MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF VISITORS OF
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
January 18, 1996
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Common-
wealth University was held on Thursday, January 18, 1996, at 9 a.m. in
the University Meeting Center.
Present were Messrs. Siegel, DeRusha, Flippen, Framme, Markel,
Townes and Weinberg; Drs. Gilmer, Johnson, Smith, Vaughan and
Wootton; and Ms. Vaughan. Mesdames Powell and Teig and Dr. White
were absent. Also present were Drs. Trani, Chandler, Dewey, Harris,
Hiley, Jones and Rhone; Messrs. Bruegman, Bunce, Gehring, Ross and
Wyeth; and Mesdames Burnside, Messmer and Price.
Mr. Siegel called the meeting to order and welcomed members of
the press.
The President's Report followed:
MCVH was featured in Patricia Cornwell's book, From Potter's
Field.
Dr. Anne L. Chandler, Administrative Associate for the Spring
Semester,1996, was introduced. Dr. Chandler is an Associate
Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling and teaches undergradu-
ate and graduate level courses in VCU's School of Allied Health.
The Governor's Budget Recommendations were outlined. The
recommendations include:
Compensation: a bonus equal to one pay period to be paid prior
to January 1, 1997, and a three percent pay increase on
December 1, 1997.
Tuition: the intent of the Governor and the General Assembly that
there be no increase in tuition and mandatory educational and
general fees in fiscal year 1997.
Technology: recommendations include a centrally-budgeted
technology initiative for higher education totaling $50 million over
the 1996-98 biennium.
The School of Engineering: includes $34,797,000 for
construction of the School of Engineering Building and the Clean
Room. Of the $34.9 million, $11.0 million is from the General
Fund and $23.9 million is 9(d) revenue bonds.
The University's top priority is the salary issue.
Pam Boston, the Associate General Counsel, was introduced.
Before joining VCU, Ms. Boston worked as Assistant Attorney
General for the Virginia Attorney General.
Mr. Framme reported for the Academic Policy Committee. A Re-
quest for Organizational Change - Establishment of the Department of
Emergency Medicine within the School of Medicine was presented. In
order to improve the organization for and delivery of emergency medical
services and to significantly enhance the revenues associated with such
services in the Emergency Rooms of MCV Hospitals, the School of
Medicine recommended that a new Department of Emergency Medicine
be established in the School of Medicine.
A Report on Student Recruitment and Enrollment was presented.
A brief report from the staff regarding recruitment and enrollment activi-
ties as well as discussion by Vice Provost Messmer on new initiatives
was presented. A status report on the retention of students, freshman
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recruitment and retention of undergraduates, as well as at the graduate
level, was discussed.
A Report on the Interdisciplinary Centers was presented. Direc-
tors of two of VCU's Interdisciplinary Centers reported on the activities
and accomplishments of the centers. Dr. Lisa Kaplowitz, Director of the
HIV/AIDS Center, reported highlights of 1995 for the three major working
groups of the Center: Clinical Care, Research and Education, and Pre-
vention.
Mr. Framme reported for the Advancement Committee. The Gov-
ernmental and Community Relations Report was presented. Legislators
have been visited to discuss VCU's legislative priorities. Legislators
have been sent information concerning VCU's priorities with particular
emphasis placed on medical education and the MCV Hospitals govern-
mental authority legislation.
The Media Relations Report was presented. The Virginia Bio-
technology Research Park Opening was very successful. Tours were
conducted before the opening and there was an exceptional turnout from
local and statewide media. The opening was attended by local television
stations covering the event.
Mr. Weinberg reported for the Finance and Investment Committee.
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The Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 1995, were
reviewed and discussed. Statements continue to reflect a strong finan-
cial condition.
Dr. Gilmer reported for the Health Affairs Committee. The Hospi-
tals finances for December were presented. The Contract for Home Care
Program was presented. MCVH is proposing to expand home care to
include a full continuum of program and services. In the managed care
environment, alternatives to hospitalization which maximize quality, cost
effectiveness and efficiency will be a central part of a service continuum.
A request for information seeking an experienced home care company to
provide expertise in development, marketing, management, staffing, and
billing was issued with fourteen agencies responding. Three of these
agencies were selected for proposal presentations to the home care
steering committee. One of these agencies will be identified as the con-
tract vendor with the estimated start up costs of approximately $200,000.
The Contract for Alltel Healthcare Information Services was pre-
sented. The Hospitals has utilized the Alltel patient care system since
1977. The award is for an upgrade to the current patient care system
and also provides for continued maintenance and enhancements. The
contract is valued at $967,783 for a two year period.
An Update on the RFP for Cost Reduction Consultants was pre-
sented. Four firms have responded to the Hospitals request for propos-
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als for the Value Improvement (Cost Reduction) Program. A committee
consisting of the Hospitals' Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director of
Nursing and Patient Care Services and Director of Finance has reviewed
each of the proposals and recommended West Hudson as the vendor of
choice. The organization is the only respondent that did not propose
duplicating the re-engineering project that the Hospitals completed last
year. West Hudson has a unique approach to working with supervi-
sors/managers to more efficiently manage the day-to-day work of the op-
erating departments. A pilot study will be implemented to save approxi-
mately $4.0M in personnel expense at a cost of $.9M.
The Revision of the Medical Staff Bylaws and Rules and
Regulations were presented.
Dr. Johnson reported for the Property Committee. A Request for
Proposals Authorization for the Dental Store Privatization was presented.
VCU is seeking proposals to privatize the operation and management of
the University's Dental Store. The Dental Store is located in the Lyons
Dental Building on the MCV Campus. The University's Retail Operations
operate and manage the store as an auxiliary enterprise. The purpose of
the Request for Proposals is to explore opportunities to improve services
and reduce prices through privatization.
The Master Site Planning Issues and Alternative Strategies were
presented. Work on preparation of the Master Site Plan is continuing.
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Major issues and suggested strategies for dealing with the issues have
been identified. Over the next two months, public presentations and dis-
cussions will be held to review the issues and strategies. Some of the
major strategies being reviewed are:
• Affirm the General Campus districts recognized in the Board ap-
proved Architectural Guidelines Report.
• Continue the northward expansion of the Academic Campus to Broad
Street.
• Retain and renovate West Hospital on the MCV Campus for use by
the Schools of Nursing and Allied Health Professions.
• Renovate the Tompkins-McCaw Library on the MCV Campus for use
as a student study and services center once the MCV library relo-
cates to the old State Library Building.
• Acquire the Virginia Educational Loan Authority property on Fourth
Street for use by the Research Park.
Mrs. Vaughan reported for the Student Affairs Committee. A Re-
port on the Recreational Programs and Facilities was presented. The
report included an overview and highlights of recreational sports at VCU,
the new facilities and renovations to existing facilities. The Aquatic
Center on the MCV Campus and the Siegel Center were highlighted.
Student employment opportunities in recreational facilities were also
noted.
A Report on Technology and Library Services was presented.
The report focused on the development of a software system for student
accessibility to data, computer facilities for students, new initiatives for
the dormitory and commuting students, as well as new services in the li-
braries and academic units. Various new software projects are being
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explored and the development of the digital library was presented. The
Committee requested that the digital library be included on the agenda of
the March Meeting.
A Report on the Retention Rates among Honors Students was
presented. The report showed that first-time freshmen in the honors pro-
gram are more likely to remain enrolled at VCU after one year, two years,
and three years than students not in the Honors Program. The students
dropped out of the program primarily because of financial reasons. In-
creased scholarship funding for students is needed.
On motion made and seconded, the following items from the
consent Agenda were approved:
Board of Visitors
Minutes of a Meeting held November 16, 1995
Academic Policy Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held November 15, 1995
Request for Organizational Change - Establishment of
Department of Emergency Medi cine within the
School of Medicine
Advancement Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held November 15, 1995
Audit Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held November 16, 1995
Finance and Investment Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held November 15, 1995
Health Affairs Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held November 15, 1995
Revision of Medical Staff Bylaws and Rules and
Regulations
Property Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held November 15, 1995
Request for Proposals Authorization - Dental Store
Privatization
Special Awards Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held November 2, 1995
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Student Affairs Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held November 15, 1995
On motion made and seconded, the items on the Consent Agenda
for Information were accepted.
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 including
the Faculty Appointments and Changes in Status and Other Personnel
Actions, the Full and Consultative Hospital Privileges, the Report of the
Vice President for Health Sciences, a Report on Patient Care Providers,
a Report on the Performance Improvement Program 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 educa-
tion which could affect the value of property owned or desirable for own-
ership by such institution, and to discuss legal matters and probable liti-
gation with its attorney including the aforementioned Audit Reports as
may be necessary, and to discuss the investing of public funds including
the UHS Joint Venture with MCV Associated Physicians and the Related
Transfer of Funds, and to discuss matters relating to gifts, bequests, and
fundraising activities including the Development Report and the approval
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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 ex-
empted 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, dis-
cussed or considered by the Board of Visitors of Virginia commonwealth
University.
Roll Call Vote Ayes Nays
Mr. Stuart C. Siegel, Rector X
Mr. William C. DeRusha X
Mr. Edward L. Flippen Left before voting
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 Absent
Dr. Lindley T. Smith X
Ms. Eva S. Teig Absent
Mr. Clarence L. Townes, Jr. X
Dr. David A. Vaughan X
Ms. Sandra M. Adair Vaughan Absent during voting
Mr. Jay M. Weinberg X
Dr. H. George White, Jr. Absent
Dr. Percy Wootton Left before voting
Vote:
Ayes: 10
Nays: 0
ABSENT DURING MEETING: 3
ABSENT DURING VOTING: 6
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On motion made and seconded, the Board approved the Faculty
Appointments and other Personnel Actions including Dr. McGee and Dr.
Brilliant, the Full and Consultative Hospital Privileges, the Named Funds
Report, UHS Joint Venture with MCV Associated Physicians and related
Transfer of Funds, the Performance Improvement Program, the acquisi-
tion of property with Mr. Weinberg abstaining, and accepted the Devel-
opment Report, the Report on Patient Care Providers, Report of the
General Counsel, and the Report of the Audit Committee
The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m.
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