MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
January 20, 1977
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University was held on Thursday, January 20, 1977,
at 9:00 a.m. in the Sanger Hall Board Room.
Present were Drs. Blanton, Gayle and Gwathmey; Messrs. Dabney,
Grey, McGehee, Norris, Obenshain, Scott, Seaborn and Shumate; and
Mrs. Stone. Absent were Mesdames Satterfield and Thalhimer. Also
present were Drs. Brooke, Hall, Neal, Temple, Willett and Woods;
Mr. Holmes, Miss Cosby and Mrs. Price.
Dr. Blanton called the meeting to order.
On motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a Special Meeting
the Academic Policy Committee, held November 12, 1976; a Special
Meeting Of the Property Committee, held November 16, 1976; and a
Regular Meeting of the Board of Visitors, held November 18, 1976,
unanimously approved.
The Report of the President followed. During Dr. Temple's
report, he recommended the appointment of Mr. David L. Ross as
Legal Advisor for the Board of Visitors and the University. Dr.
Temple reported that Mr. Ross was currently serving as Legal Advisor
at VPI&SU and was highly recommended by that institution and by the
Office of the Attorney General. On motion made and seconded, the
appointment of Mr. David L. Ross as Legal Advisor was unanimously
approved.
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On motion made and seconded, the Faculty Appointments and
Changes in Status were unanimously approved.
Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the
Report of Gifts, Grants and Contracts was unanimously approved.
Dr. John J. Salley, Associate Vice President for Research and
Graduate Affairs, joined the meeting. Mr. Seaborn presented the
Report of the Academic Policy Committee. Dr. Salley explained to
the Board the need for the proposed changes in the wording of the
Patent Policy and Procedures. Following a discussion, on motion
made and seconded, the following resolution was unanimously adopted
WHEREAS, the Board of Visitors has been advised
that certain changes are needed in the University
Patent Policy to comply with legal requirements
and administrative expedience;
BE IT RESOLVED that the following changes in the
University Patent Policy be made:
1) At the end of Section III be added:
"In the event a patent application is
filed on an invention which is a product
of 'University Research,' University
employee-inventors are obligated to assign
their rights in the patent application
and any patents issuing thereon to the
University."
2) Section IV be modified to include a new
Paragraph 8 following the present Paragraph
7 to read:
"In the event that the invention is assigned
to an agency other than Research Corporation
or Battelle Development Corporation and such
agency ceases to have further interest in an
invention previously submitted and accepted
by it, the Patent Committee shall decide
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whether to submit the invention to Research
Corporation or Battelle Development Corporation
or to proceed in accordance with Paragraph 9
below."
The present Paragraph 8 within Section IV be
changed to Paragraph 9 and modified as follows:
"In the event Research Corporation or Battelle
Development Corporation or any other agency
selected in agreement by the University and
the inventor or co-inventors does not accept
the inventions submitted to it by the Committee
or if these agencies cease to have further
interest in an invention previously submitted
and accepted by them, the Chairman of the Patent
Committee shall so inform the inventor or co-
inventors and the department chairman in writing.
The Committee shall recommend to the President
either waiving, in writing, any further claim
of the University for the invention, or shall
make arrangements for obtaining a patent from
another source calculated to promote the best
interests of the inventor or co-inventors and
the University. The recommendation of the
Patent Committee containing complete information
regarding the effort to obtain support from
Research Corporation or Battelle Development
Corporation or any other agency and the basis for
the suggested course of action shall be submitted
to the President of the University for approval."
Mr. Seaborn presented the program proposal for the Bachelor
of Arts in Comparative and General Literature. Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the program proposal for
a B.A. in Comparative and General Literature was unanimously
approved.
On recommendation of the Academic Policy Committee, Mr.
Seaborn presented the Letter of Intent for a Bachelor of Arts
in Religious Studies. Following a discussion, on motion made
and seconded, the Letter of Intent for a B.A. in Religious Studies
was unanimously approved.
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Mr. Seaborn presented the program proposal for a Doctorate
in Social Policy and Social Work. Mr. Seaborn indicated that it
would cost some "hard" dollars to implement this program. However,
the administration would like to get approval from the State Council
even if implementation is delayed. On motion made and seconded,
the program proposal for a Doctorate in Social Policy and Social
Work was unanimously approved.
Mr. Shumate suggested that some background information on the
Report of Gifts, Grants and Contracts be provided at the next Board
meeting.
Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the
Financial Statements were unanimously approved. Mr. Scott asked
that a special report on hospital accounts receivable be prepared
for the next Board meeting.
The Report of the Executive Committee followed. Dr. Neal
presented the agreement to purchase the Richmond Eye Hospital.
Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the Board
approved the purchase of the Richmond Eye Hospital.
On motion made and seconded, Mr. Robert J. Wink's appointment
to the Virginia Hospital Laundry Board was unanimously approved.
On motion made and seconded, the Board affirmed the contracts
signed by the administration since the last meeting of the Board of
Visitors.
Mrs. Karen C. Kincannon, former Legal Advisor to the President
and Board of Visitors, joined the meeting to give her final report.
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Mrs. Kincannon reported on the pending legislation that involved
the Board of Visitors and the progress that had been made in
establishing the Legal Advisor's office. The Board expressed its
appreciation to Mrs. Kincannon for the fine job that she had done.
Dr. Owen Gwathmey, Chairman of the Hospital Committee, reported
that the Program Audit Committee report to his committee showed
marked improvement. This report was referred to the Board's Ad Hoc
Audit Committee. Dr. Gwathmey continued his report by calling on
Dr. Pinson Neal to explain the Medical Audit. Dr. Neal indicated
that most of MCVH's patients come from the area surrounding MCVH
and most of these patients are indigent. Dr. Neal stated that it
was necessary to find a way of attracting more primary and
secondary care patients to MCVH. There had been some discussion
of establishing clinics in the surrounding counties to bring
patients into MCVH. Dr. Temple indicated that he would like for
the Hospital Committee to give this idea serious consideration.
On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Hospital Committee
was unanimously approved.
Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the
Board unanimously approved the hiring of Peat, Marwick, Mitchell
and Company to audit the University's accounts.
Mr. Coleman McGehee, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Audit Committee,
reported that he had received a proposal from Peat, Marwick,
Mitchell and Company to make a study of the University's audit
operations. This study would cost between $9,000 and $11,000,
plus expenses. Mr. McGehee indicated that since the State had
not audited the University's accounts since 1971-72, it was
necessary that the Board provide a safeguard for itself. Following
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a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the Board unanimously
approved the hiring of Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Company to
conduct the study.
Dr. Pinson Neal reported on the Virginia Hospital Laundry.
The laundry has been in operation for eleven months. Dr. Neal
stated that the quality of the service has improved a great
deal. He indicated that, because of the cleaning techniques used
by VHL, heavily stained linens were returned without holes
in them; this has been was one of the major problems with the
prison laundry system. He indicated that this meant the University did not have to buy replacement linens. Dr. Neal stated
that the administration is well pleased with the VHL.
On majority vote of the Board, an Executive Session was held.
During Executive Session, the Board authorized the President
to offer the position of Provost for Administration to Dr. Ronald
E. Beller.
The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
Richard D. Obenshain, Secretary
Approved:
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
January 20, 1977
1. City Hall Lease
Dr. Temple reported that since the joint meeting of the
Executive Committee and the Property Committee of the
Board of Visitors, the University had been informed that
the State was interested in purchasing the Old City Hall.
Therefore, all negotiations between VCU and the City had
been terminated. Mr. Hamner indicated to Dr. Temple that
the Virginia Mechanics Institute building was being used
by the City rent free and perhaps MCV/VCU could use that
facility. Presently, we are awaiting word from Mr. Hamner
on whether we will be able to use this facility.
2. Five Percent Reduction
Dr. Temple stated that as a result of the letter he had
written to the Governor, VCU had received relief from the
five percent reduction in the amount of $872,000. This
relief covers the libraries, the computer center and
the family practice program.
3. Regional General Assembly Meetings
Dr. Temple reported that the "traveling road show" had met
with 60 members of the General Assembly in eleven regions
of the State. In addition, more than 100 alumni had
attended these meetings. Overall, the meetings were very
successful and some positive results should be seen. Dr.
Temple indicated that Delegate Lane was introducing a
resolution concerning the MCV/VCU Cancer Center which
would identify it as an administrative unit on the MCV
Campus.
4. Christmas Inter-Session
Dr. Temple stated that the Christmas Inter-Session lasted
for 11 days from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with a one hour break
for lunch. This is designed for persons who wish to take
a concentrated course for credit during their Christmas
vacation. We had students from eight other institutions
with a total of 495 students this year compared to last
year's enrollment of 195.
5. Energy Crisis
Dr. Temple reported that we had received a telegram from the
Governor requesting that we conserve energy. The two Provosts
are implementing programs on their respective campuses to
comply with this directive.
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Athletic Budget
With the exception of the salary of the new coach and
assistant coach, the Athletic Department is meeting its
budget. Coach Kirk is doing a fine job with the basket-
ball team. Dr. Temple indicated that the entire athletic
program is moving ahead.
Leal Counsel
Dr. Temple recommended to the Board that they approve
the appointment of Mr. David L. Ross as Legal Advisor
to the President and Board of Visitors. Dr. Temple
reviewed Mr. Ross's qualifications and indicated that
Dr. Blanton had met with Mr. Ross. (See Board minutes
for approval of position).
