Board of Visitors summary of actions and discussions

Board of Visitors Summary of Actions and Discussions  

Feb. 14, 2025  

The James Madison University Board of Visitors met Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, 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 Nov. 8, 2024, Board of Visitors meeting minutes.  

Dr. Tim Miller (Student Affairs) and Towana Moore (Administration and Finance) provided updates to the Board on the Garber Hall fire that occurred the evening of Feb. 13, 2025.  

Accepted committee reports from Academic Excellence, Advancement and Engagement, Athletics, Audit, Risk and Compliance, Finance & Physical Development, Governance Committee, and Student Affairs.  

Presentations to the Board of Visitors   

Faculty Senate Speaker Kathy Ott Walter provided an update from the Faculty Senate.  

• Governance administration team working to finalize work and identify priority areas.  
• Senate Policy Committee working on academic affairs policy, with a review in the next few weeks.  
• The process of joint approvals is under review.  
• Working toward better internal communication so all faculty are informed.  
• Faculty highlights included initiatives and programs from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.   

Sydney Stafford, Student Representative to the Board, provided the following updates:  

• Updates provided since the last meeting, including community engagement, service learning and internship opportunities.   
• Attended advocacy events in Richmond.   

President Charles King presented during his report:  

• Major university events were recognized to include winter commencement, ROTC commission: winter commencement had 870 graduates and 4,842 guests; keynote speaker was Attorney General Jason Miyares (‘98); five graduating ROTC cadets were commissioned as active duty second lieutenants; ROTC guest of honor/speaker was Jack White.    
• 2025 fall applications to JMU: 44,782 (total); 44,072 (first year); 710 (transfer); total applications is a seven percent increase from 2024.  
• FAFSA updates: Department of Education (ED) implemented a robust beta testing process for the 2025-26 FAFSA; shifted opening date for ‘25-’26 FAFSA to Dec. 1; beta testing successful; JMU receiving downloads from ED for ‘25-’26.  
• JMU rankings (US News and World Report): #24 Best Online Master's in Information Technology Programs; #25 Best Online MBA Program; #38 Best Online MBA Program for Veterans; #33 Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs; #12 Best Online Master's in Nursing Administration Program.  
• Several faculty members were recognized with awards and recognitions:  
  • Rudy Molina (SAS), Joy Brittain (SAS) and Amanda Sawyer (COE): JMU, in partnership with Staunton City Public Schools, was recently awarded the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) grant for $2.3 million; supports student success and aims to close the learning gap for first-generation and low-income families in the Shenandoah Valley.  
  • Stephen Marrin (CISE) won the International Studies Association Lifetime Award. He is the tenth person to ever receive the award.  
  • Xiaojing Tang (CISE) was selected for a $700,000 grant from NASA through their Land Cover and Land Use Change program.   
  • Art Dean (Office of Inclusive Excellence and Engagement) was honored at the Ole School Alumni Scholarship Group Black History Month Celebration.  
  • LTC Andrew Bryant (Military Science): JMU ROTC is one of 10 schools in the Mid Atlantic Army ROTC Brigade with a notable 100% active-duty rate for recently graduated ROTC students.  
• Economic and Community Development: Harrisonburg Innovation Hub  
• JMU’s 1,000 square foot anchor tenant space was completed in January.  
• Programming topics at the Hub will include housing, transportation, childcare and workforce development.  
• Upcoming legislative priorities include: Fast Flex Nursing Program, Johnston Hall, New Residence Hall, Cox Bill (Athletic Legislation), Governor’s 2025 Budget, General Assembly dates (Jan. 8-Feb. 2), and the Legislative Reception Jan. 28, 2025.   
• Capital Projects: Campus Housing. Ikenberry/Potomac Hall; 461-bed dorm; six stories; 128K square feet.  
• Capital Projects: Carrier Library. 177K square feet.; 56K square feet of added space; completion date is Jan. 2026; open to students Aug. 2026.  
• Additional Capital Projects: Johnston Hall and CHBS expansion.  
• Reengineering Madison updates: new ERP selection in progress, demos completed in January; Okta goes live March 15-16; CRM work continues with Advancement going live in April.   
• Richmond Legislative Reception:   
  • On Jan. 28, JMU hosted its second annual Legislative Reception at the Library of Virginia.  
  • This event offers a valuable opportunity for statewide elected officials, legislators, legislative staff, and other state leaders to connect with university and student leaders, as well as proud alumni, and learn about the important work being done at JMU.  
  • Among the 218 guests were many legislators and distinguished leaders, including the governor's Chief of Staff, Attorney General and Lt. Governor.  
• JMU Athletics Update:   
  • JMU teams compiled an 80-50-11 cumulative record for a .606 winning percentage.  
  • JMU posted the highest federal graduation rate in Sun Belt with six programs posting a perfect GSR.  
  • First bowl win at Boca Raton Bowl against Western Kentucky University (most wins for JMU and only Virginia team to win a bowl).  
  • Head football coach Bob Chesney won the Virginia State Coach of the Year and the Bear Bryant Award.  
  • Women’s soccer won league championship.  
  • JMU women’s basketball sits in first place undefeated in Sun Belt competition and has the nation’s eighth-longest winning streak and is 13-0.  
  • JMU men’s basketball sits in second place and has won six straight games in the Sun Belt.  
• Presidential Transition:   
  • Together with the Division Heads, we are actively preparing for the presidential transition.  
  • The President's Office will be the primary point of contact for the presidential transition, including the announcement and all materials provided to the incoming president. We will make sure the incoming president is prepared and well informed of operations as we work with each division.   
  • With input from our incoming president, we will also work with our campus community to provide opportunities for introductions and connections to appropriate stakeholders.  
• The President’s Report will always conclude with future items. The following items are being considered for the next board meeting: 2025-2026 tuition and fees, comprehensive campaign and Master Plan.  

Caitlyn Read, Asst. Vice President, State Government Relations, provided a General Assembly update.   

• There is about a week left until General Assembly adjournment.   
• Updates on state budget, state policy and advocacy:   
  • JMU’s 2025 budget request: veteran support, expanded nursing program, retain campus officers, Johnston Hall renovation and expansion, new residence hall.  
  • 2024-2026 policy timeline: Jan. 17 was the last day to file bills, crossover was early, reconvened session April 2.  
  • State policy themes: athletics, student affairs, AI, nursing pipeline, mandatory trainings, reporting and data aggregation.  
  • Number of bills filed: 1,991; number of bills tracking: 89.  
  • Advocacy activities: JMU leadership visits, JMU legislative reception, JMU Student Lobby Day.  

Matt Roan, Director of Athletics, provided an update on Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) and Post-House Plan.  

• NIL background: The NIL era began in 2021; Senate Bill 223 signed into law by Gov. Youngkin in 2022; HB1505 signed in 2024.  
• NIL at JMU: Montpelier Collective launched in May 2023 to raise awareness for local charitable causes by pairing with community-minded JMU student-athletes.  
• House background: Grant House, Arizona State swimmer, brought antitrust lawsuit against NCAA seeking damages for what could have been earned; settlement of all similar cases; students-athletes who competed from 2016-24; $2.8 billion in damages to be paid to student-athletes over 10 years. Results in an approximately $325,000/year impact to JMU.  
• Future model: roster limits and scholarships, revenue sharing ($20.5 million cap with 4% escalator), NIL.   
• JMU will take a values-driven approach: uniquely JMU, securing future success, fiscal and legal responsibility.  
• House limits and Title IX: Part I participation; Prong I substantial proportionality.  
• Financial aid: definition (tuition, room and board, books cost of attendance, and academic awards (Alston)); Title IX proportionality; all programs maintaining at least current scholarship funding using two-plus year averages; “scholarship enhancement” via revenue sharing.   
• NIL and Honors 1 (JMU’s unified approach): JMU Dukes Exchange, access to student-athlete licensing, education to assist efforts, leveraging learnings and mindset.  
• Expectations going forward: potential lawsuits, new classes being formed; possible federal solution to standardize rules across state boundaries.   

Melinda J. Wood, Vice President, Enrollment Management, presented information on Test-Optional Admission.  

• Provided recap on enrollment cliff and potential decline in future applications.  
• Role of standardized test scores: academic success in the first semester/year; higher test scores linked to higher college GPAs; identify top applicants at the most selective institutions (Ivy Plus).  
• Advantages of test required admission: identify students at risk in first year; enable rural students to stand out when access to AP, IB, and dual enrollment courses are limited; declining student readiness accelerated by COVID-19.  
• Disadvantages: test scores not a primary factor; strong retention and graduation rates; Virginia public institutions are test-optional; Virginia Tech test-optional until 2028.  
• Competitors and admission test policy: cross applicant institutions, peer institutions, Virginia public and private institutions, Research 2 institutions, Common Application.  
• Application and admit rate trends: admit rate peaked at about 83% in 2021; goal is to select the very best and brightest students and meet enrollment goals.  
• Fall 2025 test required scenario: current admission policy vs. test required admission policy.   

The following items were voted on by the Board of Visitors:   

• Approved personnel action plan.  
• JMU to enter into agreement with Foundation for development and construction of a new presidential home.  
• Honorary doctoral degree - approved.