A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF VISITORS OF
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
November 11, 1999
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth Uni-
versity was held on Thursday, November 11, 1999, at 9 a.m. in the University
Meeting Center located at 101 North Harrison Street.
Present were Drs. White (Rector), Perkinson, Smith and Wootton; Messrs.
Flippen, Gresham, Markel, Pyon, Rigsby, Smith, Townes and Weinberg; and
Mrs. Benner. Mr. DeRusha and Mesdames Miles and Powell were absent. Also
present were Drs. Trani, Dewey, Kontos, McDavis, Rhone and Self; Messrs.
Bunce, Gehring, Ross, Timmreck and Wyeth; and Mesdames Jones, Messmer,
and Price. Ms. Patel, student representative to the Board, was also present.
Dr. White called the meeting to order and welcomed members of the
press. The Report of the President followed:
VCU received 6,748 freshman applications for Fall 1999, 937 more
applications than 1998. The quality of the Fall 1999 class is stronger than
ever. The average high school GPA is 3.03 and the average SAT score is
1028. The number of out-of-state freshman increased from 127 in Fall
1998 to 173 in Fall 1999 (a 36% increase).
VCU has initiated a strategic objective during the 1999 fall semester to
expand the out-of-state and out-of-country student enrollment. The
initiative has established an enrollment target of 2,000 new non-resident
students. The enrollment target will allow enrollment growth over five
years at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
A $10,000 grant has been established to encourage District of Columbia
students to attend Virginia or Maryland schools at in-state rates.
Presently 91% of VCU students are in-state and only 9% are
out-of-state. The initiative could change the percentage to 85% in-state
and 15% out-of-state. Four reasons for the initiative are: (1) a large
number of great students are available out-of-state and need to know
about VCU; (2) will give VCU a presence up and down the east coast; (3)
will provide national recognition for VCU; and (4) will bring more than
100% of cost for full out-of state tuition ($11,946 vs. $2,492).
On motion made and seconded, the Board approved the out-of state stu-
dent recruitment initiative as presented by the President including the recom-
mendation that a portion of the dollars collected be returned to the schools to
fund new/renovated facilities, additional faculty and other increased costs en-
cumbered by the schools on behalf of the initiative.
By Fall 2001, VCU will require each incoming freshman to have a personal
computer, students living in residence halls to have computer ports in
every room, and students living off-campus to be able to access the
University resources as if on campus.
On motion made and seconded, the following Resolution recognizing the
accomplishments of Mr. Jay M. Weinberg was approved and presented to
Mr. Weinberg:
WHEREAS Jay M. Weinberg has served the Board of Visitors of Virginia Com-
monwealth University with distinction since 1992;
WHEREAS Mr. Weinberg has devoted considerable time and energy to his lead-
ership role as Rector of the Board for two terms;
WHEREAS Mr. Weinberg, in his capacity as Rector, has had a major impact on
the progress of Virginia Commonwealth University, including, but not limited to,
its long-range strategic and master-site planning; the establishment of the Medi-
cal College of Virginia Hospitals as a public authority and the continued devel-
opment of the VCU Health System; the development of the Virginia Biotechnol-
ogy Research Park; and the launch of the School of Engineering;
WHEREAS Mr. Weinberg, through a record of exemplary committee service, has
had a significant and important influence in the Board's deliberations about the
policies of Virginia Commonwealth University;
WHEREAS Mr. Weinberg is devoted to the unique mission of Virginia Common-
wealth University as well as to the role that the state's superior system of higher
education plays in the quality of life of the Commonwealth;
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Visitors of Virginia Common-
wealth University expresses its heartfelt admiration and respect for Mr. Weinberg
and looks forward to his continuing service on the Board through 2001.
On Saturday, November 6, 1999, Dr. W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr. hosted the
first-ever art auction for student-athletes. Baxter's beautiful watercolors
netted VCU's student-athletes approximately $90,000 plus in merit
scholarships, which will be matched by the VCU Foundation. Thanks to
Baxter for the tremendous effort and for being a tremendous benefactor of
VCU and the community.
Mr. Steve Markel and the Markel Corporation were thanked for supporting
students in the masters program in Public Administration. Ten awardees
for 1999 are part-time graduate students specializing in nonprofit
management. The students work in the nonprofit and government
sectors, and must maintain at least a 3.5 grade-point-average to qualify for
the scholarships. The support makes a tremendous difference for the
students' ability to complete the graduate programs.
Ms. Minal M. Patel, the student representative to the Board, was
introduced. Ms. Patel is in the Honors Guaranteed Medical Admissions
Program and has a 3.9 grade point average. Minal also works as a
researcher and lab technician at Organon Teknika/UHS Immunology as
well as at VCU's Student Health Services. Minal is very active in the
Student Government Association and Amnesty International, and has
volunteered time as a VCU Student Ambassador with Operation Smile
and Chester County Hospital, and as a tutor of mentally handicapped
adults.
Dr. Wootton reported for the Academic and Health Affairs Policy Commit-
tee. The Committee met with several members of the Executive Committee of
the Faculty Senate. A Proposal to Create a Graduate Program in Engineering
and to Award M.S. and Ph.D. Degrees in Engineering was presented. The pro-
posal has been reviewed within the University, and has been approved by the
University Graduate Council and University Council. The proposed graduate
program is designed to provide a vehicle for advanced research and develop-
ment to promote economic growth for Virginia and industries and businesses; to
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promote interaction of industy researchers with the School of Engineering
graduate faculty through collaborative research and development programs, col-
laborative course development, and joint teaching opportunities; to provide well-
trained and experienced graduates from the graduate programs in engineering to
boost expanding functions in Virginia's industries; to provide engineering em-
ployees of area businesses an opportunity for continuing education; and to
maintain a strong and viable undergraduate program. The Academic and Health
Affairs Policy Committee recommended to the full Board the approval of the Pro-
posal to Create a Graduate Program in Engineering to award M.S. and Ph.D.
Degrees in Engineering.
A Divisional Realignment in the Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, was presented. The proposal provides for the merger of the Division
Anatomic Pathology with the Division of Neuropathology. The new entity would
be called the Division of Autopsy Pathology and Neuropathology. The rationale
behind the consolidation is to streamline support functions and combine the re-
sources of two divisions that perform many similar services. The reorganization
should result in a reduction in operating costs. Another element of the proposal
would result in changing the name of the Division of Graduate Research and
Education to the Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathogenesis. The change
would be consistent with the nomenclature at similar institutions and would be
descriptive of the type of research being performed in the Division laboratories.
Curricular activities of the Department of Pathology will not be impacted, and the
name changes will not involve the creation of a degree program. The proposal
has been reviewed within the University and has received the endorsement of
the Graduate Programs and Courses Committee of the Graduate Council and
University Council. The Academic and Health Affairs Policy Committee recom-
mended to the full Board the approval of the Divisional Realignment in the De-
partment of Pathology, School of Medicine.
A VCU Health System Resolution was presented. The resolution would
support the goal of creating the VCU Health System Authority, as well as the
necessary legislative changes and other related actions to achieve the goal. The
VCU Health System Authority, in addition to the responsibility for existing hospital
and related operations, would assume responsibility and oversight for the clinical
services performed by VCU School of Medicine faculty physicians and other pro-
viders of health care services. The Academic and Health Affairs Policy Committee recommended to the full Board the approval of the resolution supporting and
approving the goal of creating the VCU Health System Authority and supporting
the necessary legislative changes and other necessary actions related to the
achievement of the goal.
An Update for the Faculty Recruitment Plan for the College of Humanities
and Sciences was presented. The Dean of the College of Humanities and Sci-
ences provided an update on the faculty recruitment plan for the College.
The Medical College of Virginia Hospitals Finances - Statistical and Fi-
nancial Summary for Fiscal Year 2000: Three Months Ending September 30,
999 was presented. The report covered patient volume, operating revenue, op-
erating expense, and other key indicators.
An Update on the School of the Arts Program in Qatar was presented.
The Dean of the School of the Arts reported the an inaugural class of 36 fresh-
men enrolled in the 1998-99 academic year and the total enrollment in the Col-
lege is now 79.
A Proposal for the Center for Multicultural Activities was presented. The
Center is expected to extend and enhance the services being provided to minor-
ity and international students by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs within
the Division of Student Affairs. The Center, by fostering dialogue and experi-
ences that encourage positive communication and learning among all students,
will help VCU to retain more minority students.
An update on the Intellectual Property Policy was presented for informa-
tion. In August 1999, the Board of Visitors, on the recommendation of the Aca-
demic and Health Affairs Policy Committee, approved the new Intellectual Prop-
erty Policy with the provision that two concerns be investigated and reported
back to the Committee. The Vice President for Research responded to the concern on whether the policy should state that intellectual property is owned by the
University and Board of Visitors rather than just the University by stating that
since the Board is the governing body of the University, the policy assumes the
Board has governance over all assets of the University. The second concern
centered around if the policy was clear on whether an invention made by a volunteer is governed by the policy. The Vice President for Research suggested the
addition of the word "volunteers" in the definition of University member on page
three of the policy as follows: "All VCU full- and part-time faculty, classified em-
ployees, administrative staff, paid student assistants, VOLUNTEERS, students,
fellows and trainees."
Dr. Perkinson reported for the Advancement and External Relations
Committee. The Government and Community Relations Report was presented.
An update on the status of VCU's indigent care legislative priority was provided
for information. A meeting will be held with the Governor to request support of
the $47.3 million request for the next biennium.
As part of the University Marketing Task Force, the Vice President for Ex-
ternal Relations and the Chair attended a briefing by a major public relations firm
in Richmond on marketing strategies for the University. Communication strate-
gies will be a key ingredient in VCU's efforts to increase student enrollment.
The Advancement Division Reports were presented for information.
Mr. Rigsby reported for the Audit Committee. A status report on the Year
2000 Project was presented for information by the Office for Information Tech-
nology. An update on the proposed University Administrative and Financial
Practices Framework was also presented for information.
Mr. Flippen reported for the Finance, Investment and Property Committee.
The Architect/Engineer Selection for the Business Building HVAC repairs was
presented. The maintenance reserve project involves major repairs to the exist-
ing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system serving the perimeter
areas of the third, fourth, and fifth floors of the Business Building. The scope of
work for the project includes the conversion of the existing two pipe hot/chilled
water distribution system to a four pipe system and replacement of the existing
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induction units with fan coil units capable of providing simultaneous heating and
cooling of the perimeter areas of the building. The construction budget is
$613,000 with a project budget of $750,000. The Finance, Investment and
Property Committee recommended to the full Board the approval of the firm
Gauthier, Alvarado & Associates, Inc. for the repairs to the Business Building.
The Architect Selection for the Cladding Residence Addition was pre-
sented. The project adds up to 192 beds in the form of apartment-style housing
to the Cladding Residence Center. The new building will be freestanding and will
complete the existing complex. The project will follow the mode of the West
Broad Street Student Housing in construction method and level of amenities for
students. The construction budget is $5,450,000 with a project budget of
$6,365,000. The Finance, Investment and Property Committee recommended to
the full Board the approval of SMBW Architects, PC for the Cladding Residence
Addition.
Project Plans for the West Broad Street Student Housing were presented.
The project adds 396 beds of apartment-style student housing to the University's
current 2,717-bed inventory. The demand for on-campus housing has been
steadily increasing over the past four years. The University's top priority is ac-
commodating the freshmen requesting on-campus housing. The project site is
located at 1100 West Broad Street, between the Stuart C. Siegel Center and the
School of the Arts Building. The construction budget is $10,230,620 with a total
budget of $16,108,103. The Finance, Investment and Property Committee rec-
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ommended to the full Board the approval of the Project Plans for the West Broad
Street Student Housing.
The Project Plans for the Sports Backers Stadium Phase III were pre-
sented. The project adds a pressbox, skybox, administrative offices, meeting
space and related support space to the Sports Backers Stadium complex as
completed in summer, 1999. The administrative offices and meeting space will
house the Metropolitan Richmond Sports Backers. The project site is located at
Sports Backers Stadium between Hermitage Road and the Boulevard adjacent to
the Diamond. The construction budget is $885,000 with a total budget of
$1,200,000. The Finance, Investment and Property Committee recommended to
the full Board the approval of the Project Plans for the Sports Backers Stadium
Phase III.
The Support Agreement Summary between Virginia Commonwealth Uni-
versity and Virginia Commonwealth University Real Estate Foundation and the
Resolution of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University were
presented. The agreement evidences the University's support for the Broad
Street Student Housing Project. The resolution authorizes the President or Vice
President for Finance and Administration to approve or authorize the Ground
Lease and Support Agreement Summary and other necessary documents in
connection with the project. Any material changes to the documents will be re-
ported at the February 2000 Board meeting. The Finance, Investment and Prop-
erty Committee recommended to the full Board the approval of the Support
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