AMENDED
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
March 19, 1981
A Regular Meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University was held on Thursday, March 19, 1981, at 9:00 a.m. in the Lyons Building
Student Lounge.
Present were Mesdames Bemiss, Fewell and Satterfield; Messrs. Balfour,
Craigie and Grey; and Drs. Butt, Coleman, Gayle, Johnson and Nemuth. Absent
were Messrs. Cotten, Ludeman, and Wyatt; and Mrs. Thalhimer. Also present were
Drs. Ackell, Hall, Harris, Salley and Wilson; Messrs. Bruegman, Guerdon, and Ross;
Miss Cosby and Mrs. Price.
Mrs. Satterfield called the meeting to order. Mr. Grey asked if the Board
could suspend with committee chairmen giving reports since the subjects covered
were included in the committee minutes. Mrs. Satterfield indicated that not all
the committees have such detailed minutes as does the Hospital Committee. Also,
some of the committees' most recent minutes were not in the Board agenda book.
Mrs. Satterfield announced that both Mr. Cotten and Dr. Willett had been ill
On motion made and seconded, the following minutes were approved as submitted:
and that members of the Board might wish to contact them.
A Regular Meeting of the Board of Visitors, held January 15, 1981; A Special Meet-
ing of the Executive Committee, held February 19, 1981; A Special Meeting of the
Student Affairs Committee, held February 25, 1981; and A Special Meeting of the
Hospital Committee, held February 26, 1981.
The Report of the President followed. Dr. Ackell reported on the following
items:
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1. Dr. Ackell stated that VCU's athletic program has made great strides
recently. The men's basketball team lost a heartbreaker to Tennessee
in the second round of the NCAA. Dr. Ackell reported that while he was
at the NCAA Tournament he had an opportunity to talk with reporters from
across the country. They indicated that this is the first year they have
looked at VCU for possible rankings in the polls since this was VCU's
first year of playing all Division I schools.
Dr. Ackell reported that the swimming team's season has just ended and
VCU was represented by a male diver at the NCAA Division I finals. In
addition, the women's swim team went to the national AIAW meet and our
200-yard relay team qualified as All-Americans.
Dr. Ackell indicated that he had attended the women's basketball game at
Longwood College when they captured this year's Division II title.
Dr. Ackell reported that Mike Gadling, a member of VCU's wrestling team
went to the Division I finals before being forced to withdraw because of
a pulled cartilage.
2. Dr. Ackell stated that there were several dates which members of the Board
should put on their calendars. They are April 26 and 27 for the Council of
Visitors' meeting, and Saturday, May 16 for commencement.
3. Dr. Ackell stated that last week during the 10th Annual Service Awards Pro-
gram over 900 employees were honored. At the banquet, it was announced
that the Dorris Douglas Budd Secretary of the Year Award was being estab-
lished. Dorris is Jim Guerdon's secretary and will be retiring in June
after 30 years of service to the University.
4. Dr. Ackell reported that the outlook for the next biennium is not an
optimistic one. Our applications for admission are up 17 percent over
last year, but the determination on federal financial aid may have a
significant impact on our enrollment. A very large proportion of our
students receive financial aid and, if these funds are cut severely, a
number of students will be unable to attend college. Dr. Ackell stated
that we presented our budget to Secretary Gilley's staff last week. Basing
it on 100 percent funding of guidelines, no change in enrollment, faculty
salary increases of 12 percent (which were recommended by SCHEV) and an
11 percent inflation factor, our budget would have increased 38 percent.
All of the state institutions of higher education together had a proposed
increase of 36 percent. The State revenues are predicted to increase only
17 percent. Obviously, not all of higher education can be funded accord-
ing to guidelines. Historically, we have received 90 to 93 percent of
guidelines. We have been told to expect only 85 percent of guidelines
for the next biennium. There will be many challenges for us in such a
budget. The targets will come out next month.
5. Dr. Ackell reported that VCU has had a significant increase in research
dollars. This speaks to the quality of our faculty to attract increased
funding in a time of declining resources. In 1979, our research dollars
equalled $24 million; in 1980, $27.5 million. Only six months into this
fiscal year, we have received $18.3 million.
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8. Dr. Ackell stated that Cindy Mills, who has worked with Ann Cosby
the last two years, will be leaving the University to accept the
position of Assistant to the President at Owens, Minor & Bodeker.
We shall really miss her but know she will do an outstanding job for
her new employer.
Mr. Balfour reported for the Academic Policy Committee. He indicated
that they had met earlier in the day and recommended Board approval of the
proposal to reorganize the Departments of Occlusion and Community Dentistry
into the Department of General Dentistry. Mr. Balfour indicated that the
administration felt this proposal would result in savings to the University.
The immediate results will be the reallocation of one classified position and
one faculty position. On motion made and seconded, the proposal to merge the
Departments of Occlusion and Community Dentistry into the Department of Gen-
eral Dentistry was approved.
Mrs. Satterfield reported that the Executive Committee had met on February
19 and reviewed the Institutional Priorities document. This document will be
submitted to the full Board at its May meeting. Mrs. Satterfield reported that
the Executive Committee would be meeting in April and the next regular Board
meeting is scheduled for May 21.
On motion made and seconded, the following resolution was unanimously
approved:
WHEREAS, the members of the 1980-81 VCU men's basketball team
have distinguished themselves individually and as a group; and
WHEREAS, through dedication, hard work, and an exemplary degree
of skill, unity and sportsmanship, they have engendered the enthusiasm
of the administration, faculty, fellow students, and the community;
and
WHEREAS, the members of the 1980-81 VCU men's basketball team have
commanded state and national attention as a result of their efforts;
and
WHEREAS, the team's coach Mr. J. D. Barnett, having devoted countless
hours, skill and commitment, served the individual needs of team mem-
bers to produce the esprit de corps and mutual cooperation needed for
victory; and
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WHEREAS, the University Athletic Director, Mr. Lewis B. Mills, encouraged
and tirelessly nourished the men's basketball program;
Therefore, we, the members of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University wish to congratulate and thank each member of the 1980-81 team, its
coaches and the University's Athletic Director for having achieved a 16-game
winning streak with a Division I schedule and for having attained the high
honor of being invited to play in the NCAA Tournament.
The Board requested that this resolution be suitably printed and framed and
presented to the coaches, team and athletic director.
Mr. Craigie reported on behalf of the Audit Committee which met on March 6
with Mr. Charles Trible, Auditor of Public Accounts, and two members of his staff.
Mr. Craigie stated that the Auditor of Public Accounts will now have the primary
responsibility for our audit. However, Peat, Marwick and Mitchell will be work-
ing with the administration and the Auditor of Public Accounts from time to time
on special projects. Mr. Craigie stated that the Auditor of Public Accounts has
assured the administration and the Audit Committee that the change of audit assign-
ments from Peat, Marwick and Mitchell to his office will not cause any interrup-
tion in the audits performed. In response to a question by Mr. Grey, Mr. Craigie
stated that the Auditor of Public Accounts would certainly maintain the confiden-
tiality of our audits as would any professional auditor.
Mr. Grey reported for the Hospital Committee. He indicated that, with the
addition of Pat Cushnie as the new Director of Nursing Services, the hospital staff
is now complete. Mr. Grey also stated that the physical facilities are improving
as we continue to renovate and move toward completion of the new hospital. The
nursing turnover rate at the hospital is decreasing. Mr. Grey reported that
revenue projections at the hospital are on target. The Hospital Committee also
approved privileges for new staff and reviewed two medical audits. The report of
the Hospital Committee was accepted by the Board.
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Mrs. Bemiss stated that the Property Committee had met twice since the last
Board meeting. At its meeting on February 10, the Property Committee reviewed
and approved the preplanning justification on the Academic Classroom Building
and the Academic Bookstore. On March 11, the Committee met to discuss the possible
demolition of the two houses on Park Avenue next to the Performing Arts Building.
The Committee approved the demolition of the houses and partial landscaping of
the area including constructing a screen around the cooling system. On motion
made and seconded, the report of the Property Committee was approved.
The report of the Student Affairs Committee was made by Dr. Gayle. He re-
ported that the Committee has met with members of the staff and students in the
residence halls. Dr. Gayle indicated that it was a very informative meeting.
Mrs. Satterfield reported that she would like to devote a Wednesday evening
session of the Board for student leaders to meet with members of the Board.
Mrs. Satterfield announced the appointment of the President's Evaluation
Committee. Mr. Balfour was asked to serve as Chairman along with Mr. Ludeman
and Mrs. Thalhimer. This committee was requested to make its report at the
May meeting.
Mrs. Satterfield also reported the appointment of the Nominating Committee.
Mrs. Bemiss was asked to serve as Chairman along with Messrs. Craigie and Wyatt.
This committee was requested to make its report at the July meeting.
Mrs. Satterfield announced that she had written to the Governor requesting
that he not reappoint her to the Board. She indicated that since Mr. Satterfield
had retired from Congress, she would like to have more time to spend with him.
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,
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and to discuss the condition, acquisition, and use of real property, and to discuss
matters relating to gifts, bequests, fund-raising activities and to discuss the
awarding of honorary degrees as authorized by Sections 2.1 - 344a(1), a(2), a(6),
a(7), and a(8) 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 Appoint-
ments and Changes in Status, the Faculty Promotions, the Report of the Honorary
Degree Committee and the Report of Gifts, with Mr. Grey abstaining.
Mrs. Satterfield reported that she had received a letter to the Board from
Mrs. Robert Mitchell concerning the University's interest in a piece of property
known as Bloemendaal. On motion made, seconded and approved, the Board requested
the Rector and the President of the University to respond to the letter of March 17,
1981, from the Richmond Horticultural Association stating that, after study and
analysis by the University administration, the Board feels that the University
will be unable to pursue acquiring the Bloemendaal property. Appropriate
appreciation by the Board will be expressed to the Association for their bring-
ing this matter to our attention.
Mr. Grey excused himself from the room during the discussion on the Bloemendaal
property and abstained from the vote.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:35 p.m.
Harold I. Nemuth, Secretary
Approved:
Anne P. Satterfield, Rector
