MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF VISITORS OF
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
September 9, 1993
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Com-
monwealth University was held on Thursday, September 9, 1993, at
9 a.m. in the University Meeting Center.
Present were Messrs. Whitworth (Rector), Arenstein,
Framme, Siegel, Townes and Weinberg; Drs. Berenguer, Gilmer,
Holland and Johnson; and Mesdames Epps, Teig and Vaughan. Mr.
Meador and Drs. Dombalis and Peay were absent. Also present, were
Drs. Trani, Dewey, Harris, Jones, Schexnider, Stolberg and Wilson;
Messrs. Bruegman, Bunce, Gehring, Ross and Wyeth; and Mesdames
Messmer and Price.
Mr. Whitworth called the meeting to order. A welcome was
given to VCU's newest Board member, Mrs. Sandra Adair Vaughan,
and congratulations were given to returning Board members, Messrs.
Siegel, Townes and Weinberg. Also introduced were Dr. Richard
Chait with the Kellogg's Foundation and Ms. Ruth Intress with the
Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The President's report followed. Dr. Trani introduced the
following members of the University:
Dr. Arnold L. Stolberg is the Administrative Associate for
the Fall Semester. Dr. Stolberg is a Professor of Psychology
and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of
Psychology. Dr. Stolberg has been at VCU since July
1985. In 1979, he received a Ph.D. from the University of
South Florida. Dr. Stolberg is a Fellow in the American
Psychological Association and in the Division of Community
and Clinical Psychology of the APA; and a member of the
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Division of Clinical Psychology of the APA and the Southeast
Psychological Association. His research interests are in Di-
vorce and Child Adjustment and Clinical Child Psychology.
Mr. Darrell. Wilson is the new Student Representative to the
Board. A 1992 graduate of UVA with a B.A. in Economics,
Darrell is presently working on a masters degree in Recrea-
tion, Parks and Tourism at VCU and plans to graduate in
1994. Darrell is a Graduate Assistant at the Cary Street
Sports.
Recreation Facility, assisting the Director of Intramural
The following Community Service Associates for the Summer
1993, were introduced: Ms. Susan Neal, School of Educa-
tion; Dr. Barbara. Myers, Department of Psychology, College
of Mathematical Sciences, College of Humanities and Sciences;
Dr. May Munton, Department of Maternal - Child Nursing,
of Humanities and Sciences ; Dr. Lorraine Parker, Department
School of Nursing; Dr. Ena Gross, School of Education; and
Dr. David Franks, Department of Sociology and Anthropolo-
gy, College of Humanities and Sciences.
Several special events are occurring at VCU: The Southern
Governors' Conference on September 22; Hillary Clinton's
visit is planned for October 11 to announce the Health Care
package; and Professor Ying's play entitled "Uncle Doggie's
Nirvana" will debut on November 9.
Enrollment is down by 360 students. The mean combined
SAT score of matriculated, regularly admitted freshmen this
year will be about 1010, up from 1000 a year ago. The
schools of the Arts and Business are still showing the larg-
est decreases in enrollments, down 149 and 326 students,
respectively, from last fall. The enrollment in the College
of Humanities and Sciences is 229 students over last fall.
It is likely that a decline in the local economy has adverse-
ly affected enrollments. Urban institutions whose enroll-
ments are often based on a local student population, many of
whom are employed on a part-time or full-time basis, are more
susceptible to downturns in economy.
A major factor in effective enrollment planning is the abili-
ty to balance quality and quantity. This balance must be
achieved at the point of entering freshmen and also at the
point of admission to the major (e . g . , business, mass commu-
nications, education). In recent years, VCIT has raised stan-
dards for admission at both points.
Special undergraduates were projected flat at 2,475 students.
Currently, only 2,285 special undergraduates are enrolled,
190 students below projections. Tuition and fee costs were
probable factors in this decline since these expenditures are
totally discretionary for these students.
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Mrs. Epps reported for the Academic Policy Committee. A
Request for Name Change in the Department of Preventive Medicine
was presented. It was requested that the Department of Preventive
Medicine be renamed, "The Department of Preventive Medicine and
Community Health." The purpose is to reflect more adequately the
expanded mission and focus of the department. A Report on Assess-
ment was presented. Virginia Commonwealth University is committed
to the process of assessing both students and programs, in an effort
to identify areas of program strengths and weaknesses and to docu-
ment student progress. Assessment efforts at the University are
designed primarily to contribute to the improvement of teaching and
learning and, secondarily, to demonstrate accountability for student
achievement. The mandate for assessment from the State Council of
Higher Education in Virginia honors the tradition of institutional
autonomy and does not seek either to standardize or to simplify
assessment efforts within the Commonwealth. An overview of De-
grees Awarded for 1992-93 was presented. Virginia Commonwealth
University awarded 4,107 degrees and certificates during 1992-93,
marking the seventh year in a row that the number of degrees award-
ed has increased. There were 2,480 baccalaureates and 1,173 mas-
ters' degrees awarded during 1992-93, increases of 145 and 166
degrees, respectively, over the previous year. One hundred and
thirteen doctorates were awarded, up from 108 doctorates awarded
during 1991-92.
Mr. Siegel reported for the Advancement Committee. The
University Relations staff continues to support the planning for
numerous upcoming events, including the Health Care Forum (tenta-
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tively scheduled for October 11) and Jean Kirkpatrick's visit on
November 5.
New gifts and pledges increased from $12 million last year to
$15 million this year, an increase of 25%. Alumni participation
increased in giving to 15%, and there are plans to expand alumni
outreach by hosting several functions in Chesterfield, North Carolina
and DC in the near future. Alumni associations are currently pro-
moting a credit. card program and a life and major medical insurance
plan for alumni to generate income.
Mr. Weinberg stated that the Audit Committee Report would
he presented during executive session.
Mr. Framme reported for the Finance and Investment Commit-
tee. The 1994-96 Budget Addenda were presented. Virginia. Common-
wealth University has not submitted an addendum related to compen-
sation. However, faculty and classified salaries continue to be the
highest priority. Tuition increases continue to be a concern at. VCU.
The University has demonstrated its commitment to holding tuition and
fee increases as low as possible. Should all of these budget addenda
be funded, which is unlikely under the present budget climate,
tuition would increase 4.1% in 1994-95.
The Annual Budget Performance Report for the Fiscal Year
Ended June 30, 1993, was presented for information. Virginia Com-
monwealth University ended the 1992-93 fiscal year with a balanced
budget and a surplus of revenues over expenditures.
Dr. Johnson reported for the Health Affairs Committee. The
1994-96 Hospital Budget Addenda was presented for information.
The Hospitals are requesting that 100% of the cost of providing
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services to indigent patients he funded by the Commonwealth. Since
the physicians currently do not receive direct reimbursement for the
cost of indigent care, $1.5 million is being requested from the State
by the year 1996 for physician malpractice. $23.4 million has been
requested for Graduate Medical Education.
The 1994 Proposed Capital Funding was presented for infor-
mation. The Hospitals will use this capital budget to plan its
expenditures for 1994. Projected funding during 1994 totals
$14,195,000. Priority needs total $15,221,000, with unfunded needs
totalling $41,499,223.
The Children's Medical Center Patient Bill of Rights was
presented for approval. This policy was written for reviewing and
evaluating the needs and wishes of neonate, child, and adolescent
patients and the needs and wishes of families or guardians regarding
the patient's care.
Mr. Townes reported for the Property Committee. The
Lease of Space of 1051 East Cary Street for administrative office
space for MCV Hospitals Information Systems Department was present-
ed. Rent will not exceed $162 , 500 in the base year with increases of
no more than 50% of the CPI in successive years.
The Lease Renewal for 2410 Magnolia Court for MCV Hospital
warehouse space was presented. The recommended terms of the
lease are for two years with three one-year renewal options was an
annual rent of $106,794.
The Amendment of the Lease for 1000 West Franklin Street
was presented.
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The Notification of Contract Award for the Classrooms, Com-
puter Labs, and Faculty Office Renovations of Scherer Hall was
presented.
The Capital Status report was presented.
Mr. Arenstein reported for the Student Affairs Committee.
The Early Fall Enrollment Report was presented. As of September
8, 1993, University Enrollment Services is estimating that. VCU will
have a Fall 1993 headcount enrollment of approximately 21,520 stu-
dents, down from the record 21,939 students enrolled last fall; and
320 students below the projected enrollment. of 21,840. Continuing
Studies and Public Service still anticipates 1,200 off-campus regis-
trations by Census TI in October, or 100 more students than the
original projection of 1,100.
On motion made and seconded, the following items from the
Consent Agenda were approved:
Board of Visitors
Minutes of a Special Hearing held July 14, 1993
Minutes of a Meeting held July 15, 1993
Ad Hoc Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held July 8, 1993
Academic Policy Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held July 14, 1993
Request for Name Change - Department of
Preventive Medicine and Community Health
Advancement Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held July 14, 1993
Audit Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held July 15, 1993
Finance and Investment Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held July 14, 1993
1994-96 University and Hospital Budget Addenda
Health Affairs Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held July 14, 1993
Hospital Policy concerning Children's Medical
Center's Patient Bill of Rights
Hospital Plan for Providing Nursing Care
Property Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held July 14, 1993
Lease of Space at 1051 East Cary Street
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Lease of Space at 2410 Magnolia Court
Lease of Space at 1000 West Franklin Street
(Amended)
Student Affairs Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held July 14, 1993
Mr. Townes reported for the Nominating Committee. The
following were nominated for officers: Dr. William E. Holland for
Vice Rector; Mrs. Rozanne G. Epps for Secretary; and the remain-
ing members of the Executive Committee nominated were Mr. Stuart
C. Seigel and Mr. Clarence L. Townes, Jr. On motion made and
seconded, the officers and members of the Executive Committee were
elected.
The Strategic Plan for the Future of Virginia Commonwealth
University was presented. It was reported that the Special Board
Meeting with the Commission on the 21st Century held Wednesday,
September 8, 1993, was a very productive meeting and that the
Commission and the Board are very pleased with the outcome. On
motion made and seconded, A Strategic Plan for the Future of Virgin-
ia Commonwealth University was approved with Mrs. Epps making
exception to Strategic Direction Number 7, paragraph number 4.
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 he affect-
ed by such evaluation including the Faculty Appointments and Chang-
es in Status and Other Personnel Actions, Full and Consultative
Hospital Privileges, and the Hospital Quality Improvement Report, and
to discuss the condition, acquisition or use of real property for
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public purpose, or of the disposition of publicly held property, or
of plans for the future of a state institution of higher education
which could affect the value of property owned or desirable for
ownership by such institution and to discuss legal matters and proba-
ble litigation with its attorney relating to the aforementioned Audit
Reports as may be necessary, and to discuss matters relating to
gifts, bequests, and fundraising activities including the approval of
the Named Funds Report 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 dis-
cussed 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.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes Nays
Mr. F. Dixon Whitworth, Jr. Rector X
Mr. Richard A. Arenstein X
Dr. Thomas J. Berenguer X
Rev. Dr. Constantine N. Dombalis Absent
Mrs. Rozanne G. Epps X
Mr. Lawrence W. Framme, III X
Dr. Robert D. Gilmer X
Dr. William E. Holland Left before voting
Dr. Harry I. Johnson, Jr. X
Mr. Richard L. Meador Absent
Dr. Clifton L. Peay Absent
Mr. Stuart. C. Siegel Left before voting
Ms. Eva. S. Teig X
Mr. Clarence L. Townes, Jr. X
Mrs. Sandra M. Adair Vaughan X
Mr. Jay M. Weinberg X
VOTE:
AYES: 11
NAYS: 0
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ABSENT DURING MEETING: 3
ABSENT DURING VOTING: 5
On motion made and seconded, the Board accepted the Re-
port of the President, and the Executive Session Committee Reports;
approved the Faculty Appointments and Changes in Status as amend-
ed, the Full and Consultative Hospital Privileges, the Named Funds
Report, the Hospital Quality Improvement Report; and accepted the
Report of the General Counsel.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 p.m
