MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF VISITORS OF
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
September 21, 1995
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth Uni-
versity was held on Thursday, September 21, 1995, at 9 a.m. in the University
Meeting Center.
Present were Messrs. Siegel, DeRusha, Flippen, Framme, Markel, Tow-
nes and Weinberg; Drs. Gilmer, Johnson, Smith, White and Wootton; and Mes-
dames Powell and Teig. Dr. Vaughan and Ms. Vaughan were absent. Also pre-
sent were Drs. Trani, Dewey, Harris, Jones, Miller, Rhone and Schexnider;
Messrs. Bruegman, Bunce, Ross and Wyeth; and Mesdames Burnside, Mess-
mer and Price.
Mr. Siegel called the meeting to order and welcomed members of the
press.
The President's Report followed:
Mr. Jonathan Bartee, student representative to the Board, and Dr. Jaclyn
Miller, Administrative Associate for the Fall Semester 1995, were
introduced.
A luncheon and dedication of the Linen-Powell Resource Library at the
Massey Cancer Center is scheduled for 1 p.m., September 21, 1995. The
Board members are invited to attend.
VCU has been nationally recognized for professional programs and is
ranked in the third tier among national universities (U.S. News and World
Report).
Research funding recorded $83 million in 1994-95. 1,323 proposals
were submitted for federal support and 70 percent were accepted.
Private giving totals $24 millions
VCU's economic impact on the Richmond economy amounted to $714
million. Virginia institutions total 55,400 non-academic jobs; VCU
represents 11,627.
The Jacob House has been moved opening the site for the School of
Engineering.
The Establishment of the Advertising Center was presented. The School
of Mass Communications of the College of Humanities and Sciences has devel-
oped a proposal to establish the Virginia Commonwealth University Advertising
Center (AD CENTER). The Center will offer an interdisciplinary advertising track
within the master's of science degree in Mass Communications and will serve as
a center for professional development for the advertising industry. The primary
purpose of the Center will be to educate advertising professionals and offer op-
portunities for continuing professional education and advertising research.
The Strategic Plan for the School of Mass Communications was pre-
sented. The Strategic Plan was drafted in the spring of 1995 by a special
committee of the faculty, alumni, and advisory boards and approved by the fac-
ulty in August 1995. The Strategic Plan includes a mission statement for the
School and calls for alliances of programs and faculty in the School with pro-
grams in other areas of the University.
The VCU Strategic Plan Implementation Report was presented. The
Strategic Plan Implementation Report: Year Two (1994-1995) presents a de-
tailed summary of accomplishments in 1994-95 and plans for 1995-96 related to
the 162 objectives under the fifteen strategic directions identified in the Strategic
Plan. A Council of Advisors assisted the Provost in overseeing and evaluating
implementation of the Plan.
Dr. Wootton reported for the Advancement Committee. A Legislative Up-
date was presented. The 1996 legislative priorities were discussed. The priva-
tization study of MCVH has required meetings with internal and external partici-
pation. Tentative findings were presented to Cabinet Secretaries and the De-
partment of Planning and Budget personnel on August 17, 1995. The findings
will be refined and recommendations will be prepared for the final report due on
November 1, 1995. Other legislative matters relating to the Engineering School,
Pharmacy, Dentistry and capital construction are on track for consideration by
the Board and submission to the 1996 session of the General Assembly.
The Establishment of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of
Engineering Foundation was presented.
Dr. Johnson reported for the Advancement Committee. The Budget re-
ports for the current fiscal year and the fiscal year ending June, 1995, were pre-
sented. Both budgets are in balance. The University ended the 1995 fiscal
year with a surplus of revenues over expenditures of $5.3 million, representing
1.5% of the annual University budget. In accordance with State policy, the Uni-
versity is permitted to carry forward unspent revenues.
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As part of the State budget process for the 1996-98 Biennium, a presen-
tation was made by the University administration to the Governor's staff on criti-
cal issues facing VCU. The following eight major issues were identified: restruc-
turing, enrollment, changing healthcare environment, technology, strengthening
VCU's academic infrastructure, recruiting, developing and retaining quality fac-
ulty and staff, and space and institutional economic initiatives.
Dr. Gilmer reported for the Health Affairs Committee. The Hospital Fi-
nances for fiscal 1995 were presented. Anticipated major changes to the hospi-
tals volume, reimbursement, and expense reductions accelerated during fiscal
1995. Consistent with national and local trends and internal projections, inpa-
tient volume declined for the fiscal year. The declining volume lead to reduced
revenues, which were offset by a Medicaid CAP, prior year Medicare/Medicaid
settlements, and expense controls by the Hospitals. Excess of revenue over ex-
penses from operations is $20.5M and, after transfers and extraordinary items,
the excess is $14.8M. The Hospitals is researching the proper presentation of
the transfers and extraordinary items prior to the final audit of fiscal 1995.
The Statistics FY 1996 ending August 30, 1995, showed a continued de-
crease in patient volume translating into reduced revenue of $(3.8)M for the two
month period. Expense adjustments related to the reduced volume of $3.2M re-
sulted in an excess from operations of $.6M compared to a budgeted excess of
$1.2M.
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Dr. Johnson reported for the Property Committee. The Six Year Capital
Outlay Plan for the 1996-98 Biennium was presented. The plan is based on the
recommendations of the State Council of Higher Education. VCU's capital pri-
orities for the upcoming 1996-98 Biennium are as follows:
1. Maintenance and repair of existing buildings
2. Renovations of Sanger Hall
3. Technology Infrastructure
4. New Life Sciences Building for the Academic Campus
5. Clean Room for the new School of Engineering Building as
part of the Motorola economic incentive package
6. Demolition of the old MCV Steam Plant
7. Third Parking Deck for the Academic Campus
8. Renovations of the "D" Parking Deck on the MCV Campus
9. Residence Halls repairs
10. Site development in the Broad Street Corridor
The Master Site Planning Process was presented. VCU is embarking on
the preparation of a Master Site Plan for both campuses. Two goals are to be
achieved. One is to define the general campus boundaries with the community.
The other goal is to fulfill State requirements. Marcellus Wright Cox & Smith, a
local architectural firm, will serve as the lead consultant and project manager.
Michael Dennis, the consultant who developed VCU's Architectural Guidelines,
will be part of the planning team. The planning process will take place over the
course of the year in consultation with University, community, neighborhood, city
and State officials. A draft Master Plan is expected to be presented to the Board
of Visitors in May, 1996.
The Project Plans for the Improvements for Accessibility to the Disabled
were presented. The project consists of construction modifications and im-
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provements to a total of seventeen prioritized facilities on both campuses to
provide increased accessibility for persons with disabilities. The project has a
construction budget of $695,000 with a total project budget of $925,000.
The Project Plans for the Ophthalmology Private Practice Clinic Renova-
tions were presented. The purpose of the Ophthalmology Private Practice Clinic
renovation (7,340 GSF) is to upgrade and increase the amount of clinical sup-
port space in order to meet the increasing patient care demand. The project
also will consolidate Ophthalmology and Neuro-Ophthalmology into one clinic.
The construction budget for the project is $440,090 with a total project budget of
$608,000.
Dr. Smith reported for the Student Affairs Committee. The Security Report
was presented. An external consultant has been engaged to conduct an as-
sessment of safety and security issues. Jerrold L. Witsil, Director of Public
Safety at Princeton University and the lead consultant, presented a report in July
1995 in which a number of recommendations were made. The recommendations
are under review and will be implemented as part of the strategic planning proc-
ess. A follow-up report as well as a Report on MCVH Security will be presented
at the November Committee meeting.
A Report on Summer School Enrollments was presented. The Summer
1995 headcount enrollment at VCU was 8,352 students, an increase of 179 stu-
dents (2.2 percent) from the Summer 1994 session. On-campus enrollments
were up 58 students from Summer 1994 while off-campus enrollments increased
6
121 students (16 percent) over the previous summer. On-campus enrollment
increases were in three groups: undergraduates (up 106 students), graduate
students (up 43 students), and first professionals (up 21 students). Special stu-
dents decreased by 112 students.
The Preliminary Fall Enrollment Report was presented. Based on regis-
trations through September 19, 1995, VCU is expected to have a Fall 1995
headcount enrollment of approximately 21,389 students, down 134 from the
21,523 students enrolled last fall, and 196 students below the official enrollment
projections of 21,585. A final report on enrollment will be made at the November
meeting, as well as a presentation on the Enrollment Management Plan.
On motion made and seconded, the following items from the Consent
Agenda were approved:
Board of Visitors
Minutes of a Special Meeting held May 18, 1995
Minutes of a Meeting held May 19, 1995
Minutes of a Meeting held July 27, 1995
Academic Policy Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held May 18, 1995
Establishment of Advertising Center
Advancement Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held May 18, 1995
Audit Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held May 19, 1995
Finance and Investment Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held May 18, 1995
Health Affairs Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held May 18, 1995
Capital Renovation and Equipment Release
Contract for Environmental Services
Contract for Capital Asset Management Program
Contract for Replacement of Laboratory Information
System
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Nominating Committee for Rector
Minutes of a Meeting held May 19, 1995
Presidential Evaluation Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held May 18, 1995
Property Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held May 18, 1995
Six Year Capital Outlay Plan: 1996-98 Biennium
Master Site Planning Process (as amended)
Project Plans for Improvements for Accessibility to the
Disabled
Project Plans for Ophthalmology Private Practice Clinic
Renovation - Nelson Clinic
Student Affairs Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held May 18, 1995
On motion made and seconded, the items on the Consent Agenda for
Information were accepted.
On motion made and seconded, the Resolution Authorizing Certain Uni-
versity Officers and Employees to Executive Contracts and other Documents
was approved.
On motion made and seconded, the Establishment of the Virginia Com-
monwealth University Engineering Foundation was approved. Ms. Teig was ap-
pointed to serve a one-year term as Foundation representative for the Board of
Visitors.
Mr. Weinberg was appointed to serve as the Board of Visitors' represen-
tative on the VCU Real Estate Foundation.
On motion made and seconded, the Board convened into executive ses-
sion to discuss certain personnel matters involving the performance of identifi-
able employees or faculty of VCU, and to discuss the evaluation of performance
of departments or schools of VCU where such matters regarding such individu-
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als might be affected by such evaluation including the Faculty Appointments and
Changes in Status and Other Personnel Actions, the Full and Consultative
Hospital Privileges, Annual Reappointment of Affiliate and Clinical Faculty, an
Amendment of University Health Services' Bylaws and Appointments of VCU
Board Representatives to University Health Services, the Quarterly Safety and
Risk Management Report, the Semi-Annual Performance Improvement Report,
and the Report of the General Counsel, and to discuss the condition, acquisition
or use of real property for 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 insti-
tution, and to discuss legal matters and probable litigation with its attorney in-
cluding the aforementioned Audit Reports as may be necessary, and to discuss
the investing of public funds including an Investment Review with Investment
Consultant and the Transfer of Funds, and to discuss matters relating to gifts,
bequests, and fundraising activities including the Development Report and the
approval of the Named Funds Report 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.
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
Mr. Stuart C. Siegel, Rector X
Mr. William C. DeRusha X
Mr. Edward L. Flippen X
Mr. Lawrence H. Framme, Ill X
Dr. Robert D. Gilmer X
Dr. Harry I. Johnson, Jr. X
Mr. Steven A. Markel X
Ms. Diane Linen Powell X
Dr. Lindley T. Smith Left before voting
Ms. Eva S. Teig X
Mr. Clarence L. Townes, Jr. X
Dr. David A. Vaughan Absent
Ms. Sandra M. Adair Vaughan Absent
Mr. Jay M. Weinberg X
Dr. H. George White, Jr. X
Dr. Percy Wootton X
Vote:
Ayes: 13
Nays: 0
ABSENT DURING MEETING:
ABSENT DURING VOTING: 3
On motion made and seconded, the Board approved the Faculty Ap-
pointments and Changes in Status and other personnel actions, as amended,
the Full and Consultative Hospital Privileges, the Annual Reappointment of Af-
filiate and Clinical Faculty, the Named Funds Report, the Transfer of Funds to
University Health Services (with Mr. Flippen abstaining), the Amendment to the
University Health Services Bylaws, the Appointments to the University Health
Services' Board of Directors, the Quarterly Safety and Risk Management Report,
the Semi-Annual Performance Improvement Report, the Acquisition of Real
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Property and accepted the Report of the Advancement Committee and the De-
velopment Report, the Report of the Investment Consultant and the Report of the
Vice President for Health Sciences, the Report of the General Counsel and the
Report of the Audit Committee.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.
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