[1979-05-16] Minutes of a special meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University May 16, 1979.

              MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS OF

               VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY

                    May 16, 1979


     A special meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University 

  was held on Wednesday, May 16, 1979, at 6:00 p.m. in the Sanger Hall Board Room.

     Present were Drs. Gayle, Johnson and Nemuth; Messrs. Bliley, Dabney, Grey, Scott, 

  Seaborn and Shumate; and Mesdames Fewell, Satterfield, Stone and Thalhimer. Absent 

  were Dr. Blanton and Mr. Norris. Also present were Drs. Ackell, Beller, Brooke, 

  Hall, Wilson and Woods; Messrs. Bruegman, Guerdon, and Ross; Miss Cosby and Mrs. 

  Price.

     Following a walking tour of the MCV Campus and dinner, Mr. Scott expressed the 

  appreciation of all Board members for the outstanding service of Messrs. Dabney and 

  Norris and Mrs. Stone. Mr. Grey expressed the Board's appreciation to Mr. Scott who 

  will also be leaving the Board. Mr. Ross presented a brief outline dealing with the 

  requirements of the "Virginia Freedom of Information Act" which will go into effect

  on July 1, 1979. Mr. Ross reported that minutes must be taken at all public meetings. 

  In addition, information as to time and place of each meeting must be furnished to 

  any citizen of Virginia who requests such information. Such notification must be 

  made on a continual basis to any person or organization who makes such a request at 

  least annually and who provides his/her name, address, zip code and an adequate 

  supply of stamped, self-addressed envelopes.




     Mr. Ross stated that "executive" or "closed" meetings may be held for the following purposes only:
:
        Discussion or consideration of employment matters, including 
        appointments, assignments, promotions, performance, demotion, 
        salary, disciplinary action or resignation.

        Discussion and evaluation of the performance of departments 
        or schools where individual employees may be affected by the 
        evaluation process.
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      Discussion or consideration of admission or disciplinary 
   • 
      matters concerning any student or students. However, an 

      affected student and his/her legal counsel (and parents/ 

      guardians of minor) may be present at any such discussion 




      the presiding officer.
      or consideration if request is submitted in writing to 



      Discussion or consideration of the condition, acquisition 

      or use of real property for public purposes or the disposition of publicly held property or of plans for the




      future (of the University) which could affect the value 

      of the property owned or desirable for ownership.




      To protect the privacy of individuals in personal matters 
   • 
      not related to public business.




      Investing of public funds where competition or bargaining 
   • 
      is involved where, if made public, the financial in- 

      terests of the (University) would be adversely affected.




      Consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff 
   • 
      members regarding actual or potential litigation and 

      other legal matters within the jurisdiction of the 

      (University).




      Discussion or consideration of gifts, bequests and fund- 

      raising activities, and grants and contracts for services 

      or work to be performed by (the University).




      Discussion or consideration of honorary degrees.




   Mr. Ross emphasized that discussions in executive session must be restricted 




to matters specifically exempted. No resolution, rule, regulation, motion, etc., 




adopted, passed or agreed to shall be effective unless the public body reconvenes 




in public session following the executive session and takes a vote on the resolu- 




tion, regulation, motion, etc.




   Mr. Ross also reviewed official records which would be open for inspection and 




those excluded from public access/disclosure.




   Mr. Ross reported that all committee meetings of the Board would be open to the 




public. In response to a question, Mr. Ross stated that "called" meetings of the 




board would also be open to the public. A special notice would have to be sent; 




however, no time limit is specified in the law between the time the notice is sent
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and the time of the meeting. The notice would need to be sent as soon as the date 
for the "called" meeting is established.
    In response to a question concerning rowdy spectators, Mr. Ross indicated that 
the Board can establish ground rules of how the meetings will be run. For instance,
a Sergeant-At-Arms could be appointed by the Board to deal with such a situation. 
Another item to consider is whether or not TV cameras are disruptive to the meeting
and whether or not spectators will be allowed to address the Board.
    The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.




Approved:


Wyndham . Blanton, Jr., or