A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE
BOARD OF VISITORS OF
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
June 26, 2007
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Visitors of Virginia
Commonwealth University was held on Tuesday, June 26, 2007, at 2 p.m. in the
Richmond Salons 1 and 2 located in the University Student Commons at 907 Floyd
Avenue. The full Board was invited to attend.
Present were Drs. Bersoff (Rector) and Romano; Messrs. Axselle, Rosenthal and
Sherman; and Mrs. Rhodes. Mrs. Lambert was absent. Other Board members present
were Dr. Broaddus and Mr. Snead. Also present were Drs. Trani, Gottfredson, Macrina,
Retchin, Rhone and Rodriguez; Messrs. Bennett, Gehring, Ohlinger, Ross and Wyeth;
and Mesdames Balmer, Lepley and Messmer.
The meeting was called to order. The Rector advised that the Executive
Committee of the Board of Visitors would deviate from the normal practice by allowing a
public comment session on the matter of the proposed amendment to VCU's Master Site
Plan following the presentation of the proposed amendment. He stated that the Executive
Committee would allow a maximum of thirty minutes for public comment, with fifteen
minutes for those who wish to speak in support of the proposed amendment, and fifteen
minutes for those who wish to speak in opposition to the proposed amendment. The
Rector advised that the Committee would utilize the following procedures:
The Rector asked that those who wish to speak in support of or in opposition to the
amendment organize speakers to maximize the benefit of the time on the respective
positions regarding the issue. He stated that it would be helpful if those in support and
those in opposition would identify a coordinator to organize the speakers for the
respective positions.
If the speakers choose not to organize, the Rector advised that the Committee will need to
limit each speaker to three minutes. Karen Balmer, Assistant to the Board of Visitors,
would then be mindful of the time for each speaker. The Rector emphasized that this is
not a debate, but rather, an opportunity for the Board members to hear the speakers'
thoughts.
The Proposed Amendment to the Master Site Plan and the Proposed Project Plans
for the Cary Street Recreation Center were presented. It was proposed that the 2004
VCU 2020 Master Site Plan should be amended to reflect the adjustment of the Plan's
border based on land acquisition, and to include refinement of the Cary Street Recreation
Center plans. In order to reflect the acquisition of 911 Green Alley and eliminate any
potential uncertainty concerning compliance with the Appropriation Act, the amendment
to the 2004 VCU 2020 Master Site Plan is needed to redraw the boundary in the vicinity
of the Cary Street Gymnasium to include the 911 Green Alley property. The approval of
the amendment to the 2004 VCU 2020 Master Site Plan will enable development of
additional space needed to serve the recreational needs of the increasing University
population.
The Executive Committee adjourned for a brief break so that those wishing to
speak could organize. Following the break, individuals speaking in opposition of the
amendment were Todd Woodson, Napi Ippolito, David Herring, James (Tuck) Sties,
Jennifer Hancock and Kelly Lane. Individuals speaking in favor of the amendment were
Henry Rhone, Jessica Lee, Darrell Cason, TK Somanath, Dan Massey and Reuban
Rodriguez.
After discussion and on motion made and seconded, the Executive Committee
approved, by roll call vote, VCU's Proposed Amendment to the Master Site Plan.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:20 p.m.
2
,x2 Thomas G. Rosenthal, Rector
Anne J. G. Rhodes, Secretary
