MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
September 24, 1981
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth Univ-
ersity was held on Thursday, September 24, 1981, at 9:00 a.m. in the James Branch
Cabell Library Staff Lounge.
Present were Messrs. Balfour, Craigie, Grey and Ludeman; Drs. Butt, Cole-
man, Cotten, Gayle, Johnson and Nemuth; and Mesdames Bemiss, Fewell, Thalhimer
and Whittemore. Messrs. Smith and Wyatt were absent. Also present were Drs.
Ackell, Hall, Wilson and Woods; Messrs. Bruegman, Guerdon and Ross; Miss Cosby
and Ms. Hubbard.
Mr. Ludeman called the meeting to order. On motion made and seconded, the
following minutes were approved: Regular Meeting of the Board of Visitors, held
July 16, 1981; Special Meeting of the Executive Committee, held August 3, 1981;
and a Special Meeting of the Property Committee, held September 15, 1981.
Mr. Myles P. Lash, Executive Director of MCVH, gave a special slide presen-
tation on the activities of the Hospitals over the past several years. Following
the presentation, Mr. Grey presented to the Board the report of the Hospital Com-
mittee as recorded in the Minutes of September 17, 1981. On motion made and
seconded, the Minutes were approved. Mr. Ludeman commended Mr. Lash on the
progress of the Hospitals over the past few years.
On motion made and seconded, with Mr. Craigie abstaining, the following
Resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 281 of the Acts of the
General Assembly of Virginia of 1981, the Treasury Board was authorized,
by and with the consent of the Governor, to sell and issue bonds of the
Commonwealth of Virginia in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding
$23,475,000 (the "Bonds") for the purpose of providing funds, with any
other available funds, for paying the cost of acquiring, constructing,
and equipping revenue producing capital projects, including the enlarging
and improving thereof, at institutions of higher learning in the Common-
wealth, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 9(c) of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia; and,
of the Constitution of Virginia; and,
WHEREAS, said revenue producing capital projects include a low rise
dormitory, Phase I, for approximately 513 students at Virginia Common-
wealth University at an estimated cost of $5,440,000; and,
WHEREAS, the Treasury Board proposes to sell to the United States
Department of Education ("ED") an amount not to exceed $4,930,000 of
said Bonds, designated "Higher Educational Institutions Bonds, 1981
Series (the "1981 Series Bonds"), for the purpose of financing the low
rise dormitory, Phase I;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VISITORS OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH
UNIVERSITY:
Section 1. The Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University (Board")
(a) covenant to fix, revise, charge, and collect rentals and charges for
or in connection with the use, occupation, or services of the Low Rise
Dormitory, Phase I, and (b) pledge said rentals and charges and all other
income and revenue arising during the years 1981 through 2011 from the
ownership or operation of the Low Rise Dormitory, Phase I, and the ED
Dormitory Fees charged to all students at Virginia Commonwealth University living in Student Housing to the payment of the principal of and the
living in Student Housing to the payment of the principal of and the
interest on the 1981 Series Bonds issued to finance the Low Rise Dormi-
tory, Phase I; provided that the current expenses of operating the Low
Rise Dormitory, Phase I, shall be a first charge on such revenues. The
Board further covenants that such rentals, charges, and ED Dormitory Fees
will be fixed, revised, charged, and collected so that the net revenues
from the Low Rise Dormitory, Phase I, and such ED Dormitory Fees will at
all times be sufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on the
1981 Series Bonds and to deposit $44,450.50 annually to a general main-
tenance account until the same shall be maintained at a level of $880,901. Any such revenues in excess of the amounts required for the payment of
Any such revenues in excess of the amounts required for the payment of
principal of and interest on the 1981 Series Bonds may be used by Virginia Commonwealth University for any other proper purpose. The Board further
Commonwealth University for any other proper purpose. The Board further
covenants that no additional debt obligations shall be secured by a parity lien on the revenues pledged hereby to the payment of the principal of and interest on the 1981 Series Bonds, except permanent financing for the
lien on the revenues pledged hereby to the payment of the principal of and interest on the 1981 Series Bonds, except permanent financing for the
interest on the 1981 Series Bonds, except permanent financing for the
furnishings and movable equipment currently installed in Dormitory, Phase I.
.
Section 2. The Board hereby authorizes and empowers the appropriate
officers of Virginia Commonwealth University, for and on behalf of the
University, to execute the Loan Agreement with ED in substantially the
form presented to this meeting, with such changes and additions or dele-
tions as the officer or officers executing the same may deem appropriate
and not inconsistent with the purpose of these resolutions, such changes,
additions, or deletions to be conclusively presumed to have been made in
accordance with these resolutions upon execution of said Loan Agreement by such officers, and to take such further action as in the discretion of the Executive Committee of the Board may be necessary or appropriate to carry
such officers, and to take such further action as in the discretion of the Executive Committee of the Board may be necessary or appropriate to carry
Executive Committee of the Board may be necessary or appropriate to carry
out the intents and purposes of these resolutions and the Loan Agreement.
Section 3. It is hereby found, determined, and declared that, based
upon responsible engineering and economic estimates, the anticipated net
revenues pledged above will be sufficient to pay principal of and interest
on the 1981 Series Bonds.
Section 4. The Board covenants that Virginia Commonwealth University
will pay to the State Treasurer 30 days before each semi-annual interest
payment date the amount certified by the State Treasurer to be due and
payable for the payment of the principal of and interest on the 1981
Series Bonds.
Section 5. The Board covenants to pay from time to time all expenses
incurred in connection with the sale and issuance of the 1981 Series
Bonds and all expenses thereafter incurred in connection with the payment
of the principal of and interest on the 1981 Series Bonds all as certi-
fied by the State Treasurer to Virginia Commonwealth University.
Following adoption of this resolution, the Report of the President followed.
Dr. Ackell reported on the following items:
1. Enrollment figures are at 19,817 and are expected to exceed 20,000 students
when all figures are in by the end of the semester. Full-time student
population increased by more than 200 students which pushed our FTE figure
up to 14,680. The School of Business enrolled 4,030 students, an increase
of over 400 students. Education lost 139 students.
2. Special Services has been reorganized since last year. Combined with the
Upward Bound Program, it was transferred to the College of Humanities and
Sciences. Dr. Grace Harris is chairing the university-wide advisory com-
mittee. VCU received a $110,000 grant, the largest of 18 grants awarded
this year out of 107 applications nationwide. We were also awarded a
$109,339 Upward Bound Grant.
3. This fall, we are housing over 3600 students. More than 1100 of these are
housed in the William Byrd and Downtowner Hotels and the Tivoli Apartments.
4. Dr. Ackell reported that the searches continue for a vice-president of
health sciences and a dean of pharmacy. Two new searches are starting--
for the deans of basic sciences and social work. Next June, both of these
deans will be stepping down. Dean Watts will be retiring and Dean Rothen-
berg will head up the self-study, a major project leading to our reaccredi-
tation by the Southern Association.
5. The new parking deck at Laurel and Main opened this fall and is working
very well. At the same time, however, we lost several parking lots where
construction is ready to begin on the new Student Commons. We received
good press on the parking deck. Park Avenue was closed from Cathedral
Place to Linden.
6. Dr. Ackell reported that at a recent annual meeting of the Virginia Dental
Association, they committed themselves to raising $2 million as an endow-
ment for the dental school.
7. VCU will have an exhibit at the State Fair. Dr. Ackell invited everyone
to stop by and see the display.
8. Patricia Harris, former secretary of HUD, HEW and Health and Human Services
during the Carter Administration, will give a presentation on "Preparing
for the 21st Century" on September 24, 1981, at 8:00 p.m., in the Music
Center.
9. Dr. Ackell reported on the SCHEV Issue Papers. He mentioned an article
in the newspaper on SCHEV and auxiliary funds which was misleading as it
appeared that the colleges and universities were gouging the students on
room and board and other fees. Dr. Ackell remarked that no state funds
can be used to support the auxiliary enterprises such as dorms and food
service. The figures compared the cost of the most expensive dormitory
in 1976 (Rhoads) to that of the most expensive in 1981 (New Residence
Center). SCHEV distributed several other issue papers for discussion
over the next couple of months. Dr. Ackell felt that there were a number
of extremely serious problems for VCU in terms of these issue papers, but
he stressed that we will be working to get changes and clarification.
10. The two major task forces (governance and promotion and tenure) completed
their work and drafting committees worked to develop final documents.
The promotion and tenure report has been passed by the University Assembly.
At the next University Assembly meeting, the governance document will be
discussed.
