MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
September 12, 1984
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Visitors was
held on Wednesday, September 12, 1984, at 3:00 p.m. in the University
Meeting Center.
Present were Messrs. Grey, Ludeman, Morris and Smith; and Dr.
Nemuth and Mrs. Whittemore. Absent were Messrs. Farinholt and Reynolds
and Dr. Gayle. Also present were Drs. Ackell, Andrako, Hall and
Wilson; Messrs. Bruegman and Ware; and Mrs. Price.
Mr. Smith called the meeting to order. Dr. Ackell requested Dr.
Hall to report on the first agenda item regarding VCU's response to
SCHEV's directives concerning low productivity programs. Dr. Hall
review (not a course review) every two years to ascertain if the degre
e stated that the State Council is mandated to rnnduct a degree program
programs meet specified minimum quantitative standards in terms of the
number of degrees conferred during the last five academic years. The
most recent review concluded with the 1982-83 academic year.
For those degree programs not meeting the minimum numbers, as
determined by SCHEV's review, the institution can justify retention of
substandard degree productivity programs on the basis of additional
criteria such as:
Courses in the programs necessary as service courses for non-
majors
Courses basic to all undergraduate programs (i.e., English,
math, languages, etc.)
• Significant increase in productivity in recent years, espe-
cially subsequent to the review
• Programs unique to the state-only program in Virginia
During SCHEV's initial review, five bachelor's, eleven master's and
three doctoral programs were identified as having low productivity
rates. This number was reduced to three either because of errors in
SCHEV's calculations or on the basis of the above criteria justifying
retention for other reasons. Based on SCHEV's study, the University
agreed to terminate or merge the Bachelor's in Business Education pro-
gram with the Office Administration program and the Bachelor's in Com-
parative and General Literature program with the B.A. in English. A
decision regarding the Bachelor's in French has been postponed until
the State Council concludes its statewide study on foreign languages
education. Mrs. Whittemore raised a question concerning the recently
approved B.A. in German degree. Dr. stated that preliminary dis-
cussions are underway with the staff of the Council about the Universi-
ty offering a B.A. in Foreign Languages with tracks in French, German
and Spanish. However, no decision will be made until the statewide
study is completed.
Mr. Smith reported that Mrs. Thalhimer has agreed to chair the
Board's Self-Evaluation Committee. The other members will be Messrs.
Allen, Grey and Morris. A copy of the Association of Governing Board's
self assessment questionnaire was distributed. This questionnaire was
used two years ago along with an AGB mentor who facilitated a day-long
discussion session. Several members of the Committee commented on the
effectiveness of this session. It was also the feeling of the Commit-
tee that the questionnaire was an effective tool to use during the
evaluation process. Mr. Smith also announced that the AGB meeting
scheduled for September 20 October 1 and 2 in Washington, D.C.
would be offering a session on Board evaluation. Mrs. Thalhimer will
be attending and other members of the Board are encouraged to attend,
schedules permitting.
Mr. Smith reported that Dr. Ackell recently received good publicity
in the Richmond newspapers concerning his speech to the faculty and the
Campus Ministry Association on liberal arts education. Dr. Ackell
stated that copies of his speeches to the faculty have been mailed to
the Board and that a copy of his speech to the ministers would also be
mailed. Mrs. Whittemore stated that this is an item that the Academic
Policy Committee should be reviewing during the upcoming year. Dr.
Ackell stated that the Provost has appointed an Academic Planning Com-
mittee to review the University's overall programs and recommendations
of this Committee would be presented to the Academic Policy Committee.
Dr. Ackell also stated that the administration would be following the
study underway by the Carnegie Commission on undergraduate education.
On motion made and seconded, the Committee convened into executive
session to discuss matters relating to gifts, bequests, and fundraising
activities and to discuss honorary degrees and special awards as
Information Act.
authorized by Section 2.1-344 a(7) and a(8) of the Virginia Freedom of
Following executive session, it was reported that no actions had
been taken.
Mr. Smith announced that tonight's dinner meeting would be a pre-
sentation by the President on the University and all deans and vice
presidents had been invited to attend.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Robert . Grey, cretary
W. Roy Smith, Rector
