The James Madison University Board of Visitors met Friday, October 3, 2003, in the Board Room of JMU's College Center. Following is a summary of actions taken by the board and key areas of discussion at the board meeting:

• Gave its approval for the university to award two new degrees:  a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training.  Each action would upgrade an existing academic concentration to a degree program. The action will now go the State Council of Higher Education for approval.
  
  
• The Education and Student Life Committee received a background report from Senior Vice President Mark on the April board of visitors decision ordering the JMU Health Center to stop dispensing Emergency Contraception Pills and the subsequent reaction by students and others.  Dr. Meredith S. Gunter, committee chair, requested Warner's report to acquaint new board members with the situation.  She suggested that the matter be brought back to the committee for consideration at its January 9, 2004, meeting, allowing board members time to consider the matter.  (There are five new members on the 15-member board of visitors.)  The committee agreed.  At the same committee meeting, both Student Government Association President Levar Stoney and student board of visitors representative Timothy A. Brooks again called on the board to reverse its action.  
  
  
• Approved a request to seek an additional $40.2 million in funds in the 2004-2006 biennium.  Among the request is a $7 million per year increase in the university's base funding.  Senior Vice President Charles W. King Jr. told the board that a General Assembly study has shown that JMU is the most under-funded public university in the state and should have an addition $28 million in base funding.  JMU is requesting $7 million a year to meet that shortfall over a four-year period, King said.
  
  
• JMU President Linwood H. Rose gave the board a report on the major accomplishments at the university during the past five years.
  
  
• Voted to award an honorary doctor of science degree at the December Commencement ceremony to the main speaker at the program, Dr. Marcia Angell.  A JMU graduate, Angell is a member of the Harvard University Medical School faculty and is the former editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine.
   
• Approved a change in board of visitors procedure on motions.  Any motion coming before the full board must now be made available to all board members at least seven days prior to the board meeting.  No prior notice was previously required.
   
• Received reports from Senior Vice President Warner on the university's performance measures and from Associate Vice President Randy Mitchell on the JMU Success Center.