FOR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ONLY
MINUTES OF AN EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE
AND PROPERTY COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
March 10, 1977
Dr. Blanton reported that, following Dr. Temple's hospitalization,
arrangements were made for an interim governing structure. A committee
was formed, composed of the three Provosts and Dr. Willett as Chairman.
Dr. Blanton stated that it was now necessary for the Board to decide on a
policy for management of the University until a successor to Dr. Temple
could be named. Dr. Blanton indicated that there appeared to be two options --
an interim committee with a chairman or an acting president. He then placed
the matter before the meeting for discussion and for the presentation of any
other viable options.
Mr. Shumate stated that the committee system just did not seem to work.
Both he and Mrs. Thalhimer indicated that Dr. Temple had had problems with
the committee structure during the last presidential search.
Dr. Willett indicated that some of the problems that Dr. Temple had
experienced were due, in part, to the fact that he was a candidate for the
presidency and a member of the Search Assistance Committee.
Mr. Shumate indicated that the appointment of Dr. Willett as acting
president would free him from considerable pressure by giving him the
authority to make decisions and delegate responsibilities without having
to call a meeting of a committee.
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The consensus of the Board members present was that Dr. Willett
would be the best person to either chair an interim committee or serve
as acting president.
Mr. Dabney expressed his concern for Dr. Willett's health under these
additional responsibilities. Other members of the Board expressed the same
concern and asked if there were anyone else who could assume these duties.
Several alternatives were discussed.
A discussion was then held concerning the presidential search. Mr.
Obenshain suggested that the search process might be reversed from the
procedure used previously. He suggested the Executive Committee (the
Search Committee for the Board) review the applications and bring in the
Search Assistance Committee at a later date (when the preliminary screening of
applicants had been completed).
The strong desire of those present was that the search be expedited as
much as possible. Since a search had been held such a short time ago,
the following suggestions were made: (1) review applicants from VCU's last
search, (2) contact other universities who have recently made searches, and
(3) eliminate candidates without adequate preparation for the presidency.
Dr. Willett stated that it was imperative to involve the University
community as much as possible, indicating that a precedent had been set
by the last search. He continued that the new president would have to have
full acceptance from the faculty, students and other university groups in
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order to have a successful beginning as president.
Dr. Blanton stated that, since the full Board would be meeting next
week, he was appointing a committee composed of Mr. Shumate, Mrs.
Satterfield and Dr. Willett to consider the ideas expressed at this meeting
and make recommendations regarding the interim administrative structure of
the University and the plan for the presidential search.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
