A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF VISITORS OF
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
February 10, 2000
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth Uni-
versity was held on Thursday, February 10, 2000, at 9 a.m. in the University
Meeting Center located at 101 North Harrison Street.
Present were Drs. Perkinson (Acting Rector), Long, Smith and Wootton;
Messrs. Axselle, Flippen, Gresham, Markel, Plymale, Pyon, Rigsby, Townes and
Weinberg; and Mesdames Miles and Benner. Mr. Smith was absent. Also pres-
ent were Drs. Trani, Kontos, Macrina, McDavis, and Rhone; Messrs. Bunce, Ge-
hring, Ross, Timmreck and Wyeth; and Mesdames Jones, Messmer, and Price.
Ms. Patel, student representative to the Board, was also present.
Dr. Perkinson called the meeting to order and welcomed members of the
press. The Report of the President followed:
As of February 9, 2000, VCU has received 5,284 freshman applications for the
Fall 2000 term. Applications have increased 18 percent since 1999. The num-
ber of undergraduate transfer applications has also increased from 640 applica-
tions in 1999 to 689 applications. The quality of the freshman applicants contin-
ues to get stronger, with the average SAT score slightly higher than 1999's aver-
age (1034 vs. 1027). The top 1000 freshman applicants are academically
stronger than 1999's top 1,000 applicants. The group has an average SAT score
of 1230 compared with 1214 for 1999's top 1,000. The increase in freshman ap-
plicants has occurred within each race/ethnic category. Applications are up
among African Americans (188 applications), Asians (66), Hispanics (20), and
Native Americans (7). The number of out-of-state freshman applications has in-
creased from 547 in Fall 1999 to 607 in Fall 2000 (an 11% increase).
The Board of Visitors held a Retreat on January 28 and 29, 2000, at the Norfolk
Waterside Marriott. A result of the Retreat were the following Presidential Priori-
ties for the next five years (2000-05):
University
>
Tier 3 to Tier 2 for undergraduate programs
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Greater national visibility
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Deferred maintenance
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Accelerated public/private funding
Academic Campus
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2,000 additional out-of-state students
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Life Sciences
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Engineering (continued development)
•
Student quality, retention, and continued diversity
•
Facilities development
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Arts, Business, Social Work (enhanced quality)
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Rebuild Mass Communications
MCV Campus
•
Indigent-care
•
VCU Health System development
•
INOVA
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Community-medical center relationships
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Massey Cancer Center (continued development
Virginia Biotechnology Research Park
(continued development)
Two members of the VCU faculty have received Fulbright Senior Scholar grants.
The faculty members are Christopher Antonio Brooks, Associate Professor, in
the Department of Music in the School of the Arts; Neil B. Murphy, Professor in
the Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate in the School of Business.
Susana Ramos, Professor in the Department of Physics at the National Univer-
sity of Comahue, Nequen, Argentina, will study at VCU in the Department
Physics researching magnetic properties of transition metal nanoparticles.
An update on the Blue Ribbon Commission was presented and on motion
made and seconded, the following Resolution was approved:
Whereas, the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University recognizes
the effort of the members of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher
Education and its chair, Edward L. Flippen, toward supporting excellence in Vir-
ginia's institutions;
Whereas, the Board of Visitors shares the Commission's goals of academic
excellence, institutional autonomy, accountability, and affordability;
Whereas, the Board of Visitors supports recognition by the Governor and the
General Assembly of the different missions and strengths of the Common-
wealth's colleges and universities;
Whereas, the Board of Visitors endorses institutional performance agreements
as a mechanism for linking institutional performance and accountability standards
with stable and predictable public funding; and
Now therefore be it resolved, that the Board of Visitors of Virginia Common-
wealth University applauds the Blue Ribbon Commission for undertaking a sig-
nificant task on behalf of the future of higher education in the Commonwealth.
Dr. Wootton reported for the Academic and Health Affairs Policy Com-
mittee. The New Degree Program - Master of Science in Patient Counseling,
School of Allied Health Professions was presented. The proposal has been re-
viewed within the University and approved by the Graduate Council and Univer-
sity Council. The program is designed to meet the growing need for clinically
trained pastoral care providers as well as clinical pastoral education supervisors.
The Academic and Health Affairs Policy Committee recommended to the full
Board the approval of the proposal to create and award a Master of Science de-
gree in Patient Counseling in the School of Allied Health Professions.
The Center for Multicultural Activities was presented. The Center for Mul-
ticultural Activities will serve as an extension of and an enhancement of services
being provided to minority and international students by the Office of Multicultural
Student Affairs within the Division of Student Affairs. The proposed center has
been reviewed within the University and approved by University Council. The
center would play a role in helping VCU retain more minority students and would
provide a meeting ground to foster dialogue among all VCU students. The Aca-
demic and Health Affairs Policy Committee recommended to the full Board the
approval of the Center for Multicultural Activities.
The 1999-2000 Clinical, Education and Research Service Agreement
(CERSA) Reallocation and Related Indigent Care Sole Source, Contract Modifi-
cation was presented. CERSA is an agreement between Virginia Common-
wealth University and the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals Authority for Fis-
cal Year 1999-2000, whereby the funding for Indigent Care Services is reduced
by the amount of $3.3 million from the current level of $13.4 million to $10.1 mil-
lion and the funding for Graduate Medical Education Supervision is increased by
a corresponding amount of $3.3 Million from the current level of $8.1 Million to
$11.4 Million, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Medical
College of Virginia Hospitals Authority. The Academic and Health Affairs Policy
Committee recommended to the Board the approval of the Resolution supporting
the revision of the Clinical, Educational and Research Services Agreement and
the related Indigent Care Sole Source Contract Modification.
A report on the VCU Center for Teaching Excellence was presented. The
Dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences and the Dean of the School of
Education were charged by the Provost with developing a proposal to create a
Center for Teaching Excellence at VCU. The report recommends the establish-
ment of a Center for Teaching Excellence.
An update on the Faculty Profile was presented. The update reported on
the tenure status of instructional faculty, which is presented annually to the
Committee. The report compared 1999-2000 figures to 1994-1995 figures.
Medical College of Virginia Hospitals Finances - Statistical and Financial
Summary for Fiscal Year 2000: six months ending December 31, 1999, was
presented. The report covered patient volume, operating revenue, operating ex-
pense, and other key indicators.
The MCV Physicians Annual Audit was presented. The Associate Vice
President for Health Sciences and President of MCV Physicians reported on the
history and purpose of MCV Physicians and the financial audit performed by
Ernst & Young as of June 30, 1999.
A report on the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organi-
zations Competency Report on VCU Faculty and Staff Employed Primarily Onsite
at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals was presented. The report dis-
cussed the competencies of University faculty and staff providing patient care
services at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals. Of the 61 individuals
evaluated, 59 faculty and staff passed annual performance evaluations indicating
competency; two are probationary classified staff that will not be formally evalu-
ated until the end of the probationary period. The report to the Board of Visitors
is required to meet the Standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of
Healthcare Organizations.
5
Dr. Perkinson reported for the Advancement and External Relations
Committee. The Government and Community Relations Report was presented.
The Governor's proposed 2000-02 budget, released on December 17, 1999, in-
cluded funding for a number of VCU's legislative priorities. The budget included
VCU's requests for funding uncompensated indigent care, funding for the VCU
undergraduate engineering program, and funding for University-wide enrollment
growth. VCU will be seeking legislative approval to make some technical
changes to the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals Authority structure. The
amendments include changing the name of the organizational structure of the
MCVHA. The Advancement Division Reports were presented for information.
Mr. Rigsby reported for the Audit Committee. A report of the Auditor of
Public Accounts was presented. The following findings were reported: the fi-
nancial statements are presented fairly, in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles; internal control matters were considered as reportable
conditions; however, none were considered as material weaknesses; and no in-
stances of noncompliance were required to be reported.
A status report on the Year 2000 Project was presented for information
by the Office for Information Technology. An update on the University Financial,
Operational, and Administrative Practices Framework was also presented for in-
formation.
Mr. Flippen reported for the Finance, Investment and Property Committee.
The Lease for 912 West Grace Street was presented. The lease is for approxi-
mately 6,123 square feet of office space and the initial term is for May 1, 2000, t
6
April 30, 2005, with automatic one-year renewal options. The proposed rental
rate is not to exceed $16.00/SF or $97,968 annually. Utilities and operating ex-
penses are estimated to range from $3.00/SF to $4.00/SF annually. The Finance,
Investment and Property Committee recommended to the full Board the approval
of the lease for 912 West Grace Street.
A Resolution for a 401 (a) Cash Match Plan was presented. The Finance,
Investment and Property Committee recommended to the full Board the approval
of the Resolution.
An Amendment to the Six-Year Capital Plan: Bowe Street Parking Deck
was presented. The amendment to the Six-Year Capital Plan enables VCU to
increase the Six-Year Capital Plan 2000-02 total from $5,000,000 to $9,500,000
to support the addition of laboratories for the School of the Arts to be housed on
the ground level of the parking deck. The Finance, Investment and Property
Committee recommended to the full Board the approval of the amendment to the
Six-Year Capital Plan.
The notification of contract award for Sanger Hall Renovations, Phase II
was presented. The renovation is the capital project component of a major reno-
vation to Sanger Hall on the MCV Campus which combines several building
system improvements and selective interior renovations into one project. Phase
II consists of replacement of windows and improvements to the existing curtain
wall, replacement and improvements to major heating, ventilation and air condi-
tioning systems, improvements to the electrical system, installation of a new
emergency power generator system, replacement of existing building entrances
7
and selective interior renovations. The construction budget, Phase II, is
$9,500,000 with a total budget for Phase II of $11,694,508. The contract was
awarded to W. M. Jordan Company.
The report formats for the Six-Year Business Plans for Auxiliary Enter-
prises and Six-Year Operating and Capital Budget Projections were presented as
well as summaries of the 2000-02 Budget, including the Governor's recommen-
dations and VCU's legislative requests.
The following reports were presented for information:
^ Foundations on Direct Expenditures;
^ Long-Term Debt;
^ The Medical College of Virginia Hospitals Finances - Statistical and
Financial Summary for Fiscal year 2000: Six Months Ending
December 31, 1999;
^ University Quarterly Budget Performance report:
December 31, 1999;
^ Virginia Biotechnology Research Park Authority Leasing Report; and
^ the Capital Project Status Report.
Mr. Gresham reported for the Student Affairs Committee. An update on
the College Student Drinking Foundational Plan was presented. The update in-
cluded the implementation activities during the past year under the foundational
plan to reduce illegal and harmful drinking and drug use at Virginia Common-
wealth University. The plan was approved by the Board in February, 1999, in re-
sponse to the recommendations of the Virginia Attorney General's Task Force on
Drinking by College Students.
An Update on Student Services was presented. The update was in re-
sponse to concerns expressed by students at the November 10, 1999, meeting.
The student concerns addressed were: activities for students and communication
with students but activities; a support network for freshman students housed
on the MCV Campus; transportation; food choices; and instilling a sense of
school spirit and pride in students, faculty, and staff.
