MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
March 16, 1978
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University was held on Thursday, March 16, 1978, at 9:00 a.m. in the Sanger
Hall Board Room.
Present were Drs. Blanton, Gayle and Gwathmey; Messrs. Bliley, Dabney,
Grey, Norris, Scott, Seaborn and Shumate; and Mesdames Satterfield, Stone,
and Thalhimer. Absent were Messrs. McGehee and Obenshain. Also present
were Drs. Ackell, Beller, Brooke, 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 Regular Meeting of the
Board of Visitors, held November 17, 1977; Special Meeting of the Academic
Policy Committee, held January 10, 1978; Special Meeting of the Property
Committee, held January 13, 1978; Special Meeting of the Academic Policy
Committee, held January 17, 1978; Special Meeting of the Board of Visitors,
held January 18, 1978; and Regular Meeting of the Board of Visitors, held
January 19, 1978; were unanimously approved.
The Report of the President followed. On majority vote of the Board,
an Executive Session was held with Drs. Ackell and Willett remaining.
Mr. David Ross presented the report of the Legal Advisor. He reported
on the status of the following cases:
Cramer v. VCU Faculty employment/ On appeal to Fourth
Reverse discrimination Circuit Court of Appeals
Oslund v. VCU Faculty tenure denial/ Trial continued until
Sex Discrimination September, 1978
Page 2
Goodall v. VCU Alleged medical malpractice Pretrial discovery
resulting in hearing loss proceeding
Myers v. VCU False arrest/malicious Trial continued on
(Richmond Cir. Ct.) prosecution Plaintiff's motion
Hsu v. VCU Dispute apparently
Faculty employment/racial-national origin discrimi- resolved; trial con-
nation tinued indefinitely
Neumann v. VCU Alleged violation of Equal Initial pretrial con-
Pay Act/sex discrimination ference scheduled for
April 28, 1978
Myers v. VCU False arrest/malicious Initial pleadings file
(Fed. Dist. Ct.) prosecution/denial of
constitutional rights
Mr. Ross reported that in the Myers case some problems with insurance
coverage had arisen but he reported that he will be making some recommenda-
tions to the administration regarding this. As a result of the Myers case,
the Board asked some questions concerning our security department. Dr.
Beller reported there had been some problems and that the department is
currently under an acting director while a search is underway. Dr. Beller
also reported that there has been a lack of steadfast policy for the police
to follow and that they have been working on these things. Dr. Beller was
asked by the Board to prepare an evaluation of the security office and
present it to the Board at its next meeting.
On motion made and seconded, the Faculty Appointments and Changes in
Status were unanimously approved.
Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the Faculty
Promotions were approved with Mr. Dabney abstaining.
On motion made and seconded, the Report of Gifts, Grants and Contracts
was unanimously approved.
Page 3
On motion made and seconded, the contracts signed since the January
Board meeting were affirmed.
Dr. Neal presented a report on the cost containment in the hospitals.
Dr. Neal distributed a report entitled "Actions Approved by the National
Steering Committee on Voluntary Cost Containment" which affirms the
actions taken by the American Hospital Association, the American Medical
Association and the Federation of American Hospitals urging the creation
of state-level voluntary cost containment committees. In addition, this
report requests the reassessment by each institution of planned budget
and charge adjustments and the establishment as the national goal of
this voluntary cost containment program, of a significant reduction in the
rate of increase in health care costs. Dr. Blanton stated that the Board
would be called upon to adopt a resolution establishing appropriate budget
goals for the institution's coming fiscal year, consistent with the national
goal, state program, and the interim guidelines. If the Board adopts such
a resolution, upon submission of the resolution to the state committees,
that hospital should be provisionally certified as a cost containment
hospital and not subject to interim prospective budget review by the state
committee. In addition, the hospital should voluntarily report key in-
dicators to the state committee such as number of admissions, total ex-
pense, total revenues, average length of stay, number of beds and capital
expenditure plans. No action by the Board was necessary at this time.
Dr. Beller presented a brief summary of the 1978-80 biennial appropria-
tions. The 1978-80 appropriation represents a 33.62 percent increase in
total dollars over the 1976-78 appropriations. For the General Fund, this is
Page 4
a 42.68 percent increase; and for Special Funds, this is a 14.9 percent
increase. The 1978-80 appropriation represents a 23.21 percent increase
in total dollars over 1976-78 budgeted funds. For the General Fund, this
is a 27.76 percent increase; and for Special Funds, this is a 12.9 percent.
(Budgeted funds include consideration of reversions, regrade and faculty
salary increase support and other allocations from central appropriation
items.) Of the General Fund appropriations, nearly $3.1 million is contin-
gent upon the verification by the Governor of the cost allocation methodology
applied to limit costs for inclusion in the 70/30 Plan. Dr. Willett reported
on the capital outlay appropriations VCU received. Overall, the administra-
tion felt we had done very well both in the biennial budget and in the capital
budget. Dr. Willett indicated that Senator Willey and Delegate Baliles had
been most helpful and understanding to us during this legislative session.
Dr. Blanton, on behalf of the Board, expressed their appreciation to Drs.
Ackell, Beller and Willett who led a team effort in working with the General
Assembly. Dr. Blanton also stated that it should be recognized that the
groundwork for these results was laid by Dr. Temple during the last year
of his life. Dr. Beller was requested to send a capital outlay report to
the Board as soon as it was ready.
Mrs. Satterfield reported on behalf of the Academic Policy Committee.
She presented a proposal, approved by her committee, to establish a Divi-
sion of Consultation/Liaison Psychiatry within the Department of Psychiatry
on the MCV Campus. Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded,
the establishment of a Division of Consultation/Liaison Psychiatry was
unanimously approved. The second item proposed by the Academic Policy
Page 5
Committee was to change the name of the Department of Hospital and Health
Administration to the Department of Health Administration and change the
name of the graduate degree from a Masters in Hospital Administration to
a Masters in Health Administration. Following a discussion, the motion
to approve this change was withdrawn and the item was deferred to a future
meeting of the Board. Mrs. Satterfield reported that her committee had
been meeting with the candidates for Dean of the School of Community Ser-
vices and would be meeting soon with the Executive Committee of the Faculty
Senate.
Mr. Seaborn reported on behalf of the Audit Committee. He indicated
that they have just recently received the final management letter from
Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Company and have a meeting scheduled on
April 11.
Mr. Shumate reported on behalf of the Ad Hoc Development Committee.
He indicated that there were five or six prospects that would be contacted
with regard to the Cancer Center.
Dr. Blanton reported on behalf of the Executive Committee. At
their meeting, they affirmed the actions taken by a phone poll with re-
gard to the Virginia Hospital Laundry. The Committee also affirmed its
position on Executive Order Number 1 (Affirmative Action). Contracts
for Mr. Mills and Mr. Kirk were approved with the President being given
room for further negotiations, if necessary. The actions of the Executive
Committee were affirmed by the Board.
Mr. Scott reported that the Property Committee had no report to give
at this time.
Page 6
Mr. Grey reported for the Hospital Committee and explained the new
organization under which that committee is operating. He stated that
this committee is meeting twice a month on such problems as the nursing
shortage and the Department of Pharmacy salary adjustments. Mr. Grey
reported that the Attorney General's Office rate of collection on delinquent
accounts is not very good. Our private agencies are doing a much better
job for us. Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the
Board unanimously agreed to request special permission to withdraw all
delinquent accounts from the Attorney General's Office and turn them over
to private collection agencies.
Mr. Grey gave a report on the Virginia Hospital Laundry. Following
a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the following resolution was
unanimously approved:
WHEREAS, the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University
has been advised that the need exists for the implementation of a
more rigorous system of inventory control with respect to linens and
other items which are laundered and maintained for the Medical College
of Virginia Hospital by the Virginia Hospital Laundry pursuant to the
terms of the Participation Agreement between the Virginia Hospital
Laundry and Virginia Commonwealth University dated October 1, 1974, as
amended; and that this situation may necessitate the establishment of
a "count-in/count-out" procedure at the Hospital Laundry and at the
Medical College of Virginia Hospital to provide the desired element of
control;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University that the said Board hereby acknowledges the
need for the implementation of an effective system of linen management
and inventory control at the Medical College of Virginia Hospital; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that toward that end, the Board acknowledges
its support of the efforts of the Executive Director of the Medical
College of Virginia Hospital to ensure that a "count-in/count-out"
procedure or other such appropriate and effective linen inventory
control procedures are implemented at the Medical College of Virginia
Hospital and the Virginia Hospital Laundry, and to recommend, for con-
Page 7
sideration, similar procedures at other participating hospitals
which comprise the membership of the Virginia Hospital Laundry.
Mr. Norris reported that the Student Affairs Committee has been
meeting with various student organizations. These have been productive
meetings. The Committee will be meeting on April 11 with the Council
on University Student Affairs. Following that session, Mr. Norris
would like for his committee to meet in executive session to discuss
the committee's role and function.
Dr. Neal reported that the hospital construction was running about
45 days behind schedule because of inclement weather this winter. Mr.
William Croghan has been hired to oversee the construction project.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:25 p.m.
Richard D. Obenshain, Secretary
Approved:
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
March 16, 1978
1. Dual Degree - J.D./M.S.W. - The VCU School of Social Work and the
University of Richmond law school have worked out an inter-institu-
tional agreement for students to earn both the MSW and J.D. degrees
from VCU and the University of Richmond in a four-year curriculum
of graduate study. This is one year less than it would normally
take to get each degree separately.
The main purpose of this program is to prepare students for profes-
sional practice in areas that can benefit from the knowledge and
skills drawn from both law and social work to bring an integrated
base of competency to the resolution of human and social problems.
2. Grand Winner - Emory Business Games - A team of five students from
the School of Business recently won a national championship from a
field of 25 colleges and universities. The VCU team became the
Grand Winner of the 13th Annual Intercollegiate Business Games at
Emory University.
3. Social Work's 60th Anniversary - Tomorrow, the School of Social
Work will celebrate its 60th Anniversary by having a number of
alumni and former faculty return to campus. Our School of Social
Work is the oldest in the South.
4. Service Awards - Last week, more than 1200 employees were honored
for service of five or more years. Dr. Sigsby Gayle and his wife
attended the banquet on Friday night in honor of those with 20 or
more years of service.
5. Construction - The dormitory on the Academic Campus is about three
months behind schedule because of the wet, cold winter. By adding
workmen and overtime, the contractor hopes to make up much of the
lost time.
Demolition of the 900 block of Floyd is completed. As soon as the
soil dries out, it will be compacted and gravel put down to make
200 student parking spaces. These spaces should park about 350
cars per day for revenue over expenses of $35,000 per year.
The final plans for the Music and Theatre Building will be sent to
Engineering and Buildings on April 3. Construction should start in
early June. The construction of this building is causing an intricate
series of moves affecting 16 different divisions within the University
in eleven different buildings.
The schedule for the Student Commons building is being worked out
with the architects this week.
On the MCV Campus, the hospital is moving along well and the span
across Marshall Street between the Nelson Clinic and Sanger Hall is
being closed in and should be completed by the end of March.
Page 2
The contractor for DuVal Street will be coming on site on April 1.
This will be a 6-month project. Anyone who happens to come down
Marshall Street early in the mornings or as people are leaving work
realizes what a traffic jam we have down here.
People are moving into the Mechanics Institute Building and it
should be fully occupied in the near future.
6. Athletics As you have all heard, our men's basketball team had the
"winningest" season ever. We just cannot wait to see them next
year.
The Wrestling Team also had its most successful year at 13-7. Four
men went to the regional competition.
Both swimming teams were in the State meet, but we gave up the
State championship that we had last year. Six women qualified for
the national meet which will be held this weekend at Duke.
Baseball is just starting with a 35game schedule and the Golf Team
will be using Confederate Hills Country Club. Women's Tennis is
expecting its best season ever.
7. Medical School Accreditation Report- Dr. Ackell reviewed the recommenda-
tions of the Accrediting Team and the steps taken by the administration
over the past few months. One of the concerns dealt with the three
vacant chairs which have now been filled. Dr. Ackell also indicated
that steps have and are being taken to increase medical faculty
salaries. Another area concerned the operations of the business
offices. Dr. Ackell indicated that, once the information is being
coordinated by Dr. Beller's office, the administration will know
what steps are necessary.
8. Affirmative Action Plan -Dr. Ackell reported that all the college
and university presidents had met with the Governor on the proposed
plan. The Board will be asked at a later date to approve both a
state plan and a university plan. There will be additional informa-
tion provided to members of the Board.
