MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF VISITORS OF
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
March 21, 1996
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth Uni-
versity was held on Thursday, March 21, 1996, at 9 a.m. in the University Meet-
ing Center. Prior to the meeting, a bus tour of master plan sites was conducted
.
Present were Messrs. Siegel (Rector), Flippen, Framme, Markel, Townes
and Weinberg; Drs. Johnson, Smith, Vaughan, White and Wootton; and Mrs.
Vaughan. Mr. DeRusha, Dr. Gilmer and Mesdames Powell and Teig were ab-
sent. Also present were Drs. Trani, Chandler, Dewey, Harris, Hiley, Jones and
Rhone; Messrs. Bartee, Bruegman, Bunce, Cribbs, Gehring, Jez, Ross and
Wyeth; and Mesdames Burnside, Chinnici, Messmer and Price.
Mr. Seigel called the meeting to order and welcomed members of the
press.
The President's Report followed:
Physical Therapy, School of Pharmacy, Health Administration and Fine
Arts were named in the Best Graduate Schools in the U.S. News and
World Report.
The VCU Rams had a great season. The Athletic Department is to be
commended.
The Operating Budget Recommendations were outlined.
The newly formed Classified Staff Senate will become effective July 1,
1996.
Mr. Framme reported for the Academic Policy Committee. A discussion of
the history and concept of tenure and proposed revisions in the Promotion and
Tenure Document were presented. On May 24, 1994, President Trani appointed
a 12-member task force to examine the promotion and tenure system at Virginia
Commonwealth University. Dr. Robert J. Isaacson, Professor and Chair of the
Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, was appointed to chair the task
force. The task force drafted a faculty promotion and tenure document, which
was revised after a period of review by faculty. The revised document will now
be reviewed by the President's Council and University Council, and the final
proposed document will be presented to the Academic Policy Committee at the
May meeting of the Board of Visitors.
The Report on Media/Marketing Plans and Activities was presented. The
report on the University's marketing and media plans focused on the need to de-
fine the components of the plan and the elements which determine the compo-
nents. A definition of VCU's niche and what is to be emphasized were dis-
cussed. Committee members stressed the need for a plan and a clear definition
of what VCU is marketing
A Report on the Enrollment Planning was presented. The report dis-
cussed the marketing/recruitment plans for incoming students for Fall 1996.
Specific activities to increase the yield rate from applications include early notifi-
cation of financial aid and scholarship awards; special letters and calls; and
faculty, student, and alumni contacts with prospective students.
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The Advancement Division Committee Report was presented. The Medical
College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University Alumni Association re-
union weekend on April 19-21 will highlight the 150th anniversary of the Egyp-
tian Building. The Association is also recognizing the service and contributions
of Deans Thomas Barker and John Ruggiero. More than 1800 alumni and
spouses are expected for the weekend.
Dr. Vaughan reported for the Health Affairs Committee. The Hospital Fi-
nances were presented. The statistics for the Year 1996 - January were pre-
sented. Inpatient days and admissions for the seven months ending January
1996 exceeds the revised budget by 3,307 [3.2%] and 413 [2.3%] respectively
while outpatient visits approximate the budget and ER visits are (3,832) or
{6.1%] below the budget. Increased inpatient volume coupled with the decrease
in emergency room visits translates into operating revenue of $216.0M com-
pared to a budget of $216.5M. Expense controls result in expenses of $210.1M
compared to a budget of $211.9M for a savings of $1.8M for the seven month
period. The total excess revenues over expenses for the period is $6.1M com-
pared to a budget of $4.8M. Statistics for the year 1996 - February were pre-
sented. Inpatient days and admissions continue to exceed budget while outpa-
tient visits approximate the budget and ER visits continue to be below budget.
Expense controls continued through February producing a savings of $2.6M for
the eight months. The total excess for the eight months is $7.5M compared to a
budget of $3.9M. Accounts receivable are being reduced and should continue a
downward trend through year end.
An Update on Biennial Budget Requests was presented. The Governor's
budget proposed $143.1M in fiscal 1996-97 and $143.1M in fiscal 1997-98 for
payments to VCU/MCV Hospitals for the care of medicaid and indigent patients.
The Hospitals request was for $154.7M in fiscal 1996-97 and $162.4M in fiscal
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1997-98. A budget amendment adding $4.2M to each year of the biennial has
been approved resulting in a shortfall of $(7.5)M in FY 97 and $(15.1)M in FY
98. The budget also contains a reduction in the Hospitals' maximum employ-
ment level (MEL) of 254 related to the Workforce Transition Act.
Mr. Weinberg reported for the Property Committee. The Project Plans for
the Ophthalmology Renovations, Nelson Clinic were presented. The purpose of
the Ophthalmology Resident Clinic renovations is to provide for improved resi-
dent training areas and increase the amount of clinical support space in order to
meet increasing patient care demands. The project will consolidate all Ophthal-
mology Resident Clinic functions on the fourth floor of Nelson Clinic, adjacent to
the new project renovation area for the Ophthalmology Private Practice Clinic,
thereby completing renovations of the entire fourth floor of Nelson Clinic for the
Department of Ophthalmology. The construction budget for the project is
$460,000 with a total project budget of $650,000.
The Request for Proposals for the Renewal of Open End Architectural/
Engineering Services was presented. The State Capital Outlay Manual and
Procurement Regulations require that architectural/engineering services be
competitively procured through a Request for Proposals. Proposals will be so-
licited for a contract period of one year with a possible one-year extension. A
limit of $50,000 per project with an annual limit of $100,000 per firm per agency
will be established. Capital Planning and Facilities Management will manage
the pool of firms selected to ensure adherence to Capital Outlay and Procure-
ment Regulations.
The Lease for the Ad Center was presented. The lease is for approxi-
mately 23,000 square feet of administrative, classroom and lecture hall space at
1313 East Main Street.
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Ms. Vaughan reported for the Student Affairs Committee. A Report
on International Students was presented. In 1995, VCU experienced an 8.6 per-
cent increase in the number of immigrant and non-immigrant international stu-
dents, the largest number since 1992. The heightened emphasis was on bring-
ing fully-funded, government-sponsored students to VCU. Information on the
English Language Program and on-campus services to international students
was presented.
The Security Report and an Update and Media Plan were presented. An
update of the plan to implement recommendations of the consultant on security
and safety shows progress toward implementation. Surveys to help determine
objectively the student perceptions and sense of safety and security was sug-
gested. Progress is being made toward implementing a media plan that will al-
low VCU to publicize successes in providing a safe environment on both cam-
puses.
On motion made and seconded, the following items from the Consent
Agenda were approved:
Board of Visitors
Minutes of a Meeting held January 18, 1996
Academic Policy Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held January 17, 1996
Advancement Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held January 17, 1996
Audit Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held January 18, 1996
Finance and Investment Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held January 17, 1996
Health Affairs Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held January 17, 1996
Capital Equipment and Renovation Release
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Property Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held January 17, 1996
Project Plans for Ophthalmology Renovations, Nelson Clinic
Request for Proposals for Renewal of Open End Architectural/
Engineering Services
Lease for Ad Center (with Mr. Weinberg abstaining)
Student Affairs Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held January 17, 1996
On motion made and seconded, the items on the Consent Agenda for In-
formation were accepted.
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-
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, the Report of the Vice President for Health Sciences, an Up-
date on Virginia Chartered Health Plan, Inc., the Semi-Annual Quality 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 the Transfer of Funds and to discuss
matters relating to gifts, bequests, and fundraising activities including the Devel-
opment Report and the approval of the Named Funds Report, and to discuss
matters relating to honorary degrees and special awards as authorized by Sec-
tion 2.1-344 a(1), a(3), a(6), a(7), a(8) and a(10) of the Virginia Freedom of In-
formation Act.
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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.
Roll Call Vote Ayes Nays
Mr. Stuart C. Siegel, Rector X
Mr. William C. DeRusha Absent
Mr. Edward L. Flippen X
Mr. Lawrence H. Framme, Ill X
Dr. Robert D. Gilmer Absent
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 X
Mr. Jay M. Weinberg X
Dr. H. George White, Jr. X
Dr. Percy Wootton X
Vote:
Ayes: 12
Nays: 0
ABSENT DURING MEETING: 4
ABSENT DURING VOTING: 4
On motion made and seconded, the Board accepted the Report of the
President; approved the Faculty Appointments and Changes in Status and other
personnel actions, the Full and Consultative Hospital Privileges; accepted the
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Named Funds Report; approved the Semi-Annual Quality Report, the Transfer of
Funds to University Health Services, Inc., the Acquisition of Real Property; ac-
cepted the Executive Session Committee Reports; approved the Board of Visi-
tors Award Selection; accepted the Report of the General Counsel; and ap-
proved the recommendation to relocate the Fine Arts Building from the
Belvidere/Main Street site and the situating of the first phase of the Engineering
School on the Belvidere/Main site.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
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