MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
November 20, 1975
A Regular Meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University was held on Thursday, November 20, 1975, at 9:00 a.m. in the
Sanger Hall Board Room.
Present were Drs. Blanton and Gwathmey; Messrs. Dabney, Grey,
McGehee, Morgan, Scott, Seaborn and Shumate; Mesdames Satterfield, Stone
and Thalhimer. Also present were Drs. Andrako, Brooke, Fleshood, Hall,
Salley, Sparks, Temple, Willett, Wilson and Woods; Mr. Holmes and Mrs.
Price.
Dr. Blanton called the meeting to order.
On motion made and seconded, the Minutes of Several Special Meetings
of the Student Affairs Committee, held August 22, 1975; September 18, 1975;
September 19, 1975; and October 15, 1975; a Regular Meeting of the Board of
Visitors, held September 18, 1975; and a Special Meeting of the Property
Committee, held October 23, 1975, were unanimously approved.
Dr. Blanton read to the Board the following letter from Mr. Walter Foery
of the Gay Alliance of Students:
The Gay Alliance of Students had unanimously decided
to press for full and total recognition as an official
campus organization. We want all the privileges granted
all other organizations. We are determined to seek re-
dress in the courts if necessary.
We urge you to reconsider your decision and to grant us
recognition. We see no purpose to be served by con-
tinued denial of our rights, and we urge that taxpayer
money not be spent in such denial.
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We have patiently abided by the rules and procedures
of the University and the Court. Our belief is that we
are certainly as concerned about the welfare of our
institution as you are. We have maintained a low
profile during the long months of litigation. Now, how-
ever, as we review the court decision, we are ready to
accelerate our efforts to secure our basic rights. Forced
into a more militant status than we desired we now be-
lieve we have no alternative but to bring together what-
ever power and support we can muster.
We have hope that appeal will be unnecessary, that the
Board of Visitors will change its decision. We want to
make it clear that we believe we understand your con-
cerns and values and perspective. We do not feel heard
nor understood. We would welcome a meeting with you.
Our appeal must be filed by December 5, 1975; we hope
you appreciate the urgency of the situation, and that we
will hear from you soon. We fully expect to win the case,
and your recalcitrance, forcing us into court, will result
in more people than just us being positively effected.
Following a discussion, on motion made, seconded, and unanimously approved,
the Board declined to meet with the Gay Alliance of Students, indicating that
their position had not changed with regard to this matter.
Dr. Wilson indicated that the administration plans to comply with the
judge's order to the "letter." Following a discussion on how to proceed with
this case, on motion made and seconded, it was unanimously agreed that Dr.
Temple be given the authority to decide which of the two legal options to fol-
low after consulting with our legal counsel. The Board expressed their appre-
ciation to Mr. Ryland for his assistance in this matter.
The Report of the President followed. During Dr. Temple's report, the
Dental TEAM Grant was reviewed and discussed. Dr. DiBiaggio joined the
meeting at this time to answer questions of the Board. Following considerable
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discussion, on motion made, seconded, and unanimously approved, the
Board decided that they would seek relief in the General Assembly by
seeking a change in the present laws which make the TEAM program and
other similar programs unlawful and, if necessary, to make a definitive
statement regarding academic freedom.
Following a presentation, on motion made and seconded, the proposal
to transfer the Department of Social Welfare from the School of Community
Services to the School of Social Work and to change the title of the de-
gree from the Bachelor of Science in Social Welfare to the Bachelor of
Social Work was unanimously approved.
On motion made and seconded, the Report of Gifts, Grants and Con-
tracts was unanimously approved.
The Board accepted the Financial Statements.
On motion made and seconded, the Faculty Appointments and Changes
in Status were unanimously approved.
Dr. Woods announced that he had just received a telephone call from
Dr. Jesse Steinfeld, who had accepted the position as Dean of the School of
Medicine. On motion made and seconded, Dr. Steinfeld's appointment was
unanimously approved.
At this time, Dr. William R. George, Assistant Professor of Marketing,
joined the meeting for a discussion of a study which he had conducted con-
cerning the image of VCU. Dr. George presented his findings in summary
form, many of which were positive, and his recommendations.
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Mrs. Ann Goodman, Personnel Supervisor, and Mr. H. S. Moore,
Personnel Director, joined the meeting at this time to present the pro-
posed In-Service Training Program. Mr. Moore stated that the President
had agreed to meet with every department within the University. Following
this meeting with the President, each classified employee would be invited
to a seminar dealing with public relations, image building, telephone
courtesy, etc. Mrs. Goodman stated that there were five proposed semi-
nars dealing with orientation for classified employees, orientation for
faculty, procedures and operations training, public relations and image,
and supervisory.
Dr. William Ray, Chairman of the Department of Psychology, joined
the meeting to discuss with the Board the programs and offerings in his
department.
Mr. Shumate reported that the ad hoc committee which he is chairing
had met earlier. He indicated that this was the initial meeting and that as
the committee made progress, the Board would be kept informed.
Dr. Temple announced that Dr. Virginius Dabney will be the 1976
Commencement speaker.
The meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m.
Approved: Richard D. ObenshainPage
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
November 20, 1975
Dr. Temple reported to the Board that the meeting today would be used to
present some positive programs at VCU rather than just problems confronting
the University. He indicated that he hoped that the Board members would
enjoy the meeting.
Dr. Temple advised the Board members that his office did have available
basketball tickets for the Coliseum games and the Franklin Street Gym.
Tickets would be available upon request.
Dr. Temple recapped the events surrounding the TEAM Grant program. Dr.
Temple indicated that if the grant was returned to HEW that there was a
possibility that persons employed to work on the grant would bring
private suits. Dr. Temple reported that the Virginia Board of Dentistry
had decided not to approve the amendments as presented by VCU. He
indicated that he felt we had two options: (1) Get private counsel and
take the Board of Dentistry to court upon concurrence of the Attorney
General's Office; or (2) Seek changes in the law during the upcoming session
of the General Assembly. Mr. Ryland indicated that he did not feel that
the Attorney General would agree to let VCU seek private counsel and take
the case to court. He indicated that his personal recommendation to the
Board was to seek changes through the legislature. Dr. DiBiaggio joined
the meeting to give further details regarding this grant and to answer
questions.
