MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
October 13, 1977
A special meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University was held on Thursday, October 13, 1977,
at 9:00 a.m. in the Sanger Hall Board Room.
Present were Drs. Blanton and Gayle; Messrs. Bliley, Dabney,
Grey, Norris, Scott and Seaborn; and Mrs. Satterfield. Absent
were Dr. Gwathmey; Messrs. McGehee, Obenshain and Shumate; and
Mesdames Stone and Thalhimer. Also present were Drs. Beller,
Hall, Neal, Willett and Woods; Messrs. Guerdon and Ross; Miss
Cosby and Mrs. Price.
Dr. Blanton called the meeting to order.
On motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a Special Meeting
of the Student Affairs Committee, held May 19, 1977; Special Meeting of the Student Affairs Committee, held May 27, 1977; Special
Meeting of the Student Affairs Committee, held June 9, 1977;
Special Meeting of the Student Affairs Committee, held June 23,
1977; Special Meeting of the Student Affairs Committee, held
July 7, 1977; Special Meeting of the Board of Visitors, held
July 20, 1977; Regular Meeting of the Board of Visitors, held
July 21, 1977; Special Meeting of the Executive Committee, held
August 18, 1977; and a Special Meeting of the Board of Visitors,
held August 18, 1977, were unanimously approved.
Mr. Grey reported on behalf of the Hospital Committee. The
Committee received the audit on transfusions and the deficiencies
were noted. Mr. Grey, as acting chairman of the Hospital Com-
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mittee, accepted the audit. The Hospital Committee also reviewed
the administration's request for a hospital rate increase. Following a presentation and discussion, on motion made and seconded,
the hospital room rate increases were unanimously approved and
will become effective on November 1, 1977. Mr. Kidd noted the
growing shortage of registered nurses in the hospitals.
Following the Report of the Acting President, Dr. Blanton
introduced Mr. James G. Guerdon, Vice President for Finance. He
also reported that Dr. Gwathmey was improving steadily following
heart surgery and would be going home today.
On motion made and seconded, the Faculty Appointments and
Changes in Status were unanimously approved.
The Report of Gifts, Grants and Contracts, on motion made
and seconded, was unanimously approved.
On motion made and seconded, the Contracts signed since the
July meeting were affirmed by the Board.
Mr. David L. Ross, Legal Advisor, reported on two cases
which will be heardin the near future. These cases are Doe vs.
Linas and the Oslund Case.
Mrs. Satterfield, on behalf of the Academic Policy Committee,
presented the Consultation, Research, Part-Time Employment and
Continuing Education Policy. Following a discussion, on motion
made and seconded, the Consultation Policy was unanimously approved.
Mr. Guerdon presented to the Board information on their
liability insurance coverage. The policy covers "members of the
Board (of Visitors) . . . for a wrongful act. . . ." "A wrongful
act is defined as any (a) actual or alleged errors, (b) mis-
statement or misleading statement, (c) act or omission, (d) neglect
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or breach of duty, and (e) matter claimed by reason of being
Assureds, in the discharge of their duties." The limits are
$1,000,000 maximum annual aggregate with a $5,000 deduction on
each loss.
Mr. Seaborn reported that a meeting of the Audit Committee
had been held with representatives of the State Auditor's office,
Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Company, and members of the VCU administration. The purpose of the meeting was to look at the pre-
liminary management letter submitted by Peat, Marwick, Mitchell
and Company. Dr. Blanton asked that the Audit Review Committee
meet to examine the extensive document received from Peat, Marwick,
Mitchell and Company.
Mr. Norris reported that the Student Affairs Committee had
met on Monday, October 10. The Committee discussed their program
for the year including meeting with student groups on campus.
Dr. Blanton announced the new committee assignments and
thanked the members of the Board for agreeing to serve.
The movie, "The Cutting Edge," which was used for the bond
pre presentation was shown and Mr. Scott received rave reviews!
The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.
Richard D. Obenshain, Secretary
Approved:
REPORT OF THE ACTING PRESIDENT
October 13, 1977
1. Parking
Dr. Willett reported that we had reached a crisis with regard to
parking on the Academic Campus. A meeting had been held with
Senator Willey, Delegate George Allen, Mayor Henry Marsh, Vice-Mayor
Henry Valentine, and Councilman Wayland Rennie. The purpose of
this meeting was to discuss the whole parking situation in the
Fan area and to see what the State, City and University could do to
resolve this problem. With the recent Supreme Court ruling on the
Arlington parking system (similar to the one in the Fan), Mr. Rennie
has proposed to reinstitute the residents' parking permit system.
A discussion was also held concerning the building of a parking deck
on one of the mosque lots. Dr. Willett reported that we would
probably have to build a deck regardless of its financial feasibility.
2. Valentine Museum
Dr. Willett stated that he had spoken with Mr. Henry Wickham regarding
the Putney Houses and the University's involvement with the Valentine
Museum. Mr. Wickham was aware of the status of these plans.
3. Local Funds
Dr. Beller reported that the internal audit staff had been investigating
the local fund accounts. A report will be forthcoming at a later date.
4. Handicapped
Dr. Willett reported that the staff is currently reviewing the whole
question of the handicapped and the impact of Section 504. A report
will be brought to the Board at a later date.
5. Graduate Studies
A report on Graduate Studies is being prepared and will be brought to
the Board at a later date.
6. Bond Referendum
A meeting was held in the Governor's Office last Friday (October 7) to
discuss the bond referendum. It appears that the major publicity on
the bonds will come the last week of the campaign. Dr. Willett reported
that we had a number of programs being held on campus to promote the
bond referendum.
10. Enrollment
7. Basketball Team
Dr. Willett reported that for the basketball season, we will have
a pep band and cheerleading squad. We will also have a radio
program. Dr. Willett stated that he would like for as many members
of the Board to come to the games and to bring guests. Tickets
may be obtained by calling Meg Price.
8. Good News
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded us a
low-interest loan to construct the dormitory on the Academic Campus
9. Copyright on Music
Dr. Willett reported that colleges and universities may have to pay
a great deal in copyright fees for music played at paid events.
This situation is being looked into, and we were told not to get
alarmed..
We have approximately 18,350 students or a 2 to 3 percent increase
over last year.
'11. 1977-78 Budget
Dr. Willett reported that the staff is working on the 1977-78
operating budget and will submit it to the Board for review at
its next meeting.
1. T. Edward Temple Convocation
A convocation, in memory of Dr. Temple, will be held on Tuesday,
October 18, 1977, at 11:00 a.m. All members of the Board are
invited to attend. This convocation is being funded in part by.
the Richmond Jewish Community Council.
