Board of Visitors Meeting, Jan. 10, 2003

Summary of Actions/Discussions

                  The James Madison University Board of Visitors met Friday, January 10, 2003,  in the Board Room of JMU's College Center. Following is a summary of actions taken by the board and key areas of discussion at the board meeting:

• Was told by President Linwood H. Rose that the University has received a $2.5 million private gift - largest in the university's history - that will go toward construction of JMU's new Theater and Dance Performance Center. The gift was made by Charles E. Estes in honor of his late wife, Dorothy Thomasson Estes, a 1945 graduate of JMU and a long-time supporter of the university. She died in 1996. The funds will be part of $5 million in private gifts JMU will raise to augment the $29.8 million for the building that was approved by Virginia voters in last fall's bond issue referendum. "The new theater/dance complex is vital to the future of James Madison University and we are extremely grateful to Mr. Estes for his generous gift," Rose said. "The building will serve as a lasting memorial to a loyal and dedicated alumna of our university."  Rose said that the "gift of the Estes family will serve as a challenge to other potential donors to come forward in support of the arts at JMU."

• Approved a new degree program that will offer a B.S. degree with a major in statistics. The program will begin this fall.

• Approved tuition and fees for the Summer Session, 2003. Virginia undergraduate tuition and fees will increase from $52 a semester hour to $69; non-Virginia undergraduate tuition and fees, from $270 an hour to $303. Virginia graduate tuition and fees increase from $118 an hour to $149 an hour and non-Virginia graduate tuition and fees rise from $440 to $503. The Student Services Fee remains at $4 for all students;  Room increases from $80 to $84 and board from $77 to $81.

• Passed a resolution reasserting JMU's commitment to diversity and directing the University's administration "to prepare and submit information regarding all race-conscious programs to the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia for review and counsel."  The administration is to report back to the Board at its next meeting on any recommendations of the Attorney General's office and any actions that have been taken or proposed for race-conscious programs.