MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
September 21, 1978
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University
was held on Thursday, September 21, 1978, at 9:00 a.m. in the Conference Room at
910 West Franklin Street.
Present were Drs. Blanton, Gayle, Johnson and Nemuth; Messrs. Bliley, Grey,
Scott and Shumate; and Mesdames Fewell and Satterfield. Absent were Messrs. Dabney,
Norris and Seaborn; and Mesdames Stone and Thalhimer. Also present were Drs. Ackell,
Beller, Brooke, Hall and Woods; Messrs. Bruegman, 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 Executive Committee, held June 20, 1978; a
Special Meeting of the Hospital Committee, held July 20, 1978; a Special Meeting
of the Hospital Committee, held August 17, 1978; and a Regular Meeting of the Board
of Visitors, held August 10, 1978, were unanimously approved.
Following the Report of the President, Mr. Ross presented the Legal Advisor's
report. Mr. Ross reported on the status of pending litigation against the University.
Mr. Ross presented a resolution concerning the Hospital Revenue Bonds and the Bond
Resolution. On motion made and seconded, the following resolution was approved:
WHEREAS, by Resolution of the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University Authorizing and Securing Medical College
of Virginia Hospital Revenue Bonds, ("Hospital Bond Resolution"}
adopted September 30, 1977, the Provost of the Medical College
of Virginia Campus of the University was invested with certain
powers, duties and responsibilities relating thereto; and,
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WHEREAS, the position of Provost of the Medical College of
Virginia Campus of the University has been vacated and shall
cease to exist as a position within the administration organi-
zation of the University;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of
Virginia Commonwealth University that for the purpose of the
Hospital Bond Resolution, adopted September 30, 1977, the
term "Provost" as used therein, shall be and is hereby defined
and designated as the Provost for Administration of Virginia
Commonwealth University;
And Be It Further RESOLVED that the said Provost for Adminis-
tration is hereby vested with all powers, duties and responsi-
bilities formerly vested, under the aforesaid Hospital Bond
Resolution, in the Provost of the Medical College of Virginia
Campus of the University.
Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the following resolution
was approved:
Be It RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of Virginia Common-
wealth University that the Provost for Administration of the
University, and the incumbent in that position, Ronald E. Beller,
and the Vice President for Finance of the University, and the
incumbent in that position, James G. Guerdon, and each of them
are hereby designated as fiscal officers by the said Board of
Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University for purposes of
the Resolution of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University Authorizing and Securing Medical College of Virginia
Hospital Revenue Bonds ("Hospital Bond Resolution"), adopted
September 30, 1977, and are, thereby, authorized and empowered
to perform all acts required of a fiscal officer in accordance
with the provisions of the aforesaid Hospital Bond Resolution.
Mr. S. Buford Scott presented a resolution in memory of Mr. Richard D. Obenshain,
a former member of the VCU Board of Visitors. On motion made and seconded, the
following resolution was approved:
When we remember Dick Obenshain
Our first image is of his ready smile and his boyish good looks,
his friendly manner, his sense of humor, his willingness to help, to
be part of the team.
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But there was something more . .
When you discussed higher education with Dick Obenshain, he drew
upon a broad background of experience from the days when his father
taught at Virginia Tech, from his own experiences at Bridgewater
College, where he received his Bachelor's degree in 1956, to New
York University, from which he received his law degree in 1959.
This experience was applied in a quiet, forceful, studious manner,
for two four-year terms, to the distinct benefit of Virginia
Commonwealth University -- an exciting, emerging, urban oriented
institution, its new role not unlike the life of Dick Obenshain,
who became Secretary of its Board of Visitors, and served it well.
But again, there was something more .
When you discussed politics with Dick Obenshain, you came closer
to the heart of the man. He, too, had a dream. A dream of building
the Republican Party in Virginia into an organization which was
responsive to the needs of people, an organization which could do
more than participate in elections -- an organization which could
win. To this dream he devoted much of the last 18 of his
42 years.
He was elected Chairman of the Virginia Young Republicans in
1961, Delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1964. He
ran for the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican in 1964.
He ran for Attorney General of Virginia as a Republican in 1969.
He was elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia in
1972. President Ford appointed him Co-Chairman of the Republican
National Committee in 1974, in which position he served until 1976.
In June, 1978, Dick Obenshain, at the largest state nominating
convention ever held in the United States, was nominated by the
Republican Party of Virginia, to be its candidate to become the
next U.S. Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia.
But even after this, there was something more . .
Something which, to all of us who knew him and to those in the
future who will know of him will always set him apart from the
great majority of men and women.
Something which we, his fellow members of the Board of Visitors
of Virginia Commonwealth University, gathered here on September 21,
1978, in great sadness at his departure from us, but in great joy
for his presence among us, past and future, do acknowledge to be
a quality of Dick Obenshain that is most to be admired in his life,
and exemplified, in our lives,
his absolute integrity.
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We further ask that a copy of this resolution be sent to his
wife, Helen, and to his children, Mark, Anne Scott, and Kate,
with our most heartfelt and sincere expression of sadness as a
result of his death, and our wishes that they, as we, will try
to carry on in the example he has set for us, for the remainder
of our lives.
It was requested that copies of this resolution be made available to both
VCU Today and the Commonwealth Times.
Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the Faculty Appointments
and Changes in Status were approved. Dr. Gayle raised a question concerning the
appointment of fellows to the faculty. Dr. Woods indicated that only select
second-year fellows are appointed to the faculty.
Mr. Guerdon presented the Report of Gifts, Grants and Contracts. On motion
made and seconded, the Report of Gifts, Grants and Contracts was approved.
Mr. Guerdon also presented a list of those contracts signed since the
August meeting of the Board. Mrs. Satterfield raised a question concerning the
cost for painting Ritter-Hickok. Dr. Ackell indicated that he would look into
the matter. Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the report of
the contracts signed since the August Board meeting was accepted by the Board.
In reporting for the Academic Policy Committee, Mrs. Satterfield presented
the School of Education reorganization plan. Basically, the school will now have
divisions rather than departments and will make full utilization of its core faculty.
In addition, the three centers within the school will be coordinated by one person.
This item was presented for information only. The second item discussed, as reported
by Mrs. Satterfield, was the Faculty Grievance document. After several years of use,
it was felt that some "housekeeping" changes needed to be made. The major changes
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included dividing the grievances into Type I and Type II and the election of de-
partment chairmen to the School Boards. Following a discussion, on motion made
and seconded, the Faculty Grievance document was approved as presented.
The Audit Committee had no report to make at this time. Dr. Beller did re-
port that there have been some problems in getting the state to regrade the manager
of internal auditing position to a salary that is compatible with the private sector.
The Board expressed its concern over the State's slowness in processing this re-
quest. Dr. Beller reported that Peat, Marwick and Mitchell had been employed to
audit specific areas of the University until the internal audit function is more
appropriately staffed.
Mr. Grey reported on behalf of the Hospital Committee. He reported that the
patient days are down significantly as is the hospital revenue. Budget adjustments
will have to be made accordingly. Overall, the financial situation is fair to poor.
However, corrective action is being taken by Dr. Beller and his staff. With regard
to the nursing situation, it now appears that recruitment is keeping pace with
terminations. Mr. Grey reported that one audit had been reviewed and accepted by
the hospital committee. Dr. Ackell reported that one bottleneck is in the operating
room where there is not enough differential in pay between O.R. nurses and floor
nurses. We are working with the State to try to ease this situation. Dr. Ackell
also reported that we will have to take a hard look at the number of beds at MCVH
With the construction of the new hospital, we will have 1,054 beds and realistically
we need only 800 to 900 beds. Mr. Grey pointed out that there are a number of beds
currently that do not produce enough revenue such as those in the Nelson Clinic.
An MCV committee is now looking at total bed needs.
A question was raised concerning a management institute which was formed between
the MCV Foundation and Booz, Allen & Hamilton. Dr. Ackell indicated that he had
a letter from Mr. Fleet of the MCV Foundation concerning this institute and that he
had recommended to Mr. Fleet that this institute be discontinued until the top manage
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ment on the MCV Campus had been hired and on the job. Dr. Ackell reported that he
did not feel that it was feasible to continue with the institute under the present
circumstances.
Mr. Scott reported on behalf of the Property Committee. He reported that the
main item considered by his committee concerned the use of $1 million of the student
facilities fee to complete our total land acquisition package. On motion made and
seconded, the use of $1,050,175 of the student facilities fee for land acquisition
was approved. Mr. Scott reported that his committee also recommended
approval for the administration to proceed with certain construction projects on
both campuses and the selection of architects for each project. These projects in-
clude:
Field House and Site Work
Recommendation: Marcellus, Wright, Cox and Ladd
Alternate: Glave, Newman and Anderson
Life Sciences Building Renovation
Recommendation: Lee, King, Poole, and White
Parking Deck (Academic Campus)
Recommendation: Odell Associates
Alternate: Hardwicke and Associates
Low-Rise Dormitory, Phase II
Recommendation: Glave, Newman and Anderson
Flammable Liquid and Gas Storage
Recommendation: Lee, King, Poole, and White
Egyptian Building Renovation
Recommendation: Glave, Newman and Anderson
Alternate: Rawlings and Wilson
Parking Deck C (MCV Campus)
Recommendation: Wilbur Smith and Associates
Alternate: Jones and Strange-Boston
On motion made and seconded, the report of the Property Committee was
accepted by the Board.
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Dr. Ackell announced that the reception for members of the General Assembly
would be held on Friday, September 22, 1978, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the
Larrick Student Center.
Dr. Gayle reported that the Student Affairs Committee did not have a report
to make at this time.
Dr. Blanton asked if the administration was aware that an outside agency was
soliciting for the VCU basketball team. Dr. Ackell indicated that we would check
into this promptly.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
Approved:
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
September 21, 1978
1. Sad News - We have lost two students in very sad accidents. Yesterday, a
student drowned in the pool on the Academic Campus. We are not sure how
it happened, but he was supposed to be in a swimming class from 9 to 9:45.
Roll was not called so we do not know if he was in class or not. The pool
was checked after class by the instructor and two assistants. The instructor
stayed afterwards with his son and, when they got ready to leave, the pool
was checked again and then the doors locked. At 11 a.m., another swimming
class arrived and the body was found at the bottom of the pool.
In Virginia Beach two weeks ago, a student was murdered by her husband
and then he committed suicide. We do not have any further details on
this incident.
2. Shaner Report - The Shaner Report is in the news again. This report is very
inaccurate and is just a political move on the part of Delegate Campbell.
In Shaner's space allocation study, all space was included, even unusable
space.
3. Directives from Governor's Office - We have received still another directive
from the Governor's office. This one deals with having all grants approved
by the appropriate secretary before they are submitted. Grant overhead funds
(monies received from the Federal government for administering the grant) are
deposited in the State treasury. If the number of research grants are reduced,
the amount of funds to the State and University will also be reduced.
4. Council of Visitors' Meeting - The Council of Visitors called a meeting for
October 30 in Williamsburg. Since that time, the Governor has called a meeting
of his Board appointees and reappointees, rectors and presidents for October 25.
The head of the North Carolina superboard has been invited to speak.
5. Physical Moves and Renovations - The past six months have brought massive moves
and renovations, most of which are still incomplete. As you know, we have no
"swing space" so we must move people and renovate at the same time. It is of
course, much harder to renovate a facility around people. One of the
major changes taking place involves the cafeterias in the Hibbs Building. The
students have been very understanding of the renovations and are looking forward
to the "new" space.
6. Enrollment - We are up in most of the categories in enrollment. From the Fall
of 1977, we are up 288 to 18,386 for total enrollment. The SREB shows Virginia
with an increase in population and the number of college-age students while
the nation as a whole shows a decline.
7. Sun Belt Conference - A site visit will be made by the Sun Belt Conference on
October 2 and 3. All the schools involved in this conference have basketball
as their major sport. VCU has no plans to field a football team.
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Tidbits
We just received an additional $100,000 to expand and support
the Alfred L. Blake Chair of Real Estate.
The dual J.D./M.S.W. program with the University of Richmond is
off to a good start.
Registration and the start' of classes seemed to go more smoothly
than ever.
Dentistry received a $249,000 award to establish a clinical re-
search center for periodontal disease in cooperation with VPI.
It is one of three in the country.
The search for the Executive Director of the Hospital is well
underway. The search advisory committee, chaired by Lazar
Greenfield, has six to eight excellent candidates.
VCU made the top 100 institutions receiving federal dollars for
research and development expenditures. VPI&SU was 62nd, UVA was
67th and VCU was 96th.
Health Sciences Building - A meeting with the Governor and Secretaries
Gilley, Walker and Rowe has been scheduled for October 10 at 9:15 a.m.
We hope to get a determination on the old First Baptist Church -- one
way or the other. Dr. Ackell will be attending the national pharmacy
meeting in Chicago in January to discuss our pharmacy school and its
accreditation. We hope the Governor will approve one of our alternate
plans for the health sciences building.
