Board of Visitors Summary of Actions and Discussions

The James Madison University Board of Visitors met Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, 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 April 26, 2019, Board of Visitors meeting minutes;
• Accepted committee reports from the Advancement, Athletics, Academics & Student Life, Audit and Finance & Physical Development committees;
• Approved two easements for road improvements and utility work;
• Received a report on the College of Arts and Letters from Dr. Robert Aguirre, dean of the college;
• Approved the Six-Year Plan to be submitted to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia; Met in closed session;
• Approved the purchase of real property:
  • 735 S. Main Street for $1.4 million.

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

• The Madison Plan is being reviewed and updated;
• Some key challenges and trends facing higher education:
  • Value propositions;
  • Declining trust in expertise and institutions;
  • Student safety and well-being;
  • Enrollment, demographics, diversity
• JMU is responding to challenges and trends:
  • Focus on intellectual skills and action;
  • Increased emphasis on interdisciplinary thinking and problem solving;
  • New academic programs that respond to emerging needs;
  • Internship and hands-on experiences;
  • Career and academic planning;
  • Community and civic engagement;
  • “Anchor” institution model;
  • Fostering an environment that values and shares different perspectives through civil discourse;
  • Increased counseling staff;
  • Creation of new programs like Madison Cares, Rebound;
  • Continued focus on safety and prevention;
  • Increased outreach and recruitment efforts;
  • Focus on financial aid and scholarships;
  • Continued emphasis on raising JMU’s national profile and name recognition;
  • Programs to recruit and retain first-generation and disadvantaged students;
  • Expansion of graduate, adult-degree and certificate programs;
  • Recommendations from the Task Force on Inclusion;
• Introduced new campus leadership:
  • Bethany Nowviskie, dean of Libraries;
  • Mark L’Esperance, dean of the College of Education;
  • Jack Knight, university counsel;
  • Bob Klein, American Council on Education fellow.

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