11. Dr. Ackell reported that this fall he has held a number of meetings with
different groups of student leaders. In his opinion the meetings have
been very productive. At this time Dr. Ackell introduced Mr. Larry Caba-
niss, presiding officer of the Academic Campus Student Association (ACSA);
Ms. Pamela Shane, student liaison from ACSA; and Dr. Robert Clifton, the
new dean of Student Affairs for the MCV Campus.
On motion made and seconded, the following resolution was adopted in honor
of Mrs. Anne P. Satterfield, former rector of the Board of Visitors:
RESOLUTION IN HONOR OF MRS. ANNE P. SATTERFIELD
Beginning with her career as a student at Richmond Professional Institute
and including her seven years of service on the Board of Visitors of
Virginia Commonwealth University, Anne P. Satterfield has exhibited con-
tinuing devotion to her alma mater. As a distinguished alumna, she has
worked diligently to improve the quality of education and the prestige
of this institution for the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
As a Board member she has earned the respect of her associates, of mem-
bers of the student body, and of faculty and administrators.
The unusual leadership qualities of Mrs. Satterfield were most ably
demonstrated during her tenure on the Board, particularly during the
past year when she served as Rector of the Board of Visitors.
5
The Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University therefore
declares its high esteem and deep appreciation for the many contributions
she has made to Virginia Commonwealth University and to its many publics.
The Board, in grateful acknowledgement of her many contributions, extends
to Mrs. Satterfield sincere thanks, and trusts her counsel and advice
will be available in the future.
The Board resolves that this resolution be inscribed permanently in
the Minutes and a copy presented to Mrs. Satterfield as a token of its
highest esteem and deepest personal regard.
On motion made and seconded, the Proposed Revisions to the Bylaws of the
Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University were approved. The revisions
extend the membership on the Board from 15 to 16 and expand the Executive Com-
mittee number to eight. Mr. Wyatt was appointed to the Executive Committee.
It was noted that vacancies are filled by election by the Board, and Dr. Ackell
stated that the chairmen of individual committees have served on the Executive
Committee in the past. At this time, Dr. Gayle asked if committee chairmen
could be nominated earlier. Mr. Ludeman stated that he would examine the
process of selecting committee chairmen to see if it can be accelerated.
The Report on the Status of the 1982-84 Biennial Operating Budget Request
was presented for discussion at the Executive Committee on August 3, 1981, and
at the Board dinner meeting on September 23, 1981. At this time the document
was presented for information only, as the budget has already been approved
and no further action is necessary.
On motion made and seconded, the Proposed Revisions in the Dormitory
Visitation Policy was adopted.
Dr. Ackell gave a slide presentation on the Master Site Plan for the MCV
Campus. After a brief discussion, the Master Site Plan was approved with the
understanding that this plan is only a guideline for the institution. It deals
with property, not specific buildings.
On motion made and seconded, the Promotion and Tenure Policies and Procedures
of Virginia Commonwealth University were adopted with one change: on page 6,
item 2D., the last sentence will read, "Any recommendations with regard to the
promotion and tenure system should be brought to the attention of the University
administration."
Following a discussion, the Report of the Contracts signed since the July
Board Meeting was accepted.
Mr. Ludeman reported that the Executive Committee had not met and, there-
fore, had no report to make at this time.
Mr. Grey mentioned that the Hospital Committee report and Minutes were
presented earlier in the meeting.
Mrs. Thalhimer reported for the Audit Committee that there will be a new
construction auditor coming on Board. There will be a meeting with the Auditor
of Public Accounts in October.
Mrs. Bemiss stated that the Property Committee report was presented in
the Master Site Plan Study by Dr. Ackell.
Dr. Gayle reported that the Student Affairs Committee report was presented
earlier in the meeting.
There was no report from the Academic Policy as Mr. Wyatt was absent.
Mr. Ludeman commended the Board members for their excellent attendance at
Board and Committee Meetings.
On motion made, seconded and approved, the Board went into executive ses-
sion to discuss the Report of the Legal Advisor, Faculty Appointments and Changes
in Status, Report of Gifts, and Review of University Departments and Personnel
as authorized by the Virginia 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, Report of Gifts, and Review of University Depart-
ments and Personnel which included changing the title for Mr. Bruegman to Vice-
President for Administration and for Dr. Hall to Provost and Vice-President
for Academic Affairs.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
Harold I. Nemuth, Secretary
Approved:
