MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
March 21, 1985
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University was held on Thursday, March 21, 1985, at 9 a.m. in the Uni-
versity Meeting Center.
Present were Messrs. Allen, Berry, Lipman, Morris, Reynolds and
Smith; Drs. Gayle and Moore; Mesdames Bemiss, Thalhimer and Whittemore.
Absent were Mrs. Abady; Messrs. Farinholt, Grey and Ludeman. Mr. Randy
Merrick, student representative to the Board, was present. Also
present were Drs. Ackell, Connell, Hall 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 January 16, 1985, and the Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Board
of Visitors held on January 17, 1985, were approved.
The Report of the President followed. Dr. Ackell reported on the
following items:
(1) School of Education Grant -
Dr. Ackell reported that VCU's School of Education has
received a major grant of $212,500 from the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services. This grant will be used to develop
an interdisciplinary center for research and training of pro-
fessionals who serve persons with developmental disabilities
and handicapping conditions.
(2) Commonwealth Professors -
Dr. Ackell stated that the University will receive two Common-
wealth Professors again this year. This program is part of
the amended Virginia Plan for Equal Opportunity and is
designed to attract outstanding black scholars from outside of
Virginia.
The University is awaiting acceptance by the two individuals.
If all goes well, VCU will have a visiting professor in the
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Schools of the Arts and Dentistry. This brings the Universi-
ty's total number of Commonwealth Professors to four which is
the highest number in the State.
(3) Operational Auditing -
Dr. Ackell announced that two members of VCU's staff, Mr. Mark
Mikuta, Acting Director of Internal Audit, and Mr. Carl Woo,
Director of Management Services, recently conducted a seminar
entitled "Operational Auditing" for the State Internal Audi-
tor, John Huston. Mr. Huston wrote, "Both Mr. Mikuta and Mr.
Woo clearly demonstrated their expertise on the subject of
operational auditing and helped tie the basic teachings of the
course to the real world through practical applications of the
subject matter. The University is to be complimented once
again in its overall effort and support of the State's inter-
nal auditing program."
(4) Dean of the Arts -
Dr. Ackell announced that Murry DePillars has recently
returned from an extended visit to Malaysia where he served as
an academic specialist advising the University of Science's
newly formed Art Center. Dr. DePillars advised not only on
curriculum, but also on the physical plant, outreach, promo-
tion and recruitment. The Embassy spokesman noted that as
Dean DePillars' reputation spread, the Department of Communi-
cations and the University of the North used his expertise.
Dean DePillars was well received in Penang and the University
is proud of his accomplishments.
(5) Alfred P. Sloan Foundation -
Dr. Ackell stated that the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has
announced the names of 90 young scientists and economists who
have been selected to receive research fellowships of $25,000
each. Dr. James Terner, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at
VCU, has been selected as a Sloan Fellow.
Mr. Smith reported for the Executive Committee which had met on
February 21, 1985. He stated that the Committee reviewed the Quarterly
Budget Report for the Second Quarter Ended December 31, 1984. The
Committee also received a report on the University's and Hospital's
compliance with the Prompt Pay Legislation. It was noted that the
University and Hospital are still experiencing problems in this area
but are actively involved in reviewing options for improving
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compliance. Mr. Smith also stated that the Committee reviewed a legis-
lative relations report from Mr. Ware. Mr. Reynolds, Chairman of the
Ad Hoc Committee on Nominations, reported to the Executive Committee
the recommendations of that Committee. After a discussion, the Executive Committee accepted the recommendations of the Committee on Nomina-
tions and requested that they be presented to the full Board in the
form of proposed Bylaw changes. Mr. Smith stated that these proposed
changes would be discussed in detail later in the meeting. On motion
made and seconded, the Report of the Executive Committee was accepted
and the Minutes of a Meeting held on February 21, 1985, were approved
as submitted.
Mr. Reynolds presented the two proposed Bylaw changes. The first
proposal involved the size and composition of the Executive Committee.
Both the main motion and a substitute motion were defeated. This pro-
posal will not be enacted. The second proposal created a new section
in the Bylaws for a Nominating Committee. It allows the Rector to
appoint a Nominating Committee to recommend a candidate for the office
of Rector at the May meeting. Following that election, the Rector-
elect would then appoint a second Nominating Committee to nominate
candidates for Vice-Rector, Secretary and the Executive Committee. The
Rector-elect would serve as a member of the second Nominating Commit-
tee. Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the Board
approved the adoption of this Bylaw change.
Mr. Bruegman presented the Report of Contracts. Following a brief
presentation, on motion made and seconded, the Report of Contracts was
ratified with Mrs. Whittemore and Mr. Morris abstaining.
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Mrs. Whittemore reported for the Academic Policy Committee. She
stated that she had previously reported on the January 16 meeting of
that Committee. On motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting
of the Academic Policy Committee, held January 16, 1985, were approved.
Mrs. Whittemore reported that the Committee met on March 20, 1985.
Dr. Arnold Fleshood, Chairman of the Task Force on General Education,
presented an interim report of the Task Force. Two of the major rec-
ommendations that will be forthcoming from this report will be greater
emphasis on teaching in the promotion and tenure process and enhancement of teaching techniques within the University. The Committee will
review the complete report once it has been through the appropriate
University channels. Dr. Charles Ruch, Dean of the School of Educa-
tion, briefed members of the Committee on the plans underway to imple-
ment the five-year pilot teacher education program. Dr. Ruch expressed
his appreciation to the Rector and the administration for their support
in securing this program for the University. Mrs. Whittemore stated
that the Committee had reviewed a proposal to change the name of the
Department of Business Education and Office Administration. However,
the Committee was opposed to the proposed name change. Following fur-
ther discussions, the Committee recommended that the name be changed to
the Department of Office Management. On motion made and seconded, the
name of the department was changed to the Department of Office Management. Mrs. Whittemore stated that the Committee reviewed and recom-
mended to the Board that the name of the School of Basic Sciences be
changed to the School of Basic Health Sciences. On motion made and
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seconded, the name of the School was changed to the School of Basic
Health Sciences. On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Aca-
demic Policy Committee was accepted.
Mr. Smith reported that the Advancement Committee had met on Febru-
ary 19, 1985. He stated that the Committee heard reports from the
Directors of Alumni Activities, Development and University Relations.
The Committee also reviewed Mr. Ware's report on legislative relations.
On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Advancement Committee
was accepted and the Minutes of a Meeting held February 19, 1985, were
approved as amended.
Mr. Morris reported for the Audit Committee which met on March 20,
1985. He stated that the Committee had reviewed a number of audit
reports as well as follow-up reports. On motion made and seconded, the
Report of the Audit Committee was accepted.
Dr. Gayle reported for the Hospital Committee which met on February
14, 1985. He stated that the Committee had received reports from Dr.
Connell and Mr. Lash. The Committee also discussed the problems the
Hospital is having regarding computer performance and the cost. It was
noted that discussions are taking place with the State's Department of
Information Technology. Dr. Gayle announced that the next meeting of
the Hospital Committee would be held jointly with the Executive Commit-
tee on Thursday, April 18, 1985, at 9 a.m. in the University Meeting
Center. On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Hospital Com-
mittee was accepted and the Minutes of a Meeting held February 14,
1985, were approved.
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Mr. Berry reported for the Property Committee. He stated that the
Committee reviewed and approved contracts with A.D. Whittaker for the
installation of the boilers on the MCV Campus Power Plant; Central
Builders, Inc., for renovation of the Hibbs Building; and Henningson,
Durham and Richardson for a preplanning study for the Corrections Unit
at MCV Hospitals. Mr. Berry stated that certain matters pertaining to
the Capital Outlay Budget Requests for 1986-88 would be discussed in
executive session before approval was recommended. On motion made and
seconded, the Report of the Property Committee was accepted and the
Minutes of a Meeting held on March 5, 1985, were approved.
Mr. Reynolds reported for the Student Affairs Committee. He stated
that the Committee had not met since the January meeting. On motion
made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held on January 10, 1985,
were approved.
Mr. Smith announced the appointment of the Nominating Committee to
nominate a candidate for the position of Rector at the May meeting.
Serving will be Mr. Robert J. Grey, Chairman, Mr. Eric M. Lipman and
Mr. Philip B. Morris.
Mr. Smith announced that he planned to appoint a Presidential Eval-
uation Committee this year. However, he noted that he would like con-
sideration to be given to change the Bylaws so that a Presidential
Evaluation does not take place but every three to five years rather
than annually. Serving as members of this year's Evaluation Committee
will be Mr. William G. Reynolds, Jr., Chairman, Mesdames Margaret
Bemiss and Anne Marie Whittemore. This Committee was requested to
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report at the May meeting so that the evaluation can be used in conjuc-
tion with Dr. Ackell's proposed salary increase.
On motion made, seconded and approved, the Committee 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 the condition,
acquisition or use of real property, and to protect the privacy of
individuals in personal matters not related to public business, and to
discuss matters relating to gifts, bequests, and fund-raising activi-
ties and matters relating to honorary degrees and special awards as
authorized by Section 2.1-344 a(l), 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 Advisor; accepted the Report of Gifts;
approved Faculty Appointments and Changes in Status, including the
appointment of Dr. James J. McGovern as Assistant Vice President for
Health Sciences; approved Departmental and Consultative Privileges;
approved Promotion and Tenure Recommendations; accepted the Report of
the President; accepted the recommendations for recipients of honorary
degrees; accepted the Executive Session Committee Reports; approved
Policies on Gifts of Art, Gifts-in-Kind Other Than Art, and Guidelines
on Recognition of Donors and Friends; and approved the priority ranking
on Capital Outlay Requests for the 1986-88 Biennium and the submission
of priorities 1,2,3,4 and 6 for Capital Outlays for General Funds and
priorities 9 and 10 for Non-General Funds.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
Approved:
W. Roy Smith, Rector
