January 2014 Board of Visitors Summary of Actions and Discussions

The James Madison University Board of Visitors met Friday, January 17, 2014, in the Board Room of Madison’s Festival Conference and Student Center.

Following is a summary of actions taken by the board and key areas of discussion at the board meeting: 

• Approved the October 4, 2013 BOV meeting minutes;
• Approved committee reports from Athletics, Audit, Development, Education & Student Life, and Finance & Physical Development;
• Received the President’s Report presented by President Jonathan Alger;
• Received a presentation on JMU’s Strategic Plan from:
  • Dr. Mark Warner, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and University Planning
  • Dr. Brian Charette, Associate Vice President for University Planning
  • For more information about the Madison Future Commission and the university’s strategic planning process, please visit the Strategic Planning website.
  • Approved JMU’s 2014-2020 Strategic Plan;
• Received the Governor’s 2014-2016 Biennial Budget update presented by Mr. Charles King, Senior Vice President for Administration & Finance;
• Reviewed and approved a Board By-Laws update presented by Ms. Donna Harper, Secretary to the Board of Visitors;
• Received a presentation on the Honors Program from Dr. Barry Falk, Honors Program Director;
• Approved several easements associated with the Grace Street Housing Project.  The easements will provide for the following:
  • A cut out bus stop;
  • Additional storm water management features;
  • A bike lane; and
  • Overhead utilities
• Vacated several sanitary sewer and overhead electric easements associated with the Grace Street Housing Project.
• Voted to keep summer 2014 tuition and fees the same as summer 2013 tuition and fees.
• Approved the purchase of real property at 601 Locust Hill Drive for $270,000.
• Approved the purchase of real property at 718 Hickory Hill Drive for $330,000.

Was told by President Jonathan Alger:

-     that more than 700 students graduated at the December Commencement in the Convocation Center, where JMU alumnus G.J. Hart was the featured speaker;

-     that JMU remains a leader among master’s-level institutions in study-abroad participation, according to a 2013 report by the Institute of International Education.  JMU ranks second in both the total number of students who studied abroad and in participation in short-term programs;

-     that JMU has teamed with the University of Salamanca to offer a new dual master’s program to provide teachers with Spanish language skills rooted in cultural understanding;

-     that the Marching Royal Dukes led off the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and were subsequently invited to perform in the gubernatorial inauguration parade in Richmond on January 11;

-     that the JMU Army ROTC Ranger Team placed first over 40 other institutions at the 4^th Brigade’s Ranger Challenge competition, a series of extraordinarily grueling challenges.  Our battalion consistently ranks in the top 5 percent of more than 270 universities in the US;

-     JMU Recognitions:

• Dr. Cindy Rubenstein received the prestigious Excellence and Innovation in Teaching Award from the American Association of Nursing, the first time that a JMU faculty member has won;
• Professor Brian Utter and his colleagues have received a $300,000 grant from the Physics Teacher Education Coalition to help develop more high school physics teachers;
• US News & World Report ranked JMU as tied for the #9 best online graduate business program;

-       Facility Updates:

• Duke Hall
• Student Success Building
• Grace Street Housing
• Ice House;

-       Academic Leadership Searches:

• Finalists are being interviewed for the following positions:
  • Dean of the College of Integrated Science and Engineering;
  • Dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Studies;
  • Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship.