MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF VISITORS OF
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
November 11, 2004
A regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University
was held on Thursday, November 11, 2004, at 9 a.m. in Richmond Salons 1 and 2 located
in the University Student Commons at 907 Floyd Avenue.
Present were Drs. Bersoff (Rector), Broaddus, Doswell, Romano and Shapiro;
Messrs. Axselle, Jackson, Rosenthal, Sherman, Slater, Snead and Thompson; and Mrs.
Rhodes. Messrs. Baldacci and Robertson and Ms. Riddick were absent. Also present
were Drs. Trani, Andrews, Brodd, Gottfredson, Huff, Lewis, Retchin, Rhone, Self, and
Torr; Messrs. Bunce, Gehring, Messplay, Ohlinger, Ross, Timmreck, Webb and Wyeth;
and Mesdames Atkinson, Balmer, Lepley and Messmer.
Dr. Bersoff called the meeting to order and welcomed members of the press. The
Report of the President was presented:
Michael Webb, alternate student representative to the Board, was introduced. Mr. Webb
is a student in VCU's School of Dentistry, serves as treasurer of the School's Student
Government Council and is a contributing staff writer and layout designer for the
School's newsletter. Michael serves as Treasurer and a member of the SGA Executive
Committee on the MCV Campus. Michael received an undergraduate degree from the
University of Virginia and was an Echols and Rodman Scholar.
For the Fall 2004 semester, VCU received 13,459 undergraduate applications, an increase
of 5 percent over 2003. Freshman applications increased 4 percent and the acceptance
rate was 74 percent, down from 82 percent in 1996. The Fall 2004 freshman class size
was 3,364, the largest freshman class in VCU's history and the sixth year in a row the
freshman class has increased in size. The number of new undergraduate transfer students
increased from 1,589 in 2003 to 1,834 in 2004. The average SAT score of incoming
freshmen was one point lower than the average SAT score of the freshmen enrolled in
2003 (1065 vs. 1066) while the average high school GPA increased from 3.18 to 3.21.
The incoming freshman class includes 1,245 minority students or 37 percent of the total
incoming class. VCU had a total headcount enrollment of 26,770. Enrollment at the
graduate level increased from 4,593 students in 2003 to 4,694 in 2004.
A powerpoint presentation on Charter Universities was presented for information. The
Master Site Plan 2020 booklet was distributed to the Board. The Plan was approved by
the Board at the August 2004 Board of Visitors Meeting.
Dr. Nancy Langston, Dean of VCU's School of Nursing, presented a powerpoint
presentation for information. The presentation included the plans for the new School of
Nursing and the VCU School of Nursing "Campaign for Solutions". Dr. Percy Wootton,
chair of the VCU School of Nursing Advancement Council, and James C. Roberts,
Campaign co-chair, were introduced.
Dr. Bersoff recommended the Board plan a retreat to coincide with the April 15 meeting
of the Executive Committee. The Rector stated that a two-day Retreat on April 15 and 16
is being considered. The retreat will be at a location away from the University and the
Board will discuss future plans for the Board, as well as considering the budget. Final
plans will be announced as soon as details are arranged.
Mr. Rosenthal reported for the Academic and Health Affairs Policy Committee.
The Committee met with members of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee. The
faculty emphasized the opportunity afforded by the development of a new strategic plan
to create a climate at VCU conducive to recruitment and retention of faculty.
The Proposal for Initiation of a Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
was presented. The proposed Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (t-DPT) program
is intended for practicing physical therapy clinicians that have B.S. or M.S. degrees in
physical therapy and offers a didactic augmentation of clinicians' professional education
to meet current and future expectations for physical therapy practice. Upon successful
completion of the 15-21 credit program of study, graduates will have knowledge, skills,
and behaviors at a level consistent with the current professional (entry-level) DPT
standards and will be awarded the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The t-DPT
program will provide practicing therapists with a mechanism to attain degree parity with
more recently prepared therapists that hold the professional DPT by addressing the key
differences between the professional baccalaureate or master's degree PT education and
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the current professional DPT degree education. The Academic and Health Affairs Policy
Committee recommended to the full Board the approval of the Proposal for Initiation of a
Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.
The Proposal to Amend the Faculty Promotion and Tenure Policy and Procedures,
Section 3.3. was presented. The amendment suggests the deletion of the following
sentence: A collateral faculty member is eligible to apply for a tenured or probationary
(tenure-eligible) appointment upon termination of an existing collateral appointment.
The Academic and Health Affairs Policy Committee recommended to the full Board the
approval of the proposal to amend the Faculty Promotion and Tenure Policy and
Procedures, Section 3.3.
The following items were presented for information: a report on the School of
Education; an update on Strategic Planning; and the Virginia Commonwealth University
Health System Financial Statement Summary Fiscal Year 2005 - Three Months Ending
September 30, 2004.
Dr. Doswell reported for the Audit Committee. The proposed 2005 Audit
Workplan was presented. The Audit Committee recommended to the full Board the
approval of the proposed 2005 Audit Workplan. The proposed Departmental name
change was presented for information. Audit and Management Services has changed the
name of the department to the Department of Assurance Services.
Dr. Doswell reported for the External Relations Committee. The following items
were presented for information: The Government Relations and Health Policy Report,
the Marketing and Media Relations Report and the Advancement Division Reports.
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Mr. Slater reported for the Finance, Investment and Property Committee. The
Allocation of Remaining Base Adequacy Funds for 2004-05 was presented. Combined
with tuition and other internal resources, VCU had approximately $17.9 million of
additional resources for 2004-05 to address priorities and commitments. All but $1.8
million was allocated as of the August 12, 2004, Board of Visitors meeting. Allocations
for the remaining $1.8 million follows:
• $840,950 for start-up costs for new faculty and enrollment-driven instructional
needs for the Monroe Park Campus Schools,
• $600,000 to fund the recruitment of department chairs and faculty for the new
School of Public Health,
• $88,050 to fund tuitions and stipend support for Ph.D. student enrollment growth
in the basic health science departments in the School of Medicine, and
• $239,000 for four positions to support end-user needs and training related to
desktop applications and centralized department servers. The services are
provided by Administrative Information Technology.
The Finance, Investment and Property Committee recommended to the full Board the
approval of the remaining $1.8 million of the 2004-05 base adequacy funding allocation.
The Lease for 1604 Santa Rosa Road was presented. The lease is for 8,125
square feet of office and training space to be used for Virginia Commonwealth
University's Virginia Institute of Social Services Training Activities (VISSTA). The
proposed lease term is for December 1, 2004, to February 28, 2010, with year-to-year
renewal options based on a three percent escalation per year. The proposed rental rate
ranges from $121,875 to $137,171 during the initial term of the lease. The lease is a full
service lease. The Finance, Investment and Property Committee recommended to the full
Board the approval of the lease at 1604 Santa Road.
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The revised lease for 1400 Oliver Hill Parkway was presented. The lease is for
2.38 acres of land to be used for the purpose of constructing a social services facility.
The original lease was approved at the August 12, 2004, meeting of the Board of Visitors.
The revised recommendation states: "At the end of the lease term, Lessee shall be
required, at the Lessee's sole cost, to demolish the improvements placed upon the site and
restore the site to the condition upon inception of the lease." The Finance, Investment
and Property Committee recommended to the full Board the approval of the revised lease
for 1400 Oliver Hill Parkway.
The following reports were presented for information: the University Quarterly
Budget Performance Report: September 30, 2004; the Virginia Commonwealth
University Health System Financial Statement Summary Fiscal Year 2005 - Three
Months Ending September 30, 2004; Foundation Annual Reports for the VCU
Foundation, VCU Real Estate Foundation and the VCU School of Engineering
Foundation; the Annual Report on VCU Cash Management Operating Pool; a Business
Services Overview; the Engineer Selection for Sanger Hall Emergency Power
Distribution; Project Plans for Sanger AT Renovation and 701 West Broad Street;
Notification of Contract Award for Performance Contracting - Energy Conservation; and
the Capital Project Status Report.
Mr. Thompson reported for the Student Affairs Committee. The Committee met
with a group of student leaders. Discussion covered: concerns over transportation and
unsafe vans to and from games; the students asked the administration to consider having
two official representatives to the Board of Visitors (one from the MCV Campus and one
from the Monroe Park Campus, preferably the presidents of the two student government
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associations). The students appreciated the opportunity to share concerns and
experiences with the Board and administration. The following items were presented for
information: The final report on Fall Enrollment; a report on Retention; a report on
Recreational Sports; and a report of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Enrollment
Services.
On motion made and seconded, the following Consent Agenda Action Items were
approved:
Board of Visitors
Minutes of a Meeting held August 12, 2004
Academic and Health Affairs Policy Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held August 11, 2004
Proposal for Initiation of a Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Proposal to Amend the Faculty Promotion and Tenure Policy and Procedures
Audit Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held August 12, 2004
Proposed 2005 Audit Workplan
External Relations
Minutes of a Meeting held August 11, 2004
Finance, Investment and Property Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held August 11, 2004
Allocation of Remaining Base Adequacy Funds for 2004-05
Lease for 1604 Santa Rosa Road
Lease for 1400 Oliver Hill Parkway - Revision
Student Affairs Committee
Minutes of a Meeting held August 11, 2004
On motion made and seconded, the Board accepted the Consent Agenda
Information Items.
On motion made and seconded, the Board convened into closed session to discuss
certain personnel matters and matters relating to the performance of identifiable
employees and faculty of VCU and to discuss the performance of departments or schools
of VCU where such matters regarding such individuals might be affected by such
evaluations, including issues related to the President in his official capacity and to discuss
s
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the evaluation of his performance, and including the Faculty Appointments and Changes
in Status and other Personnel Actions, Executive Salaries and Continuing Faculty
Salaries; to discuss the acquisition 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
Monroe Park 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 matters relating to gifts,
bequests, and fundraising activities and grants and contracts for services or work to be
performed by such institution, including the approval of the Named Funds Report and
Facility Naming Recommendations, and an update on the development activities, and to
discuss matters relating to honorary degrees and special awards, including the Report of
the Special Awards Committee as authorized by Section 2.2-3711 A(1), A(3), A(6), A(7),
A(8) and A(10) 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.
Roll Call Vote Ayes Nays
Dr. Edward H. Bersoff, Rector X
Mr. Ralph L. "Bill" Axselle, Jr. X
Mr. David G. Baldacci Absent
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Roll Call Vote Ayes Nays
Dr. J. Alfred Broaddus, Jr. X
Dr. John C. Doswell II X
Mr. Brian K. Jackson X
Mrs. Anne J. G. "Panny" Rhodes X
Ms. E. Janet Riddick Absent
Mr. Richard T. Robertson Absent
Dr. Michele A. Romano X
Mr. Thomas G. Rosenthal X
Dr. Carol S. Shapiro X
Mr. John Sherman, Jr. X
Mr. G. Bryan Slater X
Mr. Thomas G. Snead, Jr. X
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 Recommendations of the Special Awards Committee; approved the Faculty
Appointments and Changes in Status and other Personnel Actions; approved the
Executive Salaries; approved the Continuing Faculty Salaries; approved the Named
Funds Report and Facility Naming Recommendations and a Resolution concerning the
Establishment of a School of Business Foundation; approved the Acquisition of Property
Adjacent to the Monroe Park Campus; concurred with the Acquisition of Property on or
adjacent to the Monroe Park Campus by the VCU Real Estate Foundation; accepted
Closed Session Committee Reports; accepted the Report of the General Counsel; and
accepted the Report of the Presidential Evaluation Committee.
The meeting was adjourned at 1 p.m.
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Edward H. Bersoff; R orMichele A. Romano, Secretar
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