MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
July 19, 1984
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University was held on Thursday, July 19, 1984, at 9:00 a.m. in the
University Meeting Center.
Present were Mesdames Abady, Bemiss, Thalhimer and Whittemore;
Messrs. Allen, Berry, Farinholt, Grey, Lipman, Ludeman, Morris,
Reynolds and Smith; and Drs. Gayle, Moore and Nemuth. Also present
were Drs. Ackell, Andrako and Hall; Messrs. Bruegman and Ross; and Mrs.
Price.
Mr. Smith called the meeting to order and introduced the three
newly appointed members of the Board: Mrs. Nina Abady, Dr. French
Moore and Mr. William Berry.
On motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a Special Meeting of
the board of Visitors, held May 16, 1984, and a Regular Meeting of the
Board of Visitors, held May 17, 1984, were approved.
The Report of the President followed. Dr. Ackell reported on the
following items:
1. As of July 11, there were 8,415 students studying in
VCU's summer sessions program. It is estimated that
this figure is up slightly from last year's enrollment.
There are 750 sections being taught on and off-campus by
535 faculty members. This section and faculty count
does not include the MCV Campus.
2. In the Drambuie Young Designers' Showcase competition,
several of VCU's School of the Arts students were recog-
nized for their accessories designs. Winning entries
were judged on the basis of originality, design,
execution, materials and production capability. All of
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the winning designs will be created by leading accesso-
ries manufacturers.
The Anderson Gallery won two awards of distinction in
the 1984 Museum Publications Competition. Over 2,000
entries were judged in the competition with only 129
given this highest award. The winning entries were a
poster, On the Move, and invitations, Tropical Madness.
3. House Joint Resolution 17 requests the Council of Higher
Education and the institutions of higher education to
jointly develop procedures to reduce the scope of the
system of higher education if deemed necessary by the
Governor. A report is to be made to the 1985 session of
the General Assembly. According to the resolution, such
a study is desirable, because institutions "now face a
period of enrollment stability and moderate financial
constraint."
4. The Department of Psychology recently received full
accreditation from the American Psychological Associa-
tion for its doctoral training program in counseling
psychology. The accreditation committee commended the
program for the progress it has made over the past sev-
eral years and noted the many positive comments made by
the visiting team.
5. Approximately $90,000 was pledged locally during the
Children's Miracle Network Telethon, which aired June 2
and 3 on WXEX-TV. The telethon locally benefits the
Children's Medical Center at MCV Hospitals and the Chil-
dren's Hospital on Brook Road. This was the first year
that the Children's Medical Center had participated in
the telethon, and we believe that the telethon was a
success in increasing public awareness about our facili-
ty and the many quality services available for children.
Dr. Ackell introduced the proposed Executive Agreement for
1984-86. The main thrust of the document is controlling employ-
ment growth. VCU's proposed average total employment levels for
regular or permanent teaching, research and classified employees
are 2,997 for 1984-85 and 3,002 for 1985-86. A question was
raised concerning the goals outlined in this agreement. It was
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stated that VCU's proposed goals, objectives and strategies are
consistent with the Institutional Priorities document which the
Board approved. On motion made and seconded, the proposed Executive Agreement for 1984-86 was approved.
Mr. Bruegman presented the Report of Contracts. A question
was raised concerning the power plant on the MCV Campus. Mr.
Bruegman stated that a contract has been negotiated with the City
of Richmond for supplying natural gas. Gas is the primary fuel
source at the power plant since it burns the cleanest. Oil is
used as a backup fuel. There is still a long-range plan for
relocating the power plant away from the center of the MCV Cam-
pus. On motion made and seconded, the Report of Contracts was
ratified.
Mr. Ludeman reported for the Executive Committee which met on
June 21. At that time, the Committee approved several resolu-
tions on signing authority precipitated by Mr. Guerdon's depar-
ture from the University. The Committee also approved appointing
new members to the Board of the Hospital Laundry. A report on
Enrollment Projections was requested for the next meeting of the
motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting of the Executive Committee, held June 21, 1984, were approved and the Commit-
Executive Committee and the Investments Report was accepted. On
tee's report was accepted.
Mrs. Whittemore reported for the Academic Policy Committee
which met on June 5. The Committee reviewed the proposed docu-
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ment, Annual Assessment of Faculty Performance, which reguires an
annual evaluation of all tenured and nontenured faculty. On
motion made and seconded, the Annual Assessment of Faculty Per-
formance document was approved. The Committee also approved
changes to the Promotion and Tenure Procedures. A number of
other suggestions were made by the Committee relating to the
appeal process which Dr. Ackell will discuss with the appropriate
faculty groups in the Fall. Following discussion, and on motion
made and seconded, the proposed changes to the Promotion and
Tenure Procedures document were approved. Mrs. Whittemore stated
that the third item considered by the Committee was the proposed
B.A. degree in German. The Committee will continue to review
implementation of this program. On motion made and seconded, the
made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting of the Academic Poli-
proposed B.A. degree in German was approved. Also, on motion
cy Committee held on June 5, 1984, were approved and the Commit-
tee's report was accepted.
Mr. Ludeman reported for the Advancement Committee which met
on May 31. Mr. Ludeman expressed appreciation for the fine job
Mr. Willson Craigie had done as the first Chairman of the
Advancement Committee. At the Advancement Committee meeting, a
report was given on the search for a Vice President for Advance-
ment. Messrs. Tom Kidd, Director of Advancement Services, and
Steve Harvey, Director of Alumni Activities, were introduced.
Celia Barnes reviewed Phase I of the University's Public Rela-
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tions Plan. On motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meet-
ing of the Advancement Committee held May 31, 1984, were approved
and the report of the Committee was accepted.
Mr. Morris reported for the Audit Committee which has met
twice since the last Board meeting, on May 29, 1984, and July 18,
1984. These reports will be given in executive session. On
motion made and seconded, the Minutes of the Audit Committee
Meetings held on May 16, 1984, and May 29, 1984, were approved.
The report of the Hospital Committee, which met on June 14,
was given by Dr. Gayle. At this meeting, the Committee reviewed
oral surgeons to perform medical histories on their patients
privileges and a revision to the Medical Staff Bylaws allowing
admitted to MCVH. On motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a
Meeting of the Hospital Committee, held on June 14, 1984, were
approved and the Committee's report accepted.
Mr. Farinholt reported on behalf of the Property Committee
which met on June 12. An easement, in connection with the clos-
ing of Green Alley, for the City of Richmond was approved. A
lease for the Magnolia Street warehouse was ratified subject to
the administration's review of: (1) leasing the building with an
option to buy; (2) extending the lease up to five years and, (3)
purchasing the building outright. The firm of Hankins &
Anderson, Inc. was retained to provide engineering services for
replacing the coal-fired boiler with two gas/oil-fired boilers in
the Power Plant on the MCV Campus. Also, the firm of Odell Asso-
6ciates was retained as the architect for the General Purpose
Academic Building. A question was raised concerning whether or
not the Property Committee had reviewed a design for the Academic
Classroom Building. Mr. Bruegman stated that there is no design
at this time, but a rendering of how the building would look had
been seen by the Property Committee. The question was raised as
to whether it would be appropriate for the architects competing
for the job to submit a proposed design of the building as part
of the architect selection process. It was suggested that Mr.
Farinholt make this an early agenda item for the Property Commit-
tee.
Mr. Reynolds reported that the Student Affairs Committee had
not met since the last Board meeting.
Mrs. Whittemore, Chairman of the Nominating Committee,
reported on behalf of the Committee (Messrs. Morris and Smith,
Mrs. Thalhimer and Dr. Gayle). The slate proposed was: Dr.
Harold I. Nemuth, Vice-Rector; Mr. Robert J. Grey, Secretary; Mr.
Douglas H. Ludeman, Mr. Philip B. Morris, Mr. James B. Farinholt,
Mr. William G. Reynolds, Dr. Sigsby W. Gayle and Mrs. Anne Marie
Whittemore, members of the Executive Committee. On motion made
and seconded, the slate, as proposed, was elected with Mrs. Thal-
himer abstaining. Mr. Smith congratulated the newly elected
officers and Executive Committee members. He stated that a com-
mittee assignment list was being distributed and he had made the
selections keeping in mind the amount of time each Board member
authorized the University's administration to pursue negotiations
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is asked to serve. Two additional committees need to be appoint-
ed. Fir. Smith stated that he had spoken with Mrs. Thalhimer
about chairing the Board's Evaluation Committee. Additionally,
members of the Board need to be appointed to the Special Awards
Committee which replaces the Honorary Degree Committee.
On motion made, seconded and approved, the Board convened
involving the performance of identifiable employees or faculty of
VCU, and to discuss pending litigation and legal matters with its
into executive session to discuss certain personal matters
attorney, and to protect the privacy of individuals in personal
matters not related to public business, and to discuss matters
relating to gifts, bequests, and fundraising activities and dis-
cussion of special awards as authorized by Section 2.1-344 a(1),
M, U.
Following executive session, on motion made and seconded,
a(3), a(6), a(7), and a(8) of the Virginia Freedom of Information
Appointments and Changes in Status including the appointment of
Dr. Alastair Connell as Vice President for Health Sciences effec-
tive October 1, 1984; approved Clinical Faculty Appointments with
Mesdames Bemiss and Whittemore, r. Gayle and Mr. Norris abstain -
Board accepted the Report Legal Advisor; approved Faculty
ing; approved the granting of Consultative and Hospital Privileges; approved supplement 7l ,salary increases; accepted the Report
of Gifts; accepted the executive session committee reports;
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for the acquisition of certain real property; deferred considera-
tion on the naming of University facilities; deferred the matter
of acceptance of the proposed gift from the Greek community to
the Property Committee to seek consultation of the School of the
Arts and, if satisfied with the consultation, to decide on the
acceptance of the gift and deferred the Report of the Presidential Evaluation Committee.
On motion made and seconded, the Board approved the
Resolution:
WHEREAS, Dr. Edmund F. Ackell, President of Virginia Common-
wealth University, serves as a member of the Board of Directors
of Whittaker Corporation; and
WHEREAS, Whittaker Corporation, and its subsidiaries, from
time to time, sells products to the Commonwealth of Virginia, its
agencies and political subdivisions, including Virginia Common-
wealth University; and
WHEREAS, in order to avoid any appearance of impropriety or
conflict of interest, Dr. Ackell has requested the Board of
Directors of Whittaker Corporation to relieve him of all supervi-
sory and other responsibility with reference to Whittaker Corpo-
ration's contracts or other transactions with the Commonwealth of
Virginia, its agencies and political subdivisions; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to that request, the Board of Directors of
Whittaker Corporation, has adopted the following resolution:
1. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Edmund F. Ackell
shall hereafter, have no authority to participate in the
procurement or letting of any contract or other transaction between the Company and the State of Virginia or any
political subdivision thereof or governmental agency as
defined in Virginia Code Section 2.1-600, provided that
Dr. Ackell's concurrence in this limitation of his
authority as director of this corporation is acknowledged
in a written communication to this corporation.
2. RESOLVED FURTHER that until further action be taken by
this Board of Directors, its Executive Committee or the
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stockholders of this corporation, the powers and respon-
sibilities of Dr. Ackell as a member of the Board of
Directors of this company as set forth in the Bylaws of
this corporation shall be deemed limited by the immedi-
ately preceding resolution.
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Edmund F. Ackell has, similarly, requested the
Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University to relieve
him of all authority and other responsibility with respect to any
its subsidiaries, and Virginia Commonwealth University;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: by the Board of Visitors of
Virginia Commonwealth University:
contracts ;,r other transactions between Whittaker Corporation, or
1. Dr. Edmund F. Ackell shall hereafter have no authority to
participate in the procurement or letting of any contract
or other transaction between Whittaker Corporation or its
subsidiaries and Virginia Commonwealth University.
2. Until further action be taken by this Board of Visitors,
the powers and responsibilities of Dr. Edmund F. Ackell
as President of Virginia Commonwealth University, as set
forth in the Bylaws of this Board of Visitors or else-
where, shall be deemed limited by the immediately preced-
ing paragraph.
The meeting was adjourned
W. Roy Smith, Rector
