Board of Visitors summary of actions and discussions

The James Madison University Board of Visitors met Friday, April 22, 2022 in the 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 February 18, 2022 Board of Visitors meeting minutes and the personnel action report; 

Accepted committee reports from the Academic Excellence, Advancement and Engagement, Athletics, Audit, Governance, Finance and Physical Development, and Student Affairs committees; 

An update on the General Assembly was provided by Caitlyn Read, Director of Government Relations; 

The 2022-23 proposed tuition and fees and the proposed 2022-23 budget was presented by Towana Moore, Interim Vice President of Administration and Finance; 

A reaffirmation of the University’s mission statement was presented by Brian Charette, Special Assistant to the President; 

A racial equity and diversity, equity and inclusion update was provided by Deborah Tompkins Johnson; 

Tim Miller, Vice President for Student Affairs led an update on COVID-19; 

The Board of Visitors voted to approve the proposed 2022-23 proposed tuition and fees, the 2022-23 proposed summer tuition and fees and the proposed 2022-23 budget, pending the outcome of the state budget; 

It was voted by the Board of Visitors that the University reaffirm the current mission statement; 

The Board of Visitors voted for the next Rector of the Board to be Maribeth Herod, Vice Rector to be Chris Falcon and Secretary of the Board Donna Harper. 

President Alger shared during his President’s Report:

• There was a 44% increase in first-year applications (31,711), with 44% being out of state and 33% being underrepresented minorities and 41% increase in early action applicants (18,589);
• To date, 3,410 deposits from the first-year 2026 class have been received, with 2,446 being in-state and 964 from out of state. First-year demographics are 19% underrepresented minorites, 13% first generation, and represent 37 states and 46 countries. There have been 344 transfer deposits received;
• The findings from the Campus Climate Study have been received and the Implementation Team will be reviewing to coordinate responses;
• The College of Arts and Letters presented the next cohort hire that will bring a Latinx studies focus to campus;
• Civic Engagement updates were presented on the Campus Compact national conference that included a plenary session with JMU Alum Harry Dunn and the Madison Center for Civic Engagement will now be led by Interim Executive Director David Kirkpatrick;
• Farah Pandith was the speaker on Monday for the Madison Vision Series and led a discussion about the importance of combating hate in the world. She also was recognized with the 2022 Madison Award for the Public Good;
• JMU participated in a recent summit at the Stanford School, which is focused on fostering innovative thinking in higher education. JMU continues to encourage interdisiplinary programs and initiatives;
• JMU will receive $620,000 in federal funding for the university’s teacher recruitment and retention as part of the FY2022 Federal Spending Bill. The University also supports a teacher residency program, which is facilitated by the College of Education;
• The Provost Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship will be presented to Ailton Coleman, Health Sciences; Kelly Naletelich, Marketing; Maryam Sharifian, Early Elementary and Reading Education; Matt Pardo, Theatre and Dance; Rebecca French, Libraries; Paul Raston, Chemistry and Biochemistry; Case Watkins, Justice Studies; and Kayla Yurco, Integrated Sciences;
• In support of JMU’s transition to R2 status, the 2022-2023 Inaugural Fellows were announced: Christopher Berndsen, Chemistry and Biochemistry; Maureen Shanahan, Art, Design and Art History; Matthew Rebhorn, English;
• The College of Visual and Performing Arts honored the life of George Sparks, former dean, through an inspiring tribute including student performances;
• JMU’s Brass Band has been invited to represent the United States as part of the World Music Contest in Kerkrade, The Netherlands, and is the only U.S. band to be invited;
• For the third year in a row, JMU has been named a Fullbright Top Producing institution for U.S. Student Grants among master’s degree granting colleges and universities;
• JMU’s Engineering Supermileage Team created a fuel-efficient vehicle that ran the 2.5 mile Indianapolis Circuit and were presented with the DuPont-sponsored Safety Award;
• JMU’s Debate Team finished the season ranked 4^th in the nation by the Cross Examination Debate Association; and
• Lacrosse is ranked #11 and the Sun Belt transition continues with campus visits and visits to the SunBelt offices.