Spring Update - March 2015

News
 

Wilson Hall cupola after a snow

Dear Madison Community,

As we start Spring Break on campus after some challenging winter weather, I want to take a few moments to share news and achievements from a very busy semester to date.  It is rewarding to be able to share some good news regarding compensation, and as always, I am proud to pass along JMU recognitions and progress on our strategic plan

Campus Safety

Thanks to everyone who has kept our campus safe during a challenging winter. The staff members in Facilities Management, Dining Services, and Public Safety work tirelessly on snow days. We appreciate their dedication to keeping sidewalks and parking lots safe, and everyone on campus well fed.

General Assembly and Budget/Compensation Update

The 2015 General Assembly concluded at the end of February.  Among other things, actions that would have a direct impact on JMU and other institutions of higher education include the budget (including compensation), and several bills on sexual assault (see section below on Title IX and sexual assault).  Legislation now goes to the Governor for review.

I am very pleased that salary increases for state employees were a top priority during the session and that the positive revenue outlook allowed for increased investments in higher education.

Employee Compensation

If state revenue estimates for Fiscal Year 2015 are met or exceeded, the Commonwealth’s budget includes a 2 percent salary increase for classified staff effective August 10, 2015.  In addition, classified staff members who have been continuously employed by the state for 5 years or more will receive an additional $65 per year of service up to a maximum of 30 years.

A 2 percent salary increase for instructional and Administrative and Professional (A&P) faculty effective August 10, 2015 (the full-year salary increase will be effective August 25 for 10-month faculty) is also currently included in the state budget.  Note that any salary increases would be covered with the usual fund split — i.e., the University would provide 53% of the cost, while the state covers the remaining 47%.  If possible within their own budgets, institutions would also be given flexibility to provide an additional 2.5% average increase for instructional faculty from institutional reallocations as a part of the 2015-2016 budget process.  No such decisions would be made until completion of the 2015-16 budget process. 

Institutional Operations, Financial Aid and Capital Outlay

  • $1,740,552 in general funds for university operating support will address restoration of budget cuts and in-state undergraduate enrollment growth.
  • Additional general funds for financial aid in the amount of $100,000 will support undergraduate programs for low and middle income Virginia students.
  • Estimated construction funding of $24,500,000 for Madison Hall (the former Cancer Center on Grace Street) will continue the university’s progress for completion of the planned renovation of that facility.
  • Capital equipment funding of $8,073,000 for the new Health Sciences building will support the programmatic needs of the facility.
  • $2,800,000 in general funds will support the acquisition of the Resource Recovery Facility.

April Bonus for Eligible Full-time Classified, Wage, and A&P Faculty

As previously communicated to affected employees, due to a variety of factors including effective budget management, operational efficiencies, strong enrollment and retention, as well as the prioritization of employee compensation, JMU will be providing a 3.5% bonus to all eligible full-time classified, wage and A&P faculty employees.  The bonus will be reflected in pay advice dated April 16, 2015.  This bonus is another reflection of JMU’s continued commitment to improving compensation for its employees and thanks for a job well done.  There is additional information as well as eligibility requirements which can be found at the Bonus FAQ site located here:

http://www.jmu.edu/humanresources/_files/april15-bonus-faqs.pdf

Efficiencies Consultants to Assist JMU

As we review the impact that legislative actions in the General Assembly may have on our work, it is important to note that we are constantly looking for ways to be more effective and efficient in all of our operations.  Increased efficiencies in our administrative processes allow us to invest even more in our highest priorities.

James Madison University has expanded while simultaneously improving the quality of education for its students.  To ensure that JMU is supporting these efforts as efficiently as possible, JMU has implemented a University-wide efficiency review by an independent third party, Censeo Consulting Group.  All administrative functions will be included in the efficiency review.

During the efficiency review, Censeo will assess JMU’s internal processes and operations through stakeholder interviews, data analysis and benchmarking against peer schools.  The objectives are to document areas where JMU is performing at or above expectations, and to identify any opportunities to improve administrative efficiency and effectiveness.

Title IX and Sexual Assault

The General Assembly passed several bills regarding sexual assault.  The JMU Title IX Task Force is currently reviewing all of these bills to determine future action, pending action by the Governor.  Links to each bill can be found below.

There have been no new developments in the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights’ (“OCR”) Title IX investigation.  Complaints have now been filed against 100+ institutions nationwide.  The complainant recently filed a civil lawsuit against the University, involving the same allegations.  While the University does not discuss the details of pending litigation, it has released a brief statement in response to the lawsuit  (see the JMU statement).

Madison Vision Series

Michael Signer, MVS speaker in February 2015

Dr. Michael Signer delivered a superb lecture to a full house last month, sharing his thoughts on a young James Madison as outlined in his new book, Becoming Madison: The Extraordinary Origins of the Least Likely Founding Father. The spring 2015 lecture series continues with two more speakers scheduled to visit JMU.

On March 25 we welcome Dr. Riane Eisler, President of the Center for Partnership Studies and internationally known as a systems scientist, attorney working for the human rights of women and children, and author of groundbreaking books such as The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Futurehttp://www.jmu.edu/events/president/2015/03/MVS_Eisler.shtml

Lawrence Lessig, Professor at Harvard Law School and Director of the Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard—a renowned expert on cyberspace and intellectual property—will join us on April 13.  http://www.jmu.edu/events/president/2015/04/MVS-Lessig.shtml

2015 May Commencement News

Lindsay Czarniak ('00)James Madison University alumna Lindsay Czarniak ('00) will speak to the class of 2015 and their guests at the University’s May undergraduate commencement ceremony. Czarniak, who graduated from JMU in 2000 with a major in journalism and a minor in studio art, currently works for ESPN as co-anchor with John Anderson of the 6 p.m. ET SportsCenter.

JMU will hold its inaugural Grad Fair—intended to Take the HASSLE out of the TASSLE— at which graduating students can get help with renting caps and gowns,  confirm name pronunciations, get professional head shot photographs, and take advantage of a variety of other related services.

Check the commencement website for up-to-date schedules and ceremony locations.

Strategic Planning Update
(Engaged University Council News)

Our vision is "to be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.”  In support of that important ambition, the Engaged University Council and its three committees have been formed, one for each of JMU's primary pillars of engagement (engaged learning, civic engagement, and community engagement).  Committee members are at work right now in support of our bold vision and, ultimately, the successful execution of The Madison Plan. 

While the Plan’s mission, vision, core qualities and goals are important as ideals for JMU’s future, what’s critical now is action directed at building momentum.  And that’s exactly what’s happening.  With over 800 objectives and accompanying action items documented in our new JMU-STAR Planning Tool, the first steps toward 2020 have already been taken.  In addition, we have established 40 key performance measures being monitored by a task force of leaders designated by our divisional vice presidents.  As we execute the plan, we will collect data and use these measures not only to track progress, but to adapt the plan so that it is always fine-tuned in pursuit of our mission. 

The talented teams in Institutional Research and the Center for Assessment and Research Studies will support our processes to manage performance measures, analytics, metrics, and reporting.

http://www.jmu.edu/jmuplans/jmu-strategic-plan/index.shtml

Athletics Updates

JMU's Ron CurryMen’s basketball (19-12, 12-6 CAA) earned a share of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) regular-season title with its recent win over Hofstra.  This marks the first time since the 1999-2000 season that the Dukes finished the regular season in at least a tie for first place, and the seventh time that JMU has shared or won outright the regular season conference title.  Several Dukes won all-conference honors:  Junior point guard Ron Curry was named to the All-CAA Second Team, sophomore forward Yohanny Dalembert was named to the All-CAA Third Team and the All-Defensive Team, and sophomore forward Dimitrije Cabarkapa was named to the CAA All-Academic Team.  Madison will open the CAA Men’s Basketball Championship in Baltimore, Maryland as the No. 4 seed with a rematch on Saturday against Hofstra at 2:30 p.m.

JMU's Angela MickensWomen’s basketball (26-3, 17-1 CAA) captured the regular season CAA title for the second consecutive year, the sixth straight season the squad has won at least 25 games.  The Dukes have continued to earn national recognition with their play.  JMU has been receiving votes in the two major polls for a majority of the year, including reaching the top 25 in both polls during the season.  Junior guard Precious Hall has been on the Naismith Watch List for the nation’s top player, while junior guard Angela Mickens is on the list of the final 15 candidates for the Nancy Lieberman Award, presented to the nation’s top point guard.  Madison will look to defend its CAA Tournament title in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, playing in the quarterfinals as the No. 1 seed on Friday, March 13 at 12 p.m.

Taryn McLaughlin, JMU women's swimming and divingThe women’s swimming & diving team finished as the runner-up at the 2015 CAA Championships this past weekend.  Sophomore Taryn McLaughlin won both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving and was named the CAA Diver of the Year, while Becky Benson picked up her sixth straight CAA Diving Coach of the Year award.  Three JMU divers have qualified for the upcoming NCAA Zone Diving Championships, which will take place March 9-10.

The women’s indoor track and field team is preparing for the ECAC Championships, with Dukes having qualified for 17 events so far.

The spring championship sports are getting into full swing right now.  I want to wish the best of luck to the baseball, softball, lacrosse, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s golf and outdoor track and field teams in their pursuit of CAA Championships!

Update on Academic Leadership Searches  

This year we have been searching for two leadership positions that cut across many of our academic programs and interface with numerous offices on campus—the Dean of the Graduate School and the Director of the Honors Program.  These two searches are coming to what we feel will be very successful conclusions.  The Provost is making an offer on the Dean of the Graduate School position, and Vice Provost Halpern will likely be making an offer within the next two weeks on the Director of the Honors Program position.  In our strategic plan, we have a goal of moving our Honors Program from the program level to an Honors College, and the new Director will then become our inaugural dean.  Also, after many years of dedicated and exceptional service to the University, Dr. Teresa Gonzalez will be retiring at the end of this year.  An institution-only search has been initiated for the Vice Provost for Academic Development position and is expected to conclude prior to the end of the spring semester.

Recent recognitions

Here are just a few recent recognitions among many that reflect JMU's vision to be the national model of the engaged university:

  • JMU was named one of the country's ten best BA in theatre programs by the well-respected theatre publication OnStage. The publication identifies JMU's program as one with "benefits geared toward performers," citing its wide-ranging performance opportunities and high production values. Of emphasis is the Forbes Center's five performance venues, which OnStage characterizes as "one of the [most] spectacular theatre facilities in the country." 
  • NASA's Space Place, a public education and outreach program, recognized JMU’s John C. Wells Planetarium for its valuable contributions to its community in the areas of science, technology education, and inspiration.
  • JMU was selected for inclusion on the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for 2015. The Corporation for National and Community Service has selected JMU each year since the Honor Roll’s inception in 2006.  

Madison Magazine for Tablets

Madison magazine digital beta availableA beta version of the new Madison magazine app is available now for Apple and Android tablets. The print edition of Madison will still publish on its regular schedule. But now, digital editions will publish to the app store with increased frequency. Visit the Madison magazine website to download.  

Additional Updates

A JMU volunteer firefighter in actionI recently had the great honor to visit Hose Company No. 4 to tour the facility and interact with firefighters.  I was pleased to learn that approximately a third of the volunteer firefighters at the station are JMU students.  These students receive hundreds of hours of training, and make time in their busy academic schedules to save lives and property.  This is an extraordinary example of engagement between the University and the Harrisonburg communities.  We have many other students, faculty and staff who serve as volunteers in similar life-saving positions in the city and county, and we should all be extremely proud of, and grateful for, their public service.

I was recently appointed as Virginia’s representative to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ (AASCU) Council of State Representatives, a body which helps formulate AASCU’s public policy agenda and interacts with federal policy-makers.  This appointment will allow JMU to have a greater voice at the national level in federal higher education policy. www.aascu.org

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Published: Friday, March 13, 2015

Last Updated: Thursday, May 26, 2016

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