MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
September 17, 1980
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University was held on Thursday, September 17, 1980, at 9:00 a.m. in the
Student Lounge of the Lyons Building.
Present were Drs. Butt, Coleman, Gayle and Johnson; Messrs. Balfour,
Cotten, Craigie and Wyatt; and Mesdames Bemiss, Fewell, and Satterfield.
Absent were Dr. Nemuth, Messrs. Grey and Ludeman and Mrs. Thalhimer. Also
present were Drs. Ackell, Hall, Salley, Sparks, Wilson and Woods; Messrs.
Bruegman, Guerdon and Ross; Miss Cosby and Mrs. Price.
Mrs. Satterfield called the meeting to order and welcomed Dr. Coleman
and Mr. Cotten to their first Board meeting.
On motion made and seconded, the following minutes were approved:
Regular meeting of the Board of Visitors, held July 17, 1980; Special Meeting
of the Student Affairs Committee, held August 21, 1980; and Special Meeting
of the Property Committee, held September 9, 1980.
Dr. Ackell discussed the following items in his report:
1. Dr. Ackell stated that Dr. Harold Nemuth is in the Nelson
Clinic for some minor surgery. He should be going home in
the next couple of days.
2. Dr. Ackell stated that yesterday we began an orientation of
our Board members. It was a long session. Dr. Ackell stated
that through the Board's regular meetings, some Wednesday
evening sessions, and the President's Newsletter, we hope to
increase the Board's knowledge of VCU.
3. Dr. Ackell reported that, if any Board member attends the State
Fair, he or she should go to the Commonwealth Building to see
VCU's exhibit. We have a new one this year and would appreciate
any comments on the exhibit.
-2-
4. Dr. Ackell stated that our enrollment projections look good this
fall. We have a fix on headcount but it will be a while before
we have good data on FTE's. FTE's, of course, are what our budget
is based upon.
5. Dr. Ackell reported that we have been cited by the Office of Civil
Rights for a number of non-compliance items under Section 504 (handi-
capped). These items range from wording on application forms to
structural changes needed in campus buildings. Dr. Ackell stated
that very little money has been allocated at the State or Federal
level to help institutions and agencies make all the necessary
changes. We are, of course, making improvements with the funds
we were allocated.
6. Dr. Ackell reported that with the departure of Ron Beller, he had
made some changes in the organization of the University. The De-
partment of Public Safety will now report to Jim Guerdon and the
Departments of Audit and Personnel will report to the President.
On a day-to-day operating basis, the Departments of Personnel
and Audit will report to Don Bruegman.
7. Dr. Ackell stated that last Friday a number of administrators along
with Mrs. Satterfield and Mr. Wyatt attended a Faculty Senate/Adminis-
trative retreat at the Larrick Center. Dr. Ackell continued that it
was a long session, but it enabled participants to meet each other
and enabled the Faculty Senators to hear the administration's and
Board's point of view on certain issues.
8. Dr. Ackell reported that the search for a Vice President for Health
Sciences is almost complete. Candidates will be brought in soon for
members of the administration and Board to meet.
The Vice President for University Advancement search is opening up
again. Dr. Grace Harris will be chairing this committee.
Two dean search committees are progressing -- nursing and pharmacy.
We plan to identify replacements for Doris Yingling and Warren Weaver
before they step down in June.
9. Dr. Ackell reported that during the past 18 months two task forces
have been working on governance and on tenure and promotion. Both of
these reports are of significance to the faculty. Dr. Ackell reported
that it will be an interesting year as we work to bring closure on
these two documents. These two reports will then be considered by the
Board.
Mrs. Satterfield reported that the orientation session given by the administra-
tion for members of the Board was excellent. She thanked all of those Board mem-
bers who took time from their busy schedules to attend.
-3-
Dr. Ackell reported that there had been a shooting incident at the MCV
Hospitals yesterday and that it involved an inmate. Dr. Ackell stated that
the hospital administration has presented a proposal to the State requesting
that we return the old South Hospital to the State for renovation as a treatment
center for inmate patients. Dr. Ackell continued that MCV would staff such a
facility. Dr. Ackell stated that we need to move the patients from the correc-
tional facilities away from other patients to avoid future such incidents.
The report of the contracts signed since the July Board of Visitors' meeting
was reviewed by the Board.
On motion made and seconded, the following resolution was approved:
WHEREAS, the authority to act as chief executive officer of the
University in the temporary absence or disability of the President
of the University has heretofore resided in the person occupying
the position of Executive Vice-President of the University; and
Board of Visitors of the University desires to vest in the person
occupying the position of Vice-President for Academic Affairs of
WHEREAS, in view of the imminent vacancy in that position, the
the Executive Vice-President, as well as such other authority as
is commensurate with the responsibilities of that position;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of
Virginia Commonwealth University that the Vice-President for Academic
Affairs of the University and the incumbent in that position, Dr.
Wayne C. Hall, is hereby vested with such authority as would enable
said individual to function effectively as Acting President of
Virginia Commonwealth University in the temporary absence and/or
disability of the President of the University; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in furtherance of the authority hereby
vested, the said Vice-President for Academic Affairs is hereby and
hereafter authorized, in either the capacity of Vice-President for
Academic Affairs or Acting President, to sign, execute and enter into
contracts, agreements and other similar documents on behalf of the
Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University, provided such
contracts are in furtherance of the business of the University and
are in accord with the established policies of the Commonwealth and
the University, and is similarly authorized to sign and execute checks,
-4-
drafts, and other similar funds, or other similar sources owned,
controlled, or maintained by or entrusted to the University and
its Board.
Mrs. Satterfield reported that there had been no meeting of the Executive
Committee since the last Board meeting. However, she would like to schedule a
meeting of the Executive Committee for Thursday, October 30 at 8:30 a.m. in the
Conference Room at 910 West Franklin Street.
Mr. Wyatt reported that the Academic Policy Committee had not met. However,
they are in the process of setting up a dinner meeting with the Executive Committee
of the Faculty Senate for October.
The Audit Committee has not met since the last Board meeting.
There has been no meeting of the Hospital Committee since July. There is a
meeting scheduled in October.
Mrs. Bemiss reported that the Property Committee met on September 9. Mrs.
Bemiss reported that we had received word from both our consulting engineers and
the architect that discharges from the power plant stacks would present no health
hazard to the new hospital. The precast exterior for the new hospital is being
installed and the contractor indicates that it should be completed by December 24.
The renovation of the old Richmond Eye Hospital has begun. In an agreement reached
with the Historic Landmarks Commission, the facade of the Ziegler House (next door
to the Putney Houses) will be left in place when the rest of the building is razed
to accommodate parking behind it. The Property Committee approved the working
drawings of the Pharmacy/Pharmacology Building. Mr. Bruegman showed a sample of
the mortar and the brick that would be used on the exterior of this building. Mrs.
Bemiss reported that the auditorium wing of the Student Commons Building may be a
separate bid from the main structure. Prior to bidding the project, a determination
will be made on the financial feasibility of the project to determine if a separate
bid is necessary. It is the University's intention to construct the main building
-5-
and auditorium wing. Mrs. Bemiss continued that Phases I and II of the Physical
Education Site Development are progressing. Funds are currently available for the
multi-purpose playing field in Phase I and three tennis courts and two basketball
courts in Phase II. The preliminary plans for this project were approved. On
motion made and seconded, the report of the Property Committee was accepted.
Dr. Gayle reported that the Student Affairs Committee had met and had an
orientation session for new members. The committee heard a report on VCU's
financial aid program. The default rate at VCU on student loans has dropped
from 30 percent to 19 percent. There is $18 to $23 million available for student
loans and aid. Dr. Gayle reported that there is a mounting interest by the stu-
dents to have a representative on the Board of Visitors. Dr. Gayle has in-
formed the students that these appointments are made by the Governor.
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 VCU, and to discuss pending litigation with its attorney,
and to discuss the condition, acquisition, and use of real property, and to dis-
cuss matters relating to gifts, bequests, and fund-raising activities as authorized
by Sections 2.1 - 344 a(1), a(2), a(6), and a(7) of the Freedom of Information Act.
The Board reconvened in public session and, on motion made and seconded,
approved and/or accepted the Report of the Legal Advisor, the Faculty Appointments
and Changes in Status, the School of Social Work Continuing Faculty and the Report
of Gifts.
-6-
Mrs. Satterfield reported that the next regular meeting of the Board of
Visitors will be held on November 20. Board members should hold the Wednesday
evening before the meeting.
Mrs. Satterfield also reported that the Board had received thank you notes
from both Dr. Blanton and Mrs. Ackell.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
Harold I. Nemuth, Secretary
Approved:
Anne P. Satterfield, Re for
