October 8, 2009
A meeting of the University Council was held on Thursday, October 8, 2009, at 3 p.m. in the Founders Room of the Siegel Center, located at 1200 West Broad Street.
The following members and alternates were present:
Officers: Dr. Michael Rao, Chair; Dr. Stephen D. Gottfredson, Vice Chair; Ms. Elaine S. Abernethy, Recording Secretary; and Mr. David L. Ross, Parliamentarian.
Administration: Dr. Timothy Hulsey, Dr. David Urban, Dr. Victor Yanchick, Dr. F. Douglas Boudinot, Mr. John M. Bennett, Dr. Laura J. Moriarty, Mr. Donald C. J. Gehring, Dr. Francis L. Macrina, Ms. Sue A. Messmer, Dr. Sheldon M. Retchin, Dr. Henry G. Rhone, Mr. Mark D. Willis, and Mr. John Ulmschneider.
Faculty: Dr. Amy J. Armstrong, Dr. Dianne F. Simons, Dr. Ruth M. Boldan, Dr. George E. Hoffer, Dr. Philip R. Olds, Dr. John Gunsolley, Dr. Joan Pellegrini, Dr. Brent Arnold, Dr. Krzyztof Cios, Dr. Frank Gupton, Dr. Linda A. Corey, Dr. Micah McCreary, Dr. Marilyn Miller, Dr. Helen Ruth Aspaas, Dr. Inez Tuck, Dr. David Holdford, Dr. Yan Zhang, Dr. Melissa Abell, Dr. David Fauri, and Ms. Teresa Doherty.
Classified staff: Mr. Jose G. Alcaine, Ms. Beverly Beaver, Ms. Melanie Boynton, Ms. Lori Floyd-Miller, Ms. Linda Johnston, Ms. Charleyne Kelley, and Ms. Pam Mason.
Students: Mr. Roberto Celis, Ms. Leah A. Fremouw, and Ms. Jennifer Barber.
Guests: Ms. Carmen Bell, Dr. Jan Chlebowski, Ms. Dina El-Mahdy, Mr. Clodomir A. Jean-Louis, Dr. Charles Klink, Ms. Pamela D. Lepley, Dr. Napoleon Peoples, Dr. Reuban Rodriguez, and Ms. Delores Taylor.
Dr. Rao welcomed Council members. The minutes of the September 3, 2009, University Council meeting were approved.
The Monroe Park Campus SGA Constitution was presented. Dr. Rhone discussed the background of the revisions to the constitution. Dr. Rodriguez introduced Mr. Gabriel Walker, Monroe Park Campus SGA President. Mr. Walker discussed the opinion polls posted on VCU portal. The revised constitution failed to pass the first time due to a computer glitch whereby students were limited in voting access. After a second vote, the revised constitution was passed in spring 2009 with a 74% vote. A general discussion followed. A motion was made and seconded to table the issue to allow additional time for students to review and be made fully aware of the document. The motion passed with a majority vote with four abstentions. Dr. Rodriguez noted that the process does not allow for a revote.
Dr. Gottfredson informed Council members that the proposals listed below were all reviewed and approved by the University Council Academic Affairs Committee.
A Proposal to Change the Name of the Department of Public Health Management and Policy to the Department of Healthcare Policy and Research was presented. Drs. Retchin and Chlebowski discussed the background and highlights of the proposal and responded to questions. On motion made and seconded, the Proposal to Change the Name of the Department of Public Health Management and Policy to the Department of Healthcare Policy and Research was approved and will be forwarded to the VCU Board of Visitors for review and approval.
A Proposal to Change the Names of the Department of Pharmacy to the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science and the Division of Pharmacy Administration to the Division of Pharmacoeconomics and Health Outcomes was presented. Drs. Retchin and Yanchick discussed the background and highlights of the proposal and responded to questions. On motion made and seconded, the Proposal to Change the Names of the Department of Pharmacy to the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science and the Division of Pharmacy Administration to the Division of Pharmacoeconomics and Health Outcomes was approved and will be forwarded to the VCU Board of Visitors for review and approval.
A Proposal to Change the Identification of the Pre-Professional (Graduate) Certificate Program to the Pre-Medical Health Sciences (Graduate) Certificate Program was presented. Drs. Retchin and Chlebowski discussed the background and highlights of the proposal and responded to questions. On motion made and seconded, the Proposal to Change the Identification of the Pre-Professional (Graduate) Certificate Program to the Pre-Medical Health Sciences (Graduate) Certificate Program was approved and will be forwarded to the VCU Board of Visitors for review and approval.
The Intent to Discontinue an Academic Degree Program: Ph.D. in Pathology, School of Medicine was presented. Drs. Retchin and Chlebowski discussed highlights and responded to questions. On motion made and seconded, the Intent to Discontinue an Academic Degree Program: Ph.D. in Pathology, School of Medicine was approved and will be forwarded to the VCU Board of Visitors for review and approval.
The Proposal to Discontinue the Pre-Baccalaureate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing was presented. Drs. Retchin and Langston discussed the background and highlights of the proposal and responded to questions. On motion made and seconded, the Proposal to Discontinue the Pre-Baccalaureate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing was approved and will be forwarded to the VCU Board of Visitors for review and approval.
The Degree Revocation Policy was presented. Dr. Gottfredson discussed the background of the policy and the process involved. He noted that Council members were voting on the procedure on how to implement the degree revocation policy. He also noted that this item was unanimously endorsed by the University Council Academic Affairs Committee.
Dr. Gottfredson read an email sent by Dr. Corey on behalf of the faculty senate regarding their concerns with the policy. A general discussion followed. Dr. Gottfredson noted that the policy was presented as a courtesy to the faculty senate for their information. While their input is appreciated, Faculty Senate is not part of the governing body, and this issue can move forward without their approval. He also stated that VCU will strive harder in the future to make various constituencies aware of such issues on a timelier basis. A general discussion followed with Dr. Gottfredson and Mr. Ross responding to questions. A motion was made and approved to accept the Degree Revocation Policy Procedure, with two abstentions.
The Report of the President was presented. Dr. Rao discussed the Governor’s budget reduction announced on September 8, 2009. A general discussion followed with Dr. Rao responding to questions.
The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
