MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF VISITORS OF
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
January 15, 1998
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth Uni-
versity was held on Thursday, January 15, 1998, at 9 a.m. in the University
Meeting Center.
Present were Messrs. Weinberg (Rector), Flippen, Markel, Rigsby, Smith
and Townes; Drs. Perkinson, Smith, White and Wootton; and Mesdames Benner
and Powell. Messrs. DeRusha and Marcus; Dr. Vaughan; and Ms. Miles were
absent. Also present were Drs. Trani, Dewey, Harris, Hiley, Kontos and Rhone;
Messrs. Bunce, Dayhoff, Gehring, Ross, Timmreck and Wyeth; and Mesdames
Jones, Messmer and Price.
Mr. Weinberg called the meeting to order and welcomed members of the
press.
The President's report followed:
The Community Services Associates for 1997-98 were introduced. The
Community Service Associates Program has been in existence for eight
years and has provided the assistance of faculty to 180 agencies, schools,
and community groups in the Richmond metropolitan area. Each project
is individually designed to be of mutual benefit to the agency and the fac-
ulty members. As an associate, the faculty member brings expertise on a
problem or issue of importance to the community while concurrently re-
ceiving the benefits of "hands-on" experience. While the primary focus of
the program is on community service, experience and perspective gained
by associates often translate into enhanced teaching and scholarship. For
the summer, fall and spring semesters of 1997-98, VCU had 18 faculty
serving as Community Service Associates. The following Community
Service Associates were introduced: Dr. John Accordino, Dr. Joseph
Walsh, Dr. Angelina Overvold, Dr. Ann White, Dr. James Wynne, Dr.
Pamela Kiecker, Ms. Corliss Voncille Booker, Dr. J. Clifford Fox and Dr.
David Saunders.
The Service Learning Associates were introduced. During the 1997-98
academic year, seven faculty have participated in the VCU Service
Learning Associates Program. The Associates have participated in a
seminar during the fall, learning the strategies unique to teaching service
learning courses. As a result, the Associates have developed new
courses in the disciplines that will be taught in the spring or fall semesters.
The Associates will serve as resources to colleagues to further the devel-
opment of service learning at VCU. Service learning is one strategy that
VCU has adopted as a means for students and faculty to fulfill VCU's mis-
sion to address community needs through research, teaching and service.
The following Associates were introduced: Dr. Wendy Kliewer and Dr.
David M. Ruffin.
An overview of the Governor's Budget Recommendations for 1998-2000
Biennium was presented. Virginia operates under a biennial budget proc-
ess. A two-year budget plan is developed during the legislative sessions
in even-numbered years and updated in odd-numbered years. The
budget recommendations represent Governor Allen's outgoing budget and
will likely be modified by Governor-elect Gilmore and the General Assem-
bly. An update on the 1998 General Assembly action on the budget will
be provided to the Board of Visitors meeting in March, 1998.
Mr. Flippen reported for the Academic Policy Committee. A Report on In-
structional Technology On- and Off-Campus was presented. The Office of In-
formation Technology at VCU supports instructional technology at the University,
including distance learning. The Vice Provost for Information Technology dis-
cussed instructional technology services covered by the Office of Information
Technology, as well as plans for further development, including specific faculty,
departmental, school, and University development and resource needs. A re-
quest was made for budgetary information for technology needs at the March
meeting. Collaboration with other universities and with private industry was en-
couraged. A Report on Off-Campus Programs was presented. VCU's off-
campus enrollment has increased dramatically over the past five years. The Vice
Provost for University Outreach reported on the programs VCU offers off-
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campus, at a distance as well as in the Richmond area. Examples of plans for
new programs to enhance VCU's presence throughout the State include Social
Work and Arts in Northern Virginia, education courses in Fredericksburg, Crimi-
nal Justice at Quantico, and Information Systems certificates at Ft. Lee and Ft.
Belvoir. A proposal for a medical education program in Northern Virginia is being
developed in collaboration with George Mason University, the Northern Virginia
Community College System, and INOVA Fairfax Hospital. Discussion followed
on other off-campus possibilities, especially via technology, noting offerings to
teachers, the military on an international level, and other international possibili-
ties. A distance education plan is being developed as part of Phase II of the
Strategic Plan. An Update on the Proposed New Degree in African-American
Studies was presented. The Provost reported on new developments since the
November meeting, noting:
(1) proposed changes in the policy of SCHEV to decentralize
authority to the institutions for approving new degrees, with clear ac-
countability measures in the oversight of the program by the SCHEV
Board; and
(2) the exploration of the use of the BGS degree with a focus in African-
American Studies. The committee requested a follow-up report of stu-
dent interest in the mechanism, but emphasized that the BGS degree
should not be an alternative to the major in African-American Studies,
but an interim option for students. Such a focus area would be noted
on the student's official transcript.
