be given the authority to review the Phase II Report, "Assessment of Organi-
zational Arrangements and Appraisal of Management Personnel, Medical College
of Virginia Hospitals, Virginia Commonwealth University" and, if deemed
appropriate by the Executive Committee, to authorize the administration to
begin screening of applications for the position of Executive Director of MCVH. On motion made, seconded and unanimously approved, the title of "Vice
. On motion made, seconded and unanimously approved, the title of "Vice
President for MCV Hospitals" was changed to "Executive Director of MCVH. "
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Dr. Blanton called the meeting to order at 10:30 a. m. and announced
that Dr. W. T. Sanger had been a patient in MCVH for several weeks and was
in critical condition. The members of the Board and administration were asked
to stand for a moment of silent prayer.
Approval of the minutes was deferred until the May meeting.
Dr. Blanton read to the Board a letter from Mrs. Louise O' C . Lucas,
Clerk of the Senate, and a copy of Senate Joint Resolution No. 115. This
resolution directs the Board to conduct a parking study on the Academic Campus
and report to the General Assembly by November 1, 1975.
The report of the University Interim Administrative Committee followed.
Mr. Imirie handed out to the members of the Board a resolution dealing
with bond financing for the Virginia Hospital Laundry. Mr. Imirie apologized
for not having this available to the Board earlier, and the administration
recommended to the Board that they defer their decision until they had had time
to study the resolution. Mr. Obenshain asked that the Attorney General's
Office be contacted concerning the resolution and also that the Governor's
Office be contacted for its reaction. On motion made, seconded and approved,
with Mr. McGehee abstaining, the Board gave the Executive Committee the
authority to act on the resolution.
Dr. Neal asked the Board's concurrence that the MCV Campus close
for one-half day on the day of Dr. Sanger's funeral. The Board concurred.
Dr. Neal was asked to inform the Board of the latest developments re-
garding the Richmond Eye and Ear Hospital. Dr. Neal reported the various
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steps being taken to obtain funding, including the possibility of the Shah of
Iran buying the Eye Hospital and giving it to the University or the Foundation
as a gift. In return, the University would agree to train a certain number of
physicians for Iran. Mr. Temple reported that Mr. Lowance had indicated to
him that this single person solicitation would be approved by the Governor's
office.
Dr. Blanton announced to the Board that Dr. Sanger passed away at
10:55 a. m. The members of the Board and the administration stood for silent
prayer. On motion made and seconded, the following resolution was unanimously
approved:
WHEREAS, Dr. William T. Sanger, Chancellor Emeritus of the
Medical College of Virginia, died Thursday, April 17, 1975; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sanger was named President of the Medical
College of Virginia in 1925, and served until 1956, becoming
Chancellor of the Institution until 1969, when he became
Chancellor Emeritus; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sanger came to MCV following a distinguished
career as a college teacher and an educational administrator,
leading the Medical College of Virginia to grow from a small,
but distinguished Institution to one of the most comprehensive
medical centers in the United States, an Institution distinguished
in education, research, and community service; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sanger presided over the Institution during con-
struction of the MCV West and North Hospitals, the Tompkins-
McCaw Library, the A. D. Williams Memorial Clinic, Randolph-
Minor Hall, the Wood Memorial Dental Building, the annex to
McGuire Hall, and the Nursing Education Building; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sanger expanded educational and health care
facilities, equally devoting himself to educational innovation
and the building of health science curricula for programs in
dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, medicine, basic sciences and
the allied health professions; and
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WHEREAS, Dr. Sanger brought to the Medical College of
Virginia experience in educational innovation, and innate
understanding of needs in the field of medical education in
Virginia and indeed in the region, giving generously of his
experience in health manpower education and hospital con-
struction, serving nationally as a consultant in both fields;
and
WHEREAS, the influence of his leadership is evident at the
Medical College of Virginia today; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sanger possessed in great measure and
exemplified in his life the virtues of kindness, understanding,
and regard for his fellow man;
AND WHEREAS, Dr. Sanger remained dedicated to the goals
of improved education, and extended health care for all during
his long and fruitful life;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Visitors
of Virginia Commonwealth University record its gratitude for
the many services and contributions of Dr. William Thomas
Sanger to the Institution and express its great loss in his
death; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be
suitably inscribed and presented to his family.
Dr. John Jones, Dr. Loren Williams and Mr. Charles Sweat joined the
meeting at this time for a discussion of the Hospital Mission Statement. Mr.
Obenshain, Chairman of the Board's ad hoc committee on the Mission Statement,
presented it to the Board. Upon conclusion of the presentation, Mr. Obenshain
the administration for the excellent job they had done in writing the mission
expressed appreciation to Dr. Jones, Dr. Williams, Mr. Sweat and members of
statement. On motion made and seconded, the Hospital Mission Statement was
unanimously approved, with the condition that more appropriate wording be
substituted for "goals" and "subgoals. "
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Dr. Blanton announced that Mr. McGehee had invited the Board to
hold its May meeting at the F& M Center. On motion made and seconded, the
Board unanimously approved that the May meeting be held at the F&M Center.
(The Board Room at the F&M Center was not available for the May meeting.
The June meeting of the Board will be held there.)
Dr. John Jones presented the Hospital Quality Assurance Plan. Following
a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the plan was unanimously approved.
Dr. Neal discussed with the Board the points outlined in the letter from
Mr. Bill Crews of the Attorney General's Office relating to the HMO. Mr. Crews
indicated in his letter that HEW had been adequately retracted and disclaimed
by the University with respect to assurances of intent to develop and operate
the HMO. In addition, Mr. Crews recommended that the Board of Visitors not
nominate candidates for the Board of Directors of the Capital Area Health Group
Association. The Board accepted the recommendations of the Attorney General's
Office.
Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the proposed
"Tuition and Student Fees" were unanimously approved.
Following a presentation by Dr. Brooke and Dr. Hall on the degree
proposal for a Masters in Administration of Justice, on motion made and seconded,
the degree proposal was unanimously approved.
On motion made and seconded, it was unanimously approved to drop the
associate in arts degree.
Mr. Norris, Chairman of the Student Activities Committee, presented to
the Board the recommendation of his committee that the planned construction of
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the Student Union Building be postponed. This was recommended in light of
the projected decrease in enrollments, the increase of building costs and the
unstable economic climate. On motion made and seconded, it was approved,
with Mr. Norris and Mrs. Thalhimer dissenting, that the administration bring
to the Board alternative proposals in light of the needs of the students, the
costs of meeting these needs, and the ranking of these needs among other
University priorities.
Dr. Ives Townsend joined the meeting at this time for a presentation
of the Faculty Grievance and Appeal Procedure. Following a discussion, on
motion made and seconded, the Faculty Grievance and Appeal Procedure was
unanimously approved. The Board expressed its appreciation to the members
of the faculty who had worked so diligently on this project.
The Board accepted the Financial Statements.
On motion made and seconded, the faculty promotions were approved,
with Drs. Blanton and Gwathmey abstaining.
Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the Faculty
Appointments and Changes in Status were unanimously approved.
The Board then went into Executive Session.
The meeting adjourned at 1:45,
Approved: Secretary
REPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY INTERIM ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE
April 17, 1975
Mr Temple's Remarks
Mr. Temple reported that the Cancer Center Kickoff Luncheon has been
scheduled for May 14, 1975, at 12 noon at the John Marshall Hotel.
Governor Godwin has agreed to speak. Mr. Temple continued that he
hoped all members of the Board would try to attend the luncheon. Mr.
Temple called on Dr. Woods to report on the status of the Cancer Center
grant and the result of his trip to Washington to meet with representatives
of NCI.
Dr. Brooke's Remarks
Dr. Brooke reported to the Board that dissent exists among some members
of the faculty of the Department of Music and that an investigation of
these concerns is now underway at the level of the School of the Arts.
He indicated that he himself had not entered into the investigation,
since he might well at a later time need to examine findings reached by
others and himself become involved in any final adjudication.
Dr. Neal' s Remarks
Dr. Neal reported that the Attorney General's Office had advised that a
decision regarding the "friendly suit" will be announced by the Virginia
Supreme Court on April 28th.
Dr. Neal indicated that a commitment of $3.3 million has been made by
the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. It is anticipated that
the construction loan will be reinstituted by the bank based on the back-
up commitment. Dr. Neal continued that if after completion of construction,
tax exempt bonds cannot be sold by next November, then the note will be
sold to Connecticut General.
