MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
January 17, 1985
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University was held on Thursday, January 17, 1985, at 9:00 a.m. in the
University Meeting Center.
Present were Messrs. Allen, Farinholt, Grey, Lipman, Ludeman,
Morris, Reynolds and Smith; Drs. Gayle and Moore; and Mrs. Whittemore.
Absent were Mesdames Abady, Bemiss and Thalhimer; and Mr. Berry. Mr.
Randy Merrick, student representative to the Board, was present. Also
present were Drs. Ackell, Connell, Hall, Sparks and Wilson; Messrs.
Brown, Bruegman, Ross and Ware; and Mrs. Price.
Mr. Smith called the meeting to order and on motion made and sec-
onded, the Minutes of a Special Meeting of the Board of Visitors held
on November 14, 1985, and the Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Board
of Visitors held on November 15, 1984, were approved.
Dr. Ackell presented the Report of the President. He reported on
the following items:
(1) Self-Study -
Dr. Ackell stated that a copy of the letter recently received from
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools reaffirming VCU's
accreditation had been distributed with the agenda.
Also attached for review was a copy of the five (5) recommen-
dations made by the Committee and the University's responses.
Each of these recommendations has been addressed and signed off on
by the Southern Association.
The list of suggestions included with the Board's packet have been
referred to the Academic Planning Committee for discussion and are
to be considered in the overall planning process for the University.
(2) AGB Meeting -
Dr. Ackell announced that the annual meeting of the Association of
Governing Boards will be held in Miami Beach, April 21 - 23. This
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will be the only meeting of this organization during 1985. A
number of interesting and timely roundtable topics are scheduled
to be discussed. Dr. Ackell stated he hoped some Board members
would be able to attend.
(3) Fulbright Awards -
Dr. Ackell reported that the University has recently learned that
it has two recipients of Fulbright Awards. They are Gerald A.
Soff, a resident in Internal Medicine, and C. William Griffin,
Associate Professor of English. Dr. Soff is currently conducting
postdoctoral research in hematology/medicine in Israel. Due to a
prior commitment with the National Endowment for the Humanities
Grant, Dr. Griffin was unable to accept the Fulbright Award.
(4) Department of Administration of Justice and Public Safety -
Dr. Ackell stated that VCU's graduate program in Administration of
Justice and Public Safety has been ranked by the Joint Commission
on Criminology and Criminal Justice Education as among the leading
programs in the nation. According to the survey, VCU's program is
21st in the country. This ranking was based on 1980 data and
considering the progress made in recent years, it is believed that
VCU's rating would be much higher today.
(5) Human Genetics -
Dr. Ackell announced that Colleen Jackson-Cook, a graduate student
in the Department of Human Genetics, presented a paper recently at
the American Society of Genetics' meeting in Toronto. In this
paper, she described an important new risk factor for Downs Syn-
drome.
Specifically, what Colleen has found is that in 30% of 50 Downs
Syndrome families that she studied to date, at least one of the
parents carries a duplication of the nucleolar organizer region on
one of the variant chromosomes. In every one of these families in
which the parental origin of the chromosomal nondisjunction could
be determined, it occurred in the parent who carried the abnormal-
ity. Since the incidence of individuals in the general population
who carry this variant is only 1% to 2%, these data imply that
possession of the variant is associated with 10 to 20 fold
increase in the risk of Downs Syndrome.
The importance of this is that if a population screening program
for the variant could be developed, it would provide a method of
detecting approximately 30% of all fetuses with Downs Syndrome
while requiring amniocentesis in only 1% to 2% of all pregnancies.
(6) CSX Gift -
Dr. Ackell stated that additional academic opportunities will be
available to outstanding students as a result of a $25,000 gift
from CSX Corporation to VCU's Presidential Scholarship Award and
Honors Program.
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CSX spokesman, Raymond Szabo, said the gift "was made totally in
support of the two programs with no restrictions as to use."
The money donated to the Presidential Scholarship fund will permit
the University to attract more students of high academic achievement by providing awards of financial support. Dr. Thomas O. Hall, coordinator of VCU's Honors Program, said the
. Dr. Thomas O. Hall, coordinator of VCU's Honors Program, said the
gift will increase the scholarship fund for honors students as
well as allow for expansion of a lecture and cultural activities
series.
Both the Presidential Scholarship Award and Honors Program seek to
promote scholastic excellence by meeting the financial and academ-
ic needs of superior students.
(7) President's Inauguration -
Dr. Ackell reported that VCU's Jazz Orchestra I had been invited
by the Smithsonian Institute to perform on January 20, 1985, as
part of their commemoration for the Inauguration of the President.
The Smithsonian will provide all financial support for the ensem-
ble
Twelve additional VCU music students will be part of a 450 piece
band which will march in the Inaugural Parade on Monday, January
21, 1985. This marching band is comprised of students selected
from colleges and universities throughout the country. The Inau-
gural Committee is handling all financial considerations.
(8) Dean, School of Medicine Status Report - Search Committee -
Dr. Ackell reported that a number of candidates have visited the
campus during the past month. Two to three candidates will be
returning to campus for second visits. Dr. Ackell stated that if
any members of the Board are interested in meeting these candi-
dates, please contact Meg Price.
Mr. Bruegman presented the Report of Contracts. On motion made and
seconded, the Report of Contracts was ratified with Mrs. Whittemore and
Mr. Morris abstaining.
Mr. Smith reported on behalf of the Executive Committee which met
on Thursday, December 20, 1984. He stated that the Committee reviewed
the University's and Hospital's compliance with the Prompt Pay legisla-
tion as well as the current status of patient accounting. The Commit-
tee also reviewed the First-Quarter Budget Report and the Final Report
on Enrollment for Fall, 1984. On motion made and seconded, the Report
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of the Executive Committee was accepted and the Minutes of a Meeting
held on December 20, 1984, were approved.
Mrs. Whittemore reported for the Academic Policy Committee which
met on January 16, 1985. The Committee reviewed the proposed Ph.D.
degree in Nursing and stated that in 1980 a program proposal was sub-
mitted to SCHEV which the University withdrew on unfavorable reception.
Numerous changes within the School, as well as externally, indicated
that it was appropriate to develop a new proposal that would provide a
program of study to meet the changing needs of the profession for
doctorally prepared nurses. SCHEV requested that VCU submit a program
proposal by the spring of 1985. Dr. Connell stated that this degree
has two major areas of concentration: one in nursing administration
and one in clinical science, offered in conjunction with the Department
of Microbiology and Immunology in the School of Basic Sciences. A
discussion was held by the Committee concerning whether the degree
should be a Ph.D. or a DNS. It was stated that a DNS is more clinical-
ly oriented and that the Ph.D. was the more appropriate designation for
this program. On motion made and seconded, the proposed Ph.D. degree
in Nursing was approved.
Mrs. Whittemore also reported that the proposed B.A. in German
submitted to SCHEV last year had been withdrawn. In its stead, the
Council has approved a generic B.A. and B.S. in Foreign Languages which
will offer tracks in German, French, Spanish and Comparative Litera-
ture.
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Mrs. Whittemore presented two proposed changes to the Promotion and
Tenure Document. These changes were proposed at the recommendation of
the Board and have been approved by the appropriate University commit-
tees. The changes included:
(1) that a sentence be added on page 11, 3. following the sentence
that reads: After having reviewed the dossier the faculty
member will be allowed five working days to add written com-
ments to the dossier before the dean forwards it to the vice-
president. No additional materials will be allowed to be
added to the faculty member's dossier after the faculty member
has added his written comments and it has been forwarded by
the dean to the vice-president.
(2) that on line 4 of page 14, 5., C., the word "may" be changed
to "shall" to read: "the Panel shall direct the forma-
tion...."
On motion made and seconded, the two changes to the Promotion and Ten-
ure Document were approved.
Mrs. Whittemore distributed to members of the Board the proposed
"White Paper" which serves as an informational backgrounder for members
of the administration and members of the Board. It was suggested that
several items be added to this paper including a justification based on
the large part-time student body, the large public service section of
the institution, and comments from the recent report of the Southern
Association's visiting team. It was also suggested that VCU have an
editor from the public relations office review the document from that
perspective. Dr. Sparks noted that this document was not prepared to
be distributed, but as an information piece for members of the Board
when addressing these issues at the legislature. A question was raised
concerning VCU's uniqueness when comparing actual head count versus
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FTE. It was noted that VCU's mission calls for the educating of large
numbers of part-time students compared to Tech and UVA who have large
residential campuses. It was suggested that comparative figures be
used in the "White Paper."
Mrs. Whittemore reported that the Committee received reports on the
University's Financial Aid Office and Advising Center. She noted that
the University's financial aid program next year will exceed $30 mil-
lion. On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Academic Policy
Committee was accepted.
Mr. Ludeman reported for the Advancement Committee. He stated that
the December meeting of the Advancement Committee was postponed since
Mr. Brown, the new Vice President for Advancement, had just arrived at
the University. However, the next meeting is scheduled for February
19, 1985.
Mr. Morris reported for the Audit Committee. He indicated that due
to conflicting schedules the Audit Committee did not meet.
Dr. Gayle reported for the Hospital Committee which met on December
13, 1984. He noted that this was the Committee's first meeting without
Dr. Harold I. Nemuth. The Committee was advised that the MRI Certifi-
cate of Need was approved and that the renovation of the space to house
this equipment is underway. On the financial side, Mr. Lash reported
that the expense figures are running below budgeted projections. The
hospital has made significant progress in the cash collection area.
The Committee also reviewed the hospital's situation with regard to
Prompt Pay and it was noted that third-party payers are often 90 to 120
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days paying the hospital which creates a cash flow problem. Dr. Gayle
also reported that Dr. Connell has given a report on what he saw as the
strengths and weaknesses of the MCV Campus. Dr. Gayle stated that the
Committee was very interested in having a more aggressive public relations effort for the MCV Campus and the hospital. During executive
session, hospital privileges and medical audits were reviewed and
approved. On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Hospital
Committee was accepted and the amended Minutes of a Meeting held on
October 11, 1984, and the Minutes of a Meeting held on December 13,
1984, were approved as submitted.
Dr. Ackell stated that Mr. Richard Schrock, Director of Finance for
MCVH, has announced his resignation effective in February, 1985. Dr.
Ackell noted that during the past year much time has been spent dis-
cussing finances and financial related matters at the hospital. Dr.
Ackell stated that he had accepted a recommendation from Dr. Connell to
retain an outside financial consultant to review the entire hospital
financial operations and make recommendations to the administration.
With regard to the State's lack of funding for indigent patient
care, Mr. Smith suggested that the administration review the historical
records relating to the selling of bonds to finance the construction of
the new hospital.
Mr. Farinholt reported for the Property Committee. He stated that
the meeting of the Committee on November 9, 1984, was previously
reported to the Board. On motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a
Meeting held on November 9, 1984, were approved. Mr. Farinholt stated
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that the Committee had met on December 18, 1984, and reviewed the plans
for the General Purpose Academic Building. Mr. Saksen introduced Mr.
Robert Griffin of Odell and Associates' Richmond office, who was
present to respond to questions. Mr. Saksen conducted a detailed pre-
sentation to the Board concerning this building including floor plans,
exterior treatments, etc. It was noted that the bid for this building
could exceed the budget by $400,000. The figures cited in the minutes
of the Property Committee were inaccurate; the level of funding is $13
million, not $13.8 million, and the $14.2 million represents the origi-
nal budget, not the estimated cost. On motion made and seconded, the
plans for the General Purpose Academic Building were approved at a cost
of $13 million with the understanding that the administration would
report to the Property Committee if this figure would be exceeded. On
motion made and seconded, the Report of the Property Committee was
accepted and the Minutes of a Meeting held on December 18, 1984, were
approved as amended.
Mr. Reynolds reported that the Student Affairs Committee had met on
January 10, 1985, with the residents of Oregon Hill's Save Our Homes
Organization to discuss the noise level during dances at the Cary
Street Gym. A proposal and counter proposal were discussed and a sec-
ond meeting with the residents and members of the administration was
planned. On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Student
Affairs Committee was accepted
Mr. Smith stated that this was the Board's first meeting since the
death of Dr. Harold Nemuth. He suggested that a motion be made to have
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Mrs. Whittemore and Dr. Gayle prepare a suitable resolution in honor of
Dr. Nemuth which could be approved by the Board and then framed and
given to the family. On motion made and seconded, the Board approved
having a resolution prepared in Dr. Nemuth's honor.
Mr. Smith reported that he has asked Dr. Gayle to serve as Vice
Rector to complete the remainder of Dr. Nemuth's term.
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 matters
relating to gifts, bequests, and fund-raising activities and matters
relating to honorary degrees and special awards as authorized by Sec-
tion 2.1-344 a(l), 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 with Mrs.
Whittemore abstaining; the Faculty Appointments and Changes in Status,
including the appointment of Dr. Lindsay M. Hunt, Jr. as Dean of the
School of Dentistry, effective June 1, 1985; Full Departmental and
Consultative Privileges; the Report of Gifts with Mr. Grey abstaining;
the Report of the President; and the Executive Session Committee
Reports.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.
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Approved:
W. Roy Smith, Recto