The committee members made the following suggestions for continued efforts
regarding the program:
(1) There would be no advantage in resubmitting the proposal to the cur-
rent SCHEV Board presently;
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(2) The Board (via an ad hoc committee from Academic Affairs) should
inform the new administration in state government of the Board's sup-
port and commitment to the program; and
(3) the faculty should study the possibility of expanding the programmatic
thrust to include other minorities, e.g., Asian-American and Hispanic
Studies.
The Committee requested that the proposed new degree in African-American
Studies be kept on the agenda of the Committee until the University achieves
state approval for the offering of the new degree.
Dr. Wootton reported for the Advancement Committee. The External Re-
lations Report was presented. 1998-99 legislative priorities were discussed for
information. Channel 12 will air a half-hour special on January 21, 1998, featur-
ing VCU and the economic impact on Richmond.
Mr. Markel reported for the Finance and Investment Committee. The Asset
Allocation of the Operating Pool was presented. Changes in the asset allocation
of the operating pool and in the performance benchmark for the stability fund
were requested. The recommendation is to continue the current three-tier struc-
ture of the three funds: Liquidity Fund, Intermediate Fund and Stability Fund, but
to change the current asset allocation of 33 1/3% in each fund to a 20/20/60%
allocation, respectively. The change will be implemented in incremental steps
over the next three to six months. In addition, the performance benchmark for
the Stability Fund will change from the Lehman Brothers Intermediate Govern-
ment/Corporate Index to the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Index. Lastly, the
Committee recommended a change in the maturity limitation of the Stability Fund
from ten to twenty years. On motion made and seconded, the Committee rec-
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ommended to the Board to approve the Asset Allocation of the Operating Pool.
Governor Allen's Budget Recommendations for 1998-2000 were presented for
information. An Overview of Performance Funding for Higher Education and a
Base Budget Review Update were presented for information.
Dr. White reported for the Health Affairs Committee. The Proposed Fac-
ulty Salary and Incentive Plan for Clinical Faculty was presented. The Virginia
Commonwealth University School of Medicine seeks approval for a new faculty
salary and incentive structure for all full-time faculty performing clinical functions.
The new salary and incentive plan will apply to approximately 475 faculty in the
clinical departments or about 62% of the total full-time faculty in the School of
Medicine. The proposed salary and incentive plan features a fixed and variable
base salary with incentives for faculty to receive additional salary payments for
achieving predetermined performance goals. The new plan is proposed to be
effective on July 1, 1998. On motion made and seconded, the Committee rec-
ommended approval of the proposed Faculty Salary and Incentive Plan for Clini-
cal Faculty. The Hospital finances and a report from the School of Dentistry were
presented for information.
Dr. White reported for the Property Committee. The Occupancy Agree-
ment for Biotech One with the Worksite Initiatives Program was presented. Under
the terms of the Master Lease Agreement between VCU and the Virginia Bio-
technology Research Park Authority, VCU wishes to lease approximately 15,000
rentable square feet of space in Biotech One for use by the Worksite Initiatives
Program. The initial term of the lease is five years, from approximately April 9,
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1998, to April 8, 2003, with one five-year renewal option. On motion made and
seconded, the Property Committee recommended to the Board the approval of
the Occupancy Agreement for Biotech One with the Worksite Initiatives Program.
The Notification of Contract Award for Sanger Hall Renovations Fan Coil
Units and Piping was presented. The project consists of replacement of existing
heating, ventilating, and air conditioning components and systems on floors 3, 6,
7 and 8 in Sanger Hall on the MCV Campus. The project also includes replace-
ment of floor tiles and ceilings along with the electrical circuit upgrades. Each
floor will be vacated for approximately two months during construction. The con-
struction budget is $650,000 with a total project cost of $872,750. The contract
was awarded to the low bidder, Eveready Mechanical Corporation.
Mr. Townes reported for the Student Affairs Committee. A Report on Stu-
dent Access to Technology was presented. The Vice Provost for Information
Technology discussed plans to expand VCU's intranet (VCUnet) over the cam-
puses including the dormitories. Two new computer laboratories, one located in
the University Student Commons and one on the MCV campus, will open in
Spring 1998, allowing more student access to information technology. Dormitory
wiring has begun in Rhoads Hall, but other dorms need to be wired. The need to
address access requirements for off-campus students is being reviewed. A fol-
low-up on Student Concerns and Services was presented. The following stu-
dents were invited to participate in the presentation: Charlie Bryan, William
Cumbo, Maria Michaels, Tiana Nelson, Susan Samual, and Mike Stiefel. Sub-
jects discussed were: food services, parking and transportation, safety and se-
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curity, study space on the MCV Campus, technology, and concerns of Native-
American students. Improvements were noted in all areas since the November
meeting, especially with regard to food services, and students were positive in
comments about the efforts made during the past two months. Students will be
invited to the March Committee meeting to discuss additional concerns including
free parking services for commuter students and extended study hours in the li-
brary on the MCV campus.
The Student Sexual Misconduct Policy was presented. The policy exists
to deal with special cases of student-against-student sexual misconduct. VCU's
Sexual Harassment Policy applies to other situations. The Office of Civil Rights
approved revisions to the Sexual Harassment Policy as a result of a discrimina-
tion case, thus necessitating corresponding revisions to the Student Sexual Mis-
conduct Policy. Major revisions were discussed. On motion made and sec-
onded, the Committee recommended to the Board approval of the Student Sex-
ual Misconduct Policy. A follow-up report on questions raised as to whether the
policy covers students in community outreach programs was requested for the
March 1998 meeting.
On motion made and seconded, the following items from the consent
agenda were approved:
Board of Visitors
Minutes of a Meeting held November 20, 1997
Academic Policy Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held November 19, 1997
Advancement Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held November 19, 1997
Audit Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held November 20, 1997
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Finance and Investment Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held November 19, 1997
Asset Allocation: Operating Pool
Health Affairs Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held November 19, 1997
School of Medicine Faculty Salary and Incentive Plan for
Clinical Faculty
Property Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held November 19, 1997
Occupancy Agreement: Biotech One Worksite Initiatives
Program
Student Affairs Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held November 19, 1997
Student Sexual Misconduct Policy
On motion made and seconded, the following information items on the
consent agenda were accepted.
The Strategic Plan, Phase II was presented. On January 6, students, fac-
ulty, and staff from across the University met with the President and Provost to
establish the priority-setting and implementation process for Phase II of A Strate-
gic Plan for the Future of Virginia Commonwealth University. The following five
overarching themes of Phase II were discussed:
• One – to provide the highest quality academic programs, services, and
facilities for students
• Two – to foster excellence in teaching, research, and community serv-
ice that will establish the University as a leader among the nation's re-
search universities
• Three – to position the academic health center and clinical enterprise
to be a leader in the creation and application of health-care knowledge
to improve patient care and to be a quality health-services provider in a
highly competitive marketplace
• Four– to provide an environment for working and learning that retains,
attracts, and supports outstanding, diverse, and dedicated staff, ad-
ministrators, and faculty
• Five – to foster recognition of VCU as an innovative leader among the
nation's major research universities.
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The process to establish priorities and to assign responsibility is now in place.
The process of priority-setting and implementation will continue throughout the
semester through University Council, the Faculty and Staff Senates, deans'
meetings, and President's Council. On motion made and seconded, the Strate-
gic Plan, Phase II, was approved.
On motion made and seconded, the Board convened into executive ses-
sion to discuss certain personnel matters and matters relating to the performance
of identifiable employees and faculty of VCU, including Faculty Appointments and
Changes in Status and other personnel actions, and to discuss the performance
of departments or schools of VCU where such matters regarding such individuals
might be affected by such evaluation, including the Performance of University
departments and schools as related to the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals;
and to consult with legal counsel pertaining to actual and probable litigation, and
other specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by counsel, in-
cluding the Report of the General Counsel; to discuss matters relating to gifts,
bequests, and fundraising activities, including the approval of the Named Funds
Report and Facility Naming Recommendations, an update on the University
Campaign, and an update on Development activities as authorized by Section
2.1-344 a(1), 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 ses-
sion meeting to which this certification resolution applies, and (ii) only such public
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business matters as were identified in the motion convening the executive ses-
sion meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Board of Visitors of
Virginia Commonwealth University.
Roll Call Vote Ayes Nays
Mr. Jay M. Weinberg, Rector X
Ms. Yvonne E. R. Benner X
Mr. William C. DeRusha Absent
Mr. Edward L. Flippen X
Mr. M. Boyd Marcus, Jr. Absent
Mr. Steven A. Markel X
Ms. Angela Miles Absent
Dr. W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr. X
Ms. Diane Linen Powell X
Mr. Robert E. Rigsby X
Dr. Lindley T. Smith X
Mr. Ted L. Smith X
Mr. Clarence L. Townes, Jr. X
Dr. David A. Vaughan Absent
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 regarding executive session items; approved the Faculty Appointments
and Changes in Status and other personnel actions, as amended; approved the
Named Funds Report and Facility Naming recommendations; accepted the ex-
ecutive session Committee reports; and accepted the report of the General
Counsel.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 p.m.
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