MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF VISITORS OF
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
May 16, 2003
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University
was held on Friday, May 16, 2003, at 9 a.m. in the University Meeting Center located at
101 North Harrison Street.
Present were Drs. Perkinson (Rector), Bersoff, Long and Romano; Messrs.
Axselle, Markel, Plymale, Pyon, Rigsby, Rosenthal and Thompson; and Mesdames
Petera and Riddick. Messrs. Baldacci and Slater and Ms. McMichael were absent. Also
present were Drs Trani, Andrews, Brodd, Huff, McDavis, Retchin, Rhone and Torr;
Messrs. Blanks, Bunce, Gehring, Ross, Timmreck and Wyeth; and Mesdames Balmer,
Chinnici, Lepley, and Messmer.
Dr. Perkinson called the meeting to order and introduced the members of the
press.
The Report of the President followed:
The following individuals were introduced:
Dr. Saif is Vice Chairman of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and
Community Development. Dr. Saif earned a master's and Ph.D. Degree in geology from
the University of South Carolina, and is professor of geology at the University of Qatar.
Ms. Anne P. Smith is a budget analyst in the education section of the Department of
Planning and Budget.
Myo-Thwin Mint is the 2003 recipient of the Board of Visitors Scholarship Award.
Myo-Thwin Mint is a junior majoring in biomedical engineering in the School of
Engineering and has a GPA of 3.849. Myo-Thwin Mint is enrolled in the VCU Honors
Program and is also the recipient of the Presidential Scholarship and the Virginia Society
of the Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship.
Dr. Chris Kenney, Student Representative to the Board, was unable to attend the meeting
but asked the following message be shared: "Please pass on my regrets to the Board and
relay to them my most sincere thanks for allowing me to be the student member of the
Board of Visitors."
An enrollment update was presented for information.
The School of Dentistry Art Auction raised $101,000 for the School of Dentistry. Dr. W.
Baxter Perkinson, Jr. donated the 50 paintings that were auctioned.
Mr. Markel and Mr. Plymale were thanked for the years of service given to VCU. Mr.
Markel has served eight years on the Board and Mr. Plymale has served four years.
The University Budget Plan Update: 2003-04 was presented. On motion made
and seconded, the Finance, Investment and Property Committee recommended to the full
Board the approval of the University Budget Plan Update: 2003-04.
Mrs. Petera reported for the Academic and Health Affairs Policy Committee. The
Proposal to Establish VCU Life Sciences as an Academic Unit was presented. VCU Life
Sciences is in response to the need to prepare students for the anticipated growth in new
life sciences jobs in the coming decades. The skills identified for the job requires highly
interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary approaches, often falling between the boundaries of
traditional academic disciplines. The way that the life sciences are understood and taught
is likely to be fundamentally different, with increasing emphasis on systems biosciences
as an important complement to more traditional, purely reductive approaches. VCU is
responding to the need by taking advantage of VCU Life Sciences as an existing
university-wide matrix academic organization in teaching, research and public service to
make the program a formal academic unit similar to a University center with academic
programs. VCU Life Sciences would not have the ability to grant tenure but, as a matrix
academic organization, would work with existing tenure-granting units to recruit faculty
to accomplish the mission. The objective of Phase II of VCU's strategic plan, approved
2
by the VCU Board of Visitors in 1993, specifically outlines the need to bring VCU's
major academic and administrative divisions together to work on mutual initiatives that
will accomplish VCU's goal of national leadership. Certainly, the vision behind VCU
Life Sciences is a direct response to the objective. The Academic and Health Affairs
Policy Committee recommended to the full Board the approval of the proposal to
establish VCU Life Sciences as an Academic Unit.
The Proposal to Create a Ph.D. Degree in Integrative Life Sciences was presented.
The proposed degree program reflects key points in the University's Strategic Plan and
complements the goals and efforts of advancing life sciences research and education at
VCU. The program responds to the focus of life science research in the 21st Century,
training scientists with a foundation in systems biology for academic, private and
government positions both within Virginia and the nation. The program builds on already
strong programs in the life sciences, complementing other graduate programs by focusing
on and encouraging interdisciplinary training. The Academic and Health Affairs Policy
Committee recommended to the full Board the approval of the proposal to create a Ph.D.
Degree in Integrative Life Sciences.
The Proposal to Create a School of Government and Public Affairs within the
College of Humanities and Sciences was presented. The proposed school will create
synergies that promote the creative, interdisciplinary enhancement of teaching, research,
grant-writing, and entrepreneurial activities. The school seeks to establish itself as an
interdisciplinary unit that builds on the strengths of existing disciplines in the social
sciences and professional arenas to provide students with knowledge, skills, and
experience necessary for success, whether in career in public service or in advanced
3
study. The Academic and Health Affairs Policy Committee recommended to the full
Board the approval of the proposal to create a School of Government and Public Affairs
within the College of Humanities and Sciences.
The Proposal to Create a School of World Studies within the College of
Humanities and Sciences was presented. The proposal creates the School of World
Studies within the College of Humanities and Sciences and abolishes the Department of
Foreign Languages; the International Studies Program; the Anthropology Program in the
Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the Division of Religious Studies in the
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. The name of the Department of
Sociology and Anthropology would be changed to the Department of Sociology and the
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies would be changed to the Department of
Philosophy. The Academic and Health Affairs Policy Committee recommended to the
full Board the approval of the proposal to Create a School of World Studies within the
College of Humanities and Sciences.
The Proposal to Create a Master of Science Degree in Forensic Science was
presented. Currently there are only 13 M.S. in Forensic Science programs in the United
States with the closest located at George Washington University. With the strengths of
the current forensic undergraduate and graduate curricula, and the continuing
collaboration with the Division of Forensic Science, a stand alone M.S. in Forensic
Science degree is the natural progression for VCU. The Academic and Health Affairs
Policy Committee recommended to the full Board the approval of the proposal to Create
a Master of Science Degree in Forensic Science.
4
The Proposal to Create a B.S/M.S. Degree Program in Environmental Studies
was presented. The B.S. and M.S. Degree programs in environmental studies will create
stand-alone degrees for VCU and will enhance significantly the range of academic,
research, and training opportunities for students at both the undergraduate and graduate
levels. The Academic and Health Affairs Policy Committee recommended to the full
Board the approval of the proposal to create a B.S./M.S. Degree in Environmental
Studies.
A Proposal to Create a B.S./M.S. Degree Program in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
was presented. A five-year M.S. with a major in Clinical Laboratory Sciences is in
concert with VCU's Life Sciences initiative. The addition of a five-year program in an
health discipline would broaden the five-year B.S. - M.S. programs in
bioinformatics, biotechnology, forensic science, and environmental studies that are
currently under development or in approval processes. The Academic and Health Affairs
Policy Committee recommended to the full Board the approval of the proposal to create a
B.S./M.S. Degree Program in Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
The Proposal to Amend the Faculty Promotion and Tenure Policy and Procedures
was presented. The Academic and Health Affairs Policy Committee recommended to the
full Board the amendment to the Faculty Promotion and Tenure Policy and Procedures.
A Proposal to Amend the Intellectual Properties Policy was presented. The
Committee had an in-depth discussion on the proposed changes. The Academic and
Health Affairs Policy Committee recommended to the full Board the approval of the
proposal to amend the Intellectual Properties Policy.
The Policy Regarding a Non-Voting Faculty Representative to the Board of
Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University was presented. The Academic and
Health Affairs Policy Committee recommended to the full Board the approval of the
Policy Regarding a Non-Voting Faculty Representative to the Board of Visitors of
Virginia Commonwealth University.
The following items were presented for information:
Report on VCU Libraries
Briefing on Research
Virginia Legislation on Intellectual Property
Report on Assessment
Notification of Contract Award for Cage and Bottle Washer
Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Financial Statement
Summary Fiscal Year 2003 - Nine Months Ending March 31, 2003
The Provost presented the new Certificate Programs to the Committee for information.
Mr. Plymale reported for the External Relations Committee. The Federal, State,
Local and Community Relations Report, the Marketing and Media Relations Report and
the Advancement Division Reports were presented for information.
Mr. Markel reported for the Finance, Investment and Property Committee. The
2004-2010 Six-Year Infrastructure Plan was presented. The 2004-2010 Six-Year
Infrastructure Plan continues emphasis on maintenance, renovation and renewal, and
code compliance; and continues the initiative to construct and renovate research space
and to expand student support facilities, land acquisition, and site development. The
Finance, Investment and Property Committee recommended to the full Board the
approval of the 2004-2010 Six-Year Infrastructure Plan.
A Request for Proposals for Stationery Products Term Contract was presented.
Business Services is seeking approval to solicit a Request for Proposals (RFP) from
6
private contractors for stationery products, business cards, letterhead, envelopes,
appointment cards, note pads, note cards, and mailing labels. The anticipated annual
contract amount is $250,000. The Finance, Investment and Property Committee
recommended to the full Board the approval of the Request for Proposals for Stationery
Products Term Contract.
The Architect Engineer Selection for the Renovations to the West Hospital and
George Ben Johnston Auditorium was presented. The project consists of the complete
demolition and renovation of approximately 118,094 square feet of interior space from
the basement through sixth floors of West Hospital. The School of Nursing and some
programs of the School of Allied Health Professions will occupy the space. The project
also includes renovation of the George Ben Johnston Auditorium. The construction
budget is $11,000,000, with a project budget of $14,590,000. The Finance, Investment
and Property Committee recommended to the full Board the approval of Richter,
Cornbrooks, Gribble Architects as the architect engineer selection for the renovations to
West Hospital and George Ben Johnston Auditorium.
The Lease for 1435 West Main Street was presented. The lease is for
approximately 3,869 square feet of office space on the first and second floors at 1435
West Main Street. The basement is included at no additional charge, as well as non-
exclusive parking at the lot located on the northwest corner of West Main and North
Plum Streets. The additional office space is needed for the expansion of the Virginia
Institute for Social Services Training Activities (VISSTA) Project at the VCU School of
Social Work. All costs associated with the lease are federally funded. The Finance,
7
Investment and Property Committee recommended to the full Board the approval of the
lease at 1435 West Main Street.
The Lease at 1315 Floyd Avenue was presented. The lease is for approximately
4,991 usable square feet, including 15 parking spaces, at 1315 Floyd Avenue for VCU's
School of the Arts. VCU will lease the space from the owner for a 15-year initial term
with a three percent annual escalation. Year-to-year renewal options include no annual
escalation. The landlord will pay for properly maintaining, repairing, and replacing all
the structural portions of the premises. VCU will pay for all other necessary or required
maintenance, repairs, and replacements to the premises. VCU will also pay for utilities,
insurance, and real estate taxes. The Finance, Investment and Property Committee
recommended to the full Board the approval of the lease at 1315 Floyd Avenue.
The Lease for 601 West Broad Street was presented. The lease is for
approximately 33,000 square feet of land to accommodate approximately 104 vehicle
spaces and provide parking for students on the Academic Campus of VCU. The parking
lot is needed to replace the lot located at 700-702 West Broad Street, which is the site of
the new Broad and Belvidere Student Apartments. The owner has requested a five-year
lease beginning May 1, 2003. The Finance, Investment and Property Committee
recommended to the full Board the approval of the lease at 601 West Broad Street.
The Lease for 800 East Leigh Street - Biotech One was presented. The lease is
for 7,326 gross leasable square feet of space in Suites 390, 391, 392 and 206 at 800 East
Leigh Street in the Biotech One building of the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park for
Boehringer Ingelheim Chemicals, Inc. The Finance, Investment and Property
8
Committee recommended to the full Board the approval of the lease for 800 East Leigh
Street.
The Utility Easement for the Massey Cancer Project was presented. New electric
utility lines will be installed across the southeast corner of the Egyptian Building site at
1223 East Marshall Street. The lines will service the existing communications and
telephone cabinet on the Egyptian Building site and the existing manhole in College
Street. New electric utility lines also will be installed across the northeast corner of
Randolph Minor Annex at 301 College Street. The lines will terminate at a service pull
box in front of Randolph Minor Annex. Dominion Virginia Power will own the electrical
lines, which requires granting primary and secondary easements so that Dominion
Virginia Power has access to the underground utilities and the transformer for
maintenance and repair purposes. The Finance, Investment and Property Committee
recommended to the full Board the approval of the Utility Easement for the Massey
Cancer Project.
The following items were discussed for information:
University Quarterly Budget Performance Report: March 31, 2003
Annual Report: VCU Cash Management Operating Pool
Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Financial Statement
Summary Fiscal Year 2003 - Nine Months Ending March 31, 2003
Notification of Contract Awards:
a. Cary Street Field Replacement - Site Work Contract
b. Cary Street Field Replacement - Synthetic Turf System
c. Cary/Harrison Deck
d. Scott-Bocock House Life/Fire Safety
e. Sanger Hall Air Handlers 1, 2, 6
Capital Projects Status Report
9
Dr. Long reported for Student Affairs Committee. The following items were
presented for information: Student Involvement in Development, Enrollment Report and
the VCU InSight Television Program.
On motion made and seconded, the Board approved the following Consent
Agenda action items:
Board of Visitors
Minutes of a Meeting held February 13, 2003
Academic and Health Affairs Policy Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held February 12, 2003
Proposal to Establish VCU Life Sciences as an Academic Unit
Proposal to Create a Ph.D. Degree in Integrative Life Sciences
Proposal to Create a School of Government and Public Affairs within the
College of Humanities and Sciences
Proposal to Create A School of World Studies within the College of
Humanities and Sciences
Proposal to Create a Master of Science Degree in Forensic Science
Proposal to Create a B.S./M.S. Degree Program in Environmental Studies
Proposal to Create a B.S./M.S. Degree Program in Clinical Laboratory
Sciences
Proposal to Amend the Faculty Promotion and Tenure Policy and Procedures
Proposal to Amend the Intellectual Properties Policy
Policy Regarding Faculty Representative to the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University
Audit Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held February 12, 2003
Executive Committee Meeting
Minutes of a Meeting held April 24, 2003
External Relations Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held February 12, 2003
Finance, Investment and Property Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held February 12, 2003
2004-2010 Six-Year Infrastructure Plan
Request for Proposals: Stationery Products Term Contract
Architect Engineer Selection: West Hospital Renovations
Lease for 1435 West Main Street
Lease for 1315 Floyd Avenue
Lease for 601 West Broad Street
Lease for 800 East Leigh Street
Utility Easements for the Massey Cancer Center Project
Student Affairs Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held February 12, 2003
10
On motion made and seconded, the Board accepted the Consent Agenda
information items.
Mr. Markel reported for the Nominating Committee for Rector. The Committee
members are: Messrs. Markel (Chair), Axselle, Pyon and Mrs. Petera. The Committee
recommended that Dr. W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr., be re-elected Rector to the Board of
Visitors. On motion made and seconded, the Board approved the re-election of Dr. W.
Baxter Perkinson, Jr. as Rector to the Board effective July 1, 2003.
Dr. Perkinson appointed the following Board members to serve with the Rector
on the Nominating Committee for Officers and Executive Committee: Messrs. Markel
and Rigsby; Dr. Romano; and Ms. Riddick.
Dr. Perkinson appointed Mr. Thomas G. Rosenthal and Dr. Michele A. Romano
to serve on the Board of Directors of the VCU Health System Authority.
On motion made and seconded, the Board convened into closed session to discuss
certain personnel matters and matters relating to the appointment, promotion,
performance and salaries of identifiable employees and faculty of VCU, including the
Faculty Appointments and Changes in Status and other Personnel Actions, Promotion and
Tenure Recommendations, the VCU Clinical Faculty Salaries for the School of Medicine
for 2003-2004, the proposed Dental Faculty Practice Earnings Increase 2003-2004; and to
discuss the evaluation of performance of departments or schools of VCU where such
evaluations necessarily involve discussion of the performance of specific individuals,
including Audit Reports of individually identified departments and/or schools; and to
consult with legal counsel and receive briefings from staff members regarding certain
legal matters and actual or probable litigation relating to the aforementioned Audit
11
Reports, where such consultation or briefings in open session would adversely affect the
negotiating or litigating position of VCU; to discuss the acquisition or use of real
property for public purpose, or of the disposition of publicly held real property, where
discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or
negotiating strategy of VCU, including the acquisition of property on or adjacent to the
Academic Campus and the sale of properties on or adjacent to the VCU Medical Campus,
acquisition of property in the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park and a resolution
concerning the East Precinct; and to consult with legal counsel pertaining to actual and
probable litigation, and other specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice
or counsel, where such consultation or briefing in an open meeting would adversely
affect the negotiating or litigating posture of VCU, including the Report of the General
Counsel and a discussion of certain disciplinary matters and issues; to discuss matters
relating to gifts, bequests, and fund-raising activities, including consideration of the
Named Funds Report and Facility Naming Recommendations, and an update on the
development activities as authorized by Section 2.2-3711 A(l), A(3), A(7) and A(8) of
the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
Following closed 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 closed session meeting to which this
certification resolution applies, and (ii) only such public business matters as were
identified in the motion convening the closed session meeting were heard, discussed or
considered by the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University.
12
Roll Call Vote Ayes Nays
Dr. W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr., Rector X
Mr. Ralph L. "Bill" Axselle, Jr. X
Mr. David G. Baldacci Absent
Dr. Edward H. Bersoff X
Dr. Stephen P. Long X
Mr. Steven A. Markel X
Ms. Laura R. McMichael Absent
Mrs. Anne P. Petera X
Mr. Monty W. Plymale X
Mr. Harold Y. Pyon X
Ms. E. Janet Riddick X
Mr. Robert E. Rigsby X
Dr. Michele A. Romano X
Mr. Thomas G. Rosenthal X
Mr. G. Bryan Slater Absent
Mr. Philip Thompson, Sr. X
Vote:
Ayes: 13
Nays: 0
ABSENT DURING MEETING: 3
ABSENT DURING VOTING: 3
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
as amended; approved the Named Funds Report and Facility Naming Recommendations
as amended; approved the Promotion and Tenure Recommendations; approved the VCU
Clinical Faculty Salaries for the School of Medicine 2003-2004; approved the proposed
Dental Faculty Practice Earnings Increase 2003-2004; concurred with the acquisition of
Property on or Adjacent to the Academic Campus; approved the acquisition of Property
in the Virginia Bio-Technology Research Park; approved the Sale of Properties on or
Adjacent to the VCU Medical Center Campus; approved the below Resolution for the
13
East Precinct; accepted closed session committee reports; and accepted the Report of the
e
General Counsel.
RESOLUTION
Be it resolved by the Board of Visitors, Virginia Commonwealth University, that the
University Administration is encouraged to engage in discussions with the Virginia
Commonwealth University School of Engineering Foundation, the Virginia
Commonwealth University Foundation, and the Virginia Commonwealth University Real
Estate Foundation, for the purpose of developing a vision and long range plan for the
development of properties adjacent to the Academic Campus.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.
14
