MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
January 18, 1978
A special meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University was held on Wednesday, January 18, 1978, at 6:00 p.m. in the
Sanger Hall Board Room.
Present were Dr. Blanton; Messrs. Grey, Norris, Scott and Shumate;
and Mesdames Satterfield and Thalhimer. Absent were Drs. Gayle and
Gwathmey; Messrs. Bliley, Dabney, McGehee, Obenshain and Seaborn; and
Mrs. Stone. Also present were Drs. Ackell, Beller, Brooke, Hall, Willett
and Woods; Mr. Ross; Miss Cosby and Mrs. Price.
Dr. Blanton called the meeting to order and presented Dr. Jessee
Steinfeld, Dean of the School of Medicine.
Dr. Steinfeld stated that the School of Medicine had recently been
accredited for seven years by the accrediting body. Dr. Blanton stated
that there were several recommendations made in this report, and he would
like the administration to present these to the Board with their suggestions
The Dean stated that there had been six vacant chairs in the School
of Medicine, four of which have been filled. A fifth chairmanship will
be considered by the Board on Thursday.
Dr. Steinfeld discussed at length the curriculum and some proposed
changes that are being considered by the School of Medicine faculty.
Dean Steinfeld reviewed the selection committee process for students.
Currently, one out of every five Virginians who apply is selected. One
out of every 1,000 applicants who are non-Virginians are admitted. The
quality of students is high.
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In 1961, the mean grade point average was 2.8. This year, the mean
grade point average is 3.4.
Dr. Steinfeld stated that the School of Medicine faculty salary
averages were about 25 percent below national, state and southeastern
levels. The Dean indicated that Dr. Willett, Dr. Beller and other members
of the administration had worked very diligently in trying to improve
these salaries.
Dr. Steinfeld touched briefly on the number of students in the School,
Housestaff, and research and capitation funds in the School of Medicine.
The Dean reported that the School of Medicine has a good working
relationship with the VA Hospital which will be building a new $130
million facility on the McGuire site. The School is investigating the
possibility of using some of the existing buildings once the new VA
complex is completed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Richard D. Obenshain, Secretary
Approved:
Wyndham B. Blanton, Jr., ., Rector
