Board of Visitors summary of actions and discussions

Board of Visitors Summary of Actions and Discussions 

April 11, 2025 

The James Madison University Board of Visitors met Friday, April 11, 2024, 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 Feb. 14, 2024, Board of Visitors meeting minutes. 

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. 

• Final definition of shared governance approved. 

• The shared governance team has a landing page to keep track of the progress toward the recommendations made by the task force. 

• Academic Affairs Policy #2 is in its final stages, ready for summer/fall 2025. 

• The faculty handbook revision committee will have its first draft in May for comments. 

• The Faculty Senate will be discussing and voting on two resolutions during the April meeting: resolution in appreciation of President King and a resolution on external challenges to faculty roles and responsibilities. 

• Faculty highlights were shared with the board. 

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

• Provided updates on student outreach, engagement with the presidential search, tuition hearing, Choices, and 2025 student body elections. 

• New goals: engage, inform, transition and gratitude, with an emphasis on helping Dr. Schmidt transition to JMU.  

• Recognized President King and Sherry King for their dedication to students. 

President Charles King presented during his report: 

• Some major university events were recognized to include the Feb. 14 2025 School of Strategic Leadership Studies conference with keynote speaker Carly Fiorina, March 14 alumni awards dinner, March 26 presidential announcement event, March 28 stewardship luncheon, and May 15-17 commencement ceremonies.  

• Career Fair highlights: 4,287 students attended; 334 employers; Class of 2025 job market preparation.  

• Common Good in the Commonwealth event April 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the Wilson Hall auditorium. This is a great example of alumni bridging political divides for the common good of all Virginians.  

• Student success: BR2JMU, a dual admissions program in partnership with BRCC for students from the Shenandoah Valley, has launched. The program currently has 49 applicants for the fall 2025 inaugural class.  

• New JMU chapter of Alpha, Alpha, Alpha: national recognition of JMU’s focus on first-generation students. 

• Garber Hall fire: President King read a parent letter that thanked JMU for their handling of the incident. 

• JMU Giving Day: 3,659 donors (exceeded goal of 3,475); $1,233,459 in donations across campus. 

• JMU speech team (April 5-7): all members qualified for the American Forensic Association’s national speech tournament; our students qualified for every event for nationals; this is JMU’s first national finalist since 2011 - only six students in the nation advanced to the national final round. 

• Federal engagement: JMU Student Veteran Association members met with congressional staff to share their campus experiences; JMU leadership visited Capitol Hill to provide research and academic updates; JMU athletics participated in NIL policy call with Congressman Ben Cline’s office; CAL faculty participated in Humanities Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C.; Economic Impact Report 2025. 

• State government relations: one-time funding from the General Assembly includes affordability funding, nursing program and financial aid; the budget retained the 1.5 percent bonus for eligible employees and included $26.8 million for the renovation and expansion of Johnston Hall (beginning summer 2025), starting renovations summer of 2025 alongside Spotswood Hall. 

• JMU Athletics Update:  
  • Women's basketball went 30-6 overall, 18-0 in SBC, won regular season. championship, earned the #1 seed in WBIT and made it to WBIT quarter finals. 
  • Men's basketball went 20-12 overall and earned the #2 seed for SBC championship. 
  • Women’s swimming and diving won second straight SBC championship. 
  • Lacrosse #14 ranking in latest IWLCA Division I poll and 3-0 in American. 
  • Hosting spring conference championships: May 8-10 Sun Belt Track and Field. 

The President’s Report will always conclude with future items. The following items are being considered for the next board meeting: Board of Visitors retreat June 5-6 in Williamsburg. 

Towana Moore, Vice President for Administration and Finance, presented on proposed 2025-26 Tuition and Fees, Proposed 2026 Summer Tuition and Fees and Proposed 2025-26 Budget. 

• This section will be updated April 14, 2025. 

Melinda J. Wood, Vice President, Enrollment Management, provided an Enrollment Management Update. 

• 46,240 total applications (including transfers); admit rate declined for fourth year; financial aid offers are ongoing; Decision Day is May 1. 

• 44,130 first year applications (11% increase); 65% admit rate (69% in 2024, doubled since 2021). 

• First-year student demographics and majors of interest were highlighted. 

• Admit offers in Virginia: 478 high schools; Fairfax and Loudoun have the most applicants and admit offers; Craig, Charles City, Lee and Lunenburg counties not represented. 

• Out of state offers: 4,646 high schools; all 50 states and 92 countries represented; growth from southern states; 10.5% more out-of-state admit offers compared to 2024. 

• Financial Aid and Scholarships: students are receiving offers with no delays. Over 18,000 students have received a preliminary financial aid offer; 7% of admitted students received a scholarship offer.  
• Centennial Scholars: 924 students applied (5% increase in total applications); applications have increased by 59% in three years; offer rate is 6.9% for 50 scholarships; more Pell-eligible students apply today than in 2022.
• May 1 deposit progress: first year class has 3,386 deposits (goal is 4,800); 334 transfer deposits.
• Rector Suzanne Obenshain recognized President King and Sherry King for their service to JMU. 

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

• Personnel action report. 
• Resolution of the James Madison University Board of Visitors Regarding the Future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at JMU.