MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
September 22, 1983
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University was held on Thursday, September 22, 1983, at 9:00 a.m. in
the University Meeting Center.
Present were Messrs. Allen, Cotten, Craigie, Farinholt, Lipman,
Ludeman, Morris and Reynolds; Drs. Coleman and Gayle; and Mesdames
Thalhimer and Whittemore. Absent were Messrs. Grey and Smith, Dr.
Nemuth and Mrs. Bemiss. Ms. Kass Tinker, student representative to the
Board, was also absent. Also present were Drs. Ackell, Hall, Salley,
Wilson and Woods; Messrs. Bruegman, Guerdon, Ross and Ware; and Mrs.
Price.
Mr. Ludeman called the meeting to order and on motion made and
seconded, the Minutes of a Special Meeting of the Board, held July 20,
1983; a Regular Meeting of the Board, held July 21, 1983; and a Special
Meeting of the Board, held August 2, 1983; were approved.
Dr. Ackell presented the Report of the President. The following
items were reported:
1. The Secretary of Education recently reported that the Common-
wealth of Virginia, as a whole, will meet or exceed the numer-
ical goals contained in the 1983 amendments to the Office of
Civil Rights Plan. The preliminary estimates show that
enrollment of new minority students will total approximately
97 percent of the goal. Once final statistics are computed,
it is projected that the State will exceed its goal. It was
also reported that the State may fall only one faculty members
short of the projected goal.
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At VCU, the goal for in-state first-time minority freshmen and
first-time minority transfer students was 541. The prelimi-
nary figures show that 490 students have enrolled. The Uni-
versity is confident that it will meet its goal since both
fall and spring semesters will be counted. With regard to
faculty, the University's goal for black faculty was 47.
There are presently 49 black faculty members employed.
Overall, the administration is satisfied that the University's
objectives under the amendments will be met.
2. The University recently received a $5,000 grant from the Com-
monwealth Fund to develop an application for the Fund's Execu-
tive Nurse Leadership Program. This grant will be carried out
under the direction of Dr. Barbara Mark. The Fund is inter-
ested in developing a program to improve the effectiveness of
the country's teaching hospitals by developing the management
skills of nurses with top executive potential. The program
would be a non-degree program three to four months in length
and would be offered at selected major academic health science
centers.
3. The University's internal publication, VCU Today, will be
expanded in an attempt to better communicate important issues
and information to the faculty and staff. VCU Today will
increase from eight to twelve pages and will be published
twice a month September through May and once a month June
through August. In addition, the distribution of the newspa-
per will be increased and personnel information formerly pub-
lished in a separate newsletter will be included.
4. VCU has been involved in the New Horizons Project sponsored by
the Richmond Private Industry Council. This project is
designed to help alleviate youth unemployment in the Richmond
area. Local businesses hire high school students for part-
time jobs, the public schools teach job readiness, and VCU
provides space for summer classes and faculty advisors for
curriculum development. The program recently received nation-
al attention when it was highlighted in the National Alliance
of Business's newsletter. This program is coordinated through
our School of Education and is another example of the Univer-
sity's community involvement.
5. In early September, the University and the Virginia Section of
the International City Management Association announced the
establishment of an endowed scholarship fund in memory of
T. Edward Temple, a former President of VCU and a former city
manager. The fund was established by combining VCU funds
contributed in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Temple with a
contribution from the City Management Association. To be
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eligible for consideration, students must be residents of
Virginia or be committed to working in Virginia local govern-
ment. Awards will be made on the basis of a combination of
factors including financial need, previous academic achieve-
ment and career potential.
6. VCU recently hosted the Governor's Statewide Kickoff for the
United Way Campaign at the Performing Arts Center. The VCU
kickoff was also held with an announced goal of $115,000.
Last year, VCU was at 112 percent of its goal and was instru-
mental in the State exceeding its goal. This year's campaign
will focus on increasing participation of employees. Mr.
Bruce Chase, the University's Treasurer, is serving as the
University's Campaign Chairman.
7. The Science and Technology Conference that VCU hosted was well
attended. The planning for this Conference was done by the
University's Research and Advisory Council. There were a
number of speakers at the Conference from both industry and
higher education.
8. The NCAA Meeting recently held in Kansas City produced a num-
ber of recommendations regarding athletics and academics.
These recommendations, which will be presented at the annual
meeting, included increasing overall academic standards,
three-year eligibility, limiting the amount and number of
scholarships, not allowing students with failing grades to
participate, and increasing high school requirements.
Dr. Ackell presented the proposed changes to the Board's Bylaws.
Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, it was approved to
have the terms of all officers of the Board limited to three one-year
terms. This change will not be effective for the position of Secretary
of the Board until July, 1984. On motion made and seconded, the pro-
posed revisions of the Board's Bylaws were approved as amended.
Mr. Bruegman presented the proposed 1984-86 Financial and Addendum
Proposals which were recently reviewed and approved by the Executive
Committee. Mr. Ludeman reported that this was the topic of discussion
at the August 19, 1983, Executive Committee meeting and would serve as
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the report of the Executive Committee. On motion made and seconded,
the Report of the Executive Committee was accepted including approval
of the 1984-86 Financial and Addendum Proposal and the Minutes of a
Meeting held on August 19, 1983, were approved.
Mr. Guerdon presented the Report of Contracts signed since the July
meeting. On motion made and seconded, the Report of Contracts was
ratified with Mrs. Whittemore and Mr. Morris abstaining.
Mrs. Whittemore reported that the Academic Policy Committee would
be meeting in October.
Mr. Craigie reported that the Advancement Committee had met earlier
and received a report from the Brakeley, John Price Jones, Inc., con-
sultant. He indicated that this report would be discussed in executive
session.
Mr. Morris reported that the Audit Committee had met earlier in the
week and that his report would be made in executive session.
Dr. Gayle reported that the Hospital Committee met on September 15.
He stated that Mr. Myles Lash, Director of the Hospital, reported on a
number of issues including the new Key Care contract, the NMR Scanner
facility, the initiation of the Liver Transplant Program and the In
Vitro Fertilization Program. The Director also reported that the hospital's revenues are up but the collections are down slightly. Last
year, the indigent care cost to the hospital was $51 million and our
state appropriation was only $32 million. The hospital is initiating a
new admissions and screening program for patients. Nursing staffing is
up and the turnover rate has been reduced. Dr. Gayle reported that Mr.
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Saksen reviewed the construction and renovation projects that relate to
the hospital. Dr. Gayle also reported that privileges for 34 physi-
cians were approved. On motion made and seconded, the Report of the
Hospital Committee was accepted.
Dr. Coleman reported for the Property Committee. Mr. Bruegman
reviewed the changes to the Capital Outlay Approval Policy adopted by
the Property Committee. He noted that there was no change architect
selection policy other than to amend the policy to include aesthetic
performance as one of the criteria. On motion made and seconded, the
Report of the Property Committee was accepted including approval of the
Capital Outlay Approval Policy and the Minutes of Meetings held on July
12 and August 18, 1983; were approved.
Mr. Reynolds reported that the Student Affairs Committee would meet
on October 6.
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 pending
litigation with its attorney and to discuss matters relating to gifts,
bequests, fund-raising activities and to discuss special awards as
authorized by Section 2.1 -344 a(l), a(6), a(7) and a(8) of the Vir-
ginia 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, and the Report
of the Audit Committee and the Advancement Committee. On motion made
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and seconded, the Board approved the Audit Plan for 1983-84. Also on
motion made and seconded, the Board approved deleting the phrase "ex
officio" in line 4 of subsection 3.01(a) of the VCU Bylaws.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
Harold I. Nemuth, Secretary
Approved by:
