MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
March 25, 1982
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors was held on Thursday, March 25,
1982, at 9:00 a.m. at the University Meeting Center.
Present were Messrs. Balfour, Grey, Ludeman, Smith and Wyatt; Mesdames Bemiss,
Fewell, Thalhimer and Whittemore; and Drs. Butt, Coleman, Gayle, Johnson and Nemuth.
Messrs. Cotten and Craigie were absent. Also present were Drs. Ackell, Hall, Wilson
and Woods; Messrs. Bruegman, Guerdon, Ross and Ware; Miss Cosby and Mrs. Price.
Mr. Ludeman called the meeting to order and presented the minutes of the
regular Board of Visitors Meetings and the Executive Committee Meetings for approval.
On motion made and seconded, the following minutes were approved: (a) Special Meet-
ing of the Executive Committee, held October 20, 1981; (b) a Regular Meeting of the
Board of Visitors, held November 19, 1981; (c) a Special Meeting of the Executive
Committee, held December 9, 1981; (d) a Regular Meeting of the Board of Visitors,
held January 21, 1982; (e) a Special Meeting of the Executive Committee, held January
21, 1982; and (f) a Special Meeting of the Executive Committee, held February 18, 1982
Dr. Ackell then reported on the following items:
1. VCU's Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 15, 1982,
at the Richmond Coliseum. We hope all Board members will
be able to attend.
2. The Council of Visitors' Meeting will be held at George
Mason University on April 4 and 5, 1982.
3. The new MCV Hospital will be dedicated on June 12, 1982.
We hope each of you will mark this date on your calendar
and plan to attend. Let us know if you have names of
special guests that should be invited.
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4. The National Institute for Dental Research reported that
for fiscal year 1980 our School of Dentistry ranked:
11th out of 144 institutions receiving grants,
• awards, and contracts.
9th out of 117 institutions receiving research
• grants.
8th out of 24 institutions receiving RCDA's.
26th out of 33 institutions receiving fellow-
• ships.
This achievement was possible due to the cooperation and
enthusiastic support of the School of Dentistry and the
School of Basic Sciences.
5. The University has been working towards the development of
several doctoral programs over the past several years. Last
year, you approved five doctoral programs, and we are now
submitting Statements of Readiness to SCHEV for four of these
programs:
Ph.D. in Business, Fall 1982 implementation
•
D.P.A. in Public Administration, Fall 1982
Ph.D. in Health Services Organization and Research,
Fall 1982
Ph.D. in Urban Services, Fall 1982
The doctoral programs will be initiated if SCHEV gives us the
go ahead and if internal reallocations are made to provide the
necessary funding.
The fifth program you approved was for a Ph.D. in Art History.
We are requesting a delay in its implementation to 1983.
6. MCVH was recently visited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation
of Hospitals and received a full two-year accreditation. This is
the first time since 1975 that MCVH has achieved a fully accredited
status.
On the Academic Campus, the National Council for the Accreditation
of Teacher Education just accredited all of our programs in the
School of Education.
7. The Hospitals are seeking external funds to help purchase equip-
ment for the new facility. You may recently have received a
letter and brochure from Mr. Myles Lash outlining the plans.
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8. Some members of the Board have mentioned receiving huge amounts
of materials from the University. We realize that you receive
mailings from the President's Office and the Vice Presidents.
However, we are not aware of the other material that you receive
from the University. Your names and mailing addresses are public
information and many people get mailing lists from Mrs. Price.
If you would make us aware of the types of information you are
receiving that are not helpful to you, we will try to cut some
of it out.
9. Advance registration for the fall is going well. Our applications
for freshmen are up but we do not know what the matriculation rate
will be.
10. The finalists for the Dean of Social Work position are now being
interviewed, and we hope to have an appointment for your approval
at the May Board meeting.
11. Yesterday, the Richmond Historic Foundation presented its first
annual preservation award to VCU for its work on the Putney Houses
on the MCV Campus. Mr. Saksen gave a first-rate presentation at
the luncheon.
Mr. Ludeman reported that a number of the members of the Board had attended
the Richmond Historic Foundation luncheon. Mr. Ludeman stated that he continues
to be impressed with the diversity of the University and that occasions such as
that luncheon give him great pride in the University.
Dr. Ackell presented the Bylaws of the University Council for the Board's
approval. He stated that the main thrust of the new governance structure is to
give faculty more representation. Following discussion, on motion made and seconded,
the Bylaws of the University Council were approved.
Mr. Guerdon presented the contracts signed since the November Board meeting.
During the discussion, Dr. Coleman asked how much leased space the University uses.
Mr. Bruegman indicated that he would prepare a report on this issue for the Property
Committee. On motion made and seconded, the report of the contracts was accepted
by the Board.
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Mr. Guerdon distributed the notebooks containing financial reports. The
notebook had been presented and discussed at the last Executive Committee meeting,
but he wanted all members of the Board to have a copy. The notebook provides
summary financial reports of the University's operations. Members of the Board
will periodically receive updated sections for the notebook.
Mr. Guerdon presented a resolution regarding interim financing for the renovation
of Rhoads, Johnson and Cabaniss Halls. Following a discussion, on motion made and
seconded, the following Resolution was approved:
WHEREAS, Virginia Commonwealth University is proceeding with
the construction of the capital construction project titled "Reno-
vations - Dormitories (Rhoads, Johnson and Cabaniss Halls)" (the
"Project");
WHEREAS, permanent financing of the Project will be achieved
through the issuance of revenue bonds to the U. S. Department of
Education which has approved Virginia Commonwealth University's
application for funding in the amount of $2,890,000 and State revenue
bonds in the amount of $109,465, both of which will be issued upon
the completion of the construction of the Project; and
WHEREAS, it will be necessary to secure temporary and interim
financing for the construction of the Project;
Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University, that the Vice President for Finance be and
is hereby authorized to secure an interim loan in an amount not to
exceed $2,999,465 from the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia
to finance the construction of the Project, such loan to be repaid
from the proceeds of the revenue bonds which shall be issued upon the
completion of the construction of the Project.
Mr. Guerdon presented a resolution regarding interim financing for construction
of Parking Deck "E". Following a discussion on motion made and seconded, the following
Resolution was approved:
WHEREAS, Virginia Commonwealth University has received the
necessary authorization and approval to proceed with the construc-
tion of the capital construction project titled "Construction -
Parking Deck E" (the "Project");
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WHEREAS, permanent financing of the Project will be achieved
through the issuance of revenue bonds which will be issued upon the
completion of the construction of the Project; and
WHEREAS, it will be necessary to secure temporary and interim
financing for the construction of the Project;
Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University, that the Vice President for Finance be and
is hereby authorized to secure an interim loan in an amount not to
exceed $2,403,951 from the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia
to finance the construction of the Project, such loan to be repaid
from the proceeds of the revenue bonds which shall be issued upon
the completion of the construction of the Project.
Mr. Wyatt reported on behalf of the Academic Policy Committee. On motion made
and seconded, the Minutes of the Academic Policy Committee Meeting, held on November
13, 1981, were approved.
Mr. Wyatt reported on behalf of the Academic Policy Committee which is recommend-
ing that the Department of Biophysics and the Department of Physiology be merged to
form the Department of Physiology and Biophysics. The committee is also recommending
that the name, "Children's Medical Center" be adopted for selected pediatric activities
on the MCV Campus. The Committee's third recommendation is to institute a Faculty
Awards Program. Following discussion, on motion made and seconded, the three recomm-
endations were approved as were the Minutes of the Academic Policy Committee Meeting,
held March 4, 1982.
Mrs. Thalhimer reported for the Audit Committee which met on February 3, 1982.
She stated that the Committee accepted the unqualified opinion of the Auditor of
Public Accounts on the University's consolidated financial statements for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1982; the Management Letter of the Auditor of Public Accounts
for the same period and the University's response to the Management Letter. On
motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting of the Audit Committee, held
February 3, 1982, were approved.
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Mr. Ludeman reported for the Executive Committee which had its meeting on
February 18, 1982. He reported that the Committee had reviewed the Self-Review
Questionnaire which was included in the Financial Management Manual for Institu-
tions of Higher Education. They also reviewed the Annual Financial Statements of
the University and the Financial Reports Notebooks. The quarterly 1981-82 Budget
Report was also presented as well as an update on the biennial budget and the
legislative session.
Mr. Grey reported for the Hospital Committee which met on February 4, 1982.
He stated that the nurse staffing is better than several years ago, but there is
some concern about the current downward trend. Discussions are being held with
State Personnel regarding nursing salary scales so that MCVH may remain competitive
with other teaching hospitals. The patient day activity has dropped off when com-
pared with last year and the budget projections. The admissions are holding stable,
which means the length of stay is being reduced. Mr. Grey reported that a number
of privileges for the medical staff were approved. He also stated that the adminis-
tration had received glowing remarks from the Auditor of Public Accounts during
that office's recent audit of MCVH and the University. On motion made and seconded,
the Minutes of the Hospital Committee meeting, held February 4, 1982, were approved.
Mrs. Bemiss circulated copies of articles that recently appeared in the New
York Times and the News Leader regarding VCU.
Mr. Ludeman announced that the Executive and Hospital Committees would be meet-
ing jointly on Tuesday, April 20, 1982, at 7:30 a.m. at the Sanger Hall Board Room.
This meeting will be followed by a meeting of the Executive Committee from 9 a.m. to
10:30 a.m. He requested that members of the Executive Committee cancel the meeting
scheduled for Thursday, April 22.
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Mrs. Bemiss reported that the Property Committee had met on December 8, 1981,
and January 5, 1982, and that those meetings had been previously discussed. On
motion made and seconded, the Minutes of the Property Committee Meetings, held on
December 9, 1981, and January 5, 1982 were approved.
Mrs. Bemiss stated that, at its February 9 meeting, the Committee approved
Interspace Incorporated as the interior design firm to prepare specifications for
interior furnishings for the New Hospital. The Committee also approved two arch-
itectural firms (Moseley-Henning Associates and Odell Associates) for two interim
moves at the hospital. The Committee also reviewed the Quarterly Update Report on
Capital Outlay Projects. Mrs. Bemiss also noted that the Property Committee recom-
mends to the Board that one of the lecture halls in the new Robert Blackwell Smith, Jr.
Building be named in honor of Dr. Warren E. Weaver. On motion made and seconded,
the following resolution was approved:
WEHEREAS, Dr. Warren E. Weaver has served with distinction
for twenty-five years as Dean of the School of Pharmacy; and
WHEREAS, during his thirty-one years as a pharmacy educator
he has become one of the most highly respected leaders in the
profession and an articulate spokesman for quality pharmaceutical
education in the nation; and
WHEREAS, he has served as President of the American Asso-
ciation of Colleges of Pharmacy and been a member of the boards
of all of the major pharmaceutical organizations in the country;
and
WHEREAS, we appreciate the leadership and dedication he has
provided the School of Pharmacy;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Visitors of
Virginia Commonwealth University name one of the lecture halls in
the new Robert Blackwell Smith, Jr. Building in honor of Dr. Warren E.
Weaver.
On motion made and seconded, the Minutes of the Property Committee Meeting,
held on February 9, 1982, were approved.
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Mrs. Bemiss reported that the Property Committee had met on March 16, 1982,
and recommend approval of easements to VEPCO to maintain underground conduits
and cables for electrical service to the Cancer Center, Putney Houses, Physical
Plant Shops and MCV Gym II. On motion made and seconded, the following Resolution
was approved:
WHEREAS, James G. Guerdon, Vice-President for Finance
for Virginia Commonwealth University, has executed certain
documents on behalf of Virginia Commonwealth University
pursuant to which the Virginia Electric and Power Company
has been granted an easement for underground conduits and
cables and related facilities for the transmission and
distribution of electricity on the Medical College of Virginia
Campus of the University at the site of the Medical College
of Virginia Cancer Center in areas bound by East Marshall
Street on the north, Broad Street on the south, Interstate
95 on the east, and College Street on the west and as
identified with more particularity in the documents attached
hereto as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, James G. Guerdon, Vice-President for Finance
for Virginia Commonwealth University, has executed certain
documents on behalf of Virginia Commonwealth University
pursuant to which the Virginia Electric and Power Company
has been granted an easement for underground conduits and
cables and related facilities for the transmission and
distribution of electricity on the Medical College of Virginia
Campus of the University at the site of the Medical College
of Virginia Pharmacy/Pharmacology Building, in areas bound
by East Clay Street on the north, East Marshall Street on
the south, North Eleventh Street on the east, and North
Twelfth Street on the west and as identified with more
particularity in the documents attached hereto as Exhibit B;
and
WHEREAS, James G. Guerdon, Vice-President for Finance
for Virginia Commonwealth University, has executed certain
documents on behalf of Virginia Commonwealth University
