MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
May 15, 1975
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University was held on Thursday, May 15, 1975, at 9:00 a.m. in the Sanger
Hall Board Room.
Present were Messrs. Dabney, Grey, McGehee, Norris, Obenshain,
Shumate and Taylor; Mesdames Satterfield, Stone and Thalhimer; and Dr.
Gwathmey. Absent were Messrs. Morgan and Seaborn and Dr. Blanton. Also
present were Drs. Andrako, Brooke, Fleshood, Hall, Neal, Salley, Sparks,
Willett, Wilson and Woods; Messrs. Holmes and Temple; and Mrs. Price.
Mr. Scott called the meeting to order. The Board went into Executive
Session with Drs. Brooke, Neal and Willett, Mr. Temple and Mrs. Price re-
maining in the meeting. The Interim Committee presented to the Board the
Phase III of the Boaz, Allen & Hamilton report entitled, "Financial Management,
Systems Documentation Study." It was agreed that the Interim Committee would
meet with the Finance Committee to review the recommendations suggested in
this report. On motion made and seconded, it was unanimously resolved that
the administration should proceed with those areas covered by the report which
require prompt action and referred the report to the Finance Committee of the Board. On motion made and seconded, the minutes, as amended, of a Special
. On motion made and seconded, the minutes, as amended, of a Special
Meeting of the Executive Committee, held February 14, 1975; a Special Meeting
of the Board of Visitors, held February 19, 1975; a Regular Meeting of the Board
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of Visitors, held February 20, 1975; a Special Meeting of the Academic Policy
Committee, held April 11, 1975; and a Special Meeting of the Finance Committee,
held April 17, 1975, were unanimously approved.
The Report of the University Interim Administrative Committee followed.
At this time, Mr. Walter H. Ryland from the Office of the Attorney General
joined the meeting for a discussion of the Gay Alliance of Students' Suit. Follow-
ing a discussion of the legal aspects of the case, it was decided that Mr. Ryland
would meet with members of the administration and of the Board to discuss the
background and reasons for the Board's action in this case.
Mr. John W. Crews from the Office of the Attorney General joined the
meeting for a discussion of the Virginia Hospital Laundry. Mr. Temple reported
that he and Dr. Neal had conferred with Mr. Carter Lowance in the Office of
the Governor concerning this matter and had been able to enhance the lines of
communications between the VCU administration and the Governor's Office. Mr.
Temple indicated that (1) he and Dr. Neal adhered to their position that better
laundry service was needed; (2) VCU is in this situation now and needs to reach
the best possible solution; and (3) the administration should be allowed to
negotiate further with the representatives from Connecticut Life Insurance
Company. Mr. Temple continued that the administration's efforts will be
coordinated with the Attorney General's Office. The Board agreed to refer to
the administration the Hospital Laundry matter with the understanding that final
approval will come from the Executive Committee. Mr. McGehee abstained from
this discussion.
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Dr. Gwathmey reported on the earlier meeting of the Hospital Quality
Assurance Committee.
Dr. Neal reported that the attorneys and the financial advisors had
been asked to review the hospital bond issue question and to advise the
administration. Dr. Neal continued that a meeting had been held with the
Governor's Office concerning this and concerning possible accreditation and
safety problems. Subsequent meetings are being scheduled to look into these
problems. Dr. Neal reported that many persons had written and called his
office offering assistance in this matter.
The HMO Status report was accepted by the Board.
The Financial Statements were accepted by the Board.
On motion made and seconded, the Report of Gifts, Grants and Contracts
was unanimously approved.
On motion made and seconded, the Recommendations for Continuing
Faculty were unanimously approved.
On motion made and seconded, the Faculty Appointments and Changes
in Status were unanimously approved.
Mr. Scott welcomed Dr. Fleshood back after his remarkable recovery.
Mr. Scott reported that members of the Board would be receiving a letter
from him requesting contributions to the Annual Fund. Mr. Scott continued
that he hoped members would respond affirmatively.
A meeting of the Executive Committee was scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on
Thursday, May 15, 1975, in the Sanger Hall Board Room.
The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.
Approved:Page 4
