MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
September 20, 1979
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University was held on Thursday, September 20, 1979, at 9:00 a.m. in
the School of Business Auditorium at 1015 Floyd Avenue.
Present were Drs. Blanton, Butt, Gayle, Johnson and Nemuth; Messrs.
Balfour, Bliley, Grey, Seaborn, Shumate and Wyatt; and Mesdames Bemiss,
Fewell, Satterfield and Thalhimer. Also present were Drs. Ackell, Beller,
Hall, Wilson and Woods; Messrs. Bruegman, Guerdon and Ross; Miss Cosby and
Miss Mills.
Dr. Blanton called the meeting to order and apologized for the
ten minute delay in starting the meeting. At this time members of the
Save Our Homes Organization asked for recognition. Dr. Blanton proceeded
with the first order of business as that organization left the auditorium.
On motion made and seconded, the following minutes were approved:
Regular Meeting of the Audit Committee, held June 29, 1979; Regular Meeting
of the Board of Visitors; held July 19, 1979; Regular Meeting of the
Hospital Committee, held August 23, 1979; Regular Meeting of the Property
Committee, held August 27, 1979; Regular Meeting of the Student Affairs
Committee, held September 6, 1979; and Regular Meeting of the Audit Com-
mittee, held September 11, 1979.
The Proposed Policies and Procedures for Open Meetings were approved
on motion made and seconded.
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The Report of the President followed. Dr. Ackell presented these
issues to the Board:
1. The search for the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences is
underway. Interviews with candidates will be taking place over
the next several weeks and we hope to have a Dean selected by
the end of the semester.
2. On Saturday, September 15, 1979, Dr. Ackell and various university
administrators attended the Faculty Senate Retreat. Mrs. Satterfield
and Mrs. Thalhimer also attended the Retreat. Dr. Ackell felt that
it was a good opportunity to meet and discuss areas of importance
with members of the Faculty Senate. One area that was of concern
to the Faculty Senate was the communications breakdown within the
various schools and departments. The University administration
plans to utilize the "VCU Today" publication as an organ of communi-
cation. This is published every two weeks and has wide distribution
on both campuses.
Mrs. Satterfield commented that she felt the Retreat was very
successful. Mrs. Thalhimer was pleased with the joint attitude
of both campuses.
3. Dr. Ackell reported that Virginia National Bank has installed a
card banking system in the Hibbs Building as a service to students
and employees.
4. The dental school programs will be visited and reviewed by an
on-site team next week from the Commission on Accreditation of
the American Dental Association.
5. Dr. Ackell reported on this year's athletic program. We have
13 teams involved in intercollegiate competition. These include
women's sports consisting of volleyball, field hockey, basketball,
tennis, swimming and men's teams of soccer, wrestling, basketball,
golf, tennis, swimming, baseball and cross-country. He also reported
that two of the men's games will be televised regionally.
6. The April performance of Mr. Frantisek Smetana will be broadcast as
part of the Recital Hall Series of the National Public Radio system
on WRFK radio station sometime in December. Dr. Ackell will inform
the Board of the exact date once it becomes known.
7. VCU is the only institution in the country investigating the effects
of carbon dioxide laser beams on tissue in surgery. We are one of
two institutions to use it in surgery. Carbon dioxide laser beams
vaporize tissues.
8. The School of Social Work has just been awarded a grant for $200,000
for each of five years by HEW. It is a Child Welfare Training Grant
to establish a Region III training center. Region III encompasses
Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the
District of Columbia.
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9. Dr. Ackell reported that the Presidents of Old Dominion University
and George Mason University joined him at a meeting with legislators
of this area to present some key issues for urban institutions.
These issues include: libraries' acquisitions, residence hall facilitates for students, support services, salaries, and the 70/30 Plan.
Dr. Ackell will also be joining these presidents at meetings in
their areas. Dr. Blanton commented briefly on the meeting and was
pleased to participate. He suggested that Dr. Ackell provide the
Board members with the handout that was distributed to the legis-
lators.
Mr. James Guerdon reported on Contract Signed Since the July Board
of Visitors' meeting. On motion made and seconded, the Reports of Contracts
Signed Since the July Board Meeting were approved with Messrs. Grey and
Shumate abstaining.
Mr. Donald Bruegman presented the Mission Explication statement.
This proposed statement is drawn up for inclusion in The Virginia Plan
to be published by State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
Mr. Bruegman informed the Board that this statement is an updated version
of an earlier Mission Statement and the format is prescribed by the State
Council. Following discussion, on motion made and seconded, the Mission
Explication Statement was approved with the understanding that Mrs. Bemiss'
comment, that the primary objective of the institution is to provide a
broad based education, is to be included in the Statement.
Mr. Guerdon presented a resolution for a loan for the Student Commons
Building. On motion made and seconded, the following resolution was approved:
WHEREAS, Virginia Commonwealth University has received the necessary
authorization and approval to proceed with the construction of the capital
construction project titled, "Student Commons Building" (the "Project");
WHEREAS, permanent financing of the Project will be achieved through
the issuance of revenue bonds, which will be issued upon the completion of
the construction of the Project; and
WHEREAS, it will be necessary to secure temporary and interim financing
for construction of the Project;
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Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University, that the Vice President for Finance be and
is hereby authorized to secure an interim loan in an amount not to
exceed $5,862,800 from the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia
to finance the construction of the Project, such loan to be repaid
from the proceeds of the revenue bonds which shall be issued upon
the completion of construction of the Project.
Mr. Guerdon presented a resolution for signature authorization.
On motion made and seconded, the following resolution was approved:
WHEREAS, the Treasurer of Virginia Commonwealth University,
W. Carter Childress, retired on June 30, 1979, and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University that the person who holds the office of Treasurer
of Virginia Commonwealth University be vested with the authority to sign
and execute checks, drafts and other similar orders for the payment of
monies from any and all accounts, funds and other similar sources owned,
controlled, maintained by or entrusted to the University;
NOW THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University that the newly appointed Treasurer, Mr. F. W. Taylor
be and is hereby authorized, in furtherance of the proper business and
financial affairs of the University, to sign and execute, checks, drafts,
and other such documents and orders as may be necessary to facilitate the
payment of monies from any and all accounts, funds or other similar sources
owned, controlled, maintained by or entrusted to Virginia Commonwealth
University.
Dr. Blanton asked Mr. Guerdon to prepare a resolution commending
Mr. W. Carter Childress, retired Treasurer, for his loyal service to the
University and the Board of Visitors.
Dr. Blanton reported that the Executive Committee of the Board of
Visitors had not met and had no report for the Board.
Mrs. Satterfield reported that the Academic Policy Committee of the
Board of Visitors had not met and also had no report at this time.
Mr. Seaborn presented the Report of the Audit Committee. At their
last meeting on September 11, 1979, they met with Mr. James Johnson,
Internal Audit Director. Discussion at this meeting was centered around
the functions of this department and the present staff of his department.
Mr. Seaborn stated that he plans to keep the Board of Visitors advised
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of this department's audit reports as they become available. This
committee is also planning to meet with members of the Peat, Marwick,
and Mitchell staff to develop a better understanding of the function and
responsibilities of the Internal Audit Department. On motion made
and seconded, the report of the Audit Committee was approved.
Mr. Grey gave the Report of the Hospital Committee. He reported
that the hospital is in a much better financial condition than it was
one year ago. The number of patient days are up, as are the number of
professional nurses on the staff. He indicated to the Board that a
reduction in State funds on a percentage basis will be a future area of
concern for the hospital. He reported that the new hospital administration
is completed. The hospital construction projects has a planned completion
date of March, 1981, but Mr. Grey feels we will have a more realistic
date within three to four weeks. He reported that MCV Hospital had received
a one-year accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of
Hospitals. Following discussion, on motion made and seconded, the report
of the Hospital Committee was approved.
Dr. Gayle presented the Report of the Student Affairs Committee.
The meeting on September 6, 1979, was primarily to familiarize the new
members of the Committee with the Student Affairs area. Dr. Gayle remarked
that this committee plans to keep an eye on the progress of the student
government on the Academic Campus. Following discussion, on motion made
and seconded, the report of the Student Affairs Committee was approved.
On motion made and seconded, the Board went into executive session
to discuss certain personnel matters involving the performance of identifiable
employees or faculty of VCU, and to discuss pending litigation with our
attorney, and to discuss the condition, acquisition, and use of real
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property, and to discuss matters relating to gifts, bequests, and fund
raising activities as authorized by section 2.1 - 344 a(1), a(2), a(6),
and a(7) of the Freedom of Information Act.
The Board of Visitors reconvened in public session at 12:45 p.m. The
Report of the Legal Advisor, Faculty Appointments and Changes in Status,
Report of Gifts, Grants and Contracts, Report of the Property Committee
and Appointment of Continuing Faculty were approved on motion made and
seconded. Dr. Blanton noted that during the executive session of the meeting
he had expressed to the members of the Board of Visitors the concern of
students with regard to property acquisition.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:55 p.m.
James L. Seaborn, Jr. Secretary
Approved:
