MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
December 24, 1976
A special meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University was held on Friday, December 24, 1976,
at 8:00 a.m. in the Sanger Hall Board Room.
Present were Drs. Blanton and Gayle; Messrs. Dabney, Norris,
Scott, Seaborn and Shumate; Mesdames Satterfield and Thalhimer.
Also present were Drs. Andrako, Neal, Temple and Woods.
Dr. Blanton called the meeting to order and announced that
its purpose was to act on the administration's recommendation to
fill the position of Dean of the School of Dentistry.
President Temple noted, because of the extraordinary interest
shown by many persons outside of the University in the activities
of the search committee, he wished Dr. Neal to comment on the
composition of the committee and Dr. Andrako to review the way in
which the committee functioned.
Following these presentations, Dr. Neal announced the adminis-
tration's choice for the Deanship of the School of Dentistry to be
filled by Dr. James E. Kennedy, Acting Dean of the School of Dentistry.
Following a lengthy discussion, on motion made and seconded, Dr.
James E. Kennedy's appointment as Dean of the School of Dentistry
was unanimously approved.
The Rector noted that members of the Board had had the opportunity
during this search to meet and react to the final group of candidates
to a greater extent than in the past. He asked the Board members'
reaction to the process. It was recognized that the Board of
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Visitors does not wish to be involved in the selection process
itself, but the consensus was that the kind of exposure some of
the Board members had to the candidates during this search was
most helpful to them and better prepared them to answer questions
which might be posed concerning the action of the Board in such
matters.
President Temple expressed his views and concerns about the
possible reaction in the dental community to this appointment.
There was some discussion about ways of handling this situation
should it arise.
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.
Richard D. Obenshain, Secretary
Approved:
