MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
May 22, 1986
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Common-
wealth University was held on Thursday, May 22, 1986, at 9 a.m. in the
University Meeting Center.
Present were Mesdames Abady, Bemiss and Whittemore; Messrs. Allen,
Berry, Farinholt, Gregory, Grey, Lipman, Morris, Reynolds, Smith and
Wurtzel; and Dr. Moore. Dr. Holland and Mr. Ludeman were absent. Also
present were Drs. Ackell, Andrako, Duvall, Ruch and Sparks; Messrs.
Brown, Bruegman, Doswell, 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 March 19, 1986, and the Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Board of
Visitors held on March 20, 1986, were approved.
The Report of the President followed. Dr. Ackell reported on the
following items:
1. Dr. Ackell introduced Mrs. Betsy Daley, a staff member from
the State Department of Planning and Budget, who has been
assigned by that State agency with liaison responsibilities
to the University. Mrs. Daley just recently joined DPB and
has taken the initiative to become more familiar with the
University by attending a Board meeting.
2. Dr. Ackell reported that VCU has recently received notice of
several generous gifts. The Hospital Corporation of America
has pledged up to $250,000 towards VCU's "New Ventures for
excellence in Health Administration Education" Fund-raising
Drive. One of the University's best-known alumni, David G.
Williamson, is vice chairman of the board of HCA and has also
made an extremely generous pledge to the "New Ventures" pro-
gram.
The MCV Foundation has received approximately $292,000 from
the estate of the late Hazel L. Coffindaffer. These funds
will be used for loans to VCU's medical students.
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The Massey Cancer Center recently received an unrestricted
anonymous gift of $50,000 and a gift of $109,000 from the
Virginia Women's Club for new equipment.
The School of Nursing has been notified that it will receive
a $50,000 gift for new computer equipment from the Helene
Fuld Trust.
Olin Chemical has made a $50,000 gift to support programs in
clinical toxicology and environmental medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine.
3. Dr. Ackell stated that the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scanner
is now operating at MCV Hospitals. This powerful diagnostic
tool detects brain tumors and central nervous system abnor-
malities and involves no radiation. MCV Hospitals projects
that more than 8 patients a day will benefit from this new
technology.
4. Dr. Ackell noted that on April 22, MCV Hospitals strengthened
its reputation as a pioneer in organ transplantation with its
first heart-lung transplant. Only five other hospitals in
the United States have performed this operation. The operation was performed successfully on 8-year-old Joey Holden
from Orlando, Florida. Joey's condition has been upgraded to
satisfactory; he walks around the Intensive Care Unit daily.
5. Dr. Ackell announced that the Childrens Miracle Network
Telethon will be aired for 21 hours on May 31 and June 1. It
can be seen locally on WXEX-TV 8. All proceeds will benefit
VCU's Childrens Medical Center and the Childrens Hospital.
6. Dr. Ackell stated that Christopher Rall, one of VCU's third-
year medical students, has received a Howard Hughes Medical
Institute Fellowship, one of 25 awarded nationwide.
Christopher will spend next year at the campus of the Nation-
al Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., studying with top
researchers.
7. Dr. Ackell reported that VCU has won two national awards from
the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. The
University received a gold medal in the Radio Programming
category for a 60-second taped public service announcement
highlighting VCU's first homecoming, WinterFest '86. The
tape was played by three area radio stations and certainly
contributed to the success of this event. The University
also received a silver medal in the Community Relations cate-
gory for VCU's Richmond Revitalization program. (Richmond
Revitalization uses VCU as a catalyst to generate programs
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focusing on the development of abandoned and underused sections of Richmond's inner city.)
8. Dr. Ackell announced that the Annual Giving Phonathon has
come to a successful conclusion with pledges showing an
increase of about 70 percent over last year. The Annual
Giving Program continues to show impressive gains in total
gifts over 1985.
9. Dr. Ackell stated that Hermes Kontos, vice chairman of VCU's
Internal Medicine Department, recently received a $1 million
Jacob Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award. The award is
presented to investigators who have a distinguished record of
contributions in neurological or communicative sciences and
who can be expected to be highly productive over the next
seven years.
10. Dr. Ackell announced that a University-wide Speakers Service
will be in operation by early this summer when brochures will
be mailed to several hundred civic organizations in the
Richmond area. The brochure lists over 100 topics ranging
from contemporary art to cancer research on which VCU's
knowledgeable faculty are willing to speak. The timing of
the Speakers Service brochure should be just right for organ-
izations planning their fall programs. It is being coordi-
nated by the Information Services staff in University Relations.
11. Dr. Ackell reported that Dr. Hunter McGuire has agreed to
head the committee planning the 125th anniversary of MCV
Hospitals. The celebration, which is planned for October,
will increase community awareness of MCV Hospitals' great
traditions and strengths. Dr. McGuire's impressive committee
includes Mr. C. Coleman McGehee, Mr. Robert Carter, Jr., Mr.
A. Paul Funkhouser, Dr. E. Lawrence Kendig, Mr. Saul Viener,
Mrs. Dolly Hintz, Mr. Carl Fischer, Mr. David Brown and Dr.
Alastair Connell.
12. Dr. Ackell stated that the School of Social Work will cele-
A planning committee, with Alan Wurtzel as honorary chairman,
brate its 70th anniversary next April with an Alumni Professional Development Workshop and a formal evening celebration.
is coordinating the event.
13. Dr. Ackell announced that members of the Information Services
staff in University Relations have been calling on national
media representatives in efforts to secure more national
press attention for VCU. So far, trips have been made to
Atlanta, Washington, D.C., New York, Los Angeles and
locations throughout Virginia. A trip to Chicago is
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scheduled for the end of the month. VCU has already seen
positive results from these efforts and several media outlets
have indicated an interest in exploring a number of stories
about VCU.
14. Dr. Ackell reported that with regard to VCU's compliance with
the Prompt Pay legislation, MCV Hospitals have maintained
their compliance rate with 96% for April. The University has
reached compliance with 97% for April. Dr. Ackell noted that
special thanks should be given to Don Bruegman, Jim Johnson
and Paul Jez and their staffs for their hard work in getting
VCU to this point.
15. Dr. Ackell passed around a copy of Americana which features
on its cover the Putney Houses. The article entitled "A
Historic City Ornamented in Cast Iron" begins on page 46 and
prominently features a number of the University's buildings.
16. Dr. Ackell reported that Commencement had been held on May 17
and had gone extremely well. Senator Warner was VCU's Com-
mencement speaker and received an Honorary Doctor of Humane
Letters degree. Other guests included Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Thalhimer, recipients of the 1986 Presidential Medallions,
and Mr. Floyd Gottwald, Jr., who also received an Honorary
Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Following Commencement, a
reception was held at the Cary Street Gym honoring VCU's
distinguished guests.
17. Dr. Ackell announced that twenty of VCU's students have been
selected to represent VCU in the 1985-86 edition of Who's Who
Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Their
names were announced at a recent Student Affairs Leadership
and Service Awards Ceremony. During the ceremony, five stu-
dents were also recognized for outstanding leadership and
service to the University and the Richmond community.
Dr. Ackell stated that Tilden Good, who recently graduated
and could not be at the Board meeting today, is one of the 20
students representing VCU in Who's Who Among Students. Dr.
Ackell expressed appreciation for Tilden's service as student
representative to the Board for the 1985/86 year.
Following Dr. Ackell's report, Mr. Smith recognized the outstanding service of retiring Board members Bob Grey, Billy Reynolds and Doug
Ludeman. Each of these individuals will be missed. A reception will
be held at the President's home in September for new and retiring Board
members.
Mr. Bruegman presented the Report of Contracts. On motion made
and seconded, the Contracts were ratified with Mr. Morris and Mrs.
Whittemore abstaining.
Dr. Andrako presented a proposal to increase the Dental Private
Practice Salary Limit. On motion made and seconded, the Dental Private
Practice Salary Limit was approved.
Dr. Andrako presented the proposed School of Medicine's 1986-87
Faculty Salary Schedules. It was noted that a $10,000 increase is
being requested for department chairmen. A number of questions were
raised concerning this proposal. On motion made and seconded, the
School of Medicine's 1986-87 Faculty Salary Schedules were tabled until
adequate documentation could be presented.
Mr. Bruegman presented the proposed Compensation Plan for Teaching
and Research Staff for 1986-87. Mr. Bruegman stated that the University was required to file this document with the State Department of
Personnel each year. On motion made and seconded, the Compensation
Plan for Teaching and Research Staff for 1986-87 (excluding the Medical
Faculty Salary Schedules) was approved.
Mr. Bruegman presented a Resolution reaffirming the Board's com-
mitment to equal employment opportunity. On motion made and seconded,
the following Resolution was approved:
WHEREAS, Gerald L. Baliles, Governor of the Common-
wealth of Virginia, has issued Executive Order Number One
(86) reaffirming the practice of promoting equal employment
opportunity in public employment, and,
WHEREAS, equal employment opportunity without regard to
race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, political
affiliation, or disability has been the policy of Virginia
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Commonwealth University for all University employees and
applicants for employment, and,
WHEREAS, Virginia Commonwealth University desires to
reaffirm its commitment to equal employment opportunity,
therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that Executive Order Number One (86)
(attached hereto and incorporated by reference, as if fully
restated) is hereby adopted, by unanimous vote, as official
policy of Virginia Commonwealth University.
Dated:
W. Roy Smith, Rector
ATTEST:
The Foregoing Resolution was unanimously adopted by the
Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University at its
regular meeting held on the day of May, 1986.
Dated:
James B. Farinholt, Jr., Secretary
Mr. Smith reported on behalf of the Executive Committee. He stat-
ed that the Committee had reviewed the 1986-87 Budget Plan for Educational and General Programs, Indirect Cost Recovery Funds and Auxiliary
Enterprise Programs as well as the Tuition and Fees Charges for
1986-87. On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Executive
Committee was accepted and the Minutes of a Meeting held April 17,
1986, were approved.
Mrs. Whittemore reported for the Academic Policy Committee. On
motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held March 19, 1986,
were approved. She stated that the Committee had met yesterday and
reviewed the Six-Year Curriculum Plan. This is a planning document
which must be filed with SCHEV and includes any possible new degree
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programs the University might wish to institute through 1990. If a
decision is made by the administration to proceed with any of these new
degree programs, they would be brought to the Academic Policy Committee
on an individual basis. This document will also be used by the Univer-
sity's Academic Planning Committee as it continues its deliberations.
Mrs. Whittemore stated that the Committee is recommending to the
Board two names changes in the School of Basic Health Sciences. They
are the Department of Physiology and Biophysics to the Department of
Physiology, and the Department of Biochemistry to the Department of
Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics. The Committee is also recom-
mending approval of a change to departmental status for the Program in
Gerontology. On motion made and seconded, the Board approved changing
the names of the departments to Physiology and Biochemistry and Molecu-
lar Biophysics and changing the Program in Gerontology to the Department of Gerontology
Mrs. Whittemore reported that the Committee received a report from
Dr. William Bost, Interim Director of Enrollment Services, regarding
admissions and recruitment. It was reported by Dr. Bost that for the
first time in the University's history freshman enrollment is being
capped. The Committee also received a status report on the Five-Year
Teacher Education Program. On motion made and seconded, the Report of
the Academic Policy Committee was accepted.
Mr. Farinholt reported for the Advancement Committee. Mr. Farin-
holt stated that the Committee received a report on the legislative
relations activities. The remainder of the Committee's business was
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conducted in executive session. On motion made and seconded, the
Report of the Advancement Committee was accepted and the Minutes of a
Meeting held April 21, 1986, were approved.
Mr. Morris reported for the Audit Committee. On motion made and
seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held March 19, 1986, were approved.
Mr. Morris stated that at its meeting on May 21, 1986, the Committee
reviewed audit reports and follow-up reports and there were no signifi-
cant problems. The Committee also reviewed and approved the Internal
Audit Department's 1986-87 budget. For the first time in several
years, the Audit Department is fully staffed. The Committee also
reviewed and approved a prioritized audit schedule. On motion made and
seconded, the Report of the Audit Committee was accepted.
Mr. Reynolds reported for the Hospital Committee which met jointly
with the Executive Committee on April 17, 1986. The purpose of this
meeting was to review the Hospital's Operating Budget for 1986-87.
This was outlined in the minutes previously distributed. On motion
made and seconded, the Report of the Hospital Committee was accepted
and the Minutes of a Meeting held jointly with the Executive Committee
on April 17, 1986, were approved.
Mr. Berry reported for the Property Committee which met April 11,
1986. He stated that the minutes outlined the actions of that Commit-
tee. On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Property Committee
was accepted and the Minutes of a Meeting held April 11, 1986, were
approved.
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Mr. Lipman reported for the Students Affairs Committee which met
on April 10, 1986. He stated that this meeting was an opportunity for
student leaders from both campuses to express their concerns and praise
for any and all aspects of the University. It was a very informative
session for all who attended. Mr. Lipman stated that Dr. Wilson and
his staff do an excellent job of maintaining open communications
between the students and the administration. On motion made and sec-
onded, the Report of the Student Affairs Committee was accepted and the
Minutes of a Meeting held April 10, 1986, were approved.
Mr. Smith announced that he had greatly enjoyed serving as Rector
of the Board and working with each member of the Board and members of
the administration.
Mr. Berry, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, stated that the
Nominating Committee composed of Messrs. Grey, Ludeman and Reynolds was
pleased to submit the name of Mr. James B. Farinholt, Jr., as Rector of
the Board. On motion made and seconded, nominations were closed and
Mr. Farinholt was elected Rector by acclamation.
Mr. Farinholt announced the appointment of a Nominating Committee
with Mr. Berry as Chairman and Mrs. Bemiss, Mr. Wurtzel and himself as
members. This Committee will report at the July Board meeting.
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 evaluation of performance of departments or schools of VCU where such matters
regarding such individuals might be affected by such evaluation, and to
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discuss the condition, acquisition or use of real property, and to
discuss legal matters and 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(2), 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 the Faculty Appointments and Changes in Status,
approved the Continuing Faculty and Executive Salaries, accepted the
Report of Gifts, accepted the Executive Session Committee Reports,
accepted the Report of the Presidential Evaluation Committee, and
approved the appointment of Dr. Charles P. Ruch as Provost and Vice
President for Academic Affairs.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:25 p.m.
Margaret Bemiss, Secretary
Approved:
