MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
January 18, 1979
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University
was held on Thursday, January 18, 1979, at 9:00 a.m. in the Conference Room at 910
West Franklin Street.
Present were Drs. Blanton, Gayle, Johnson and Nemuth; Messrs. Dabney, Norris,
Scott, Seaborn and Shumate; and Mesdames Fewell, Satterfield, Stone and Thalhimer.
Absent were Messrs. Bliley and Grey. Also present were Drs. Ackell, Beller, Brooke,
Hall, Wilson and Woods; Messrs. Bruegman, Guerdon and Ross; Miss Cosby and Mrs. Price.
Dr. Blanton called the meeting to order and, on motion made and seconded, the
Minutes of a Special Meeting of the Student Affairs Committee, held October 3, 1978;
Special Meeting of the Hospital Committee, held November 2, 1978; Special Meeting of
the Property Committee, held November 10, 1978; Special Meeting of the Academic Policy
Committee, held November 15, 1978; Regular Meeting of the Board of Visitors, held
November 16, 1978; and Special Meeting of the Student Affairs Committee, held November
21, 1978, were approved.
During the Report of the President, the item of reorganization of the Department
of Pathology was mentioned by Dr. Ackell. He requested that the Board let him know
how reorganizations of the various departments and divisions within the University
should be reported. It was the consensus of the Board that these items of reorganiza-
tions of various departments be presented for information only.
Also during the Report of the President, the Oregon Hill situation was discussed in detail. The Board agreed that the land acquisition program should con-
tinue as outlined in VCU's Master Site Plan. However, the Board requested that the
members of the Oregon Hill Community that are affected by this expansion be treated
in a fair and just manner. The rector announced that a press conference would be
held following today's meeting.
The Report of the Legal Advisor was postponed until the Executive Session of
the Board following the meeting.
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Mr. Ross presented a resolution concerning the authority of campus police
officers to request the removal of persons from University property. On motion
made and seconded, the following resolution was approved:
WHEREAS, the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University
has previously authorized the establishment of a campus police depart-
ment for Virginia Commonwealth University and has authorized the employ-
ment of campus police officers, all in accordance with the provisions
of the Virginia Campus Police Act (Sections 23-232 through 23-238, Code
of Virginia (1950), as amended); and
WHEREAS, Section 18.2-129, Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, provides,
in pertinent part, that "(a)ny person, whether or not a student, directed
to leave the premises of any institution of higher learning by a person
duly_ authorized to give such direction and who fails to do so shall be
guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor." (emphasis added);
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the said Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University, that all persons who are presently appointed and
employed and those who may hereafter be appointed and employed as campus
police officers of Virginia Commonwealth University are hereby authorized
to give direction to leave and/or vacate the premises of Virginia Common-
wealth University in accordance with the provisions of Section 18.2-129,
Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, when such persons deem it necessary
and appropriate to do so.
On motion made and seconded, the Faculty Appointments and Changes in Status
were approved.
Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the Report of Gifts, Grants
and Contracts was approved. Mr. Scott noted the gift by Mr. and Mrs. Charles G.
Thalhimer to the men's basketball team.
On motion made and seconded, the Contracts signed since the November meeting
were affirmed by the Board.
Mr. Guerdon presented a resolution concerning the Isaac Davenport estate. On
motion made and seconded, the following resolution was approved:
WHEREAS, the Virginia Commonwealth University administers income
received from the Estate of Isaac Davenport and is required to certify
each year to the Virginia National Bank, as to the handling of these
funds;
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BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University that the income from the Davenport Estate has been applied
strictly in accordance with the terms of the Will during the Fiscal
Year 1978; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all future remittances from said Estate
will be applied likewise.
It was requested that the intent of the estate with regard to distributing
the funds be examined and brought to the next meeting of the Board of Visitors.
Mrs. Satterfield reported for the Academic Policy Committee. She indicated
that her committee had met with the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate for
dinner and had had a very productive meeting.
Regarding the Honorary Degree Committee, Mrs. Satterfield indicated that this
committee had met twice during the previous fall and there needs to be a slight
change in the guidelines.
Mr. Seaborn reported on behalf of the Audit Committee who had met recently with
representatives of Peat, Marwick & Mitchell and with Mr. Charles Trible, Auditor of
Public Accounts. Mr. Seaborn reported that there was a point by point review of the
deficiencies of the University. Mrs. Thalhimer stated that Mr. Possentti of PM&M
noted that the leadership in the administration has improved tremendously over the
last year and improvements in the financial area have been substantial. Dr. Beller
noted that the University received an unqualified opinion with respect to its finan-
cial statements. Dr. Beller also reported that a federally mandated reporting system
for the hospitals is to be implemented by July 1, 1980. This system is extremely
expensive and has not been tested thoroughly. On motion made, seconded, and approved,
Dr. Ackell was requested to draft a resolution for the Board opposing the timing of the
SUR system and requesting additional study before implementation. On motion made
and seconded, the Audit Committee report was accepted by the Board.
Dr. Blanton reported that the Executive Committee had not met since the last
Board meeting.
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Mr. Scott reported on behalf of the Property Committee. He indicated that
his committee had reviewed the proposed new site for the Pharmacy/Pharmacology
Building at 12th and Clay Streets. They also had reviewed the additional funding
needed from the General Assembly for the Music/Theatre Building. Mr. Scott also
reported that Dr. Ackell would be meeting with representatives of Grace & Holy
Trinity Church and the Roman Catholic Bishop to discuss the Student Commons Building,
parking and two lots that VCU wishes to acquire from Grace & Holy Trinity. Mr. Scott
stated that Dr. Vasile had signed an invalid contract with Ellerbe to do additional
work on the new hospital. On advice from the Attorney General and the Division of
Engineering and Buildings, VCU has refused to pay $195,000 of the total bill. Mr.
Scott continued that Dr. Ackell would be visiting with Mr. Coleman McGehee to ask
F&M Bank to donate the property at the corner of Harrison and Floyd to VCU. Mr.
Scott reported that the Property Committee had reviewed a construction and renovation
update and had agreed to meet in late February or early March to review Capital Outlay
requests. All interested Board members are invited to attend this meeting. On
motion made and seconded, the Report of the Property Committee was accepted.
Mr. Norris reported for the Student Affairs Committee. He indicated that at
their last meeting they heard a report from the Placement Office, which has coordinated
hundreds of companies coming to campus to conduct interviews, and from the Financial
Aid Office which handled $10 million in financial aid for VCU students last year.
Mr. Norris reported that Mr. Ken Ender has been working with the students who are
interested in forming a student government on the Academic Campus. The students are
having trouble getting geared up following the holiday break. On motion made and
seconded, the report of the Student Affairs Committee was accepted.
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Dr. Gayle reported for the Hospital Committee. He indicated that the Hospital
Committee had interviewed all three of the final candidates for the Executive Director
of MCVH and they were impressed with all of them. The Hospital Committee reviewed a
tape from a local television station of an interview with a recent MCVH patient. The
patient had several complaints regarding her care at MCVH. She specifically pointed
out that the nurses appeared to be overworked and unable to handle all the patients
on the floor. Dr. Beller briefly reviewed the hospital budget. Dr. Gayle reported
that one of the candidates for the directorship of the hospital had indicated the
Health Information System (HIS) being installed at the hospital was not the best and
he hoped that he would not be responsible for its success or failure. Dr. Beller re-
sponded that it was not the best of the systems available; however, a commitment
has been made to install this system and to see that it works. The report of the
Hospital Committee, on motion made and seconded, was accepted.
On majority vote of the Board, an Executive Session was held.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 p.m.
Approved:
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
January 18, 1979
1. Commencement - Dr. Ackell reported that Congressman Paul Rogers will
be the commencement speaker this year.
2. Legislative Breakfast - Dr. Ackell stated that a breakfast was held
for members of the Richmond area legislators and key members of the
administration. The purpose of this meeting was to ask for their con-
tinued support. It was a brief and enjoyable occasion.
3. Pharmacy/Pharmacology Building - Dr. Ackell reported that Mr. Robins
had indicated he would not be able to continue his pledge of $3 million
since the planning was not progressing very quickly. Dr. Ackell stated
that he and Dr. Willett had met with Mr. Robins and he agreed to think
about the contribution and let us know how much of the $3 million he
will continue. Dr. Ackell reported that he and Mr. Robins are to have
lunch in the near future.
4. Library Deficiency - A supplement to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, "School
and College Guide," was recently published. One interesting fact is that
our libraries have 464,046 volumes as compared to UVA's 2 million volumes
and VPI&SU's 1.2 million volumes.
5. Virginia Hospital Laundry Board - Dr. Ackell reported that in November,
the VCU Board elected Mr. James G. Guerdon to the Virginia Hospital Laundry
Board. Mr. Ross checked into the records and could find nothing that would
indicate any problems with Mr. Guerdon's serving. Dr. Ackell also reported
that the operating functions at the Laundry are going a little better now
that they are better organized.
6. Swimming Pool Safety - Dr. Ackell reported that we had hired Douglas
Aquatics, a management and construction company, to inspect our swimming
pool. They found our pool to be in accordance with all local, state and
national standards. The underwater lighting and the lighting for the
deck areas both exceed the minimum standard by three times.
Dr. Ackell also reported that Dr. Ruch, Dean of the School of Education,
was asked to review the safety procedures with the faculty of the Physical
Education Department. He found that, for classes and non-classes, a
swimmer must leave his I.D. card with the lifeguard before entering the
pool and pick it up on his way out. If he fails to pick up his I.D. card
when he leaves, he will not be allowed to swim for one week. Additionally,
in classes, the roll is called and the swimmers are in groups of no less
than three people. At the end of class, the students are again counted,
the instructor searches the pool and then locks the door.
7. Duval Street Extension - Dr. Ackell reported that at the last Board meeting,
a question had been asked concerning Duval Street. This street was con-
structed on land owned by the university and by the State Mental Health De-
partment. We have an easement from the State Mental Health Board. The
construction of the road was financed through the use of revenue bond
supported by MCV Campus parking fees. It appears that the State Highway
Department will maintain the road but we have not reached final agreement
with them.
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8. Department of Pathology - Dr. Ackell indicated that the Department of
Pathology has had four divisions -- academic, clinical, surgical and
neuropathological. There has been a national trend toward consolidation
in pathology particularly with shrinking resources, changing patterns of
research funding and educational accountability, and the shifting role of
pathology in the scientific and health care community. Accordingly, we
have abolished the four divisions.
9. Freedom of Information Act - The Freedom of Information Act was passed by
the House of Delegates last week and by the Senate, with amendments, this
week. The amendments have to be ratified by the House and then the bill
signed by the Governor. This will make all meetings of the Board of
Visitors open to the public. Dr. Ackell reported that he was sorry none
of our Board members was present to speak against this bill.
10. Development Study - Dr. Ackell reported that the consultants are now finished
all of their interviews and we should be receiving a written report in
February.
11. Search for MCVH Executive Director - Dr. Ackell reported that three candidates
had been brought back for a second interview. All three candidates are in-
terested in corning to VCU. A decision should be made in the near future.
12. Parking Deck - Dr. Ackell reported that there had been some problems with
communications between the Mayor and members of the city administration.
An agreement had been reached between VCU and the Mayor. However, this
agreement was never relayed to the appropriate city administrators. Dr.
Ackell reported that he had met with Mayor Marsh and Councilman Rennie
and they now have worked things out satisfactorily.
13. MCV Alumni Association - Dr. Ackell reported that he has had serious doubts
about the way the MCV Alumni Association was formed and operated. They con-
tribute nothing to the growth and development of the university. Dr. Ackell
reported that he has met with some members of their board and with our deans
and scheduled meetings of representatives of those two groups to meet to try
to resolve our differences. Dr. Ackell reported that we are continuing to
work on it, but we may end up with two MCV Alumni Associations -- one
affiliated with the university and one not.
14. Grants and Contracts - Dr. Ackell reported that during the first six months
of fiscal year 1978-79, we have received $16.5 million in grants and con-
tracts as compared to last year's total of $19.5 million.
15. "City I" - "City I," the first annual city-wide arts festival, will be held
March 29-April 1. The School of the Arts hopes to enrich its present and
potential audiences in both the visual and performing arts. Virginia National
Bank will host a party at the Mosque on March 28 (to which all Board members
will be invited) to kick off the festival.
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16 Oregon Hill - Dr. Ackell reported that we had had come problems concerning
our land acquisition program. Dr. Ackell indicated that he had agreed to
meet with Mr. Earl Jenkins, Chairman of the Save Our Homes Committee, to
help him understand the opportunities available to him. The agreement
was that the meeting would be private and that Mr. Jenkins would not try
to stir up additional controversy. When Mr. Jenkins failed to live up to
his part of the agreement, Dr. Ackell canceled the meeting.
Dr. Ackell indicated that this had been in our Master Site Plan for many
years and that one of the main reasons for selecting this site is because
the old city auditorium is located there.
Mr. Bruegman reported that the state relocation policy is very liberal
and fair. However, there is a strong emotional factor that cannot be
overlooked. We have hired graduate social work students to work as
counselors in Oregon Hill. With regard to the relocation policy, the
fair market value of the house is offered plus up to $15,000 to find
comparable housing. There is also an allowance for moving expenses and
an allowance for renters. Mr. Bruegman reported that of the 95 parcels,
82 are residential. Of this figure, 27 homes are owner/occupied and 55
are tenant/occupied. Mr. Bruegman also reported that most of the people
are interested in selling to the university.
17 Wednesday Evening Meeting - Dr. Ackell reported that there will be an
evening meeting of the Board on March 14 at 6 p.m. for an update on the
financial accounting system.
