[1988-05-20] Minutes of a regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University May 20, 1988.

              MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS 
              OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY 
                      May 20, 1988


    A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Common- 

wealth University was held on Friday, May 20, 1988, at 9 a.m. in the 

University Meeting Center.

    Present were Messrs. Farinholt (Rector), Latham, Lipman, Meador, 

Morris, Smith, Whitworth and Wurtzel; Drs. Holland and Moore; and Mes- 

dames Abady, Epps and Whittemore. Absent were Messrs. Beadles, Berry 

and Gregory. Also present were Drs. Ackell, Connell, Dewey, Ruch, 

Sparks and Wilson; Messrs. Bruegman, Kudless and Ross; and Mrs. Price.

    Mr. Farinholt called the meeting to order and on motion made and 

seconded, the Minutes of a Regular Meeting held on March 17, 1988; the 

Minutes of Retreat held on March 18, 1988; and the Minutes of a Retreat 

held on March 19, 1988, were approved.

    The Report of the President followed. Dr. Ackell reported on the 

following items:
    1.  Commencement will be held tomorrow (May 21) and Dr. John 
    Brademas, President of New York University, will be the speaker. 
    There will be over 3,000 graduates.
    2.  The VCU banners are now in place on both campuses. These 
    banners will be installed for special occasions such as Commencement, the 150th Celebration, Convocation, etc


    Dr. Ackell introduced Mr. Jeffrey Yarmel to present the proposed 

Policy on AIDS. Mr. Yarmel stated that this is a comprehensive policy 

which has been nine months in the making. It has been reviewed by the 

Infectious Disease Committee and by the Attorney General's Office. The 

policy covers all employees, faculty and students. Following ques- 

tions, on motion made and seconded, the Policy on AIDS was approved.
                                              2




       Mr. Ross presented a Resolution outlining the University's commitment to the Equipment Trust Fund through the Virginia College Building 

Authority. This Resolution further authorizes the President to execute 

the lease agreements to a maximum of $15 million. On motion made and 

seconded, the following Resolution was approved:

       WHEREAS, the Virginia College Building Authority (the Authority) 
has instituted a program of purchasing scientific and technical equipment (the Equipment) for lease to public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia for use in teaching and research;


and,
       WHEREAS, the Board of Visitors (the Board) of Virginia Common- 
wealth University (the University) deems it to be in the best interest 
of the Institution to lease Equipment from the Authority; and,
       WHEREAS, the Board hereby deems it advisable to delegate to the 
President of the University the authority to enter into equipment leas- 
es with the Authority on behalf of the University in an aggregate 
amount not to exceed $15,000,000.00;
       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Visitors of Virgin- 
ia Commonwealth University:
       1. The President of the University is hereby authorized and 
directed to take such further action as may be necessary or desirable 
to effect such leases of Equipment, including executing and delivering 
such Lease Agreements and supplements thereto as may be necessary or 
desirable from time to time in an aggregate amount not to exceed 
$15,000,000.00;
       2. The obligations of the University to pay rent for Equipment 
under such Lease Agreements shall be payable in such installments with 
interest at such rate or rates over such term or terms as the President 
shall determine to be in the best interest of the University.
       3. The prior acts of the President with respect to the execution 
of existing equipment leases under the higher education equipment 
acquisition program and within the aggregate amount stated herein are 
hereby ratified and confirmed to the extent such ratification and con- 
firmation is necessary or desirable.

       Mr. Farinholt thanked Mr. Berry for his work on the University 



Investment Committee and stated that since Mr. Berry will not be standing for reappointment, it is necessary for the Board to appoint a new 

representative to this Committee. On motion made and seconded, Mr. 

Dixon Whitworth was appointed to the University Investment Committee.
                               3

    Mr. Farinholt reported for the Executive Committee which met 
jointly with the Hospital Committee on April 21, 1988. At that meeting, the Committees approved the 1988-89 Hospital Operating Budget. On




motion made and seconded, the Report of the Combined Meeting of the 
Executive and Hospital Committees was accepted and the Minutes were 

approved.

    Mr. Farinholt reported that at the Executive Committee meeting on 
April 21, the Committee received an expansive report on the 1988-89 

proposed Tuition and Fees Charges. Mr. Morris pointed out that it was 
gratifying to see that no increase in tuition was recommended. Mr. 

Bruegman stated that because of an adjustment to the tuition funding 

formula, an inequity that affected VCU had been rectified. Consequent- 

ly, this allowed the administration to recommend to the Board no 
increase in tuition. On motion made and seconded, the Tuition and Fees 

Charges for 1988-89 were approved.

    Mr. Farinholt stated that the Committee also approved the 1988-90 

Consolidated Budget Plan. Following a brief review, on motion made and 
seconded, the 1988-90 Consolidated Budget Plan was approved.

    On motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting of the Exec- 
utive Committee held on April 21, 1988, were approved and the Commit- 

tee's Report was accepted.

    Mrs. Abady reported for the Academic Policy Committee which met on 
May 19. On motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held on 
March 17, 1988, were approved. Mrs. Abady stated that the Committee 

received a report on Intellectual Properties and recommended to the
                               4
Board the approval of the Policy on Intellectual Properties. Mrs. 
Abady pointed out that this policy encourages faculty to pursue patents 
on their research efforts. Mr. Ross stated that the University was 
mandated to have a written policy on patents and copyrights. While the 
University has an existing document, this document conforms to the 
standards set by the Council of Higher Education. On motion made and 
seconded, the Policy on Intellectual Properties was approved with the 
understanding that several areas in the document be edited for clarifi- 
cation.
    Mrs. Abady stated that the Committee had reviewed five proposed 
degree programs for inclusion in the University's Six-Year Curricular 
Plan. The first proposal is for a Ph.D. in Art History to be institut- 
ed in 1990. Concerns were raised at the Committee level about the 
library costs associated with this degree. Following a lengthy discus- 
sion, on motion made and seconded, the proposed Ph.D. degree in Art 
History was tabled.
    The second proposal is for a Ph.D. in Physics. On motion made and 
seconded, the proposed Ph.D. in Physics was approved.
    The third proposal is for a M.P.A. in Public Health. It was noted 
that should this degree be instituted, it will be the only such degree 
in the State. As a procedural matter for the Committee, it was sug- 
gested that proposals for new degree programs be brought before the 

Board and Committee at one meeting and acted on at a subsequent meeting. On motion was made and seconded, the M.P.A. in Public Health, the
M.F.A. in Dance/Choreography and the M.S. in Risk Administration were 
approved.
                  5
   Mrs. Abady stated that the Committee had reviewed the Report on 
the Restructured Teacher Education Program. The Committee suggested to 
the administration that this document be rewritten to reflect that 
VCU's program is already operational. On motion made and seconded, the 
Report on the Restructured Teacher Education Program was approved.
   Mrs. Abady stated that the Academic Plan will be reviewed by the 
Committee at its next meeting.
   Mr. Morris reported for the Advancement Committee. On motion made 
and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held on March 17, 1988, were 
approved.
   Dr. Moore reported for the Audit Committee which met on May 19, 
1988. On motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held on 
March 17, 1988, were approved. Dr. Moore stated that the remainder of 
the Committee's report would be made during executive session.
   Mr. Lipman reported for the Hospital Committee which met on May 
19, 1988. He stated that the Committee recommended approval to the 
Board changes to the Medical Staff Bylaws and Rules and Regulations.
On motion made and seconded, the Medical Staff Bylaws and the Rules and
Regulations were approved.
   Mr. Wurtzel reported for the Property Committee which met on May 
19, 1988. On motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held 
on March 17, 1988, were approved as amended.
   At its May meeting, the Committee reviewed and recommended to the 
Board approval of the architectural firms of Henningson, Durham and 
Richardson, Inc., for planning of the construction of the Medical Sci-
                 6
ences Building and Odell Associates for planning of the renovations for
A. D. Williams/West. The Committee also recommended the architectural 
firms of VMDO for construction of the Student Commons, Phase II and 
DePasquale and Associates for the renovations of Sheltering Arms. On 
motion made and seconded, the recommended architectural firms were 
approved.
  Mr. Wurtzel stated that the Committee had reviewed a comprehensive 
plan for East and West Campus lighting. This project will be imple- 
mented in three stages over a period of time. Not only will this plan 
add to the ambiance of the campuses, but also it will increase security
protection. On motion made and seconded, the East and West Campus 
Lighting Plan was approved.
  Mrs. Epps reported for the Student Affairs Committee. On motion 
made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held on March 17, 1988, 
were approved. Mrs. Epps stated that the Committee met on May 20, 
1988, and received a status report on the development of a Minority 
Affairs Office. Space for the office has been located in` 901 Floyd 
Avenue. The Committee was also updated on the Academic Integrity Poli- 
cy. On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Student Affairs 
Committee was accepted.
  Mr. Farinholt announced the appointment of a Nominating Committee 
for the position of Rector. Mr. Berry will serve as Chairman with Mr. 
Lipman and Mrs. Whittemore serving as Committee members.
  Mr. Farinholt also announced the appointment of a Committee to 
review the University's Mission Statement and the Institutional Priori-
                                 7
ties Statement. Mr. Wurtzel will serve as Chairman of this Committee 
and Mrs. Abady will serve as a member of the Committee. Drs. Ackell 
and Ruch will serve as ex officio members of the Committee.
     Mrs. Whittemore was asked to serve as Chairman of a Committee to 
review the Board's Manual. Mr. Whitworth was asked to chair a Commit- 
tee to review the Board orientation program.
     Each Committee Chairman was requested to review their Committee's 
past year's agendas and identify any issues or items that are repeti- 
tive in nature. The staff will then develop a schedule of items for 
the Board and its Committees.
     Mr. Farinholt requested members of the Board to give thought to 
how the Board as a whole wished to handle policy matters and rules and 
regulations. Comments or suggestions should be forwarded to the Rector 
as soon as possible but prior to the July Board meeting.
     Mr. Farinholt stated that this would be Messrs. Berry and Smith's 
last Board meeting. On behalf of the entire Board, he expressed appre- 
ciation to both of these individuals for their fine service.
     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 
discuss the condition, acquisition or use of real property, and to discuss the investing of public funds, and to discuss legal matters and 
pending litigation with its attorney, and to discuss matters relating
                                  8



    to gifts, bequests, and fund-raising activities as authorized by Section 2.1-344 a(1), a(2), a(5), 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 with Mrs. Epps abstaining; accepted the Report of the President; approved Faculty Appoint- 



    ments and Changes in Status; approved Executive Salaries; approved 
    Continuing Faculty Salaries; approved the School of Dentistry Private 
    Practice Scale; approved the School of Medicine Faculty Scales and the 
    total State Compensation for Individual Faculty in the School of Medi- 
    cine; approved the Compensation Plan; accepted the Report of Gifts; and 
    accepted the Executive Session Committee Reports.
        The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m.








    Approved:



James B. Farinholt, Jr., Rector