MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS OF
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
November 17, 1988
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth
University was held on Thursday, November 17, 1988, at 9 a.m. in the
University Meeting Center.
Present were Messrs. Farinholt (Rector), Beadles, Ferguson, Gregory,
Latham, Lipman, Whitworth and Wurtzel; Drs. Holland, Johnson and Moore;
and Mesdames Abady and Epps. Messrs. Meador and Morris; and Mrs.
Whittemore were absent. Also present were Drs. Ackell, Andrako, Dewey,
Ruch and Wilson; Messrs. Bruegman, Doswell, Kudless and Ross; and Mrs.
Price.
Mr. Farinholt called the meeting to order and introduced Mr. Joe
Modrak, Student Representative to the Board. On motion made and seconded,
the Minutes of a Regular Meeting held September 15, 1988, were approved.
The Report of the President followed. Dr. Ackell reported on the
following items:
Dr. Ackell announced that Dr. Epes Harris died and many members of
the Board and University administration attended the service on
Wednesday. Dr. Harris has been a very good friend to VCU and will be
missed.
Dr. Ackell reported that the Founder's Day events attracted over 1500
individuals. The weekend events received excellent media coverage.
Overall, it was a very successful weekend and the beginning of a
University-wide tradition.
Dr. Ackell stated that the Second Annual Athletic Auction was held on
November 12, 1988, with over $50,000 being raised. Approximately 350
individuals attended this successful event at the Omni.
Dr. Ackell reported that the dedication of the Thalhimer Tennis
Center was held on November 7, 1988. Dennis Ralston was on hand for
a celebrity tennis tournament as well as for the ceremonies.
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On October 10, 1988, the University began its first ever phone
registration for classes. To date, the program has run smoothly and
hopefully will be expanded.
Dr. Ackell stated the Panel of Inquiry has issued its report on the
Facilities Management Division. While the overall report was
positive, a number of suggestions and recommendations were made. The
University intends to implement all the recommendations.
The Interim Administrative Faculty Policy was presented. Dr. Ruch
stated that this document does not effect tenure status faculty but is
designed for those individuals serving in administrative posts.
Presently, in the absence of any policy, administrative faculty use the
Tenure Document in termination matters. The Tenure Document requires a
one year notice be given. It was suggested that the following phrase on
page 4 be deleted: "...and should include the reason or reasons for the
resignation." On motion made and seconded, the Board approved deleting
the language on page 4 of the interim document. Following further
discussion, on motion made and seconded, the Interim University Policy for
Administrative Faculty and Faculty Holding Administrative Appointments was
approved as amended.
The Administrative and Professional Faculty Compensation and
Personnel Administrative Plan was presented. Dr. Ackell stated that the
authority for properly classifying administrative faculty is being
delegated to the institutions. Following a discussion, it was suggested
that item two on page 1 be edited and the phrase "as a part of the
University's committment to Affirmative Action, A&P" be deleted. On
motion made and seconded, the Administrative and Professional Faculty
Compensation and Personnel Administrative Plan was approved as amended.
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Mr. Farinholt reported for the Executive Committee. He stated that
the Committee had approved several contracts as outlined in the Minutes.
On motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held October 20,
1988, were approved as amended and the Committee's report was accepted.
Mrs. Abady reported for the Academic Policy Committee. On motion
made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held September 14, 1988, were
approved. Mrs. Abady stated that the Committee had reviewed the proposed
changes to the undergraduate admissions requirements. These changes
include:
Raise the minimum required number of high school units submitted
for admission from 18 to 20.
Strengthen the amount of high school mathematics required for
admission from two to three units.
Give priority to high school students who complete the Virginia
23 credit advance studies program.
Additionally, it is recommended that the following changes to the
selections procedures be made:
Establish a freshman application deadline of February 1, a
decision date of April 1, and a commitment to enroll date of May
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Raise the application fee to $20.
Require a non-refundable deposit of $100 in response to an offer
of admission.
For transfer students, priority will be given to individuals who
present a cumulative grade point average of 2.25 or better. On motion
made and seconded, the proposed changes to the Undergraduate Admission
Policies and Selection Procedures was approved.
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Mrs. Abady stated that the Committee recommended to the Board the
establishment of a Division of Ambulatory Care Services within the
Department of Psychiatry. This organizational change will more accurately
reflect the duties of this particular group of faculty and more
efficiently handle the educational aspect. On motion made and seconded,
the Division of Ambulatory Care Services in the Department of Psychiatry
was approved.
Mrs. Abady stated that the remainder of the Committee's report would
be given in executive session.
Mr. Wurtzel reported for the Ad Hoc Committee on Contract Approval.
Mr. Wurtzel stated that while no action was required by the Board today,
the following summarizes the types of contracts that will require Board
approval:
All contracts for the conveyance and acquisition of real estate,
including the conveyance of leasehold interests, regardless of
amount.
All lease contracts with an annual cost of $100,000 or greater,
or longer than 3 years in duration.
Acquisition of goods (including equipment) and services, the
cost of which is $1,000,000 or greater. All contracts executed
for such goods and services greater than $500,000 will be
reported to the Board for notification.
Capital outlay projects in excess of $500,000. 'Capital outlay
projects' include, but are not limited to, selection of
architectural and engineering firms engaged for the project, and
plans and specifications for such projects. All contracts
executed for capital outlay projects greater than $500,000, will
be reported to the Board for notification.
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Additionally, there will be a procedure for handling emergency items
which will involve the Rector and the appropriate Committee Chairman. The
Legal Counsel has been requested to prepare the necessary resolution and
changes to the Board's Bylaws for submission at the January meeting.
On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on
Contract Approval was accepted.
Mrs. Epps reported for the Advancement Committee. On motion made and
seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held September 14, 1988 were approved.
Mrs. Epps reported that due to the funeral service for Dr. Epes Harris,
the Advancement Committee did not meet.
Mr. Kudless updated the Board on the activities in the University
Relations division.
Mr. Beadles reported for the Audit Committee. On motion made and
seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held September 14, 1988, were approved.
Mr. Beadles stated that the Committee's report would be made in executive
session.
Mr. Whitworth reported for the Finance and Investment Committee. On
motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held September 15,
1988, were approved. Mr. Whitworth stated that Dr. Max Moszer had been
appointed to serve as a nonvoting faculty representative to the Finance
and Investment Committee. At the last meeting, the Rector requested the
staff to prepare an impact study on the SCHEV Report on Budgeting for
Out-of-State Students. If the recommendations in the SCHEV report are
adopted, the responsibility of all boards of visitors to set tuition rates
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will be severely restricted. Tuition rates will be formula driven based
on SCHEV guidelines. On motion made and seconded, the Board approved
asking the Rector and President to work with other institutions and take
the appropriate actions to express the University's concerns about the
impact on tuition rates and the loss of board autonomy implied in the
SCHEV report.
Dr. Holland reported for the Hospital Committee. On motion made and
seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held September 14, 1988, were approved
as amended. Dr. Holland stated that the Hospital budget is in the black.
However, there are some serious concerns about the Hospital's indigent
care reimbursements from the State and whether or not the State will
attempt to recoup what it considers to be excess dollars. The Hospital
administration will continue its discussions with the State on this
matter.
Mr. Gregory reported for the Property Committee. On motion made and
seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held September 14, 1988, were approved.
Mr. Gregory stated that the Committee is recommending the firm of Hansen
Lind Myer Architects for the Ambulatory Care Facility. This firm was
selected following a national search which disclosed that this firm has
experience in major health center development that makes it preeminent
among the nation's architects in this work. On motion made and seconded,
the firm of Hansen Lind Myer Architects was approved.
Mr. Gregory stated that the Committee is recommending awarding a
contract to General Elevator Company for elevator maintenance and repair
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services. This contract will cover maintenance and repair services on 106
elevators from the very newest to some of the oldest. The contract will
be for a three-year period at a cost of $457,560 for the first year and
$410,900 for each of the two (2) succeeding years with two (2) one-year
options to renew at the same annual cost. On motion made and seconded,
the contract with General Elevator Company was approved.
Mr. Gregory stated that the Committee is recommending awarding a
contract to United Health Serv, Inc., for housekeeping management services
at MCVH. On motion made and seconded, the contracts with United Health
Serv, Inc., were amended for 1986-87 in the amount of $467,275 and for
fiscal year 1987-88 in the amount of $479,002 and to continue the contract
for housekeeping management services for fiscal year 1988-89 in the amount
of $538,539.
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 to gifts,
bequests, and fund-raising activities as authorized by Section 2.1-344
a(1), a(3), a(6), a(7) and a(8) of the Virginia Freedom of Information
Act.
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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; approved
Full and Consultative Hospital Privileges; accepted the Report of New
Major Commitments; approved the Naming Proposals; accepted the Executive
Session Committee Reports; and accepted the Annual Disclosures of the MCV
Foundation and the VCU Fund.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.
Approved:
