Foundation Board of Trustees Spring 2019 Meeting
Foundation
Highlights from the May 22, 2019 Board Meeting
Board of Trustees Spring Board Meeting
The JMU Foundation committee and board meetings were held on Wednesday May 22, 2019 at Hotel Madison.
The Meeting began with committee reports to the full Board which included the following action items and important facts:
Administration and Finance Committee- The FY19-20 Unrestricted Budget was approved which included a 1.4% increase over FY18-19
Development Committee- Dr. Nick Langridge provided an update on the Unleashed Campaign’s growth to $140 million and announced the location of 2019 tours to multiple cities. He also shared trends in giving by JMU and the general population which indicate a drop in donors but higher dollars given per gift. This trend is associated with the shifting demographics, tax laws and more diverse opportunities to give outside of higher education.
Governance Committee – Terms of Trustees changed from possibility of four terms of three years to three terms of three years. Darrel Branch of Florida and the COB 1998 was nominated and approved as a Trustee starting in July 2019. Linda Cross was nominated and approved as Board Chair and Barry Purcell was nominated and approved as Vice Chair. Both of these positions are for a two year term.
President Alger provided a recap of the many accomplishments of the faculty and students during 2018-2019. He shared facts about the Madison Vision series with John Grisham, a task force addressing inclusion and diversification, Civic engagement with AGB and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, a partnership with Montpelier, and support to the upcoming 2020 census.
He also highlighted the success of our athletic programs and NCAA appearances by the Women’s Lacrosse, Women’s Tennis and Women’s Softball.
Perhaps the most exciting news he shared was that the first group of 32 Valley Scholars has graduated, and 25 of these local high school graduates of the class of 2019 will attend JMU in the fall. He followed that news by notifying the board that there would be no tuition increase for the first time in 18 years.
The Foundation’s Five Year Strategy Plan 2014-2019 is scheduled for an update and Dr. Brian Charrette, JMU’s Director of Strategic Planning, led the Board in a Strategic Planning exercise entitled “Force Field Analysis.” The interactive exercise allowed each trustee the opportunity to express positive and negative forces impacting the Foundation. The results of the exercise were compiled into a survey for all trustees and the results will be reviewed during the upcoming fall board meeting.
The Meeting adjourned at 3:30 and the Board transitioned to the Hall of Presidents in the new D-Hall to celebrate the Foundation’s 50th anniversary. See separate article and pictures from the event – JMUF 50th Anniversary Celebration.
