MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
July 16, 1981
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University
was held on Thursday, July 16, 1981, at 9:00 a.m. in the Sanger Hall Board Room.
Present were Mesdames Bemiss, Fewell, Satterfield, Thalhimer and Whittemore;
Messrs. Balfour, Craigie, Grey, Ludeman, Smith and Wyatt; and Drs. Butt, Coleman,
Johnson and Nemuth. Mr. Cotten and Dr. Gayle were absent. Also present were Drs.
Ackell, Hall, Salley, Wilson and Woods; Messrs. Bruegman and Ross; Miss Cosby and
Mrs. Price.
Mrs. Satterfield called the meeting to order and welcomed Mrs. Anne Whittemore,
a newly appointed Board member.
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 dis-
cuss 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, and 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.
The Board reconvened in public session and, on motion made and seconded, ap-
proved and/or accepted the Report of the Legal Advisor, the Faculty Appointments
and Changes in Status, the Renewal of Faculty Privileges, the Renewal of Clinical
Faculty Appointments and the Report of Gifts.
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On motion made and seconded, the following Resolution was adopted
WHEREAS, W. R. Smith, a Senior Vice President of A. H. Robins
Company, Incorporated, has been appointed to serve as a member
of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University;
and
WHEREAS, A. H. Robins Company, Incorporated, from time to
time, sells products to the Commonwealth of Virginia, its
agencies and political subdivisions, including Virginia Common-
wealth University; and
WHEREAS, in order to avoid any appearance of impropriety or
conflict of interest, Mr. Smith has requested the Board of
Directors of A. H. Robins Company, Incorporated, to relieve
him of all supervisory and other responsibility with reference
to the A. H. Robins Company's contracts or other transactions
with the Commonwealth of Virginia, its agencies and political
subdivisions; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to that request, the Board of Directors of
A. H. Robins, Company, Incorporated, has adopted the following
resolution:
1. W. R. Smith shall hereafter have no authority
to participate in the procurement or letting
of any contract or other transaction between
this Company and the State of Virginia or any
political subdivision thereof or governmental
agency as defined in Virginia Code Section 2.1-
348; and Mr. Smith's concurrence in this limita-
tion of his authority as an officer of this
Company is indicated by his separate signature
at the end of these minutes.
2. Until further action be taken by this Board of
Directors, the Executive Committee or the stock-
holders, the powers and responsibilities of Mr.
Smith as Senior Vice President of this Company
shall be deemed limited by the immediately pre-
ceding paragraph;
and
WHEREAS, W. R. Smith has, similarly, requested the Board of
Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University to relieve him of
all authority and other responsibility with respect to any con-
tracts or other transactions between A. H. Robins, Company, In-
corporated, and Virginia Commonwealth University;
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NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of
Virginia Commonwealth University;
1. W. R. Smith shall hereafter have no authority
to participate in the procurement or letting
of any contract or other transaction between
A. H. Robins Company, Incorporated, and Virginia
Commonwealth University.
2. Until further action be taken by this Board of
Visitors, the powers and responsibilities of
W. R. Smith, as a member of this Board of Visitors,
as set forth in the Bylaws of this Board of
Visitors, shall be deemed limited by the immedi-
ately preceding paragraph.
Following adoption of this Resolution, Mr. W. Roy Smith joined the meeting.
Mrs. Satterfield welcomed Mr. Smith to the VCU Board of Visitors.
On motion made and seconded, the following Resolution was approved:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University, that the actions of the Vice President for Finance and
the Treasurer of the University in executing, attesting and deliver-
ing the easements attached hereto as Exhibits A, B and C, be, and
they hereby are, approved, ratified and confirmed.
On motion made and seconded, the following minutes were approved: a Regular
Meeting of the Board of Visitors, held May 21, 1981; a Special Meeting of the
Property Committee, held June 9, 1981; a Special Meeting of the Student Affairs
Committee, held June 18, 1981; a Special Meeting of the Audit Committee, held
June 22, 1981, as amended; and a Special Meeting of the Hospital Committee, held
June 25, 1981.
The Report of the President followed. Dr. Ackell reported on the following
items:
1. Dr. Ackell highlighted the following major events and accomplishments
during the 1980-81 academic year:
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Dr. Elske v.P. Smith was appointed Dean of the School of Arts
and Sciences in August, 1980 and has had a successful and pro-
ductive year with major changes occurring.
New Chairmen were appointed in the Departments of Political
Science, Psychology, English, History and Geography and
Sociology and Anthropology. A search is planned for the
Chairmanship in Philosophy and Religious Studies during
1981-82.
The name of the School of Arts and Sciences was changed to the
College of Humanities and Sciences and the Department of Mass
Communications was changed to the School of Mass Communications
within the College of Humanities and Sciences.
In the School of the Arts, a new director of the Anderson Gallery
was named as well as a new director of the Foundation Program.
A new chairman in the Department of Painting and Printmaking was
also named.
The School of Business received accreditation of its Master's
programs.
The name of the School of Community Services was changed to the
School of Community and Public Affairs. In addition, the Richmond
Revitalization Project was successfully initiated and plans for
continuation effected. The Executive-Faculty Exchange Program
between the Secretary of Human Resources and VCU was launched.
Dr. Grace Harris, Associate Dean in the School of Social Work,
served as an ACE Administrative Fellow during the year and
headed several important committees and assignments.
Mrs. Elaine Rothenberg submitted her resignation as Dean of the
School of Social Work effective in June, 1982 and will serve as
Director of the University's Self-Study beginning in 1982.
University Libraries and Visual Education Services were combined
on both campuses to reduce unnecessary duplications and provide
more effective services.
Admissions, Registrar and Records, and Recruitment were merged
as Enrollment Services with the organization to be completed
over the next two years.
In Research and Graduate Studies, the major achievement during the
1980-81 fiscal year was receipt of $28,439,799 in sponsored grants
and contracts -- a 13.7% increase over 1979-80.
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VCU conferred a total of 3,118 degrees at the three graduations
in 1980-81 including 55 Ph.D's which will ensure our IA status.
Under the SCHEV Six-Year Curricular Plan several new degree pro-
grams were successfully implemented including the B.A. in Spanish,
the B.F.A. in Dance and Choreography, the B.S. in Public Safety,
the M.S. in Recreation, the Master's in Accountancy, the Master's
in Taxation and the Master's in Information Systems.
On the MCV Campus, several educational or training programs were
developed during the year including the Physiology or Anatomy
track for physical therapy graduate students, a Doctor of
Philosophy in Health Services Organization and Research, and
an Emergency Medical Training Program.
At the hospital, an Ambulatory Surgery Unit was initiated in
the former Richmond Eye Hospital and a heliport has been located on
the "I" Parking Lot for delivery of patients by air to the MCV
Hospitals.
The many programs and personnel concerned with safety in the University were reorganized under a Coordinator of University Safety
Programs, who reports to the Office of Research and Graduate Affairs.
Efforts are underway to improve and expand interest and involvement
in creating and maintaining a safe environment in all areas of the
University including MCV Hospital.
VCU was one of three institutions, nationally, commissioned to write
a position paper on the education of returning adults. The paper
is to be used in the development of a policy statement for the Ameri-
can Council on Education's newly formed Commission on Higher Educa-
tion for Adults.
In the Evening and Summer Studies programs, weekend classes were ex-
panded and enrollment was increased by 27%. The Holiday Intersession
enrollment was up nearly 40% over last year's.
The International Studies Program received an award of $80,000 for
two years from the Office of International Education, Department of
Education for development of the International Studies Program at
VCU.
The Treasurer's Office installed a detailed Fixed Asset Inventory
System (FAIS) on a University-wide basis which will allow for better
accountability and control over the University's more than $120 million
of assets.
There has been a significant enhancement of parking on the MCV
Campus for patients and visitors and plans for an addition to
the existing "D" deck are underway. The new parking deck on
the Academic Campus will be ready for the opening of classes
this September.
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During 1980, the VCU Police made 585 arrests in the area of our
campuses only nineteen of which were students.
The Controller's Office developed a new Payroll/Personnel/Position
Control System.
In the Planning and Budget area, a number of new projects and
renovations were planned and some completed.
A Statement on Institutional Priorities was adopted by our Board
of Visitors.
At the VCU/VCCS Joint Center, two new computers replaced existing
equipment at a cost savings of $400,000 per year while at the same
time doubling the computing power.
Approval was secured from the State for VCU to manage its own per-
sonnel classification program as part of the State's decentralization
process.
A highly professional and independent internal audit function was main-
tained during the year. This office is working at peak effort to
review the fiscal management of all areas of the University.
The Facilities Planning and Construction and Physical Plant operations
were merged into one unit to achieve a more balanced and efficient
management structure.
The Student Affairs staff has been working on plans for the Student
Commons Building and expect that facility to relieve from 50 to 75%
of the overload that now exists in other facilities relating to
student activities.
Dr. Charles Suter has been appointed as the Student Health Physician
on the MCV Campus.
Approximately 11,000 students received $30 million of financial aid
during the past year.
In the area of Athletics, there were a number of outstanding accomp-
lishments a list of which will be distributed and which have been
highlighted during the year.
Dr. Ackell reported that a more detailed annual review would be prepared and
distributed to Board members at a later date.
At this time, Dr. Ackell presented an engraved tray to Mrs. Satterfield and
expressed the administration's deep appreciation for her service to the University
Following a discussion, the Report of the Contracts signed since the May Board
meeting was accepted.
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Mr. Wyatt reported that the Academic Policy Committee did not have a report
to make at this Board meeting.
Mrs. Thalhimer reported that the Audit Committee met to review the administra-
tion's response to the Management Letter. The Committee also toured and lunched at
the VCU/VCCS Joint Center. Mrs. Thalhimer indicated that this was a very enlighten-
ing tour.
Mrs. Satterfield reported that the Executive Committee did not meet during
June. She also reported that she had received a letter from Mrs. Dorothy
Doumar, Chairman of the Council of Visitors, concerning a presentation to be made
by the Council of Visitors to the Appropriations Committee on July 20 at 10:30 a.m.
All Board members are invited to attend.
Dr. Nemuth reported on behalf of the Hospital Committee. He indicated that the
first two floors of the old Richmond Eye Hospital now house the Ambulatory Surgery
Unit which opened last month. He also noted that the South Hospital Correctional
Area will be opening shortly. In addition, the Pharmacy-Pharmacology Building and
the Cancer Center are now under construction. Dr. Nemuth reported that the cash
receipts in April and May were good; however, the patient census is down but this
is true throughout the entire Richmond area. He also reported that a shuttle bus
is in operation to transport patients from the parking areas to the various clinics.
The Committee also approved reports of hospital privileges and medical audits.
Mrs. Bemiss reported that the Property Committee did not have a report to
make at this meeting.
Mrs. Fewell reported that the Student Affairs Committee did not have a report
at this time.
Mrs. Bemiss, Chairman of the Nominating Committee presented a brief summary
of the duties of the officers of the Board and proposed the following slate of
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officers and members of the Executive Committee: Rector - Mr. Douglas H. Ludeman;
Vice-Rector - Mr. Daniel T. Balfour; Secretary - Dr. Harold I. Nemuth; Executive
Committee - Mrs. FitzGerald Bemiss, Dr. Sigsby W. Gayle, Mr. Robert J. Grey and
Mrs. Charles G. Thalhimer. On motion made and seconded, the slate of officers and
members of the Executive Committee were approved. Other members of the Nominating
Committee were Messrs. Craigie and Wyatt.
Mr. Ludeman assumed the Chair and thanked the Board for the confidence placed
in him. He stated that on behalf of the Board he would like to express their deep
appreciation to Mrs. Satterfield for her leadership of the Board and the University
over the past year. Following Mr. Ludeman's statement, Mrs. Satterfield received
a round of applause.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m. for a tour of the new hospital under
construction.
Approved:
