MINUTES OF A REgULAR MEETIng OF THE BOArd of VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
May 17, 1984
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia commonwealth
University was held on Thursday, May 17, 1984, at 9:00 a.m. in the Univer-
sity Meeting Center.
Present were Messrs. Allen, Cotten, Craigie, Farinholt, Grey, Ludeman,
Morris, Reynolds and Smith; Drs. Coleman, Gayle and Nemeth; and Mesdames
Bemiss, Thalhimer and Whittemore. Mr. Lipman was absent. Also present
were uis. 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 second-
ed, the Minutes of a Special Meeting of the Board of Visitors, held March
20, 1984, and a Regular Meeting of the Board cf Visitors, held March 21,
1984; were approved as submitted.
The Report of the President followed. Dr. Ackell reported on the fol-
lowing items:
1.
A number of faculty, administrators and students were recognized
for their outstanding performance and/or contributions.
2.
The School of Business' Accounting Department, one of our more
recognized programs, was recently awarded accreditation of both
the undergraduate and graduate programs. VCU is now one of a
small number of accounting programs in the nation which is accred-
ited.
3.
the Children's Medical Center of MCV Hospital will be partici-
pating with Children's Hospital and WXEX-TV 8 in a 21-hour international telethon June 2 and 3. The telethon will be broadcast in
90 television markets across the country, plus Canada and England.
4.
Research in Action has received the 1984 Case Recognition Competi-
tion's Citation Award. In the letter to us announcing the award,
it stated ":.. the Research periodicals at Virginia Commonwealth
University met a particularly high standard of excellence and will
set an example for others to follow."
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5. Since our last Board meeting, the University has dedicated the
Both of these events showcased the University to its many publics.
Jane Bell Gladding Residence Center and graduated 3200 students.
On June 1, the Robert Blackwell Smith Pharmacy/Pharmacology Build-
ing will be dedicated at 10:00 a.m. Governor Robb will be partic-
ipating in these ceremonies.
Board meeting. On motion made and seconded, the Report of Contracts was
ratified.
Dr. Ackell presented the Compensation Plan for 1984-85. This docu-
Mr. Guerdon presented the Report of Contracts signed since the last
ment must be filed with the State annually. On motion made and seconded,
the Compensation Plan for 1984-85 was approved.
The School of Medicine Faculty Scale and the Dental Private Practice
Plan were presented. On motion made and seconded, the School of Medicine
Faculty Scale and the Dental Private Practice Plan were approved.
Mr. Guerdon presented the proposed Tuition and Fee Schedule. Over-
all, the proposed increase in rates is 13.7 percent. The increase var-
ies, however, depending on the student classification. On motion made
and seconded, the proposed Tuition and Fee Schedule was approved as sub-
mitted. It was requested that tuition and fee schedules for other state
institutions be presented to the Board.
In responding to a question concerning possible enrollment declines
at VCU, Dr. Ackell stated that during the next three to four years all
colleges and universities in the commonwealth will experience a decline
in enrollment (with the possible exception of the University of Virgin-
ia). This of course, is due to the decrease in the pool of 18-year olds
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graduating from high school. A decrease in enrollment will affect not
only tuition and fee revenues but. also State appropriations.
Mr. Ludeman reported on behalf of the Executive Committee which met
jointly with the Hospital Committee on April 19, 1984, to review the
Hospital's Operating Budget for 1984-85. Dr. Gayle stated that the Hos-
pital's Budget includes a room rate increase of 10 percent. The Executive Committee then reviewed the 1984-86 Budget Plan. A question was
raised concerning the statement on page 13 of the narrative which states:
"...have been scaled back to a level where both program quality and
delivery of services will be adversely affected." The Board requested
that this statement he changed to read: "Although no degree programs
have been terminated, instructional programs and related support services
have been scaled back to a level where deans have expressed concern that
both program quality and delivery of services will be adversely affected.
The administration acknowledges this concern but feels the situation is
manageable at this time. This situation will be manifested by the dis-
continuance of special program tracks,..."
On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Executive Committee
and Hospital Committee was accepted and the Minutes of a combined meeting
held on April 19, 1984, were approved.
Mrs. Whittemore stated that the Academic Policy Committee held two
meetings on March 15, 1984, which were reported at the last Board meet-
ing. The Committee met on April 24 and reviewed the Memorandum of Agree-
ment for a Graduate Program in Forensic Sciences between VCU and the
State Department of General Services. Dr. Hugo Seibel. chairman of the
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University Promotion and Tenure Committee, presented a report on the
promotion and tenure process at the University. Mrs. Whittemore stated
that the Academic Policy Committee would be considering possible recom-
mended changes to the Promotion and Tenure document at its June meeting.
On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Academic Policy Committee
was accepted and the Minutes of two meetings held on March 15, 1984, and
Minutes of a meeting held on April 24, 1984, were approved as submitted.
Mr. Craigie reported that the Advancement Committee would be meeting
next week.
Mr. Morris reported that he would give the Audit Committee report in
executive session.
Dr. Coleman reported on behalf of the Property Committee which met on
April 10, 1984. The Committee approved a proposal to increase the scope
of the renovation project for the old First Baptist Church. The Commit-
tee also considered a proposal to increase the scope of the project to
acquire an NMR unit to be located on the third floor of the Main Hospi-
tal. A proposal to acquire a Laboratory Information System for the hos-
through a lease-purchase plan and will be paid for from Hospital Operat-
ing Equipment Funds. On motion made and seconded, the Report of the
Property Committee was accepted and the Minutes of a meeting held on
April 10, 1984, were approved.
pital was reviewed by the Property Committee. This acquisition will be
5, 1984. Ms. Alison Auth, Chairman of the Committee on Student Affairs
of the University Council, presented a report on the newly established
Mr. Reynolds reported that the Student Affairs Committee met on April
Student Media Commission. Students representing the MCV Honor Council
were also present and reported on the procedures of the Honor Code on the
MCV Campus. On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Student
Affairs Committee was accepted and the Minutes of a meeting held on April
5, 1984, were approved.
Mrs. Whittemore, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, stated that
the Board's Bylaws call for the election of the Rector at the May meeting
to be effective July 1 of that year. She stated that this process was
instituted to give the Rector-elect an opportunity to work with the Nomi-
nating Committee in the selection of other officers and committee chair-
men. However, since the Board has four members up for reappointment this
year, it was agreed to delay the next step in the nominating process
until the Governor's decision on reappointments is made. Mrs. Whittemore
stated that the Nominating Committee recommended Mr. ,.. Roy Smith as
Rector. On motion made and seconded, Mr. Smith was elected Rector of the
Board. Mr. Smith expressed his appreciation to the Board for their con-
fidence in electing him to this position.
Mr. Ludeman suggested that in the future the Board change the sched-
ule for the reporting of the Presidential Evaluation Committee to the May
meeting. He stated that the Governor requested a salary recommendation
for the President prior to July 1. Therefore, the Evaluation Committee
should report in May so that the Rector will have that information when
making the salary determination.
On motion made and seconded, the Board convened into executive ses-
sion to discuss certain personnel matters involving the performance of
Report of Gifts; approved the Continuing Faculty Salaries and the Executive Salaries, as amended; and accepted the executive session committee
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identifiable employees or faculty of VCU, and to discuss the evaluation
regarding such individuals might be affected by such evaluation, and to
discuss pending litigation with its attorney, and to discus, the condi-
of performance of departments of schools of VCU where such matters
tion, acquisition or use of real property, and to protect the privacy of
individuals in personal matters net related to public business, and to
discuss special awards and to discuss matters relating to gifts,
bequests, fundraising activities as authorized 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 Board
accepted the Report of the Legal adviser; approved Faculty Appointments
and Changes in Status; accepted the Report of the President; accepted the
reports.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.
Approved:u C Y11. Ludeman, Rector Hat-old I. Nemuth, Secretary
