MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
May 19, 1983
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University was held on Thursday, May 19, 1983, at 9:00 a.m. in the
University Meeting Center.
Present were Messrs. Balfour, Cotten, Craigie, Grey, Ludeman,
Morris, Reynolds, Smith and Wyatt; Drs. Coleman and Gayle; and Mesdames
Bemiss, Thalhimer and Whittemore. Absent were Drs. Butt and Nemuth.
Also present were Drs. Ackell, Hall, Salley, Sparks, Wilson and Woods;
Messrs. Bruegman, Guerdon, Kelly, Ross and Ware; Ms. Fulper and Mrs.
Price.
Mr. Ludeman called the meeting to order and, on motion made and
seconded, the Minutes of a Regular Board of Visitors Meeting, held
March 23, 1983, were approved.
Mr. Ludeman introduced Mr. Guerdon for a presentation concerning
the MCVH revenue bonds. Mr. Guerdon introduced Mr. Walter Craigie who
related the latest bond market conditions to the Board and the market
projections for the immediate future.
Mr. Guerdon then introduced Mr. Joe Smith of Ernst and Whinney for
a report on the updated feasibility study done for MCVH. He reported
that a substantial update had been conducted with very favorable
results.
Mr. Peter J. Michel of Brown, Wood, Ivey, Mitchell and Petty, bond
counsel, reviewed the proposed supplemental bond resolution. Following
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a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the Board approved the Sup-
plemental Resolution Authorizing $37,400,000 Medical College of Virgin-
ia Hospital Revenue Bonds, Series B. Mr. F. Willson Craigie was not
present in the room during this discussion and did not participate in
the vote.
Mr. Guerdon stated that it will be necessary to hold a joint meet-
ing of the Board's Executive Committee and the State Treasury Board.
This meeting is tentatively scheduled for Friday, June 3, 1983, at
10:00 a.m.
Dr. Ackell presented the Report of the President. He reported on
the following items:
1. Dr. Ackell stated that in late March, the Governor held the
first in a series of programs on the Critical Evaluation of
State Government. Last week, the second program was held at
our Performing Arts Center Concert Hall. The Governor's staff
has requested the use of this facility again on June 14 for
another conference. It is our understanding that this confer-
ence will be for all boards and commissions appointed by the
Governor. The purpose of these conferences is to inform State
agencies and public constituencies about the Governor's goals
and objectives for State programs.
2. Dr. Ackell reported that Commencement this year was one of the
finest we've had. Over 3,000 degrees were awarded including
58 Ph.D.'s. Frances and Sydney Lewis, Tom Wolfe and Bob
Wilson were all elated with the honors bestowed upon them by
the University. The mood of the students was festive but not
disruptive and the Commencement speech was enjoyed by all.
The social function following Commencement was a reception
rather than a seated luncheon and a number of positive com-
ments have been received.
3. Dr. Ackell stated that the University's next large function
will be the Faculty Convocation scheduled for Thursday, Octo-
ber 6, 1983, at 4:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. As
you know, we will recognize faculty in four categories --
teaching, research, service and overall excellence. Our
speaker this year will be Dr. Denton Cooley of the Texas Heart
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Institute in Houston, Texas. His topic will be "Technology
and Scientific Progress."
The week of October 3 has been designated National Higher
Education Week and we will be planning a number of events
concluding with the Convocation.
4. Dr. Ackell reported that at the last Council of Visitors meet-
ing, Mr. Edward Brickell, former Chairman of the Council,
requested a copy of the "Efficiency of State Government" paper
prepared for higher education by VCU and submitted to the
Governor.
5. Dr. Ackell stated that he hoped all Board members had had an
opportunity to read his remarks made to the Governor and Gen-
eral Assembly at the Capital Outlay Briefing. These remarks
will become the basis for seeking capital funds from the Gov-
ernor and General Assembly for the 1984-86 biennium. Our
request includes the Outpatient Facility on the MCV Campus,
the Academic Classroom Building on the Academic Campus and
several renovation projects.
6. Dr. Ackell reported that the 1984-86 budget targets from the
State have been delayed until June 15. They were previously
scheduled to be released on May 15. Once they are received,
we will have to submit our financial addendum proposal by
September 1.
7. Dr. Ackell reported that according to the most recent ratings
in the "United States Funds for Colleges and Universities for
1981," VCU ranked 74th in research and development grants.
VPI was ranked 75th and UVA was 52nd.
8. Dr. Ackell stated that a neighbor of one of the University's
administrators works for a large computer company which
recently interviewed approximately 12 of our students. He
reported that all of the students were well prepared academi-
cally, knew about the company doing the interview and had
reasonable expectations of what was entailed in the job.
The computer company executive also stated that interviews had
been held at several colleges and universities and, overall,
VCU students were better prepared and understood the employer
better than those interviewed at other schools. Dr. Ackell
stated that these statements speak for themselves and are an
excellent reflection on our institution.
Dr. Ackell recommended to the Board the appointment of Ms. Kass
Tinker as the Student Representative to the Board to be effective Jul
1983. The
alternate student presentative would be Mr. William
Crutchfield, a second year dental student, Ms. Tinker has served
presiding officer of the Academic Campus Student Association and is
junior majoring in Mass Communications. On motion made and seconded,
Kass Tinker was appointed as the Student representative to the
Board and Mr. William Crutchfield as alternate.
Mr. Ludeman thanked Ms. Karen Fulper, the present student represen-
tative, for her contributions to the Board and the Committee on Student
Affairs, Ms. Fulper expressed her appreciation to the Board for the
opportunity to be the Board's first student representative.
Ludeman presented the proposed revisions to the Board Bylaws.
He indicated that the process which elects the Rector, other officers
and Executive Committee in July is awkward since it is necessary for
the Rector to be involved in the other appointments. On
motion made and seconded, the proposed changes to the Bylaws, as amend-
Guerdon presented the Contracts signed since the March Board of
Visitors Meeting. A question was raised concerning the lease with the
Downtowner Motel and the major renovation project which is to be under-
'taken at that facility. The Board requested the assurance of the
administration that the Downtowner would provide a quiet, clean loca-
tion to house our students. On motion made and seconded, the Contracts
were ratified conditional on the above mentioned criteria for the
Downtowner lease and with Mrs. Whittemore abstaining.
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Mr. Ludeman reported for the Executive Committee which met on Feb-
ruary 17 and on April 19 jointly with the Hospital Committee. At the
February 17 meeting the Committee reviewed the process being used by
the Academic Planning Committee, reviewed the amendments to the Memo-
randum of Understanding, reviewed the Quarterly Budget Reports,
approved a Resolution on the Site Work for the Student Commons Building
and reviewed and suggested wording changes to the Student Recruitment
and Retention Plan.
meeting held on April 19. He stated that the hospital's financial data
Mr. Grey reported for the Hospital Committee's portion of the joint
is in good order. The hospital's operating budget was approved and
includes an overall 8 percent increase in room rates. Mr. Ludeman
called attention to Mr. Grey's statement in these minutes which
requests the Board and administration to begin working on a solution to
the situation where patients are treated at MCVH and the hospital is
not reimbursed for these services. Mr. Ludeman stated that MCVH is
providing a community service which is not being adequately funded by
the General Assembly.
Mr. Ludeman reported that the Executive Committee approved the
Hospital's operating budget. The Committee also reviewed the Institu-
tional Priorities Statement which will be discussed as the next agenda
item. The University's Budget Plan and schedule of Tuition and Fees
were approved. The 1984-86 Program Proposals were reviewed as were the
third quarter budget reports. On motion made and seconded, the
Executive Committee actions were ratified except for the Institutional
Priorities document and the Minutes of both meetings were approved.
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Dr. Ackell presented the Institutional Priorities document. He
stated that this is the University's planning document for the next
five to ten years. A question was raised as to why a reference was not
made to the termination of programs in the narrative section of the
document. Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, it was
approved to change the wording on page 5, Section 3, f to include a
statement regarding the termination of programs. On motion made and
seconded, the Institutional Priorities document was approved as amend-
ed.
Mrs. Whittemore reported for the Academic Policy Committee which
met on May 17. She indicated that the Committee recommended to the
Board for approval the implementation of the Army ROTC program to begin
in the fall of 1983. On motion made and seconded, the Army ROTC pro-
gram was approved.
Mrs. Whittemore also reported that the Committee had received a
report from Dr. Hall concerning our numerical objectives in the Virgin-
ia Plan. The administration believes that we will be able to meet our
objectives for both graduate and undergraduate admissions. However, we
may not meet the objectives for recruiting 33 additional faculty mem-
bers by 1985.
On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Academic Policy
Committee was accepted.
Mr. Craigie reported for the Advancement Committee which met on
March 15. He indicated that they had reviewed the activities that took
place in the General Assembly as well as discussed the possibility of a
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major legislative tour for Richmond in January, 1984. The request in
these minutes concerning the hiring of a consultant was acted on by the
Board at its March meeting.
On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Advancement Commit-
tee was accepted and the Minutes were approved.
Mrs. Thalhimer stated that the Audit Committee report would be made
in executive session.
Mr. Grey reported that the Hospital Committee had no further report
at this time.
Dr. Gayle reported for the Student Affairs Committee which met on
April 7. At this meeting, the Committee reviewed a number of student
appeal documents. Dr. Gayle stated that this was an excellent meeting
and he thanked Dr. Wilson and members of his staff for their contribu-
tions and support to the Student Affairs Committee. Dr. Gayle also
expressed his appreciation to Ms. Karen Fulper for her dedicated ser-
vice to the Student Affairs Committee as the student representative.
Mr. Ludeman reported for the Property Committee which met on April
12 at the Cary Street Gym. He stated that this new facility is an
excellent addition to the Academic Campus. The Committee approved the
selection of the architectural firm of Mosely-Henning and Associates,
Inc., to do the preplanning study for the Clinical Facility on the MCV
Campus.
The Committee also requested a revision to the architect selection
order to streamline the capital outlay approval process,
y the roles of the Board therein and give the Property Committee
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an opportunity to see examples of the proposed design and previous work
of prospective architects before making its recommendation to the
Board.
On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Property Committee
was accepted and the Minutes were approved.
Mr. Ludeman presented a request from a former Board member to give
Dr. George J. Oliver, President Emeritus status. He stated that this
status is needed because of a gift that is being made to another organ-
ization. Following a discussion, it was agreed to table this item
until the legal advisor could review the legality of such action.
Mr. Ludeman reported that he had appointed a Nominating Committee
by phone since the last Board meeting. The Committee is composed of
Dr. Sigsby W. Gayle, Chairman; Mr. Robert J. Grey; Dr. Harold I.
Nemuth; Mrs. Anne Marie Whittemore; and Mr. Jack H. Wyatt.
Mr. Ludeman also appointed a Presidential Evaluation Committee
which is to report at the July meeting composed of Mr. W. Roy Smith,
Chairman; Mr. F. Willson Craigie; and Mr. Philip B. Morris. Mr.
Ludeman also stated that he and Dr. Ackell are working on developing a
performance contract for the President. He also stated that he has
received some materials from the Association of Governing Boards deal-
ing with the evaluation of a president which he will give to the chair-
man of the committee.
Dr. Gayle reported for the Nominating Committee. He stated that
the Committee had a number of items it had discussed with regard to
committees:
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1. Board committees are too large.
2. Committees should have both Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen.
3. Once a person has served as chairman of a committee, he/she
should rotate off of that committee.
Dr. Gayle reported that the Nominating Committee recommended the
name of Mr. Douglas H. Ludeman to serve as Rector of the Board for
1983-84. On motion made and seconded, Mr. Ludeman was elected Rector
of the Board to be effective July 1, 1983.
On motion made and seconded, the Board convened into executive
session to discuss certain personnel matters involving the performance
of identifiable employees or faculty of VCU, and to discuss the evalua-
tion of performance of departments or schools of VCU where such matters
regarding such individuals might be affected by such evaluation, and to
discuss pending litigation with its attorney, and to discuss the condi-
tion, 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
and to discuss the consideration of special awards as authorized by
Section 2.1-344 a(l), 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 Board
approved and/or accepted the Report of the Legal Advisor, the Faculty
Appointments and Changes in Status, the Report of Gifts, the Report of
the President and the executive session committee reports and to name
the Cancer Center the The Massey Cancer Center. Mrs. Whittemore was
not present during the discussion of the construction litigation.
Approved by:
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adjourn at 12 noon.
Harold I. Nemuth, Secretar
