MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
May 16, 1985
A Regular Meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Common-
wealth University was held on Thursday, May 16, 1985 at 9 a.m. in the
University Meeting Center.
Present were Messrs. Berry, Grey, Lipman, Ludeman, Morris,
Reynolds and Smith; Mesdames Abady, Thalhimer and Whittemore; and Drs.
Gayle, Holland and Moore. Absent were Messrs. Allen and Farinholt; and
Mrs. Bemiss. Also present were Drs. Ackell, Connell, Hall, Simmons and
Sparks; Messrs. Brown, Bruegman, Ross and Ware; and Mrs. Price. Randy
Merrick, student representative to the Board, was also present.
Mr. Smith called the meeting to order and on motion made and sec-
onded, the Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Board of Visitors held
on March 21, 1985 were approved.
The Report of the President followed. Dr. Ackell reported on the
following items:
1. Dr. Ackell reported that the dedication of the Theatre in the
Performing Arts Center for Raymond Hodges was held on April 27,
1985 and was a great tribute to the former Chairman of the Theatre
Department. The ceremony was attended by many faculty, students,
alumni and friends. Mr. Hodges' son, Barry, was present and
accepted the plaque which will be located in the Theatre lobby.
2. Dr. Ackell reported on the presentation held on May 9, 1985 of the
bust of Hippocrates by the Virginians of Greek Ancestry. The bust
was created by Menelaos Katafigiotis, a well-known Greek painter
and sculptor. The sculpture is located in the circle in front of
the Egyptian Building on the MCV Campus. The bust is an exact
replica of the bust of Hippocrates located in the Museum of
Athens. The marble used for the bust came from the same quarry as
the marble used to construct the Parthenon. VCU is grateful to
the Virginians of Greek Ancestry for this generous donation.
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3. Dr. Ackell stated that the Council for Advancement and Support of
Education has awarded VCU two national awards in its 1985 Recogni-
tion Program. The Free University has won a silver award in the
community relations category. As you know, the Free University is
a program in which senior citizens take classes taught by VCU
emeriti faculty. These classes provide stimulating educational
opportunities for older persons, many of whom are retired.
The second award, also a silver award, was won by University Relations for a newsletter publishing program. This was for "Revital-
ization News," a quarterly newsletter published by the Department
of Urban Studies and Planning.
4. Dr. Ackell reported that VCU has received a gift valued at
$524,369 from the estate of George B. Bliley, III of Suitland,
Maryland. Mr. Bliley was a native of Richmond who worked for many
years in financial management for the Federal government. His
gift will be used for research in the School of Medicine.
5. Dr. Ackell reported that a metropolitan Richmond tour by the 1986
General Assembly is being planned by the Metro Richmond Chamber of
Commerce for January 24, 25, and 26, 1986. Ralph Ware is on the
Planning Committee.
6. Dr. Ackell reported that Dr. Wayne C. Hall is retiring June 1,
1985. Dr. Hall has served VCU well during the past 12 years and
is responsible for giving the leadership that has enabled VCU to
increase the quality of the University's academic programs and
student body. Dr. Ackell stated that Dr. Hall will be missed at
VCU.
7. Dr. Ackell also reported that this is the last meeting for VCU's
student representative to the Board, Randy Merrick. Mr. Merrick
has been an able representative and has given the University the
student perspective on a number of issues. Dr. Ackell presented
to Mr. Merrick an engraved brass box as a small token of apprecia-
tion for his service as student representative to the Board.
Following Dr. Ackell's report, Mr. Smith expressed to Dr. Hall and
Mr. Merrick the Board's appreciation for their contributions to the
University and the Board.
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.
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Dr. Connell presented the School of Dentistry Private Practice
Plan. Following a discussion, on motion made and seconded, the School
of Dentistry Private Practice Plan was approved.
Dr. Connell presented the School of Medicine's Faculty Scale for
1985-86. The ceilings for the medical staff have been raised 5 percent
and 10 percent for the surgical staff. Dr. Connell noted that many
faculty members will not reach the ceilings. However, the administra-
tion wishes to insure that the differential is equal to the national
average. On motion made and seconded, the School of Medicine's Faculty
Scale for 1985-86 was approved.
Mr. Bruegman presented the Compensation Plan. This is an annual
report that the administration is required to submit to the State's
Department of Personnel and Training. On motion made and seconded, the
Compensation Plan was approved.
Mr. Smith introduced Dr. William Holland who was recently appoint-
ed to the Board by Governor Robb to fill the unexpired term of Dr.
Harold Nemuth. Mr. Smith welcomed Dr. Holland to the Board.
Mr. Smith reported for the Executive Committee which met on April
4, 1985. He stated that this meeting was held in executive session and
would be reported on during the Board's executive session. The Commit-
tee also met on April 18, 1985, and at that time reviewed the Proposed
Tuition and Fee Schedule for 1985-86. This proposal does not include a
recommendation for the Student Health Fee which will be presented at a
later time. On motion made and seconded, the Tuition and Fee Schedule
for 1985-86 was approved. Mr. Smith reported that the Committee has
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also reviewed and recommended approval of a Resolution concerning the
financing of Parking Deck E on the MCV Campus. On motion made and
seconded, the Resolution was approved. On motion made and seconded,
the Report of the Executive Committee was accepted, and the Minutes of
the Meetings held on April 4 and April 18, 1985 were approved.
Mrs. Whittemore reported for the Academic Policy Committee. She
stated that the March minutes which are included in the Board agenda
were previously reported to the Board. On motion made and seconded,
the Minutes of a Meeting held on March 20, 1985 were approved. Mrs.
Whittemore reported that the Committee met on May 15, 1985 and consid-
ered a proposal to develop a Division of Geriatrics within the Department of Medicine. Dr. Connell noted that he was reallocating from
existing resources a position for division chairman, but the major
funding source for this department would be McGuire's VA Medical Cen-
ter. On motion made and seconded, the Division of Geriatrics was
approved. Mrs. Whittemore reported that the Committee had met with
representatives of the Faculty Senate and the Faculty Caucus. She
noted that the faculty members present praised President Ackell and his
accessibility. Two major topics of discussion included the need to
review promotion and tenure with reference to possible future reduc-
tions. This includes the need for long-range planning. The second
area of discussion concerned the need to clarify and amplify the Uni-
versity's mission. Mrs. Whittemore stated that it was a very interesting meeting and beneficial to all who attended. On motion made and
seconded, the Report of the Academic Policy Committee was accepted.
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Mrs. Whittemore reported that she and Dr. Gayle had been requested
to draft a Resolution in memory of Dr. Harold I. Nemuth, Vice Rector of
the Board, who passed away earlier in the year. After a moment of
silence, the Board approved the following Resolution:
Virginia Commonwealth University has been privileged to share and
benefit from the life of Harold I. Nemuth. At his death on Decem-
ber 8, 1984, Dr. Nemuth was Vice Rector of VCU and had actively
served on the Board of Visitors as Secretary and Chairman of vari-
ous committees since 1979. His love of the University and his
alma mater, the Medical College of Virginia, were unequaled. He
was known and revered by its students, faculty and administration
alike.
In addition to his service on the Board of Visitors, Hal's contri-
butions to VCU include service, without compensation, as instruc-
tor in pharmacology, medicine, and preventive medicine. He proc-
tored many medical student observers in his private practice. He
helped to organize the MCV Screening Clinic and directed it from
1954-1962. He was acting Chairman of Preventive Medicine from
1959-1962. Recognition of his selfless efforts and energy result-
ed in appointments as Clinical Professor of Preventive Medicine
and as Emeritus Professor of Medicine.
Hal was a splendid and dedicated physician who was a healer of the
troubled heart and soul, as well as the medical ills of his
patients and friends. Few are gifted with the extraordinary array
of interests and abilities that were his. He was as accomplished
in literature, music and art, as in medical science. But the
essence of Hal that escaped no one who encountered him was his
boundless interest, concern and love for everyone who was fortu-
nate enough to know him, whatever their station or walk of life.
It was this great enthusiasm for life and his fellowmen that gave
him the courage to continue his medical practice and his service
to this University to the very last days of his life, despite the
pain of the terrible and incurable illness that he suffered.
We, his colleagues on the Board of Visitors, remember and miss
Hal's spark, his mirth, his thoughtful contributions to our delib-
erations and, above all else, his compassion and companionship.
We honor his memory, mourn his loss, and give thanks for his life
among us.
And, we resolve that this memorial resolution be placed in our
minutes and a copy transmitted to his family.
Mr. Ludeman reported for the Advancement Committee which met on
May 7, 1985. During the open session of the meeting, the Committee
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received status reports on Alumni Activities, Development, University
Relations and Legislative Affairs. The Committee also reviewed and
approved a policy for ratifying major fund-raising projects at the
University. Mr. Ludeman noted that an administrative policy is in
place which requires that all fund-raising efforts be approved by the
Development Office. Mr. Ludeman stated that the remainder of his
report would be given in executive session. On motion made and second-
ed, the Report of the Advancement Committee was accepted.
Mr. Morris reported that he has previously reported on the Minutes
of the Audit Committee held March 20, 1985. On motion made and second-
ed, the Minutes of the Audit Committee held March 20, 1985 were
approved. Mr. Morris reported that the Committee met on May 15, 1985
with the Auditor of Public Accounts to review the Management Letter for
the period ended June 30, 1984. Mr. Morris stated that he would give a
detailed report during the Board's executive session. On motion made
and seconded, the Report of the Audit Committee was accepted.
Dr. Gayle reported for the Hospital Committee which met jointly
with the Executive Committee on April 18, 1985 to review the Hospital's
Operating Budget for 1985-86. Dr. Gayle stated that during Mr. Lash's
report, he noted that the Hospital had received full accreditation from
the Joint Commission. Additionally, the Hospital Committee endorsed
the Hospital's plans to obtain a Certificate of Need for a lithotripter
(kidney stone laser). Dr. Gayle stated that the proposed Hospital
Operating Budget included an 8.5 percent room rate increase and was
approved by the Hospital and Executive Committees. On motion made and
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seconded, the Report of the Hospital Committee and the Hospital's Oper-
ating Budget were accepted and the Minutes of a Meeting held on April
18, 1985 were approved. Mrs. Whittemore abstained from the endorsement
of the Hospital's obtaining a lithotripter.
Mr. Smith noted that the Property Committee had not met since the
last Board meeting.
Mr. Reynolds reported for the Student Affairs Committee. He noted
that the Committee met on April 18, 1985 and received a presentation
from the Outdoor Adventure Program. On motion made and seconded, the
Report of the Student Affairs Committee was accepted and the Minutes of
a Meeting held on April 18, 1985 were approved. Mr. Reynolds intro-
duced Mr. Randy Merrick, student representative to the Board, who gave
a year-end report on his perceptions. He stated the campus unity situ-
ation is improving (he referred to this as "hands across Belvidere").
Mr. Merrick feels that the Board and the administration need to be
cautious not to pit campus against campus, and noted that the development of a University newspaper would assist in unifying the University.
He also stated that it is important to protect VCU's excellent programs
and Schools, such as the clinical training program and the School of
the Arts. He also expressed a need to make students more aware of
their long-term attachment to the University. Mr. Merrick stated that
he has great pride in the School of Medicine and the University, as
well as in the leadership provided to the University. Mr. Merrick
stated that he would be submitting a written report to President
Ackell.
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Mr. Grey reported for the Nominating Committee. Copies of the
Committee's minutes were distributed. Mr. Grey reported that Mr. W.
Roy Smith has been nominated for a second term as Rector. On motion
made and seconded, Mr. W. Roy Smith was elected Rector of the Board for
1985-86.
Mr. Smith stated that in accordance with the Board's Bylaws he
would appoint a second Nominating Committee to nominate candidates for
the position of Vice Rector, Secretary and members of the Executive
Committee. Mr. Smith requested Mr. Reynolds to serve as Chairman of
the Committee along with Mrs. Bemiss and Mr. Ludeman.
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 protect the priva-
cy of individuals in personal matters not related to public business,
and to discuss matters relating to gifts, bequests, and fund-raising
activities as authorized by Section 2.1-344 a(l), a(3), a(6), and a(7)
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
the President; approved Faculty Appointments and Changes in Status,
including the appointment of Dr. Stephen M. Ayres as Dean of the School
of Medicine and Dr. Robert J. DeLorenzo as Chairman of the Department
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of Neurology; approved Continuing Faculty Salaries and Executive Sala-
ries; accepted the Report of Gifts; accepted the Executive Session
Committee Reports; and accepted the Report of the Presidential Evalua-
tion Committee.
The meeting was adjourned at 1 p.m.
Approved:
W. Roy Smith, Rector
