MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
July 18, 1991
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Com-
monwealth University was held on Thursday, July 18, 1991, at 9
a.m. in the University Meeting Center.
Present were Drs. Moore (Rector), Berenguer, Holland,
Johnson and Peay; Messrs. Ferguson, Gregory, Meador, Townes,
Whitworth and Wurtzel; and Mesdames Abady and Epps. Absent
were Messrs. Farinholt, Lipman and Siegel. Also present were Drs.
Trani, Andrako, Harris, Ruch and Wilson; Messrs. Bruegman,
Gehring, Kudless, Poe and Ross; and Mrs. Price.
Dr. Moore called the meeting to order and on motion made
and seconded, the Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Board of
Visitors held May 17, 1991, were approved as amended.
The Report of the President followed. Dr. Trani introduced
the following people:
Calsine Pitt, a rising senior at Armstrong High School, is VCU's
student intern for the Summer Economics Institute. Her in-
ternship runs from June 25 through July 25. She will be
attending classes at Collegiate School on Monday of each week
and here on campus Tuesday through Friday. While Calsine
is here, she will learn how universities operate as well as
take on some job assignments.
Community Service Associates:
John Accordino, Assistant Professor in the Department of Urban
Studies and Planning, and Frank Franzak, Assistant Profes-
sor in the Department of Finance and Marketing, are work-
ing with the Capital Area Small Business Development Center
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to provide urban planning and marketing help to clients who
use the services of the Center.
Joyce Beckett, Professor in the School of Social Work, is working
with the Richmond YWCA with primary responsibility for
staff training and development and program analysis in the
area of multi-cultural issues.
Edward Blanks, Associate Dean of the School of Business, and
James Wynne, chair of the Department of Information Sys-
tems, are working with Robert Colvin of the ABC Board on
the Point-of-Sale Information System Project. The project's
purpose is to upgrade the agency's management information
system.
Deborah Cowles, Assistant Professor in the Department of Finance
and Marketing, worked with the Virginia Opera to help de-
velop a marketing strategy to attract young professionals and
out-of-town visitors to the opera.
Cynthia DeRiemer, Assistant Professor in the School of Mass
Communications, is working with Steamer Company #5, the
Richmond Fire Museum, and its volunteer Director Thomas
Robinson, to design a public relations campaign for the
museum.
Susan Leone, Instructor in the Division of Educational Services, is
working with the Center for Housing Research to train volun-
teer interviewers in four sites throughout the State. These
trained volunteers will conduct personal interviews with
recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children
(AFDC) funds to estimate housing needs and identify related
issues.
Gaynelle Whitlock, the Associate Dean in the School of Education, is
working with Richmond Community High School to secure and
plan for the responsibilities of a new Director who will also
hold a joint appointment with the School of Education.
Blue Wooldridge, Associate Professor in the Department of Public
Administration, is working with the Budget Office of the City
of Richmond to develop a manual of performance measures to
be used in budget description and justification for several
city departments.
FACULTY
Dr. Jeffrey S. Kreutzer, Associate Professor and Dr. Nathan D.
Zasler, Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilita-
tion Medicine, have been recognized by the National Institute
on Disability and Rehabilitation Research for their partici-
pation in VCU's Model Brain Injury Systems project. Under
the capable and enthusiastic leadership of Dr. Kreutzer and
Dr. Zasler, this project has gained national recognition for
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its excellent "cutting edge" research investigations and the
delivery system for victims of traumatic brain injury.
Dr. David Cochran, Associate Professor in the Department of
Periodontics, has been awarded the Pew National Dental
Leadership Development Program Fellowship. This project is
an outgrowth of the Pew National Dental Education Program
and reflects the commitment of the program to develop leader-
ship skills of key individuals within dental education. This
particular project recognizes that members of the faculty and
administration of the dental schools can benefit both through
leadership skill development and encouragement to pursue
leadership positions.
Dr. John DeSimone, Professor of Physiology, is the recipient of a
grant from the Human Frontier in Science Program. Dr.
Gary Heck of the Department of Physiology collaborates with
Dr. DeSimone. This is an international program that is
intended to promote "through international cooperation, basic
research into the complex mechanism of living organisms and
to make the results of the research available to all."
Dr. Nancy Langston, Dean of the School of Nursing, was named
Chair of the Council of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree
Programs and Member of the Board of the National League
for Nursing. She was elected to these positions at the
national meeting of the National League for Nursing held in
Nashville last month. These are significant appointments
which bring VCU's School of Nursing some immediate national
recognition.
STAFF
Diane Reynolds, Director of Training and Procurement Review, has
been asked by the Virginia Regional Minority Supplier Devel-
opment Council's Board of Directors to serve as a consultant
to the local majority corporate members to help these corpo-
rations in their efforts to sponsor a "Minority Vendor Net-
working Event and Business Card Exchange" for their corpo-
rate offices. This exchange is to increase minority vendor
involvement in VCU's procurement process.
STUDENTS
Bill Jenkins, a graduate student in the Department of Theatre,
has won First Place in Set Design at the Southeastern Thea-
tre Conference. The competition featured 40 entrants from 10
states.
Todd Stanley, a student in the Department of Communication
Arts and Design, was one of five VCU winners in the Herb
Lubalin International Student Design Competition. He was
one of 27 winners selected from among more than 1,000 en-
trants from around the world. Todd is also the designer of
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the 1990-91 School of the Arts' Donor Report which will be
published in September.
Eleanor White recently graduated from the Department of Sculpture
and is currently an alternate for the nationally prestigious
Jacob Javits Award which provides $10,000 plus four years'
tuition for graduate studies at the school(s) of the winner's
choice. She also won a Virginia Museum Fellowship Award.
She was the first choice graduate applicant at the Rinehart
School of Sculpture and has turned down scholarship offers
at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Tyler School of Art
in order to attend Rinehart.
Dr. Trani reported that VCU will host the 1994 Women's
Final Four. He also reported on his successful trip to the Soviet
Union and discussed "A Report and Proposals for Continued Improve-
ment in Virginia Higher Education."
Mr. Whitworth reported for the Hospital Committee. On
motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held May 16,
1991, were approved.
Hospital financial data for an eleven month period ending May
31, 1991, were reviewed. Highlights were:
1. Patient days, admissions, and outpatient visits continue
to run below budget. This lower census translates into
total operating revenue being $2.6 million below budget
for the period.
Operating expenses are $2.3 million under budget, due
primarily to personnel vacancies.
The Hospitals' excess for the period is $.4 million
below budget. The Hospitals have been able to fully
fund depreciation for the period, but will not make any
additional recommendations for capital releases until
the September Hospital Committee meeting.
The $2.0 million to be received from Medicare,
retroactive to 1983, and a decreased liability of $4.6
million, related to the 1989 Medicare cost report, are
being reviewed by Internal Audit and the Auditor of
Public Accounts. The final determinations related to
financial statement presentation of these items will be
reviewed at the September Hospital Committee meeting.
2. The Hospitals have decided to change the implementa-
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tion date for the new billing and registration system
from July 2, 1991, to August 31, 1991. An enhanced
data base recovery process and back out plan were felt
to be needed.
3. The Hospitals' annual safety program audit was
reviewed. This was the first review of this type and
included 18 months (1/90 - 6/91); future reviews will be
for only 12 months.
MCV Hospitals' Adult Cardiac Catheterization Lab Sole Source
Contract for Atherectomy Catheters and Supplies was presented.
The purpose of this contract is to establish firm pricing for the
contract period and to facilitate order placement through a blanket
purchase order with the vendor. The Adult Cardiac Catheterization
Lab determined products from Devices for Vascular Intervention to
be proprietary in certain patient cases. It was verified by Hospital
Purchasing that DVI is the sole source for these products. Negotia-
tions were conducted with the vendor to secure fixed pricing with
shipping costs included for the contract period. This vendor is the
only vendor with FDA approval for this product. MCV Hospitals is
receiving pricing equal to other hospitals. Information on award of
this contract valued at approximately $600,000 was offered for noti-
fication.
The USCI Catheters, Wires and Accessories contract is to
establish firm discounted pricing for the contract period and to
facilitate order placement through a blanket purchase order with the
vendor. The Adult and Pediatric Cath Labs determined products
from USCI to be proprietary in certain patient cases. Hospital
Purchasing verified that USCI is the sole source for these products.
Negotiations were conducted with the vendor to secure discounted
fixed pricing with shipping costs included for the contract period.
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The savings are approximately $25,000 annually. Information on
award of this contract valued at approximately $922,000 was offered
for notification.
Blood, Blood Products and Related Services Contract for the
period of July 1, 1991, through September 30, 1991 was presented.
The purpose of this contract is to procure the blood, blood products
and related services necessary for patient treatment until a contract
is awarded for these products and services. This emergency pro-
curement is necessary until the Request for Proposals (RFP) for
these goods and services is issued and awarded. The Board ap-
proved this solicitation with an estimated five (5) year value of
$15,000,000 at the March, 1991, meeting. Currently a RFP is sched-
uled to be issued in mid-July with a tentative award date of October
1, 1991. The remainder of the report will be given during executive
session.
Mr. Meador reported for the Property Committee. On motion
made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held May 16, 1991,
were approved.
The University presented plans for renovation of five dormi-
tory facilities on the MCV and Academic Campuses. These renova-
tions are the first phase of a $9 million renovation program. The
improvements will alleviate building deficiencies. Improvements in
this phase include roof repairs and modifications to structural,
mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. The construction budg-
et is $3.1 million out of a total budget of $4.5 million. The
project will be funded by Revenue Bonds and is due to be completed
July, 1993. Housing rates have been increased over the past two
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years to support the bond indebtedness. On motion made and sec-
onded, the project plans were approved.
MCV Hospitals leases 34,900 square feet of warehouse space
at 2410 Magnolia Court. Sufficient warehouse space is not available
on the MCV Campus or in the immediate area surrounding the Cam-
pus. This lease will be renewed for one year at a cost of $104,700
annually ($3.00/sq. ft.). On motion made and seconded, the Lease
of Warehouse Space at 2410 Magnolia Court was approved.
Viking Enterprises, Inc. of Richmond has been awarded the
contract for the tennis courts renovations. The project provides a
removable air supported structure to cover six existing outdoor
tennis courts. The construction budget is $457,225. Nine bids
were received and the lowest bid was received from Viking Enterpris-
es for $453,000. This is the same firm awarded the contract for
construction of the Student Commons Phase II.
Chambers Waste Systems of Virginia, a Richmond firm, has
been awarded the contract for university-wide refuse disposal ser-
vice. Previously, several contractors have provided refuse disposal
services for VCU. This year, the contracts have been combined
into a single contract which will increase vendor responsiveness and
allow VCU to better meet federal, state, and local mandates for waste
reduction and recycling. The total budget is not to exceed $538,055
for July 1, 1991, through June 30, 1992, with four successive one-
year renewal options. Chambers Waste is also engaged by the City
of Richmond, Philip Morris, Crestar Bank and Reynolds Metals.
A status report on Capital Projects was reported as follows:
a. Construction continues on schedule for Student
Commons Phase II and Streetscapes Phase II. Contract
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awards are in progress for the Dental Sterilization
Facility and the air supported structure for the tennis
courts on the Academic Campus.
b. The Ambulatory Care Facility has been designed within
budget and is proceeding on schedule.
c. The MCV Parking Deck is awaiting final design and
code review by the Division of Engineering and
Buildings. Construction bidding is anticipated for
July, 1991.
On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Property
Committee was accepted.
Mrs. Epps reported for the Student Affairs Committee. and on
motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held May 16,
1991, were approved.
The University is still in the process of reconciling differences
between the proposed Policy on Drug Free Workplace, which meets the
federal guidelines, and the State's policy on Drug Free Workplace. The
proposed University policy includes all employees and students, while
the State plan is exclusively for employees.
It is recommended that:
(a) the interim policy remain in force;
(b) the University distribute the State policy per directives
from the administration; and
(c) the Office of the General Counsel develop a joint policy for
review in September.
The Knight Foundation has recently issued a report entitled
"Keeping Faith with the Student-Athlete--A New Model for
Intercollegiate Athletics" by a commission of university presidents,
leading business people and representatives of sports organizations.
The report deals with the current state of affairs of intercollegiate
athletics.
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An analysis of how Virginia Commonwealth University is
responding to the recommendations of the Knight Commission Report
was presented by Dr. Richard Sander, Director of Athletics. In
general, the University is in agreement with the thrust of the Knight
Commission recommendations, differing only in areas where the
recommendations are insensitive to the uniqueness of VCU (i.e. ,
focusing graduation rate on a four-year period and disregarding
transfer students in the calculations, or establishing higher standards
for student athletes than for the general student body).
On motion made and seconded, the recommendation that VCU
adopt, in principle, the Knight Commission Report and use the
recommendations as goals against which to measure the progress of
VCU's athletic programs was approved.
A report on Multiculturalism was presented. Multiculturalism is
the ability to recognize, understand and appreciate cultures other than
one's own. Programs designed to enhance multiculturalism expose
individuals to areas of similarities and differences between themselves
and others. Dr. Napoleon Peoples of the University Counseling
Center, and Dr. Victor Collins, Director of Minority Student Affairs,
discussed programs to enhance multiculturalism offered by the
University.
A summary of the organization and design of undergraduate
advising services was presented. In general, this is an area of
importance; one that needs continual improvement.
Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to the process of
assessing both students and programs in an effort to document student
progress and to identify areas of program strength and weakness. A
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brief outline of the assessment program at VCU was presented and
contains the following components: Entering Student Assessment
Program; Retention and Remediation; Articulation With Community
Colleges; Assessment in the Major; and Assessment of General
Education. A report of these activities will be presented at the
September meeting.
On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Student Affairs
Committee was accepted.
Mr. Wurtzel reported for the Academic Affairs Committee. On
motion made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held on May 16,
1991, were approved.
The Appropriations Act for 1990-92 requests the Council of
Higher Education for Virginia to periodically review existing research
and public service centers and make recommendations on the future of
each center. The SCHEV procedure mandates a self-study of each
center, culminating with Board of Visitors' recommendations on the
program's future, funding level, and source of funding for the center.
A review of the executive summary and self-study findings with
Mr. Thomas Haas, Chairman of the self-study task force on the
Virginia Center for Public/Private Initiatives, was presented. On
motion made and seconded, the recommendation that the Board of
Visitors recommend to the Council of Higher Education for Virginia the
continuation of the Virginia Center for Public/Private Initiatives and
that the general funds request for the 1992-94 biennium remain at the
current level, e.g., $184,155 per year, was approved.
A review of the executive summary and self-study findings with
Dr. Steven Robbins, Chairman of the self-study task force on the
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Virginia Center on Aging and Alzheimer's Funding Project, was
presented. On motion made and seconded, the following
recommendation was approved : that the Board of Visitors recommend
to the Council of Higher Education for Virginia the continuation of the
Virginia Center on Aging and the Alzheimer's Funding Project and that
the general funds request for the 1992-94 biennium remain at the
current level, e . g . , $320,993 per year.
A review of the report and response to the University of
Twenty-First Century was presented. The institution's responses to
the key recommendations are :
1. Changes to ensure that students acquire global perspectives,
scientific and technological literacy, and better
communications skills .
2. Changes to incorporate computing and telecommunications
technology as a means of teaching and research.
3. Changes to recognize and reward high quality teaching and
interdisciplinary research.
4. Changes to develop procedures for regularly scheduled
performance reviews of all faculty and administrators.
5. Policies assuring full academic credit for students granted
admission after earning a community college degree.
6. Changes that increase the numbers of minority faculty and
students.
7. Changes that further involve institutions in assisting and
promoting progress in elementary and secondary education.
8. To cooperate in planning for growth.
9. Changes to maintain and improve graduate and health science
education.
A review of the organizational changes of the Division of
Continuing Studies and Public Service was presented. The Division is
being reorganized into three major program areas :
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The Center for International Programs will bring together all
services for international students and programs.
The Adult and Non-Traditional Programs will continue to market
programs and services for the adult and non-traditional students.
The Center for Public Service will merge the Survey Research
Lab, the Center on Public Affairs, and the Community Associates
Programs into a unit to respond to the growing public services
mission of the University.
Three separate studies, all of them currently in preliminary draft
form, conducted during the 1990-1991 academic year, provide
information concerning the balance, and the perceived tension, between
teaching and research at Virginia Commonwealth University. Although
each of the studies asked different questions of a different population,
all three provide preliminary information concerning perceptions of the
balance between research and teaching in research universities in
general, and at VCU in particular.
The final in a series of three reports describing the University's
programs of Scholarship, Teaching, and Public Service, was
distributed. The report highlights public service. It summarizes the
activities of the Division of Continuing Studies and Public Service,
other public service centers, public service activities of the College
and Schools, and representative public service activities of faculty and
students.
It was announced that the APTA Commission on Accreditation in
Physical Therapy Education, after a thorough review of the Progress
Report received February 7, 1991, has reaccredited the program.
On motion made and seconded, the Report of the Academic Policy
Committee was accepted.
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Dr. Johnson reported for the Advancement Committee. On motion
made and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held May 16, 1991, were
approved.
A report from the Governmental Relations office was presented.
An update on the Medical Sciences Building/Historic Resource
Designation was discussed. The Rural Health Care Task Force was
discussed by Dr. Berenguer. Dr. Berenguer has joined the internal
task force dealing with rural health care issues. The main interests of
this task force are to obtain better access and more affordable medical
services. The VCU Task Force will host a meeting of the Commission
on Health Care for All Virginians in Blackstone in October. The Task
Force will be suggesting some options for the Commission's consideration
at that time.
The federal legislation regarding indirect costs was discussed.
There are a number of federal legislative proposals that would reduce
indirect cost payments to the University. Current proposals could
impact VCU in the $500,000 to $1.5 million range. VCU is working
closely with other Virginia research institutions and national
organizations as well as federal representatives to eliminate the impact
of such proposals.
VCU is expecting to host visits from elected officials.
Congressman Bliley and Boucher are expected in the near future and
Legislative Assistants from Senators Warner and Robb's offices will also
visit.
The Alumni Activities Report was presented. In 1991, the alumni
activities office celebrated the third year of the alumni admissions
counseling program, in which alumni are recruited to contact specific
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applicants, targeted by the admissions office, who are seeking
undergraduate admission to VCU. Some 500 students are contacted
during the winter; in the spring, alumni admissions counselors host
receptions in their area for these prospective students; and beginning
this year, in Northern Virginia, a summer send-off in early August will
be held for those students who will be coming to the University later in
the month. MCV and Academic Campus alumni participate in the
program, including the promoting of the Honors Program.
The University Relations Report was presented. The evolving
situation regarding Grace Street is still in the highlights. A special
committee of the City Council has studied the situation and is
recommending restricted hours for off-premises alcohol sales and has
asked the University to assist further in policing the area. These
proposals are in response to public hearings and will be studied for the
next six months, with additional actions possible, depending upon the
changes on Grace Street.
Dr. Trani is participating in six of SCHEV's visits to editorial
boards around the State. Lead University staffing for the entire
program is being provided. The visits are aimed at presenting higher
education's case in the hope of a positive editorial at some point.
Initial visits have gone well. The remainder of the report will be
given during executive session.
Mr. Ferguson reported for the Audit Committee. On motion made
and seconded, the Minutes of a Meeting held May 16, 1991, were
approved as amended. The remainder of the report will be given
during executive session.
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Dr. Moore reported that the Finance and Investment Committee did
not meet on July 18, 1991. On motion made and seconded, the Minutes
of a Meeting held May 16, 1991, were approved.
Dr. Johnson reported for the Nominating Committee consisting of
himself and Messrs. Meador and Siegel, Mrs. Epps and Dr. Peay. The
Committee unanimously recommended that Dr. French H. Moore, Jr., be
reelected Rector for the 1991-92 year. On motion made and seconded,
Dr. Moore was unanimously elected Rector of the Board for a one-year
term.
Dr. Moore thanked the Board for the confidence placed in him and
stated that this was a great honor for him.
Dr. Moore announced that he had requested Mr. Whitworth to
serve as Chairman of the Nominating Committee to recommend other
officers and members of the Executive Committee. Additionally, Mrs.
Abady and Mr. Ferguson have agreed to serve with Mr. Whitworth.
On motion made and seconded, the Board of Visitors 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 including Faculty Appointments and Changes in Status, Full
and Consultative Hospital Privileges, Reappointment of Affiliate and
Clinical Faculty and an update on Nursing Services Recruitment, a
discussion on the Relationship with Richmond Memorial Hospital regarding
Oncology, and Audit Reports of individually identified departments
and/or schools, and to discuss the condition, acquisition or use of real
property for public purpose or of plans for the future of a state
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institution of higher education which could affect the value of property
owned or desirable for ownership by such institution including an
agreement between Virginia Commonwealth University and Associated
Physicians regarding Stony Point and Faculty Development, the location
of the Dialysis Center, Status Reports on the Downtown Housing
Survey, a Research Park and the Real Estate Foundation, and to
discuss legal matters, active and recently resolved litigation and
probable litigation with its attorney, and to discuss matters relating
to gifts, bequests, and fund-raising activities including a Development
Report, a Report on 1990-91 Total Private Support, a proposal for the
Founders' Society Program, a proposal for the Prospect Screening
Program and the approval of Naming Proposals as authorized by Section
2.1-344 a(1) , a(3), a(7) and a(8) of the Virginia Freedom of Information
Act.
Following executive session, on motion made and seconded, the
following Resolution was approved by roll call vote:
Virginia Commonwealth University hereby certifies that, to the best of
each member's knowledge, (i) only public business matters lawfully
exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were
discussed in the executive session meeting to which this certification
resolution applies, and (ii) only such public business matters as were
identified in the motion convening the executive session meeting were
heard, discussed or considered by the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University.
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Roll Call Vote: Ayes Nays
Dr. French H. Moore, Jr. (Rector) X
Mrs. Nina F. Abady X
Dr. Thomas J. Berenguer X
Mrs. Rozanne G. Epps X
Mr. James B. Farinholt, Jr. Absent
Mr. Jack H. Ferguson X
Mr. Roger L. Gregory X
Dr. William E. Holland X
Dr. Harry I. Johnson, Jr. X
Mr. Eric M. Lipman Absent
Mr. Richard L. Meador X
Dr. Clifton L. Peay X
Mr. Stuart C. Siegel Absent
Mr. Clarence L. Townes, Jr. X
Mr. F. Dixon Whitworth, Jr. X
Mr. Alan L. Wurtzel X
Vote:
Ayes: 13
Nays: 0
ABSENT DURING MEETING: 3
ABSENT DURING VOTING: 3
On motion made and seconded, the Board accepted the Report
of the General Counsel, approved Faculty Appointments and Changes
in Status and other personnel actions, approved Full and Consultative
Hospital Privileges, approved Reappointment of Affiliate and Clinical
Faculty (with Drs. Holland and Peay abstaining), approved Naming
Proposals, accepted the executive session Committee reports, accepted
the Report of the President, approved the Appointment of Frank R.
Baskind as Dean of the School of Social Work, approved the concept
of the Memorandum of Understanding between VCU and MCV
Associated Physicians, as amended (with Dr. Peay abstaining and
Mr. Gregory opposing), and approved the President's appointment to
the Symphony Board of Directors.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
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Approved:r. James :. Farinholt, r., Secretary
French H. Moore, Jr., Rector
