MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
May 18, 1978
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University was held on Thursday, May 18, 1978, at 9:00 a.m. in the Sanger
Hall Board Room.
Present were Drs. Blanton, Gayle and Gwathmey; Messrs. Bliley, Dabney,
Grey, McGehee, Norris, Obenshain, Scott and Shumate; Mesdames Satterfield,
Stone and Thalhimer. 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 Special Meeting of the Property Committee, held February 22,
1978; a Special Meeting of the Executive Committee, held February 28, 1978;
a Special Meeting of the Board of Visitors, held March 15, 1978; a Regular
Meeting of the Board of Visitors, held March 16, 1978; a Special Meeting of
the Hospital Committee, held March 16, 1978; a Special Meeting of the Academic
Policy Committee, held March 16, 1978; a Special Meeting of the Property Com-
mittee, held April 6, 1978; a Special Meeting of the Audit Committee, held
April 11, 1978; and a Special Meeting of the Student Affairs Committee, held
April 11, 1978, were unanimously approved.
Dr. Wade Gilley and Mr. John McCluskey joined the meeting for a presenta-
tion of the Virginia Plan for Equal Opportunity in State-Supported Institutions
of Higher Learning. Dr. Ackell reported that the subcommittee, composed of
Messrs. Scott, Bliley and Grey, would present a resolution to the Board
later in the meeting. Dr. Ackell also reported that the total number of
new black students for VCU to recruit under the proposed plan, between now
and 1982, is 166. Drs. Ackell and Gilley responded to questions from
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members of the Board. Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded,
the following Resolution was unanimously approved:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University confirms the University's continuing
commitment to the principles of equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to race,
religion, sex, age, national origin or handicap status,
recognizing the University's past and present success in
attracting minorities, women and other previously disadvantaged
groups to the student body, faculty and staff of the University;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board approves participation
by Virginia Commonwealth University in the Virginia Plan for
Equal Opportunity in State-Supported Institutions of Higher
Education (Revised 1978) and acknowledges the University's
commitment to the objectives of the Plan, with the understanding
that to the extent such objectives are compatible with and do
not compromise the standards of quality and excellence required
of its faculty, staff and students, the University will undertake
good faith efforts to achieve the objectives of the Plan.
Following the Report of the President, Dr. Blanton presented Messrs.
McGehee and Norris with their service award pins. In addition, Dr. Blanton
presented Dr. Gwathmey and Messrs. McGehee and Obenshain with brass inscribed
trays and thanked them for their many years of service to the VCU Board of
Visitors.
Dr. Blanton requested that, at the next Wednesday evening meeting of
the Board, a report be given on our admissions procedures including the
Special Services program.
On majority vote of the Board, an Executive Session was held. During
this session on motion made and seconded, the following resolution was
unanimously approved:
WHEREAS, the Medical College of Virginia Foundation and the R.P.I.
Foundation have offered to acquire by purchase a more desirable
residence for the use of the President of Virginia Commonwealth
University to replace the home presently owned by the two foundations;
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of
Virginia Commonwealth University that the Board approves and
authorizes the acquisition of a suitable replacement residence
for the use of the President of Virginia Commonwealth University;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors that, as a
condition of employment and as a convenience to the University,
the President of Virginia Commonwealth University shall be
required to reside in the aforementioned residence so long as
he shall remain President of the University.
Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the Executive
Salaries for 1978-79 were unanimously approved. Following a discussion,
on motion made and seconded, the Governor's recommended salary increase
for the President was unanimously approved.
The Report of the Legal Advisor followed. Mr. Ross reported on
the present status of the following cases:
Cramer v. VCU Fed. Dist. Ct./ Faculty employment/ On appeal to
June, 1975 Reverse discrimination Fourth Circuit
Court of Appeals
Oslund v. VCU Fed. Dist. Ct./ Faculty tenure denial/ Trial scheduled
August, 1976 Sex discrimination for September,
1978
Goodall v. VCU Richmond Cir. Ct./ Alleged medical mal- Pretrial discover
April, 1977 practice resulting proceeding
in hearing loss
Neumann v. VCU Fed. Dist. Ct./ Alleged violation of Trial scheduled
Jan., 1978 Equal Pay Act/ sex for March, 1979
discrimination
Myers v. VCU Fed. Dist. Ct./ False arrest/ Initial pretrial
Feb., 1978 malicious prosecution/ conference
denial of constitu- scheduled for
tional rights May 17, 1978
Davis v. VCU Richmond Cir. Ct./ Alleged medical Responsive
Apr., 1978 malpractice/ pleadings due
wrongful death May 22, 1978
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Mr. Guerdon presented the proposed Annual Tuition, Student Fees, and
Charges. Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the Annual
Tuition, Student Fees, and Charges were unanimously approved.
Dr. Ackell presented a correction to the Consultation, Research, Part-
Time Employment and Continuing Education Policy. This was a typographical
omission. On motion made and seconded, the correction to the Consultation,
Research, Part-Time Employment and Continuing Education Policy was unanimously
approved.
Mr. Ross presented two resolutions concerning lost and/or mutilated
hospital revenue bonds. On motion made and seconded, the following
resolutions were approved, with Mr. McGehee abstaining:
WHEREAS, it has been represented to the Board of Visitors of
Virginia Commonwealth University by duly-executed affidavits,
that Bond No. R432, Series A 5.90% Virginia Commonwealth Uni-
versity/Medical College of Virginia Hospital Revenue Bond, due
7/1/2006, in the principal amount of $10,000, registered in the
name of Dorothy D. Saunders, was deposited in the U.S. Mail in an
envelope addressed to the aforesaid Dorothy D. Saunders, 202
Nottingham Road, Richmond, Va., 23221, by Wheat First Securities,
Richmond, Va., on January 6, 1978; but that said Dorothy D. Saunders
has reported nondelivery of the aforesaid bond, which is believed
to have been lost or destroyed in the mail; and
WHEREAS, Seaboard Security Company, Obligor, has issued a Sole
Obligor Bond, Bond No. 774893-298, in favor of Virginia Common-
wealth University, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and First &
Merchants National Bank, Obligees, by which Obligor has undertaken
to indemnify and hold harmless Obligees from any and all claims
WHEREAS, all documents relating to this matter, including the
affidavits of ownership and proof of loss and the sole obligor bond,
and liabilities which might arise out of the issuance of a replacement bond to the aforesaid Dorothy D. Saunders; and have been examined by Robert C. Watts, Jr., Treasurer of Virginia,
d have been examined by Robert C. Watts, Jr., Treasurer of Virginia,
who has found them to be satisfactory in all respects; and who
has, further, advised that pursuant to Section 2.11 of the Bond
Resolution adopted by the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University on September 30, 1977, it is in order for the said Board
of Visitors to authorize the issuance of a duplicate bond to the
aforesaid Dorothy D. Saunders;
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University, that the Treasurer of Virginia is hereby
authorized to issue a duplicate replacement Virginia Commonwealth
University/Medical College of Virginia Hospital Revenue Bond, Series A
5.90%, due 7/1/2006, in the principal amount of $10,000, to Dorothy D.
Saunders of 202 Nottingham Road, Richmond, Virginia; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Board of Visitors is
hereby authorized to sign the replacement bond certificate on behalf of
the Board.
AND
WHEREAS, it has been represented to the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University, by duly-executed affidavit, that on November 7,
1977, nine (9) Series A 5.90% Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical
College of Virginia Hospital Revenue Coupon Bonds, due 7/1/2006, Bond Nos.
6844, 6845, 6846, 6847, 6848, 6849, 6850, 6851 and 6852, in denominations
of $5,000 each, were sent by way of registered mail from Paine, Webber,
Jackson & Curtis, Inc., New York, New York, to First & Merchants National
Bank, Richmond, Virginia; and
WHEREAS, it has also been represented to the Board of Visitors by duly-
executed affidavit, that two (2) Series A 5.90% Virginia Commonwealth
University/Medical College of Virginia Hospital Revenue Coupon Bonds,
due 7/1/2006, Bond Nos. 8186 and 8187, in denominations of $5,000 each,
and two (2) Series A 5.70% Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College
of Virginia Hospital Revenue Coupon Bonds, due 7/1/1996, Bond Nos. 5183
and 5184, in denominations of $5,000 each, were sent by registered mail
from Kidder, Peabody & Co., Inc., New York, New York, to First & Merchants
National Bank, Richmond, Virginia; and
WHEREAS, on November 8, 1977, the United States Postal Service vehicle
in which the aforementioned bonds were being delivered was involved in
an accident with a private vehicle, which resulted in extensive fire and
water damage to the aforementioned bond certificates; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Insurance Company and the North River Insurance
Company, Obligors, respectively, have issued indemnity bonds in favor
of Virginia Commonwealth University, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and
First & Merchants National Bank, Obligees, by which the aforementioned
Obligors have undertaken to indemnify and hold harmless the Obligees
from any and all claims and liabilities which might arise out of the
issuance of replacement bonds; and
WHEREAS, all documents relating to this matter have been examined by
Robert C. Watts, Jr., Treasurer of Virginia, who has found them to be
satisfactory in all respects; and who has, further, advised that pursuant
to Section 2.11 of the bond resolution adopted by the Board of Visitors
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of Virginia Commonwealth University on September 30, 1977, it is
in order for the said Board of Visitors to authorize the issuance
of duplicate replacement bonds;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University that the Treasurer of Virginia is hereby
authorized to issue duplicate replacement Virginia Commonwealth Uni-
versity/Medical College of Virginia Hospital Revenue Coupon Bonds to
replace bonds numbered 6844, 6845, 6846,6847, 6848, 6849, 6850, 6851,
and 6852, and bonds numbered 5183, 5184,8186, and 8187, each in the
denomination of $5,000; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Board of Visitors
is hereby authorized to sign each replacement bond certificate on
behalf of the Board.
Drs. Hall and Woods presented the Six-Year Curricular Plan for VCU.
This has been requested by SCHEV to show the new and changed degree
programs anticipated over the next six years. This plan does not mean
that every program listed must be implemented. Following a discussion,
on motion made and seconded, the submission of the Six-Year Curricular
Plan to SCHEV was unanimously approved.
Dr. Neal reported on the national and state cost containment programs.
Following his presentation, Mr. Scott requested that a percentage ceiling
be placed on costs in the hospital. Mr. Grey, as Chairman of the Hospital
Committee, reported that he did not believe this would be feasible at this
time. However, a progress report on cost containment in the hospital will
be presented to the Board at its July meeting. On motion made and seconded,
the following resolution was unanimously approved:
WHEREAS, the American Hospital Association, the American Medical
Association, and the Federation of American Hospitals, in recognition
of the need to restrain the rate of increase in health care expendi-
tures, agreed to organize a Voluntary Cost Containment Program and
urged each hospital to reassess its operating and capital budgets
to see if anything further can be done to reduce these budgets, con-
sistent with sound medical practice; and
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WHEREAS, the American Hospital Association, the American Medical
Association, and the Federation of American Hospitals have
organized a National Steering Committee on Voluntary Cost Con-
tainment, which has developed a 15-point program to be imple-
mented through state-level voluntary cost containment committees
and through voluntary action of individual hospitals; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University
has thoroughly reviewed these developments with representatives of
the medical staff and the chief executive officer and is in agreement with the steps that have been taken at the national and state
levels, and
WHEREAS, the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University is committed to voluntary action as the key to cost
containment and desires to play a leadership role in demonstrating
the value of voluntary action in cost containment;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University, of which the Medical College of Virginia
Hospital is an integral part, supports the program of the National
Steering Committee on Voluntary Cost Containment; pledges the use of
all reasonable means to keep operating expenditures and capital budgets
at the lowest levels, consistent with sound medical practice; and seeks
provisional certification by the Virginia Hospital Cost Containment
Committee.
Mr. Guerdon presented the Compensation Plan for Teaching and Research
Staff. Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the Compenation
Plan was unanimously approved. Dr. Ackell reported to the Board that he
would recommend an average 7 percent salary increase for faculty members.
He asked members of the Board to approve this increase at this time in
order that salary increases could be effected on July 1, 1978. All faculty
salary information will be presented to the Board at its July meeting.
Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the 7 percent increase
for faculty was unanimously approved.
On motion made and seconded, the Faculty Appointments and Changes in
Status were unanimously approved. Dr. Ackell proposed that the Board approve
emeritus status for Dr. Henry I. Willett. On motion made and seconded,
Dr. Willett was unanimously appointed Professor Emeritus of Education.
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Mr. Guerdon presented the Report of Gifts, Grants and Contracts.
Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the Report of Gifts,
Grants and Contracts was unanimously approved.
On motion made and seconded, the contracts signed since the March
Board meeting were approved, with Messrs. McGehee and Norris abstaining.
Mrs. Satterfield, on behalf of the Academic Policy Committee, presented
a proposal to change the name of the Department of Hospital and Health
Administration to the Department of Health Administration and to change
the name of the degree from Masters in Hospital and Health Administration
to Masters in Health Administration. On motion made and seconded, the
aforementioned changes were unanimously approved.
Mr. McGehee reported on behalf of the Audit Committee. VCU has made
good progress in this area but still has more to accomplish. The financial
accounting system will be in effect on July 1, 1978. Following a discussion,
on motion made and seconded, the report of the Audit Committee was accepted.
The Hospital Committee report was presented by Mr. Grey. The committee
has been working on the financial situation in the hospital, reviewing all
the audits and looking into the nursing shortage problem. On motion made
and seconded, the report of the Hospital Committee was accepted.
Mr. Scott reported for the Property Committee. He indicated that the
committee had approved earlier plans for the renovation of the cafeteria
facilities in the Hibbs Building. Mr. Scott indicated that he would like
for all members of the Board to visit these facilities in the fall once they
are completed. He also distributed copies of a capital outlay summary which
all members of the Board should find informative. Mr. Scott stated that 200
additional parking spaces for students, faculty and staff have been acquired
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with the completion of the demolition on Floyd Avenue. This has helped to
ease the parking shortage on the Academic Campus. In addition, the adminis-
tration is still negotiating with the City for the two Mosque parking lots;
they should be coming to the Property Committee with a recommendation for
architects for the parking deck shortly. On motion made and seconded, the
report of the Property Committee was accepted.
Mr. Norris reported that the Student Affairs Committee met on April 11
with representatives of the Council on University Student Affairs and discussed student governance. A question which needs to be addressed is who
approves the establishment of a student government association on the Academic
Campus. This question was referred back to the Student Affairs Committee to
address. Mr. Norris continued that he hoped his committee would be able to
meet with the President shortly to get his views in the area of student government. On motion made and seconded, the report of the Student Affairs Committee
was accepted.
Dr. Blanton thanked Messrs. Bliley, Grey and Scott for their service
on the ad hoc affirmative action committee which proposed the resolution
approving the Virginia Plan for Equal Opportunity.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:20 p.m.
Approved:
Wyndham B. Blanton, Jr Rector
Anne P. Satterfield, Secretary
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
May 18, 1978
1. Dr. Timothy Langston, Dean of Student Services at VCU for the past
eight years, has resigned his position in order to assume the post
of Vice President for Student Affairs at Florida A. and M. University
in Tallahassee, Florida. Dr. Langston will assume his new post
July 1, 1978
2. Commencement - Dr. Ackell reported that approximately 3,150 degrees
were awarded at commencement on Saturday, May 13. It was the
largest one ever held and everything seemed to go smoothly. Miss
Pollak, Mr. and Mrs. Robins and Dr. Willett all seemed pleased with
their honors.
3. Evening College and Summer Sessions - Mr. John A. Mapp will be
retiring at the end of June, and the Evening College and Summer
Sessions will be headed by Mrs. Rozanne G. Epps who will be the
Director of the Evening College and Summer Sessions. The entire
operation will report to Dr. Howard L. Sparks, Associate Vice
President for Continuing Education
4. Cancer Center Campaign - To date, almost $896,000 has been collected
in the drive for the Cancer Center. The last major gift was $24,592
made by the Massey family. The goal is $2.3 million so we have
reached 39% of our goal. Of course, no interest is included in
these figures.
5. Alumni Association - Dr. Ackell reported that he had met with the
deans on the MCV Campus on a couple of occasions to talk about the
possibilities of structuring the Alumni Association to relate more
closely with the individual schools. The organizational structure
would consist of an overall umbrella association supplemented by
school organizations. Dr. Ackell also stated that he met with Dr.
Herbert Boyd, President of the MCV Alumni Association, who says he
is in agreement with what we are trying to do. Unfortunately, a
letter went out to members of the MCV Alumni Association from Dr.
Boyd stating that we were threatening that organization. It is
probably going to be a difficult job to get this accomplished, but
we continue to be hopeful.
6. Acquisition of Camp A. P. Hill - About 940 acres of Camp A. P. Hill
has been listed as excess property by the General Services Administration.
Agencies such as VCU can submit proposals to acquire the land free
of charge. The only stipulation is that it be used for educational
purposes for 20 years. At the end of that period of time, the
title would pass to us if we were successful in getting it in the
first place.
Some suggested uses for the land are:
1. Diabetic camp for children
2. Animal care facility
3. Recreational facilities
4. Continuing education facility
5. Study of geology
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7. Athletic Conference - We are exploring the possibility of joining
the Sun Belt Conference which requires us to have five sports in
addition to basketball. Our five sports include baseball, golf,
wrestling, swimming, and soccer.
Other schools in the conference are the University of South Florida,
University of South Alabama, University of North Carolina -Charlotte,
University of Jacksonville, University of New Orleans, Georgia
State University and the University of Alabama - Birmingham.
8. Plaques in Buses - Mr. John A. Mapp has suggested that VCU form a
non-profit company for the production of educational aids to help
the reading, word recognition and knowledge of elementary and high
school students. Display placards and cards would be put in school
buses (such as transit ads). Education students would prepare the
materials and business students could learn from the operations
end.
Mr. Ross is looking into the legal aspects of forming a non-profit
company. It is a new idea worth exploring.
9. Shaner Report - Dr. Ackell stated that the investigation made by
Donald Shaner and Associates at the request of the Higher Education
Study Commission (the Stone Commission) back in 1973 did not appear
to be a reliable document. No national formulae were used for such
things as space requirements--they made up their own figures instead.
They included space in old homes which had been condemned. Dr.
Ackell reported that he had been unable to get the VCU section of
the original report although he read the legal document and Dr.
Warren W. Brandt's response to the section on VCU. Now that Delegate
Archie Campbell has resurrected the study, some individuals are
trying to get political mileage from it. Dr. Ackell stated that it
is the worst educational report he has ever seen.
10. Standing Meetings of the Committees of the Board of Visitors - Dr.
Ackell reported that Mrs. Price is having a difficult time in
trying to schedule meetings of the committees. She makes numerous
telephone calls trying to get an agreed-upon date and time. The
Hospital Committee has established set meeting dates and times.
Dr. Ackell suggested this as a solution for all committees. If no
meeting is needed, it could easily be canceled. Another possibility
would be to have all of the committees meet the day before a Board
of Visitors meeting.
