November 2018 Board of Visitors Summary of Actions and Discussions

The James Madison University Board of Visitors met Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, in the Board Room of Madison’s Festival Conference and Student Center.

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

• Approved the Sept. 14, 2018, Board of Visitors meeting minutes;
• Accepted committee reports from the Advancement, Athletics, Academic & Student Life, and Finance & Physical Development committees;
• Received a report on the College of Health and Behavioral Studies from Dr. Sharon Lovell, dean of the college;
• Approved changes to the faculty handbook;
• Approved a resolution encouraging the use of open educational resources;
• Approved a resolution outlining a Level III management agreement;
• Met in closed session;
  • Approved the purchase of real property: 705 Oak Hill Drive for $278,500;
  • 217 Port Republic Road for $150,000.

Was told by President Alger during his President’s Report:

• The university successfully launched the public phase of its $200 million comprehensive campaign during Homecoming;
• Joseph (’76, ‘77M) and Pamela Craun (’77) Damico have donated $1 million to create an endowed chair in the Exceptional Education program;
• Eric (’91) and Lara Parker (’92) Major have donated to name the College of Business’ laboratory for Innovation, Collaboration, Creativity and Entrepreneurship;
• The Gilliam family has committed to a $5.2 million gift to name the Center for Entrepreneurship in honor of the late Leslie Flanary Gilliam (’82), a former member of the Board of Visitors and co-founder of Women for Madison;
• The university will hold a number of regional campaign events in areas including Richmond, Atlanta, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Northern Virginia and New York;
• A groundbreaking ceremony was held during Homecoming for the new College of Business Learning Complex;
• The university has begun the process of updating the current strategic plan which culminates in 2020;
• JMU hosted the Engagement for the Public Good conference at the Hotel Madison Nov. 7-9;
• Best-selling author John Grisham hosted author and musician James McBride at the inaugural John Grisham Writer’s Hour in October;
• The Madison Vision Series recently hosted two former members of Congress, one Democrat and one Republican, to discuss the current political climate;
• JMU’s partnership with the Republic of Kosovo continues to flourish through mutual exchanges and attendance of administrators, faculty and alumni at an innovation conference in Kosovo;
• Volleyball is currently tied for first place in the CAA;
• Women’s soccer was the regular season CAA champion and coach Josh Walters was named CAA Coach of the Year. Five players earned All-CAA honors;
• Men’s soccer was the regular season CAA champion and will host the CAA tournament. Coach Paul Zazenski was named CAA Coach of the Year while nine players earned All-CAA honors;
• Searches for deans of the College of Business, College of Education, and Libraries and Educational Technology are progressing;
• The Virginia Council of Presidents expects issues of affordability and access to be prominent in the General Assembly;
• JMU was named the most recommended university in the United States by the Times of Higher Education / Wall Street Journal based on a national survey of more than 200,000 students.

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