MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF VISITORS OF
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
February 11, 1999
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth Uni-
versity was held on Thursday, February 11, 1999, at 1:30 p.m. in the University
Meeting Center.
Present were Dr. White (Vice Rector), Perkinson, Smith and Wootton;
Messrs. Flippen, Gresham, Markel, Pyon, Rigsby and Smith; and Mesdames
Benner, Miles and Powell. Messrs. DeRusha, Townes and Weinberg were ab-
sent. Also present were Drs. Trani, Dewey, Franson, Harris, Kontos, Oggel and
Rhone; Messrs. Bunce, Dayhoff, Gehring, Jez, Ohlinger, Ross, Timmreck and
Wyeth; and Mesdames Balmer, Jones, Messmer, Newman and Price.
Dr. White called the meeting to order and welcomed members of the
press.
The Report of the President followed:
On January 19, 1999, a teacher at T.C. Williams High School in
Alexandria published an offensive and uninformed editorial on admissions
policies at universities, using VCU and other institutions as examples of
schools with poor standards. In response to the publication is the
following executive summary:
• in 1994, 4,870 students applied to VCU; in 1998, 5,811 students
applied.
• for 1999 to date, nearly 1,000 students have applied.
• as VCU's enrollment has increased, so too has the quality of
students - the freshman class has gone from 1008 to 1026 in terms of
SAT scores and 2.89 to 3.01 in terms of GPA.
• all VCU's growth has come from students who have a 2.5 GPA and
above.
• half of VCU's growth has come from students who have SATs of 1100
and above.
• VCU also continues to attract students with GPAs of 4.0 or SAT scores
of 1300 and above. . . in fall 1998, 17 freshmen ranked first in the
class, and 23 ranked second.
• 21 percent of the top students are from out-of-state, three times the
overall out-of-state percentage for first-time freshmen.
• for fall 1999, 132 students, a record number, have applied to the Guar-
anteed Admission program in the School of Medicine. The students
have an average GPA of 4.10 and an average SAT of 1396. Further-
more, 67 of the 132 students (51 percent) are out-of-state.
• VCU anticipates that the new life-sciences facility will attract even
greater numbers of high-quality students.
• One of the strongest indicators of the quality of VCU's graduate stu-
dent is the national recognition that VCU graduate and professional
programs receive. Over the past several years, U.S. News & World
Report has ranked the following as among the best in terms of gradu-
ate/professional education in the country; family medicine, fine arts,
health administration, nurse anesthesia, nursing, occupational therapy,
pharmacy, physical therapy, psychology, public affairs, rehabilitation
counseling, sculpture and social work.
+
in 1997-98 to 3.26 in 1998-99.
• In terms of applications to graduate school, VCU compares very fa-
vorably to national trends. According to the Council of Graduate
Studies, in 1996, graduate applications fell 1.5 percent nationally, while
at VCU graduate applications increased 1.5 percent. In 1997, graduate applications fell 1.2 percent nationally, while at VCU graduate ap-
plications increased 3.7 percent.
• Over a ten-year period (1988-97), applications to graduate school na-
tionally have increased 8.6 percent. At VCU over the same period,
applications have increased 29.3 percent.
Dr. Smith reported for the Academic and Health Affairs Policy Committee.
The Degree Name Change for Health Education, Physical Education, and Exer-
cise Science was presented. The Academic and Health Affairs Policy Committee
was asked to approve a name change for the Health and Physical Education
program to Health Education, Physical Education, and Exercise Science to more
accurately describe the program. The program has evolved from preparing stu-
dents to be professional educators to preparing students in other fields as well.
No curriculum changes will occur under the newly named degree program. The
Academic and Health Affairs Policy Committee recommended to the Board the
approval of the name change for the Health and Physical Education Program to
Health Education, Physical Education, and Exercise Science.
A Request for Proposals for the University Library Services for Periodical
Services was presented. The University Library Services is seeking to execute a
new contract for periodical services. Due to the amount of the contract
($2,200,000 per year), the review and approval of the Board of Visitors is re-
quired. The Academic and Health Affairs Policy Committee recommended to the
Board the approval of the Request for Proposals for Periodical Services for Uni-
versity Library Services.
The Faculty Early Retirement Incentive Program was presented for infor-
mation.
The VCU Faculty Senate drafted the Faculty Early Retirement Incentive
Program and the VCU Faculty Transition Incentive Program. The programs have
been reviewed and approved by the University Council, and the University is
seeking approval by the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The University Marketing and Public Relations Plan was presented for in-
formation. The Vice President for External Affairs presented an overview of Uni-
versity News Services activities aimed at enhancing the University's image.
A School of Business Presentation was reviewed for information. The
Acting Dean of the School of Business presented an overview of the School of
Business; and Mr. Wallace Stettinius, Director of Strategic Planning for the
School, presented an overview of the Strategic Planning Initiative.
A Faculty Profile was presented for information. A report on the tenure
status of instructional faculty was presented. The report covered the 1,612 full
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time, active instructional faculty at VCU, with the 1998-99 figures compared to
1993-94 figures.
The Medical College of Virginia Hospitals Finances - Statistical and Fi-
nancial Summary for Fiscal Year 1999: Six Months Ending December 1998, was
presented.
A report covering patient volume, operating revenue, and operating ex-
penses for the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals was presented.
Dr. Perkinson reported for the Advancement and External Relations
Committee. The Governmental and Community Relations Report was presented. VCU hosted the annual State of the Union Address reception for the Vir-
ginia congressional delegation. Ten members of the Virginia delegation and
congressional members from other states joined VCU's Board of Visitors', fac-
ulty, staff, students, and alumni at the event.
VCU is working with the Mayor, members of Richmond City Council and
the City Manager on the transfer of a portion of 12th Street to VCU for the pur-
pose of constructing the Gateway Building on the MCV Campus. Also, VCU is
working very closely with the Carver community on issues involving the construc-
tion of student housing on Broad Street.
Mr. Smith reported for the Finance, Investment and Property Committee.
The Architect/Engineer Selection for Professional Architectural/Engineering Con-
tracts was presented. Facilities Management routinely retains the services of
architectural/engineering firms on two-year term contracts to provide professional
services for construction and renovation projects, feasibility studies and planning
initiatives. Services are provided to the University's Academic and Medical Col-
lege of Virginia (MCV) Campuses, the VCU Foundation, the VCU Real Estate4
Foundation, and affiliated entities. The Finance, Investment and Property Com-
mittee recommended to the Board the approval of the selection of twelve archi-
tectural and/or engineering firms. The terms of the contracts would be one year,
with an option for a one-year extension. Each firm is limited to $100,000 per
project and an annual total of $300,000. The firms are LKPW Architects; Ballou
Justice Upton Architects; Kelso and Easter; Gauthie, Alvarado & Associates;
CEGG Associates; Roache, Mercer & Faison; John T. Moore & Associates; CEK;
Virginia Geotechnical Services; Dunbar, Milby, William, Pittman & Vaughan; Hig-
gins Associates; and Scribner Messer Brady & Wade.
The Notification of Change in Project Scope for the Sports Medicine
Building was presented. The scope of the Sports Medicine Building project
needs to be modified to accommodate an increase of 4,500 gross square feet for
a new collaborative program between the School of Education and the Depart-
ment of Intercollegiate Athletics. The modification to the project scope will re-
quire an increase in the project budget of $896,500. On motion made and sec-
onded, the Finance, Investment and Property Committee recommended to the
Board the approval of the change in project scope for the Sports Medicine Building.
A Request for Proposals for Office Supply Sales and Services was presented. The purpose of the request is to establish an optional-use contract with
a primary contractor to fulfill the University's office supplies requirements at com-
petitive prices. On motion made and seconded, the Finance, Investment and
Property Committee recommended to the Board the issuance of a Request for
Proposals for a new three-year office supplies contract for the University. The
current contract will expire July 31, 1999.5
The lease of facilities at 102-104 and 106 North Linden Street was presented. The lease is for five-years for approximately 6,038 square feet of office
space for the School of Social Work's Virginia Institute for Social Service Training
Activities. The lease with Biotech One for the following companies was presented:
• A one-year lease with the Institute for Drug & Alcohol Studies for approxi-
mately 4,120 square feet, an increase of 2,420 over the 1,700 square feet
currently under lease.
• A two-year lease with Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry for approximately 1,477
square feet.
• A one-year lease with the Survey and Evaluation Research Laboratory for
1,733 square feet.
The Finance, Investment and Property Committee recommended to the Board
the approval of the lease at 102-104, 106 North Linden Street; the lease at Bio-
tech One with the Institute for Drug & Alcohol Studies; the Mid-Atlantic Twin
Registry; and the Survey and Evaluation Research Laboratory.
Notifications of Contract Award for the Life Sciences and Sports Backers
Stadium Seating projects were presented. The contract for the Life Sciences
project has been awarded to CCI Construction Company, Inc. of Mechanicsburg,
Pennsylvania. The contract for the Sports Backers Stadium seating project has
been awarded to Dant Clayton Corporation.
A Summary of the Governor's Budget Amendments and the Higher Edu-
cation Budget Request were presented for information as well as a Preliminary
Analysis of House and Senate Budget Amendments as of February 9, 1999.
A financial update for the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals Authority
as of December 31,1998, was presented for information.
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Overviews of the University and Affiliated Organizations' Flow of Funds
as of June 30, 1998, the University Quarterly Budget Performance Report as of
December 31, 1998, and a report on the Medical College of Virginia Foundation
as of June 30, 1998, were presented for information.
Updates on debt refinancing and the leasing report for the Virginia Bio-
technology Research Park Authority were presented for information.
The Capital Project Status Report was reviewed.
Mr. Pyon reported for the Student Affairs Committee. The Recommenda-
tions of the Attorney General's Task Force on Drinking by College Students was
presented. In response to the recommendations of the Attorney General's Task
Force that all colleges and universities design a foundational plan to address the
problem, VCU has prepared a Foundational Plan to Reduce Illegal and Harmful
Drinking and Drug Use at Virginia Commonwealth University. The foundational
plan will enhance existing prevention efforts at VCU and establish new policies,
including the notification of parents where underage drinking violations occur.
The Student Affairs Committee recommended to the Board that the Foundational
Plan to Reduce Illegal and Harmful Drinking and Drug Use at Virginia Common-
wealth University be approved.
A report on Technology Resources for Students was presented for infor-
mation. The Vice Provost for Information Technology described new technology
resources being offered to VCU's students from the Office for Information Tech-
nology, including University Library Services, with a new journal storage data-
base, extended hours for Cabell Library, enhanced student access to technology
in Cabell Library, and development of distance education classrooms. The Office
of Information Technology is working with the College of Humanities and Sci-
7
ences in the development of a computing facility in the Hibbs Building. A Student
Technology Fee program is being implemented. The need for study space for
students was a major focus of the discussion, and the Committee requested that
the administration give special attention to the matter.
On motion made and seconded, the following items on the Consent
Agenda were approved:
Board of Visitors
Minutes of a Meeting held November 19, 1998
Academic and Health Affairs Policy Committee
Minutes of a Meeting of the Academic Policy Committee
held November 18, 1998
Minutes of a Meeting of the Health Affairs Committee
held November 18, 1998
Degree Name Change - Health Education, Physical
Education, and Exercise Science
Request for Proposals - University Library Services -
Periodical Services
Advancement and External Relations Committee
Minutes of a Meeting of the Advancement Committee
held November 18, 1998
Audit Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held November 19, 1998
Finance, Investment and Property Committee
Minutes of a Meeting of the Finance and Investment
Committee held November 18, 1998
Minutes of a Meeting of the Property Committee held
November 18, 1998
Architect/Engineer Selection: Professional Architectural/
Engineering Contracts (Mr. Markel abstained)
Notification of Change in Project Scope for Sports
Medicine Building
Request for Proposals: Office Supply Sales and
Services
Lease for 102-04, 106 North Linden Street
Lease for Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies,
Biotech One
Lease for Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry, Biotech One
Lease for Survey and Evaluation Research Laboratory,
Biotech One
Student Affairs Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held November 18, 1998
Recommendations of Attorney General's Task Force on
Drinking by College Students
8
On motion made and seconded, the Board approved the Revision to the
Bylaws.
Dr. White appointed the following members to serve on the Board
Nominating Committee for Rector: Dr. W. Baxter Perkinson, Chair, Dr. Lindley T.
Smith, Mrs. Diane Linen Powell and Mr. Jay M. Weinberg.
Dr. Dewey reported on the Intellectual Property Foundation and Activi-
ties.
On motion made and seconded, the Board convened into executive
session to discuss certain personnel matters and matters relating to the perform-
ance of identifiable employees and faculty of VCU, including Faculty Appoint-
ments 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 Audit Reports of
individually identified departments and/or schools; to discuss the condition, ac-
quisition 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 institution including the acquisition of property on or adjacent to the MCV
Campus and the acquisition and disposition of property on or adjacent to the
Academic Campus; 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, including the Report of the General Counsel; to discuss mat-
ters relating to gifts, bequests, and fundraising activities, including the approval of
the Named Funds Report and Facility Naming Recommendations, an update on
9
the University Campaign, an update on Development Activities and an update on
VCU Foundation Initiatives; and to discuss matters relating to honorary degrees
and special awards as authorized by Sections 2.1-344 a(1), a(3), a(7), a(8) and
a(10) of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
Following executive session, on motion made and seconded, the fol-
lowing 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. Jay M. Weinberg, Rector Absent
Ms. Yvonne E. R. Benner
Mr. William C. DeRusha Absent
Mr. Edward L. Flippen X
Mr. Timothy L. Gresham X
Mr. Steven A. Markel X
Ms. Angela Miles Left before voting
Dr. W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr. X
Ms. Diane Linen Powell Left before voting
Mr. Harold Y. Pyon X
Mr. Robert E. Rigsby, X
Dr. Lindley T. Smith X
Mr. Ted L. Smith X
Mr. Clarence L. Townes, Jr. Absent
Dr. H. George White, Jr. X
Dr. Percy Wootton X
Vote:
Ayes: 11
Nays: 0
I0
ABSENT DURING MEETING:
ABSENT DURING VOTING: 5
On motion made and seconded, the Board approved the Faculty Appoint-
ments and Changes in Status and other personnel actions; approved the Named
Funds Report and Facility Naming Recommendations; approved the Acquisition
and Disposition of Property on or adjacent to the MCV Campus; approved the
Board of Visitors Award Selection; and accepted the Executive Session Committee Reports; accepted the Report of the President, the Report of the Rector
and the Report of the General Counsel.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
Edward L. Flippen, secretary
