MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
August 3, 1982
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Visitors
of Virginia Commonwealth University was held on Tuesday, August 3,
1982, at 12:00 p.m. in the University Meeting Center.
Present were Drs. Coleman, Gayle and Nemuth; Messrs. Craigie,
Grey, Ludeman and Smith; and Mesdames Bemiss and Thalhimer. Absent
was Mr. Balfour. Also attending were Drs. Ackell, Andrako and
Fleshood; Messrs. Bruegman and Ware; Mrs. Williams and Miss Mills.
The Rector announced that this meeting replaces the meeting
previously scheduled for August 19, 1982. The main purpose of the
meeting is to review the University's draft response to Secretary
Casteen regarding the five percent reversion which totals approxi-
mately $3.5 million. Mr. Ludeman stated that the Executive Commit-
tee is acting on behalf of the full Board of Visitors and that the
review should be focused on the conceptual basis of the preliminary
working document.
Dr. Ackell reviewed the main issues with members of the Committee. He stressed that the University administration considers
the reversion to be for one year only and our response will involve
deferral of activities rather than permanent reductions. Our pres-
entation is in keeping with the Governor's request and we are not
asking for an exemption. Included in our presentation are restric-
tions on employment levels which will allow no more employees in
1982-83 than were authorized in 1981-82. An employment control
process is in place which restricts hiring. Vice presidents are
responsible for authorizing classified position recruitment and
the President is authorizing the faculty recruitment. Dr. Ackell
further stated that we do not plan to increase tuition to offset
any of the budget reductions required since our tuition rates are
already high.
Included in the document being sent to Secretary Casteen are
the Institutional Priorities statement and the 1982-84 Budget Plan.
Their inclusion is-intended to inform Secretary Casteen that VCU
has been actively engaged in a program review process which involves
the reallocation of resources. The Memorandum of Understanding
further states that the reversion comes at a most inopportune time
since our internal reallocation program has been in effect and there
is little latitude for curtailing academic programs on such short
notice. In academic areas, it will take up to two years for reduc-
tion or elimination of programs because of faculty and student
commitments.
In response to Board members' inquiries, Dr. Ackell stated that
although implementation of some important programs may be slowed,
such as computer services and university advancement, the Univer-
sity's commitment to such programs is still high and every effort
will be made to ensure that no one program is adversely affected.
This is also the case with student workers on campus, since a reduc-
tion of wage positions available to them is only an alternative in
case of necessity.
The Committee requested that the cover letter to Secretary
Casteen include a statement relative to the possibility of uneven
conformance by all institutions which would only perpetuate ineq-
uities. Mr. Ludeman summarized the discussion by stating that we
are being totally responsive to the Governor's request but at the
same time, we should realize that our appropriation will only have
been increased 2.9% this fiscal year if the reversion is made. On
motion made and seconded, the Executive Committee approved the
draft Memorandum of Agreement proposed by the administration for
presentation to Secretary Casteen. Mr. Ludeman encouraged Board
members with any specific concerns to call members of the admin-
istration after further review of the document since there is a
negotiation period in effect after the presentation.
In response to an inquiry as to the capacity of our computer,
it was explained that our current sharing of facilities with the
Community Colleges is being eliminated and we are looking for
other alternatives. Our computing demand is greater than for one
computer but not as great as the two we now share with VCCS. We
cannot afford to pay for two.
Mr. Ludeman reviewed the topic of remedial education with the
Committee. The Governor has stated that such programs should be
in the secondary schools since institutions of higher education
currently expend $30 million on them. The Rector asked the admin-
istration to identify all remedial programs at Virginia Commonwealth
University and to document their value. Dr. Ackell responded that
our Special Services program, which has active involvement with
approximately 200 students each year, serves a special purpose.
A summary will be prepared outlining the success rate of students
who participate in this program. Other types of remedial education
at VCU include adult education programs and basic education pro-
grams. It was also noted that the strengthening of admission re-
quirements will require high schools to do a better job of pre-
paring students for higher education.
The Rector requested that any financial/administrative quar-
terly reports normally presented to the Executive Committee be sent
to the members since the meeting time had been changed this month.
Dr. Gayle addressed the issue of student representation to
the Board of Visitors. The Student Affairs Committee recommended
to the Executive Committee that there be one student representative
from each campus to the Board of Visitors. Dr. Ackell explained
that the administration's original viewpoint was that, by having
only one student representative, there would be more unity and co-
hesion since both campuses represent one university. However, he
feels that this will perhaps evolve over time as student groups
work on joint projects.
Following discussion, on motion made and seconded, the Exec-
utive Committee approved student representation to the Board of
Visitors. Additional discussion ensued on the advantages and dis-
advantages of the students representing each campus and on motion
made and seconded, the Committee approved that there be one student
representative from each campus to the Board of Visitors.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m.
Approved
