MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
June 16, 1977
A special meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board
of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University was held on
Thursday, June 16, 1977, at 9 a.m. in the Sanger Hall Board
Room.
Present were Drs. Blanton and Gwathmey; and Messrs. Dabney,
Scott and Shumate. Absent were Messrs. Grey and Obenshain. Also
present were Drs. Beller,. Brooke, Hall, Neal, Willett and Woods;
Messrs. Cribbs and Ross; Miss Cosby and Mrs. Price.
Dr. Blanton called the meeting to order.
Following the Report of the President, Dr. Hall presented
the report of the Presidential Search Assistance Committee. Dr.
Hall indicated that 179 applications and nominations had been re-
ceived. Of this number, 125 have been screened. The committee
feels that 12 candidates of those screened need closer examination.
Dr. Hall reviewed the resumes of these 12 candidates.
Dr. Neal presented an updated report on the Virginia Hospital
Laundry. The Board of the Laundry is still waiting to get the
audit from Price, Waterhouse & Company. The linen inventory was
conducted on May 4, 5 and 6 and considerable loss was noted. The
Board of the Laundry has decided that, rather than using a weigh-
in system for the laundry inventory, they will use a count-in and
count-out system. MCVH's loss of linen is approximately 38 per-
cent of the total.
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Dr. Beller recommended the appointment of Mr. Edward J.
Mazur as University Controller. Dr. Beller briefly described
Mr. Mazur's educational and professional experience. Following
a discussion, on motion made and seconded, Mr. Edward J. Mazur
was unanimously approved as University Controller at a salary of
$25,600, effective July 1, 1977.
Mr. Cribbs presented a report on the current status of the
1977-78 budget for VCU. Since the last presentation, VCU has
learned that the State will support the total amount of the
classified regrade, rather than half, and probably will support
all of the faculty increases. There was a discussion on how the
70/30 plan works and is formulated into the budget. Mr. Cribbs
reported that the Board will be more fully apprised at its July
meeting of the complete biennial budget.
On behalf of the Property Committee, Mr. Scott recommended
that the contract for the Low-Rise Dormitory be awarded to J.
Kennon Perrin. Following a discussion, on motion made, seconded,
and unanimously approved, the contract was awarded to J. Kennon
Perrin.
Mr. Scott stated that the Property Committee recommended
the hiring of Interplan and Architectural Design Studio as the
architects for the remodeling and renovation of food services in
the basement of Hibbs (Rathskeller) and the first floor of Hibbs
(cafeteria). Dr. Gwathmey, on behalf of the Student Affairs Committee, noted that his committee had objections to the hiring of
these architects since they did not have extensive experience
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in dealing with restaurants. Dr. Brooke reported that, in addition
to the architects, the University intends to hire food service
consultants to help in the planning of these two facilities as
well as the total food service for the University. Dr. Brooke also
noted that he had personally contacted several of the large archi-
tectural firms to see if they could recommend any architects who
had extensive experience with restaurants. Dr. Brooke reported
that the firms that he talked with used food service consultants
when working on such projects. Dr. Brooke also reported that Mrs.
Thalhimer had some concerns about the noise level in the proposed
Rathskeller. Dr. Brooke indicated that they did not plan to have
noisy entertainment from Monday through Thursday (more of a coffee
house atmosphere) but would have loud rock-type groups on weekends.
Dr. Brooke also noted that the Rathskeller will be separated from
the instructional rooms by one floor. Following a discussion,
on motion made and seconded, the architects for the Rathskeller
and Hibbs cafeteria were unanimously approved.
Dr. Blanton asked the Executive Committee about the August
meeting of that Committee. It was agreed that, if a meeting is
necessary, it will be held on the regularly scheduled date,
August 18, 1977.
Dr. Blanton also raised some questions concerning the current
responsibilities of the Hospital Committee. He asked the Execu-
tive Committee if a small group could review the by-laws as they
relate to the Hospital Committee. There was a general consensus
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that the Hospital Committee's role, scope, mission, and composi-
tion could be reviewed and a proposal made to the Board of Visitors.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.
Approved:
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
June 16, 1977
1. Bond Referendum
Dr. Willett reported that the Public Affairs Advisory
Committee of the Council of Presidents would be meeting
later in the week with Mr. Bruce Miller to discuss
the upcoming bond referendum. Dr. Blanton reported
that a meeting would be held soon of the Executive
Committee of the Council of Visitors to discuss this
same referendum. In addition, a meeting of the entire
Council of Visitors (all members of all Boards of
Visitors) is planned for later in the summer. Dr.
Blanton also read a letter from the Governor thanking
the VCU Board of Visitors for passing the resolution
in support of the bond referendum.
2. Comments in newspaper
Two comments appearing in the Richmond newspapers
were good to read. Delegate James Thomson, who will
probably be the next Chairman of the Appropriations
Committee, stated that, next to the Southwestern State
Hospital, VCU had the most urgent needs. The Governor
was quoted as saying that most of the facilities of the
institutions of higher learning in the state were in
good shape with the exception of VCU.
3. Development
Dr. Willett reported that the administration is interested
in bringing in some people who are involved in development
at other institutions as consultants for a few days as we
begin to revise our development office. However, we will
probably not employ a Vice President for Development until
such time as the new president can have some input.
4. Groundbreaking for new hospital
Dr. Willett announced that the groundbreaking ceremonies
for the new hospital will take place on Monday, June 20.
The Governor will be present for the ceremonies. We hope
to get some good public relations started with regard to
the construction and renovation program.
5. Basketball program
Dr. Willett reported that the basketball program had a
good year of recruitment and that the schedule for next
year includes a number of Virginia teams (William & Mary,
Old Dominion, Virginia, VPI&SU, Richmond, etc.) We will
also be participating in three tournaments.
Report of the President (continued) Page 2
6. Student Affairs
Dr. Willett reported that the Student Affairs Committee
of the Board had been meeting every two weeks. Dr. Willett,
together with a member of the Committee, has interviewed all
students who signed the letter. Interviews are also being
held with members of the Rules & Procedures Committee.
This committee seems to be the area in which a lot of
difficulties occurred. The Committee is scheduled to meet
again this Thursday, and Dr. Wilson will be present to discuss
the letter and report. Dr. Willett stated that he hoped
we could settle the points raised in the letter and
move ahead with developing a student governance system.
This system is not only the responsibility of the adminis-
tration but also the students.
7. Dr. Steinfeld's petition
Dr. Willett reported that he and Dr. Neal had met with Dr.
Steinfeld and the meeting had gone quite well. Dr. Willett
indicated that he had talked with a member of the tobacco
industry who agreed with the approach being taken by the
administration.
8. Vice President for Finance
Dr. Beller reported that the search was underway. We have
received 85 nominations and applications. Of this number,
25 to 30 are good candidates. Dr. Beller briefly outlined
the job description of the Vice President for Finance and
the organization for that area.
9. Old Virginia Mechanics Institute
Mr. Hamner called Dr. Willett to see what VCU would do to
keep the pending case out of court. Dr. Willett reported
that we would be willing to pay the City's moving expenses
as we had previously offered to do.
