MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
March 20, 1986
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Common-
wealth University was held on Thursday, March 20, 1986, at 9 a.m. in
the University Meeting Center.
Present were Mesdames Abady and Bemiss; Messrs. Allen, Berry,
Farinholt, Gregory, Lipman, Morris, Reynolds, Smith and Wurtzel; and
Dr. Moore. Absent were Messrs. Grey and Ludeman; Dr. Holland and Mrs.
Whittemore. Tilden Good, student representative to the Board of Visi-
tors, was also present. Attending from the staff were Drs. Ackell,
Connell, Ruch, Sparks and Wilson; Messrs. Brown, Bruegman, Doswell and
Ross; 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 15, 1986, and the Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Board
of Visitors held on January 16, 1986, were approved.
The Report of the President followed. Dr. Ackell reported on the
following items:
1. Dr. Ackell announced that for the first time, VCU is
restricting the size of its freshman class. VCU expects to
enroll 1,800 freshmen. Based on applicant activity to date,
the University is already approaching the applicant pool size
which historically yields 1,800 students. If this pool con-
tinues to grow as expected, VCU may need to implement a sys-
tem within the next 120 days to insure that it does not
over-enroll the freshman class. The implications of this
increased pool for improving student quality is obvious.
2 Dr. Ackell reported that VCU fared very well in the General
Assembly during this past session. The University is indebt-
ed to all members of the Assembly. To summarize, VCU
received:
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Restoration of 72 of the 121 positions that were cut
amounting to $3.8 million in general funds for 1986-88.
$250,000 each year of the biennium for the Massey Cancer
Center.
$50,000 each year of the biennium for the School of
Pharmacy Clerkship Program.
Faculty salary increases are provided for teaching and
research faculty at 11.75%, 10% for administrative fac-
ulty, and 6.58% for part-time faculty and graduate
assistants. Classified staff will receive a 4.57%
regrade and will be eligible for a 4.5% proficiency
increase. All salary increases are for the first year
only.
Indigent care appropriations for the Hospital amounted
to a $30 million increase over current appropriations
(approximately 40 percent). Mr. Smith, VCU's Rector,
worked diligently on this particular item with the Robb
administration and is largely responsible for the State
funding the full costs of indigent care.
On the capital outlay side, Dr. Ackell reported that VCU will
receive:
Authorization to use $1.2 million of non-general funds
to install lights, seating and an artificial surface at
the Cary Street fields.
$2,077,000 for renovation of labs in the School of Den-
tistry. (Dr. Ackell stated that thanks are due to the
efforts of the Dental Society.)
$1,996,000 for renovation of the upper floor of McGuire
Hall.
3. Dr. Ackell stated that the College of Humanities and Sciences
and the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Public
Policy will co-sponsor a conference from March 24-27 entitled:
"The Nuclear Debate: Moral and Social Dimensions." Community
representatives, VCU faculty members and nationally recognized
speakers will explore government policies and citizen concerns
regarding nuclear issues.
4 Dr. Ackell announced that on April 4, the Center for Educa-
tional Development and Faculty Resources will sponsor an exhi-
bition in the Student Commons called "A Celebration of Teaching." The event will promote an interdisciplinary exchange
among faculty University-wide, providing insight into how
different subjects are taught. There will be over 80 individ-
ual exhibits involving about 120 faculty from across the Uni-
versity.
5 Dr. Ackell stated that Dr. Margaret T. Peischl, Assistant
Professor in the Department of Foreign Languages, received a
Fulbright Scholar grant for the 1985-86 academic year under
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the mutual educational and cultural exchange program. She is
attending a seminar in Germany while Jose Manuel Sanchez Ruiz,
a science scholar at the University of Granada in Spain, is
conducting research at VCU in the Department of Biochemistry.
6. Dr. Ackell announced that Dr. Gary Johnson, Director of VCU's
Center for Public Affairs, has been appointed Research Direc-
tor for Virginia's newly established Governor's Commission on
Transportation in the 21st Century. The 30-member commission,
including the state's six living former governors, will
explore alternatives for meeting Virginia's future transporta-
tion needs.
7. Dr. Ackell noted that the American Association of Colleges of
Teacher Education recently presented VCU's School of Education
with the Distinguished Award for Content and Curriculum in the
Teacher Education Program. The $2,500 award was made in rec-
ognition of the Collaborative Teacher Education Program (Co-
TEEP), a project co-sponsored with the Richmond City Public
Schools. Co-TEEP is designed to develop innovative programs
integrating pre-service and in-service levels of instruction.
8. Dr. Ackell reported that VCU students had the highest pass
rate among first-time candidates of any college or university
in Virginia at the most recent sitting of the CPA examination.
25.9% passed all parts of the exam at the first sitting. 56%
passed the law section at the first sitting, again, the high-
est pass rate of any institution in the state.
9. Dr. Ackell announced that the first dean's invitational jazz
festival sponsored by the School of the Arts is underway.
Pianists Ramsey Lewis and Michel Petrucciani, vocalist Betty
Carter, and saxophonists Phil Woods and Benny Carter are among
featured artists. Twelve top east coast high school jazz
ensembles are here to attend instrumental clinics and compete
for the honor of joining Benny Carter in concert on the night
of April 22 at the Performing Arts Center.
10 Dr. Ackell announced that David G. Williamson, Jr., Vice
Chairman of the Hospital Corporation of America and a 1957
alumnus of VCU's Health Administration Program, has agreed to
chair the $1.5 million fund raising drive known as "New Ven-
tures for Excellence in Health Administration." This program
is one of the priorities identified in the University's long-
range fund raising plan. Funds will be used to provide education, research and service programs for students and health
care professionals. A portion of the funds will be used to
renovate Old Sheltering Arms Hospital, where the program will
be housed.
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11. Dr. Ackell stated that the School of Business will strengthen
the liberal arts requirements for its majors beginning in the
fall as a result of a two-year study by the School's under-
graduate curriculum committee. Although students currently
enrolled in the School of Business are required to devote at
least forty percent of their course work to the liberal arts,
the new curriculum requires more structure in the liberal arts
sequence.
12. Dr. Ackell reported that VCU won fourth place in the College
Bowl Regional Tournament held at the University of Virginia
last month. VCU topped schools such as UVA, Davidson, Duke
and Wake Forest in the quiz game play-off testing knowledge of
current events, history, literature, and science.
13. Dr. Ackell announced that Omicron Delta Kappa, a prestigious
national leadership society, has established a chapter at VCU.
Thirty-five students, alumni, faculty and staff members were
initiated into the society on March 2. A charter will be
presented to the University later this month. Membership in
ODK is based on leadership, service and scholarship.
14. Dr. Ackell reported that Carl R. Fischer, Executive Director
of MCV Hospitals, was officially on board.
15. Dr. Ackell noted that Barry Wolf, Professor in the Department
of Human Genetics, had been named Scientist of the Year by the
Governor.
16. Dr. Ackell stated that copies of the Office of Research's
Annual Report are available to Board members. Dr. Ackell also
noted that the materials on VCU's WinterFest were distributed
for information and reported that he had received favorable
responses from alumni who attended the various activities held
in conjunction with WinterFest.
17. Dr. Ackell introduced Mr. J. William Doswell, the new Assis-
tant to the President for Governmental Relations.
Following Dr. Ackell's report, Mr. Smith announced that the University had been very successful in this session of the General Assembly.
He stated that the credit for this success was due to the hard work of
Dr. Ackell, Mr. Bruegman, Mr. Ware and other key members of the staff.
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Mr. Bruegman presented the Report of Contracts. On motion made and
seconded, the Report of Contracts was ratified.
The names of Mr. Donald C. Bruegman, Senior Vice President for
Administration, and Mr. William G. Reynolds, Jr., Chairman of the
Board's Hospital Committee, were presented to join Dr. Ackell, Dr.
Connell, Dr. Ayres and Mr. Fischer on the Board of Governors of the
Institute as stipulated in the Affiliation Agreement between VCU and
the Richmond Eye and Ear Hospital. On motion made and seconded, Mess-
rs. Bruegman and Reynolds were elected to the Board of Governors.
Mrs. Bemiss reported on behalf of the Academic Policy Committee.
She stated that the Committee had reviewed a proposal to establish a
dual degree program with the University of Richmond leading to a J.D.
from T. C. Williams Law School and a M.H.A. from VCU. This joint pro-
gram in law and health administration will be the first in the State
and the ninth in the Nation. No additional resources will be required
since the M.H.A. degree is already in place. Mrs. Bemiss stated that
the Committee recommended approval. On motion made and seconded, the
Dual Degree with the University of Richmond leading to a J.D. and a
M.H.A. was approved.
Mrs. Bemiss reported that the Committee also heard a report from
Dean Elske Smith and Dr. Ruch on Faculty Recruitment and Retention.
Dean Smith summarized recent case studies to review the search process
used by the College of Humanities and Sciences. On motion made and
seconded, the Report of the Academic Policy Committee was accepted and
the Minutes of a Meeting held on January 15, 1986, were approved.
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Mr. Farinholt reported for the Advancement Committee. He stated
that the largest portion of the Committee's meeting was held in executive session. The public minutes reflect those reports covered during
open session. On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Advancement Committee was accepted and the Minutes of a Meeting held on Febru-
ary 20, 1986, were approved.
Mr. Morris reported on behalf of the Audit Committee. He stated
that his detailed report would be presented during executive session.
On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Audit Committee was
accepted and the Minutes of a Meeting held on January 15, 1986, were
approved.
Mr. Reynolds reported for the Hospital Committee. He stated that
the Committee had reviewed the Hospital's financial information as well
as pending legislative matters which involved the Hospital directly or
medical care generally. Mr. Reynolds stated the Hospital's Long-Range
Planning Committee has been established and is meeting. Mr. Reynolds
also stated that the Committee had acknowledged Mr. Rapp and the fine
job he had done as Interim Executive Director of the Hospital. On
motion made and seconded, the Report of the Hospital Committee was
accepted and the Minutes of a Meeting held on February 13, 1986, were
approved.
Mr. Berry reported that the Property Committee had met on February
3, 1986, and that the minutes were self-explanatory. On motion made
and seconded, the Report of the Property Committee was accepted and the
Minutes of a Meeting held on February 3, 1986, were approved.
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Mr. Lipman reported for the Student Affairs Committee. He stated
that the Committee held a special meeting to comment on the need for
additional athletic facilities so that the Property Committee could
address the subject at its meeting. On motion made and seconded, the
Report of the Student Affairs Committee was accepted and the Minutes of
a Meeting held on January 29, 1986, were approved.
Mr. Smith announced the appointment of the Nominating Committee to
propose a candidate for the office of Rector. Following the election
of the Rector at the May meeting, the new Rector will appoint another
Nominating Committee to propose candidates for Vice Rector, Secretary
and members of the Executive Committee. Mr. Smith announced that he
would not be seeking another term as Rector. Mr. Smith stated that Mr.
Berry would be serving as Chairman of the Nominating Committee and the
other members would be Messrs. Ludeman and Reynolds.
Mr. Smith announced that it was also necessary to appoint a Presi-
dential Evaluation Committee. He stated that last year it had been
suggested that the Board's Bylaws be changed and that the President be
evaluated every three to five years rather than annually. However,
was conducted at the end of Dr. Ackell's fifth year in office
this change was not made but probably should be. An in-depth evaluation
(1983-84). Mr. Smith stated that Mrs. Whittemore would be chairing
this Committee and would be joined by Mrs. Abady and Messrs. Allen and
Farinholt.
On motion made and seconded, the Board convened into executive
session to discuss certain personnel matters involving the performance
8
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 legal matters and pending litigation with its attorney, and to
discuss matters relating to gifts, bequests, and fund-raising activi-
ties as authorized by Section 2.1-344 a(l), a(6), and a(7) of the Vir-
ginia 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, approved Full Departmental and Consulta-
tive Privileges, approved Promotion and Tenure Recommendations, accept-
ed the Report of Gifts, accepted the Report of the President, and
accepted the Executive Session Committee Reports.
Dr. Ackell announced that word had just been received that Dr. H.
I. Willett, who had served VCU in a number of capacities including
Acting President, had died.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.
Approved:
W. Roy Smith, Rector
