April 27, 2009
A meeting of the University Council was held on Thursday, April 27, 2009, at 3 p.m. in the Student Commons Theater, located at 907 Floyd Avenue.
The following members and alternates were present:
Officers: Dr. Eugene P. Trani, Chair; Ms. Elaine S. Abernethy, Recording Secretary; and Mr. David L. Ross, Parliamentarian
Administration: Dr. Beverly J. Warren, Dr. F. Douglas Boudinot, 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, Mr. John Ulmschneider, and Mr. Peter L. Wyeth.
Faculty: Dr. Amy J. Armstrong, Dr. Christian Von Howard, Dr. D. Robley Wood, Dr. Ashok Iyer, Dr. David Primeaux, Dr. Linda A. Corey, Mr. Daniel L. Ream, Dr. Helen Ruth Aspaas, Ms. Charlotte C. Morse, Dr. Glenda U. Palmer, Dr. Inez Tuck, and Ms. Denise Branch.
Classified staff: Ms. Tammy L. Berwanger, and Ms. Ebony S. Brown.
Students: Ms. Leah A. Fremouw, and Mr. Jonathan G. Ward.
Guests: Ms. Rhonda Bishop, Dr. Thomas Huff, Ms. Pamela D. Lepley, Dr. Napoleon Peoples, Dr. Reuban Rodriguez, Dr. Jerome Strauss, and Ms. Delores Taylor.
Dr. Trani welcomed Council members. The minutes of the April 2, 2009, University Council meeting were approved.
The Proposal to Create Four Divisions in the Department of Emergency Medicine (EM), School of Medicine was presented. Dr. Strauss discussed highlights of the proposal and responded to questions. On motion made and seconded, the Proposal to Create Four Divisions in the Department of Emergency Medicine (EM), School of Medicine was approved and will be forwarded to the VCU Board of Visitors for review and approval.
The VCU Identity Theft Prevention Program (FTC Red Flag Rules) was presented. Mesdames Taylor and Bishop discussed highlights of the program, noting it is for information only.
An Admissions Report was presented. Dr. Trani discussed enrollment statistics. Ms. Taylor discussed the increase in Fairfax County acceptances from this time last year and noted there are 980 students on the waiting list. Dr. Boudinot noted the increase in masters and doctoral applications and acceptances from this time last year. A general discussion followed with Drs. Trani and Boudinot and Ms. Taylor responding to questions.
The Proposed 2009-10 University Council meeting schedule was presented.
The Report of the President was presented. Dr. Trani informed Council members that he will be travelling to Qatar to attend their eighth VCU-Qatar Commencement. He discussed the 5-5.5% tuition increase recommendation being presented to the VCU Board of Visitors at their May 15, 2009, meeting, noting that VCU has the lowest increase of all doctoral schools. A general discussion followed with Dr. Trani responding to questions.
A Research Update was presented. Dr. Macrina announced that we are approaching the first major deadline for NIH grants, with 190-200 applications going out, which is a major compliment to our students. A general discussion followed with Dr. Macrina responding to questions.
An Advancement Update was presented. Mr. Wyeth announced that VCU is two years into the next campaign, noting $87 million was raised the first year and $41 million has been raised this year thus far, with a focus on support for students (i.e. fellowships and scholarships). A general discussion followed with Mr. Wyeth responding to questions.
A VCU Health System Update was presented. Dr. Retchin discussed the recent grand opening of the molecular engineering building. He also discussed various chair searches and responded to questions.
Mr. Gehring discussed health care reform and the upcoming elections. A general discussion followed.
Ms. Messmer discussed the redesigned VCU homepage and the May 15, 2009, reception in honor of retiring President Eugene Trani.
Mr. Ream discussed the review by faculty senate of the plus/minus grading proposal and the SGA add/drop proposal. He also discussed results of the recent faculty senate elections, to include: President – Dr. Linda Corey; Vice President – Dr. Micah McCreary; and Recording Secretary – Dr. Elizabeth Canfield.
Ms. Berwanger discussed the upcoming staff senate election, recent Safety Fair and Walk-a-thon, noting a leadership conference is scheduled for April 28, 2009.
A Revised Monroe Park Campus SGA Constitution was presented. It was noted that the University Council Student Affairs Committee met 30 minutes prior to this meeting to discuss the revised constitution. Dr. Trani noted that it is unprecedented to bring a document forward without adequate time for review. Dr. Rhone expressed his views on the revisions, and Dr. Rodriguez discussed the background and how this issue came to University Council. Dr. Trani stated that he was intensely uncomfortable with bringing forth the issue in this manner because it is not fair to the university administration, faculty and staff and especially Dr. Rao. A general discussion followed with Drs. Rhone and Rodriguez responding to questions. It was decided that the revised Monroe Park Campus SGA Constitution will be brought back to the September 3, 2009, meeting for further discussion after a full opportunity for review.
Dr. Trani was asked to drop by the SGA meeting immediately following University Council to accept a resolution in his honor.
Dr. Rhone led a round of applause in honor of retiring President Eugene Trani.
The meeting adjourned at 4:08 p.m.
