MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
May 24, 1980
A special meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University was held on Saturday, May 24, 1980, at 9:00 a.m. in the Conference Room
at 910 West Franklin Street.
Present were Drs. Blanton, Gayle, Johnson and Nemuth; Messrs. Balfour, Grey,
Ludeman, Seaborn, Shumate and Wyatt; and Mesdames Bemiss, Satterfield and Thalhimer.
Absent were Dr. Butt and Mrs. Fewell. Also present were Dr. Ackell, Mr. Ross, Miss
Cosby and Mrs. Price.
On motion made, seconded and approved the Board went into executive session to
discuss certain personnel matters involving the performance of identifiable employees
or faculty of Virginia Commonwealth University as authorized by Section 2.1-344 a(1)
of the Freedom of Information Act.
A press conference was held following the executive session and Dr. Blanton
read the following statement:
Since the May 22, 1980, opinion of Attorney General Marshall
Coleman concerning Dr. Ackell's service on the Board of Directors
of Whittaker Corporation, I have conferred with Dr. Ackell and
with the members of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Common-
wealth University ("VCU").
The news accounts relating to this matter imply that Dr. Ackell
has been guilty of concealing information or other wrongdoing.
The Board of Visitors of VCU hereby states its firm and complete
support of Dr. Ackell, and notes the following facts:
1. At the time Dr. Ackell was appointed president of VCU in
February, 1978, he was serving as a director of Whittaker
Corporation, a position he has held since 1975. That director-
ship was disclosed by Dr. Ackell in his application for the
presidency of VCU, and the Board of Visitors of VCU specifically
authorized his continuance as a Whittaker director in connection
with his appointment as VCU president.
2. Dr. Ackell's continued service as a director of Whittaker
has been known.
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3. Dr. Ackell has reported to the Board that he played no role
in Whittaker's acquisition of General Medical which became effective
on March 31, 1980.
4. For many years prior to Dr. Ackell's appointment to the presi-
dency of VCU in 1978, General Medical made sales to VCU. These
sales continued after Dr. Ackell's presidency in the same fashion
as prior to his presidency. Such sales continue today and the
acquisition of General Medical by Whittaker has not resulted in
a change of business relationship, or the method of doing business,
between General Medical and VCU.
5. Dr. Ackell has advised the Board that he will continue to serve
as a Whittaker director at a reduced yearly compensation which shall
be less than $5,000 effective January 1, 1980. The Board of Visitors
is advising the Attorney General's office that Dr. Ackell has taken
these actions after consultation with the Attorney General's opinion
of May 22, 1980.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:40 p.m.
Approved:
