MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
September 19, 1985
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University was held on Thursday, September 19, 1985, at 9 a.m. in the
University Meeting Center.
Present were Mesdames Abady, Bemiss and Whittemore; Messrs. Allen,
Berry, Farinholt, Gregory, Grey, Lipman, Morris, Smith and Wurtzel; and
Drs. Holland and Moore. Absent were Messrs. Ludeman and Reynolds.
Also present were Drs. Ackell, Connell, Ruch, Sparks and Wilson; Mess-
rs. Bruegman, Ross and Ware; and Mrs. Price. Also present was Mr.
Tilden Good, student representative to the Board.
Mr. Smith called the meeting to order and welcomed Tilden Good, the
student representative to the Board.
On motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a Special Meeting of
the Board of Visitors held on July 17, 1985, and the Minutes of a Regu-
lar Meeting of the Board of Visitors held on July 18, 1985, were
approved.
The Report of the President followed. Dr. Ackell reported on the
following items:
1. Enrollment Highlights, Fall 1985
Dr. Ackell reported that extensive University effort over the
past several months to create an effective and efficient on-line
registration for students was highly successful. There were few
lines, little waiting, and almost no aggravation for anyone in
the University community. Beyond the effectiveness of the pro-
cess, the preliminary numerical results are also positive.
These include:
. 19,375 students registered headcount, up 287 over the 19,088 of
the same date last fall.
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.
11,214 academic campus day students, up 190 over the 11,054 of a
year ago.
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,721 MCV campus day students, up 106 over the 2,615 of last
fall.
.
1,798 first time freshmen, up 175 from last year.
.
Transfer enrollments remain essentially the same.
.
Graduate enrollments remain stable.
Dr. Ackell stated that these headcount numbers are very encour-
aging, and there is strong reason to believe that VCU may well
exceed the 19,984 official Census II headcount of last November
1. (19,773 when senior citizens and audits are excluded.) The
difference between the current 19,375 and the projected 20,000
will consist primarily of late starting off-campus course
enrollments.
Dr. Ackell reported that while FTE's, and not headcount, are the
critical element in budgetary and funding considerations, pre-
liminary analysis of the projected enrollments suggest that
there will likely be a proportionate FTE increase occurring as A
result of the increased headcount.
Dr. Ackell reported that ground breaking is expected to take
place in October for the new Academic General Purpose Building
on Main Street between Cherry and Linden Streets. This four-
story building will house the Departments of Math, Physics,
Biology and Psychology along with radio and television studios,
print media laboratories and offices for the Department of Mass
Communications.
Bids ranging from $9.7 million to $11.3 million were received in
September from eight contractors. The lowest bidder was Ken-
bridge Construction Co. Construction is scheduled for comple-
tion in 1987.
Dr. Ackell announced that Jackie Nichols has been selected by
the American Hospital Association to receive one of nine nation-
al "Volunteer of the Year" awards. As president of the Hospital
Hospitality House and Chairman of Special Projects for MCV Hos-
pitals Auxiliary, Mrs. Nichols was selected as the most out-
standing hospital volunteer in region III, which covers Virgin-
ia, West Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, North Carolina and Wash-
ington, D.C.
Dr. Ackell noted that another award has been won by Rozanne
Epps, VCU's Director of Evening, Summer and Off-Campus Studies.
She was recently named Outstanding Woman of the Year in the
field of education by the YWCA. Mrs. Epps was honored for her
efforts to make higher education accessible to women,
minorities, older adults and the underprivileged in Richmond.
She has been with the University since 1964.
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5. Dr. Ackell reported that this fall marks the first full semester
of activities for the newly established Office of Media Instruc-
tion. By using audio and teleconferencing, close-circuit TV and
open broadcast, VCU will be able to extend credit instruction to
hundreds of students the University normally wouldn't reach.
Among the projects planned for this fall are:
Graduate level courses in pharmacy that will be available on
•
videocassette tape for continuing education students in distant
areas.
An audio-teleconference class to be offered at the Woodrow
• Wilson Rehabilitation Center in Fisherville for students unable
to commute to Richmond.
Classes for teachers in the Richmond Public Schools to be taught
• over close-circuit VC.
Development of a training program for social workers dealing
^
with foster children issues. The program will enable VCU to
deliver high quality training to professionals across the State.
6. Dr. Ackell reported that the Medical College of Virginia Founda-
tion has received a gift of approximately $600,000 to establish
the Dorothy Velma Clark Loveall Memorial Loan Fund. The student
loan fund was established through the estate of Frank Loveall in
memory of his wife, who was a 1936 graduate of MCV. About 40 to
50 medical students will receive loans each year.
7. Appointment of Director, International Studies Office
Dr. Ackell stated that an Office of InternationalStudies was
created, effective August 1, 1985, and a Director appointed to
handle international activities for the University.
Dr. Ackell noted that VCU developed an international minor at
the undergraduate level a couple of years ago. The University
is now intensifying efforts by actively recruiting international
students at all levels and by initiating an English as a Second
Language program for international students and members of the
community.
8. Dr. Ackell reported that Mr. Michael Raphael will be joining the
University on November 1, 1985, as Director of Internal Audit.
Mike was at the September 18 Audit Committee meeting so some of
the Board members had an opportunity to meet him. He has most
recently served as Director of Management Audit for the University System of New Hampshire. VCU is looking forward to having
Mike join its staff.
9. Dr. Ackell announced that in cooperation with the Virginia Muse-
um of Fine Arts, VCU's Music Department will offer an expanded
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series of concerts at the museum which includes music styles
ranging from French Impressionism to New Wave. The concerts
will include a Terrace Companion series, designed to complement
VCU's successful Terrace Concert series.
Dr. Ackell also stated that a grant from the Gwathmey Foundation
will enable the Department to begin immediate construction of a
digital recording studio, the only one of its kind in a Virginia
university.
10. Dr. Ackell reported that this fall the Charles G. Thalhimer
Family Executive-in-Residence for the School of Business will be
Brenton S. Halsey, Chairman of the Board of James River Corpora-
tion. Mr. Halsey will speak to students and faculty on October
2 and 3.
11. Dr. Ackell stated that the Office of Alumni Activities in con-
junction with Student Activities will sponsor Winterfest/
Homecoming activities beginning on February 15, 1986. The week-
end will be filled with campus activities and events and will
provide a social atmosphere on campus for students, alumni and
their guests. This will be a positive opportunity for alumni
cultivation by establishing and/or strengthening relationships
with the University.
Mr. Bruegman presented the Report of Contracts. Following a dis-
cussion, on motion made and seconded, the Report of Contracts was rati-
fied with Messrs. Gregory and Morris and Mrs. Whittemore abstaining.
Mr. Smith reported for the Executive Committee which met on August
15, 1985. Mr. Smith reported that the Committee had reviewed the
Financial and Addendum Proposals for 1986-88, approved a Resolution
allowing the University's faculty to participate in the TIAA/CREF
Retirement Plan, reviewed the latest statistics on compliance with
prompt pay, reviewed the Year-End Budget Report and reviewed proposed
changes to the Board's Bylaws. On motion made and seconded, the Report
of the Executive Committee was accepted and all items included therein
approved, and the Minutes of the Meeting held on August 15, 1985, were
approved.
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Mrs. Whittemore reported for the Academic Policy Committee which
met on September 18, 1985. She stated that the Committee has reviewed
a tentative agenda for the upcoming year. The Committee also received
a report from Dr. Ruch on the status of the Ph.D. in Nursing program.
This program was approved by the Board last year but was not recommend-
ed for approval to the State Council Board by the Council staff.
George Mason University's Ph.D. in Nursing program was also denied.
Both universities will be appealing these denials. Mrs. Whittemore
noted that the Committee agreed with the administration that this
degree program is very important to the integrity of the School of
Nursing.
Mrs. Whittemore also reported that Dr. Ruch reviewed in detail with
the Committee the internal and external review of the University's
programs. Dr. Ruch also reviewed the formation and charge of the Aca-
demic Planning Committee. Mrs. Whittemore noted that members of this
Committee would be attending the next meeting of the Academic Policy
Committee for an in-depth discussion. Mrs. Whittemore indicated that
she and the Committee are looking forward to working with Dr. Ruch
during the upcoming year. On motion made and seconded, the Report of
the Academic Policy Committee was accepted.
Mr. Smith reported that the Advancement Committee did not have a
report at this time.
Mr. Morris reported on behalf of the Audit Committee which met on
September 18, 1985. He stated that Mr. Michael Raphael was present at
the meeting and will be assuming the responsibilities of Director of
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Internal Audit on November 1, 1985. The Committee also reviewed a
report prepared by the State's Internal Auditor on VCU's Internal Audit
Department. The Committee approved a recommendation from this report
that calls for the Internal Audit Department's budget being submitted
jointly to the President and the Audit Committee for approval. On
motion made and seconded, the Report of the Audit Committee was accept-
ed and the Minutes of a Meeting held on July 17, 1985, were approved.
Mr. Smith reported that the Hospital Committee did not have a
report at this time.
Mr. Berry reported that the Property Committee would be meeting on
October 7, 1985.
Mr. Lipman reported that the Student Affairs Committee has scheduled two meetings. The first will be on October 3, 1985, with the
Counseling Center staff and the second will be on December 4, 1985.
Mr. Lipman reviewed with the Board the role of the Student Affairs
Committee.
Mr. Smith stated that the Ad Hoc Committee on the Board's Bylaws
chaired by Mrs. Whittemore would continue to exist should there be
additional changes Board members wish to have considered.
Mr. Smith also stated that he had received a thank you note from
Mrs. Nemuth for the Resolution prepared in memory of Dr. Nemuth.
On motion made and seconded, the Committee 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
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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 as authorized
by Section 2.1-344 a(1), 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, approved the Faculty Appoint-
ments and Changes in Status, accepted the Report of Gifts, accepted the
Report of the President and accepted the Executive Session Committee
Reports.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 p.m.
Approved:
W. Roy Smith, Rector