pursuant to which the Virginia Electric and Power Company
has been granted an easement for underground conduits and
cables and related facilities for the transmission and
distribution of electricity on the Medical College of Virginia
Campus of the University at the site of the Medical College
of Virginia Gymnasium Addition, in areas bound by East Duval
Street on the north and west, North Eighth Street on the
south and East Jackson Street on the east and as identified
with more particularity in the documents attached hereto as
Exhibit C; and
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WHEREAS, James G. Guerdon, Vice-President for Finance
for Virginia Commonwealth University, has executed certain
documents on behalf of Virginia Commonwealth University
pursuant to which the Virginia Electric and Power Company
has been granted an easement for underground conduits and
cables and related facilities for the transmission and
distribution of electricity on the Medical College of Virginia
Campus of the University at the site of the Medical College
of Virginia Physical Plant Shops Building, in areas bound by
East Duvall Street on the north and east, Lee (sic) Street on the
south and North Tenth Street on the west, and as identified
with more particularity in the documents attached hereto as
Exhibit D; and
WHEREAS, the granting of the aforementioned easements
have been approved by the appropriate Commonwealth of Virginia
officials, including a designee of the Governor of Virginia;
and
WHEREAS, the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University wishes to approve, ratify, and confirm these
actions of Mr. Guerdon in executing and delivering the
aforementioned easements;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors
of Virginia Commonwealth University that the actions of the
Vice-President for Finance in executing and delivering the
easements, as reflected in the documents attached hereto
respectively as Exhibits A, B, C and D, to the Virginia
Electric and Power Company, be, and they hereby are, approved,
ratified and confirmed.
Mrs. Bemiss also reported that the following projects are subject to the
Governor's freeze on capital outlay projects supported by the General Fund and
the administration is recommending exemptions from all three projects:
Barrier Free Access ($947,386)
First Baptist Church ($504,000)
Preplanning Power Plant Study for the Coal-Fired Steam Plant
($149,500)
The Property Committee also approved the hiring of the firm of Smith, Armstrong
and Landow for the renovation project of Founder's Hall as well as preliminaries
for the renovation of North Hospital. The Committee also approved a recommendation
to bid an additional treatment room in the Cancer Center.
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Mrs. Bemiss reported that a discussion was held on the disposition of the
houses at 912-914 Park Avenue. The committee approved with two dissenting votes
a motion stating that all options regarding the houses were unacceptable except
demolition and that the administration submit a site plan to the Committee for
the landscaping and use of the area once the buildings are demolished.
On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Property Committee was accepted
and the minutes approved.
Dr. Gayle reported on behalf of the Student Affairs Committee which held meet-
ings on December 3, 1981; January 7, 1982; and February 24, 1982, to receive infor-
mational data only. On motion made and seconded, the Minutes of the Student Affairs
Committee were approved and the report accepted.
Mr. Smith reported that the Ad Hoc Legislative Relations Committee had not
had a formal meeting since the last Board meeting; however, a number of members
of that Committee had met with members of the General Assembly and State officials.
Regarding the biennial budget, Mr. Smith reported that we received $750,000 for
deficiencies in the calculation of indirect costs for medical and dental programs.
We also received tuition relief from the 65/35 Plan and additional monies for
faculty salaries. However, no money was provided for the hospital. Mr. Smith
stated that the committee would continue to work with the administration on the
relief for the hospital. Mr. Smith stated that this is the first year that the
Board of Visitors has made a concerted effort to work with the administration in
the General Assembly, and he felt we had been fairly successful. Mr. Smith stated
that he would be calling a meeting of the Ad Hoc Legislative Relations Committee
for Thursday, April 1, 1982, at 4:30 p.m. Notices will be sent out. On motion
made and seconded, the Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Legislative Relations
was accepted.
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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, and fund-raising activities as auth-
orized 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.
Following Executive Session, on motion made and seconded, the report of the
Legal Advisor, Faculty Appointments and Changes in Status, and the Report of Gifts
were approved and/or accepted by the Board, with Mr. Grey abstaining from the vote
on the Report of Gifts.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
Harold I. Nemuth, Secretary
Approved:
