MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
May 21, 1981
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University
was held on Thursday, May 21, 1981, at 9:00 a.m. in the Lyons Building Student
Lounge.
Present were Messrs. Balfour, Craigie, Grey, Ludeman and Wyatt; Drs. Butt,
Coleman, Gayle, Johnson and Nemuth; and Mesdames Bemiss, Fewell, Satterfield and
Thalhimer. Mr. Cotten was absent. Also present were Drs. Ackell, Hall, Harris,
Salley, Sparks, Wilson and Woods; Messrs. Bruegman, Guerdon and Ross; Miss Cosby
and Mrs. Price.
Mrs. Satterfield called the meeting to order. On motion made and seconded,
the following minutes were approved: Special Meeting of the Property Committee,
held December 2, 1980; Special Meeting of the Property Committee, held January 6,
1981; Special Meeting of the Audit Committee, held January 9, 1981; Special Meeting
of the Student Affairs Committee, held January 15, 1981; Special Meeting of the
Audit Committee, held January 16, 1981; Special Meeting of the Property Committee,
held February 10, 1981, as amended; Special Meeting of the Audit Committee, held
March 6, 1981; Special Meeting of the Property Committee, held March 11, 1981; Regu-
lar Meeting of the Board of Visitors, held March 19, 1981, as amended; Special Meet-
ing of the Academic Policy Committee, held March 19, 1981; Special Meeting of the
Property Committee, held April 15, 1981; Special Meeting of the Student Affairs
Committee, held April 16, 1981; Special Meeting of the Executive and Hospital Com-
mittees, held April 23, 1981; Special Meeting of the Executive Committee, held May 5,
1981; Special Meeting of the Property Committee, held May 12, 1981; and a Special
Meeting of the Academic Policy Committee, held May 13, 1981.
The Report of the President followed. Dr. Ackell reported on the following
items:
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1. Dr. Ackell thanked all of the Board members who attended commencement
last week. He indicated that we once again had problems with the sound
system and we will work on this problem again next year. The Wayne
Medalists, Drs. Blanton and Lyons, were very pleased with the honors
they received. We are also pleased to report that we graduated 58 Ph.D.
candidates which puts us well over the required 50 for our Category IA
status.
2. Dr. Ackell reported that the Council of Visitors meeting held at VCU in
April went extremely well thanks to the hard work of Mrs. Satterfield.
Dr. Blanton's speech on the role of the Council of Visitors will be pub-
lished and sent to all members of the Council.
3. Dr. Ackell stated that a number of our faculty have received outstanding
awards and recognition such as:
Dr. Richard Fine and Dr. Robert Armour have both been
named Fulbright Scholars for the coming year.
Dr. John Heil has been named a fellow by the National
Endowment for the Humanities and will be at the University of California at Berkeley next year
Mr. Lester Van Winkle from the School of the Arts has
been commissioned to prepare a sculpture for the new
McGuire Veteran's Hospital.
In addition to faculty recognition, the School of Business received
accreditation of its graduate programs by the American Assembly of
Collegiate Schools of Business and the Master of Public Administration
Program in the School of Community Services has received a preliminary
rating of excellent by its accrediting association. Research In Action
was named one of the top two research publications in the country. The
other winner of an exceptional achievement award is the University of
Michigan. Once again, VCU is listed in the top 100 institutions in the
country in terms of federal dollars for research. We are 76th.
4. Dr. Ackell reported that search committees for four major positions continue
to work to find good candidates. Searches still in progress are for the Vice
President for Health Sciences, Vice President for University Advancement, Dean
of Nursing and Dean of Pharmacy. We will, of course, be involving members of
the Board in the final phases of these searches.
5. According to Dr. Ackell, we are expecting another large enrollment for our
summer studies program this summer. The first session began the Monday follow-
ing commencement.
6. Dr. Ackell reported that the Governor and members of the General Assembly
made a capital outlay tour of both campuses on Friday, May 15. VCU was the
last stop on the last day of a week-long tour. Mrs. Satterfield and Mr.
Bruegman joined the President in riding with the group. Dr. Ackell indicated
that it appeared the tour went quite well.
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7 Dr. Ackell stated that the two writing committees of the Task Forces on
Promotion and Tenure and on Governance are hard at work. We are planning
to have these documents ready for Board review by the September meeting.
Mrs. Satterfield read a portion of a letter received from Dr. Wyndham Blanton
expressing his appreciation for receiving the Wayne Medal.
Mrs. Satterfield also reported that Dr. Ackell made an excellent presentation
to members of the Governor's Capital Outlay Tour.
Mrs. Bemiss reported that the Nominating Committee had met several times, and
will present a slate of officers at the July Board meeting.
Mr. Guerdon reviewed the Contracts Signed since the March Board Meeting. Mrs.
Satterfield congratulated Dr. Salley on the large number of reseach grants received
by the University. Following a discussion, the report on the contracts signed since
the March meeting was accepted.
Dr. Ackell and Mr. Bruegman presented the Institutional Priorities Document.
Dr. Ackell explained that this was a planning document for the University for the
next five years and would be updated annually. On motion made and seconded, the
Institutional Priorities Document was approved.
Mr. Bruegman presented the Budget Report for Educational and General Funds for
the 1980-82 Biennium. He indicated that this document had been reviewed by the
Executive Committee of the Board in their capacity as the finance committee and
was recommended for approval. Following questions, on motion made and seconded,
the Budget Report for 1980-82 was approved.
Mr. Guerdon presented the Proposed Tuition and Fees Schedule for 1981. Mr.
Guerdon reported that these rates has also been reviewed by the Executive Committee.
He indicated that the average increase for a full-time resident undergraduate student
would be 11.4 percent and 14.5 percent for a full-time out-of-state student. The
total cost for a full-time undergraduate resident student for tuition and fees,
and room and board would be between $3,000 and $3,500. On motion made and seconded,
the Proposed Tuition and Fees Schedule for 1981 was approved.
Mr. Bruegman presented the Compensation Plan for 1981. He indicated that
this plan includes the base and ceiling salaries for the School of Medicine faculty
as well as the supplement income limit for the School of Dentistry. Following ques-
tions, on motion made and seconded, the Compensation Plan for 1981 was approved.
Mr. Wyatt reported for the Academic Policy Committee. He introduced a proposal
to change the name of the School of Arts and Sciences to the College of Humanities
and Sciences, and the Department of Mass Communications to the School of an as yet
undesignated name. There was a lengthy discussion concerning the designation of the
Department of Mass Communications to a School. Dr. Ackell explained that the De-
partment of Mass Communications is the only professional department within the School
of Arts and Sciences. Presently, faculty are being overlooked by professional organi-
zations because of their designation as a department. Mr. Wyatt indicated that a
questions had been raised by a student on the University Assembly concerning the
designation of "Journalism" for this school. Therefore, the department is surveying
students to determine their preference for a name for the school. Mr. Wyatt indicated
that the final name change would be brought to the Academic Policy Committee and the
Board for approval. On motion made and seconded, the proposal to change the name of
the School of Arts and Sciences to the College of Humanities and Sciences was approved.
Following additional discussion, on motion made and seconded, the Department of Mass
Communications was designated the School of Mass Communications. Mr. Craigie abstained
from the vote.
Mr. Wyatt also recommended approval of the Master of Science in Physical Therapy.
Dr. Ackell reported that the national accrediting association has recommended that
by 1990 all accredited physical therapy programs offer this type of degree. Dr.
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Ackell emphasized that approval by the Board would allow us to begin planning for
the implementation of this degree in 1985 and to have our Six-Year Curricular Plan
amended. Mrs. Bemiss stated her objections to requiring six years to obtain a
first degree. Mr. Balfour suggested that the Board pass a resolution to be sent
to the Physical Therapy Accrediting Association, stating their objections to this
mandate. Following additional discussion, on motion made, seconded, and approved,
the proposal to establish a Master of Science in Physical Therapy was tabled.
Mrs. Thalhimer reported that the Audit Committee had not met since the last Board
meeting but would be meeting in June.
Mrs. Satterfield reported that the Executive Committee had met on May 5 and re-
viewed the Budget Plan for 1980-81, the Institutional Priorities Document and the
Tuition and Fees Schedule for 1981. In addition, the Executive Committee approved
a resolution concerning the distribution of funds in accordance with the Estate of
Isaac Davenport.
Mr. Grey reported that the Hospital Committee had met jointly with the Executive
Committee on April 23, 1981, to approved the Hospital Operating Budget for 1981-82.
the new helipad on the "I" parking lot and the new Ambulatory Surgery Center in the
Mr. Grey reported that the Committee also discussed new programs at MCVH including
old Richmond Eye Hospital. Mr. Grey reported that the hospital census is down some
from last year but the nursing employment situation is better. He also reported
that finances are on target and that the administration is cognizant of our cash
situation which is especially critical for this budgetary period.
Mrs. Bemiss reported for the Property Committee. She reported that the University
will retain and stabilize the front section of the Ziegler House located next to the
Putney Houses. Ten new parking spaces will still be achieved. No renovation to the
interior of the Ziegler House is planned until a decision is made concerning the use
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of the space. Mrs. Bemiss also reported that the State Council's priority recommenda-
tions for 1982-84 Capital Outlay Projects rank the General Purpose Academic Build-
ing in Priority Group II. This was our first priority for the coming biennium and
chances of receiving funding is not likely. The Committee approved preplanning
justification for four projects: a new clinical facility on the MCV Campus, an
extension to the "S" Deck on the MCV Campus, renovation of Founders Hall on the
Academic Campus and Phase III of the Life Sciences Building on the Academic Campus.
The Committee also approved schematic plans for the MCVH Supply and Distribution
Building. Mrs. Bemiss reported that on May 5 the Committee met with Mr. William H.
Whyte, an authority on the use of open space in urban settings, to receive his com-
ments on the master site plans for the Academic and MCV Campuses. Mrs. Bemiss in-
dicated that a report would be forthcoming from her committee after they review the
written report from Mr. Whyte.
Dr. Gayle reported that the Student Affairs Committee had recently had a very
interesting meeting. Information obtained from former students showed that a large
number were interested in alumni activities, many are working in the fields in which
they were trained and many wish they had taken more computer courses while at VCU.
Dr. Gayle indicated that the next meeting of the Student Affairs Committee would be
on June 17 at 5:30 p.m.
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 or use of real property and to protect
the privacy of individuals in personal matters not related to public business, and
to discuss matters relating to gifts, bequests, fund-raising activities as authorized
by Sections 2.1 -344 a(1), a(2), a(3), a(6), a(7) and a(8) of the Virginia Freedom
of Information Act.
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The Board reconvened in public session and, on motion made and seconded,
approved and/or accepted the Faculty Appointments and Changes in Status, the
Report of Gifts, the Report of the Legal Advisor, the Continuing Faculty on the
Academic and MCV Campuses, and the Continuing Administrative Appointments. Mr.
Grey abstained from voting on the Faculty Appointments and Changes in Status and
the Report of Gifts.
On motion made and seconded, the Board ratified all degrees conferred at
Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 16, 1981.
On motion made and seconded, the Board approved the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Virginia Commonwealth University has broken ground for a new
Pharmacy/Pharmacology Building on the MCV Campus; and
WHEREAS, the Property Committee of the VCU Board of Visitors recognizes
an individual who gave the best years of his life to the development of
the Medical College of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, this individual received his B.S. degree in Pharmacy from MCV
in 1937 and returned in 1945 to begin a distinguished career in service
to the University, from teaching Pharmacology, to serving as Dean of the
School of Pharmacy, from 1947 to 1954, Assistant President of MCV from
1954 to 1956 and its fourth and last President from 1956 until 1968, then
Provost of the Health Sciences Division of VCU from 1968 to 1969 when he
returned to the Department of Pharmacology; and
WHEREAS, during his years as Dean of the School of Pharmacy and as Presi-
dent of the Medical College of Virginia, the College emerged as one our
most highly regarded health care and research-oriented medical institutions
in the nation;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that in honor of the contribution made to the
development of Virginia Commonwealth University and its programs that the
Property Committee of the Board of Visitors does hereby recommend to the
full Board that our new Pharmacy/Pharmacology Building be named the Robert
Blackwell Smith, Jr., Building in recognition of the success of his leader-
ship of the Medical College of Virginia.
Mrs. Satterfield stated that the Board had received a positive report from
the Presidential Evaluation Committee.
Mrs. Satterfield reported that the Board, at a dinner meeting on Wednesday
evening, received a report from Mr. Paul Barberini, Director of Financial Aid,
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concerning the impending impact of federal legislation on the financial aid program
at VCU.
Mrs. Satterfield announced that the next regular Board of Visitors meeting
would be on Thursday, July 16, 1981, at 9:00 a.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:40 p.m.
Harold I. Nemuth, M.D., Secretary
Approved:
